Simple Cozy Charm

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January 11, 2018

Embracing Hygge During Winter Months

When my friend, Jessica, asked me if I wanted to participate in a Hygge home tour I said, “Sign me up!”. After all, cozy is a MUST in our home.   I have joined together with a group of gals in a blog hop, so be sure to make a stop by their cozy homes as well, you’ll find links to them all at the bottom of the post.

Welcome to any new friends, I’m so excited you have jumped over and am delighted to invite you into my cozy living room.  As always, products used will be linked at the end.

hygge at home

Hygge, (pronounced hue-guh not hoo-gah) is the Danish word used when acknowledging a cozy atmosphere or moment while alone or with friends.

Instant Cozy

A dear friend, who texts me often when seasons change or post holiday, recently asked me how I transition after Christmas.  My first response was layer your throw blankets, and add more pillows.  In this post I will demonstrate how quickly you can create the ultimate hygge experience simply by layering.

Creating higgle in the winter months

Of course texture and twinkly lights don’t hurt either.  I gathered together a mixture of faux fur and wool throws and pillows for a cozy seating area.   Paired with woven baskets, candle light, and rice lights, I’m already feeling the vibe, how about you.  We had the most beautiful snowfall this particular morning, so the hygge philosophy came natural.

This cozy spot literally made me want to instantly pop a squat and browse my favorite catalogs.  I still love flipping through magazines and ear marking pages even though the internet can be instant gratification.

One Step Further

Since my hubby works away from home (almost 4 hours away) I work hard at making him feel extra welcomed when he returns home each week.  He’s a romantic guy, so I knew I could capture him hook, line, and sinker this past weekend 😉  I stepped it up a notch and searched Pinterest for the ultimate hot chocolate recipe.  Let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint!  The girls and I did a trial run as I was creating this post.  I’ll post the recipe a little later 😉

ooey gooey hot chocolate

Mhmm, yep those are toasted marshmallows, and they were to the scrumptious state in under 2 minutes.  I figure enticing the hubby with an ooey gooey s’mores hot chocolate may result in take out dinner, and he happily obliged.  Maybe it was the cookies…. none the less I succeeded.  Anytime I don’t have to clean up a dirty kitchen this wife/momma is happy!

Not gonna lie, this whole scene screams mushy 😀  Valentine’s Day is closer than you think.  Drink up some of these tips to create your own hygge experience,  I promise good results 😉

Even though our fireplace is no longer functioning, twinkly lights provide a cozy ambiance without creating too much heat, lol!! Sigh… I miss when it worked, but I’m totally ok with it this way.  How many of you noticed I switched out the stacked logs and moss?  What can I say, I like to change things, and there was a whole lot of nasty cobwebs goin on…

S’mores Hot Chocolate (serves 2)

 

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup marshmallows
  • graham cracker crumbs
  • 2 tbsp. sugar
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1/4 cup cocoa
  • 1/4 tsp non-bitter stevia
  • 2 tbsp. chocolate syrup

Instructions:

  1. Pre-heat oven to low broil and move oven rack to the second from the top (high enough up to broil your marshmallows).  Place baking sheet on rack.
  2. Heat milk and water in saucepan over medium heat until warmed through – about 5 minutes.  Be careful not to overheat or scald.
  3. Add cocoa powder, chocolate syrup, sugar, stevia and salt.  Whisk vigorously until thoroughly combined.
  4. Meanwhile, take a few marshmallows and rub them around the top of your mugs so the graham crackers will stick.  Then, dip mug in graham cracker crumbs until well lined.  You could also add some graham cracker crumbs to the bottom of your mug for extra graham flavor.
  5. Pour in hot cocoa and top with 1/4 cup marshmallows each.  Carefully set mugs on the baking sheet in the oven and broil marshmallows until browned, watching carefully as to not let them burn.
  6. Carefully remove from the oven with an oven mit (they should cool quickly for handling). Top with a drizzle of chocolate syrup and extra graham cracker crumbs for serving (optional).

