Autumn Cosy

 I love this time of the year. It is my absolute favourite. Autumn for me is all about cosiness and being snuggly warm on the cooler days. I bring out the candles, put on the lamps instead of the over head ceiling lights where possible, snuggly blankets make their way out of summer hiding places and hot chocolate is starting to make an appearance.

Heart warming meals start to make a show on the menu on some of the cooler days, just like this Morrocan Lamb Stew here in this photo below. I don't eat a lot of meat myself but for a few weeks all I could think about was having a lamb stew and I wasn't disappointed. I love Morrocan flavours.

I read a book called "Cozy - The Art of Arranging Yourself in the World", by Isabel Gillies which was such a great read. She talked about how you can bring elements of cosy to all areas of your life which was a different way of looking at what being cosy means for yourself personally. For me it is all the things I mentioned above and more. It is also about having my family around me, all lined up on the couch watching a Saturday night movie with treats. Going to a cafe in winter for a hot drink and talking or reading our books at the table. Snuggling on the couch with a blanket wrapped around me and reading a good gripping story. It is home cooked meals, home baking, going on walks or picnics together. It is a feeling of safety, all is well in my world. Having my teenage boys home and happy to be home with us all together is the greatest feeling in the world and that makes my heart feel cosy. I love the warmth of my husband's hand when he takes mine.

My dogs and hens make me feel cosy as I love animals. I love to pat my dogs. I wish I could pat my hens but they do a funny dance if I try! Cosy is what makes me tidy the chicken coop all the time.

For me cosy crosses over into Hygge which is a Danish concept for all that I have talked about and more. It is definitely about being with loved ones over a good home cooked meal or pastries in a cafe and chatting. They love candles and from what I have read, are the biggest consumers of candles in the world. 

I love it all! My boys always say how I am the queen of cosy! Perhaps I have Scandinavian in me. Actually my Mum recently did her DNA for her ancestry and there is a percentage of Swedish in our heritage I think. So that is close enough!

Another aspect of autumn I love is the drawing in of the daylight and cooler mornings when I wake up. One of the first things I do is let our dogs outside for the toilet and I always love to stand at the door and look up at the hills to see if the cows and sheep are up there. I love it when it is cool, there's a mist over the hills and you hear the mooing of the cows. Makes me feel like I need a tartan shawl wrapped around me. I do actually have one now that I think of it, in our clan tartan. Yes there is way more Scottish in me than Scandinavian and I am very proud of that. My Mum's Dad came from Scotland, a small fishing village. They were a poor family, lived in a tiny farm cottage with a large family. There's something cosy about the sound of that but in reality not really. I have been to Scotland and seen the house my Grandad lived in as a wee boy and it wouldn't have been cosy in the way I love. More like cramped. Maybe though, there is something in my history that creates such a deep desire for cosy and security. Perhaps it comes from the history of clans and community. 

One thing I do know though, is that my security comes not from things or feelings, however much they might be enjoyable and restful. My security comes from God and Him alone. My faith in Him and his love for me. One of my favourite times of the day is first thing in the morning having my quiet time with God in His word and having prayer time. I do make it cosy of course! Candles and a cup of tea. Just me and Jesus, my morning sacred time before the busyness of our day. 

When I was a younger mum with little children it didn't always happen like this at all, it was more like snatch a little bit of time here and there. But I am in a different stage of life now and even if my boys wake early they know they can come and say good morning and have a hug but they usually let me have my time.

Well time to wrap up my thoughts, it is getting late into the evening and I need a Yorkshire Tea!

Have a great week and thanks for being here.

Blessings, Fiona

I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord; every good thing I have comes from you." Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup. Psalm 16:2, 5