Winter can be long and cold here in Wisconsin. If it's not the cold and snow, it's the gloomy cloudy days that can get you down and feel in a rut. Why is it that Sweden, Denmark and Norway, and their Nordic neighbors Iceland and Finland are known as some of the happiest countries in the world. Despite spending half the year in the same varying degrees of icy cold and darkness as us wisconsinites, what are they doing right?
First, they practice living in a cozy atmosphere. Something they call "mys" (pronounced mees). Winter Fridays are all about the mys in Swedish homes, which involves cozying up on the couch with your loved ones, a good movie, and plenty of comfort food and snacks to celebrate the end of the working week.
Sweedes are also big fans of filling thier homes with lot and lots of candles. Does anything say comfy cozy than bundling up in a huge blanket sitting in the glow of candle light.
Now, I don't know about you but when I think comfort; food. In Sweden everday they take snack breaks serious! Everyday no matter what they're doing they wont miss fika - the informal break for coffee and snacks. It is such an essential part of the day some residents negoiate a fika break into many employee contracts. I mean who wouldn't get reenergized with a steaming mug of coffee and a freshly baked pastry.
Speaking of that pastry the cinnamon roll is the ultimate symbol of Swedish home cooking. Think about the smell of fresh cinnamon rolls wafting through your home... It's like a hug for your nose. A good cinnamon roll can't create world peace, but it's a dang good start!