Cozy Reading Nook

This was so much fun, I figured I might as well snuggle up our reading nook too.  School and normal routine resumed, and that means homework.  Maybe it won’t seem so terrible if the homework spot is extra cozy…. worth a try 😉

Cozy Reading nook

Same elements and textures moved to another spot and it’s instant cozy all over again <3

Thanks so much for your visit, now go get cozy!!  Creating a hygge atmosphere is easier than it sounds.  I hope you enjoy the hot chocolate recipe, and of course let me know if you have any questions <3

Be Sure To Check Out These Hygge Tours

Jessica | Honey n Hydrangea
Dara | Hood Creek Log Cabin
Nina & Cecilia | Nina & Cecilia
Lisa | Shine Your Light
Beth | 1111 Light Lane
Martha | Simple Cozy Charm
Yuni | Love Your Abode
Kristin | White Arrows Home
Kellie | Gratefully VIntage

*********Instagram Story Giveaway Winner*********

Joanna – @joannasellshomes

Winner chosen using Random.org

Author and photos – Martha Knake

Chief Editor – Emily Schunke

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: cozy home, cozy living room, hot chocolate recipe, hygge, hygge tour, s'mores hot chocolate

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Comments

  1. Debbie Klausing says

    February 6, 2018 at 10:33 pm

    Wondering if you knitted the chunky throw? Such a cozy sight to behold!

    Reply
  2. Dara says

    January 12, 2018 at 7:32 pm

    Your home is indeed cozy and charming! I love all of the soft textures and the lights. And I am going to have to switch from Swiss miss to this recipe!

    Reply
  3. Jessica says

    January 12, 2018 at 1:27 am

    This is gorgeous. Your textures look so soft and warm but that hot chocolate. DELISH!!! Thank you so much for the recipe. You captured hygge beautifully with the twinkle lights.

    Reply
    • Martha Knake says

      January 12, 2018 at 10:07 am

      Thanks so much for inviting me along on this tour, it’s definitely a favorite of mine!

      Reply
  4. Kristin says

    January 11, 2018 at 3:26 pm

    This is all so gorgeous!! i Love your reading nook and can’t wait to try your hot chocolate recipe!! Delicious!! I am so inspired!

    Reply
    • Martha Knake says

      January 12, 2018 at 10:21 am

      I so hope you try the recipe! Loved doing this tour with you!

      Reply
  5. Kellie says

    January 11, 2018 at 1:36 pm

    Martha! You have nailed Hygge!! Your home is so beautiful and cozy! I loved your post and I can’t wait to try your hot chocolate recipe. It looks so delicious! It was so fun to do this blog hop with you Martha!

    Reply
    • Martha Knake says

      January 12, 2018 at 10:22 am

      I feel the same about your home Kellie! Adore you friend!

      Reply
  6. Lisa says

    January 11, 2018 at 12:01 pm

    Your home could not be cozier Martha! That chunky throw is amazing, I need one! Love the string lights too, so pretty! Your husband is a lucky guy coming home to all of that!

    Reply
    • Martha Knake says

      January 11, 2018 at 12:42 pm

      Awe thanks so very much Lisa!!

      Reply
  7. Elizabeth Light says

    January 11, 2018 at 11:49 am

    Wow Martha – just gorgeous! Love all of your pics and now I can’t wait to try that smores hot chocolate recipe – it looks amazing! So glad we could blog hop together! xo, Beth

    Reply
    • Martha Knake says

      January 11, 2018 at 12:42 pm

      It’s been so fun! I do hope you make the recipe… so easy and to die for!

      Reply
  8. Ingrid Bohannon says

    January 11, 2018 at 11:08 am

    Great post Martha! Your pictures are so clear and beautiful!

    Reply
    • Martha Knake says

      January 11, 2018 at 12:43 pm

      Thank you soo much Ingrid, it was such a fun post!

      Reply
  9. yuni says

    January 11, 2018 at 7:52 am

    Holy cow does that hot chocolate look good!! Martha, you totally captured Hygge in your home and it exudes cozy to the max!! Love it all my friend!

    Reply
  10. Jenna says

    January 11, 2018 at 7:47 am

    Two things! !) Totally agree that ear-marking pages in magazines is such a nostalgic pastime — will always remind me of hanging out with you and mom in the kitchen growing up while your girls were little! 2) Boy do I feel the pressure (let’s call it inspiration!?) to step it up a notch tonight when my hubby returns from a week of travel!! <3

    Reply
    • Martha Knake says

      January 11, 2018 at 12:44 pm

      Ahhh.. I remember that well too, and it warms my heart. I love to think up ways to welcome him home (sometimes) not always of course. We have been doing this for so many years… I try to keep it out of the mundane…. ya know?

      Reply

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welcome to simple cozy charm

I’m Martha, welcome to my blog!  I am a wife and a mother to 3 beautiful daughters. Making our home pretty is one of my favorite hobbies and I get so inspired by changes and events that happen in every day life.  Simple and cozy is a must around our house; I want family and friends to feel right at home.  My roots are farm grown, so I love adding sweet charm from my parents’ homestead, cozy decorating ideas, and simple diy tutorials.  So please, stay awhile, browse a bit, and let me know what inspires you!

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