Weather report from Cape Town, South Africa: drizzling, hot and overcast with a 100% chance of mosquitoes.
Not crochet weather right? However, this time 'round, I am determined to work on my relationship with Summer. I didn't think Summer Hygge was a thing but when I googled " Summer Hygge " I was quickly set right. Although, not many of the Lists resonated with me. BBQ's, for example. You'd think that would be a Hygge thing but all I can think of is smelling of BBQ smoke! And nighttime swims in a River or Lake, or worse, the Ocean. Did those people not ever see Jaws? Ok, so that's crossed off my list.
Anyhow, after an hour of reading through many Summer Hygge lists on Pinterest, I couldn't find one that really hit the sweet spot. I compiled a list of Summer Hygge living ( I could add ten more ). What makes Summer especially comfortable for you? Bear in mind we are focussing on Comfort with a capital C! Can you think of special rituals or traditions, or your own practices that make Summer a bearable experience for you?
The new Mandala pattern, Botanica, will be released later today so keep your peepers peeled! On this note, today our GIVEAWAY will be a copy of Botanica! All you need to do is leave me YOUR Summer Hygge idea in the comments section below ( don't forget to add your Ravelry name ).
Before I sign off...I HAD to share this little video of Augusta! I'm terrible I know. Next, it will be the photo-albums!😁
And then, because we can't leave Nisha out. You have to see this little Miss doing her nails!
Roxy had to get in on the action as well. She gets very upset when I don't include her in photo-shoots.
I'm looking so forward to reading your Summer Hygge ideas.
Until next time, Yarnarinas, hope your weekend is very cosy and comfortable.
💗 Jen
When I was a little girl and summer was sweltering, my mother would find a pretty tea cup and fill it with frozen berries. She would top it with whip cream and bring it to us with a spoon <3 easy breezy and a little fancy ;)
ReplyDeleteOh my lawd, that sounds gloriously Summer Hygge. THANK YOU for the wonderful idea! It's perfect! xox
DeleteOh, Pauline I love that ( especially driving too fast for mozzies...hahaha ). We live literally 5minutes from the beach but it's been AGES since we did this. Thank you for the reminder. It does sound SUPER hygge! xox
ReplyDeleteSorry Jen but Summer remembers me immediately SEA a good swim, lots of fun in the sea, in the beach....summer holidays with the kids (they are adults now!!).
ReplyDeleteI love your Mandala! Cheers.
Summer can be so much fun, Ana!What other things did you enjoy in Summer. Dinner under the stars? Walks through the Town at night, just window shopping and eating ice-cream? :D
DeleteI love sitting on my verandah in the early morning with my mug of tea and listening to the little parrots and wattle birds fight over the bottle brush flowers, much better than television. love the pattern thank you for your great work [chtein]
ReplyDeleteThat's my favourite thing too, Christine. :D Happy weekend! xx
DeleteI can cross a lot of things of your list, but a good walk at the beach is my winter thing XD much to crowded at summer time. My house has covered windows, needed when living next to the river. We get so much stingers here in the summer. Just like my garden is a bit of a wilderness as it can get so hot you've to take shelter under the trees and have the ponds cool you down. Me sitting with tea, comfy chair, legs up and cats next to me, chicken rummaging around me, fishes coming up to see if I got food. I prefer no AC. I get sick all the time, getting used to the heat makes it way better. I worked in icy conditions and getting out there was like a hammer coming down. So I learned not to run around but sit and let your body adapt to it. Our society is so fast and demanding! Reports are worked at night, sleep is overrated. To all complainers about the heat, work at night. Do as the Mediterranean people, take a siesta.The night has so many scents, sounds and creatures to love. I am so happy with these little mandala's Jen. Going to make them in a short while. Thank you. And the little video's are cute. I can image Roxy, cats are so attractive ;>p
ReplyDeleteTineke, I agree with everything you say, about just slowing down and appreciating each season...and adapting. As you say, appreciate the Summer evenings, cool breezes, clear skies,and the afternoons, if you can, siesta on cool cotton sheets.But we need to sloooooooow right down to allow the seasons to show us their unique gifts. And that is challenging! Thank you for your kind words. I'm enjoying the smaller projects and will continue through the Summer. Happy weekend, to you Tineke and to your loved ones too ( yes, even the Chickens! ). Hugs!! xx
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI love these new patterns!!
I have two things that I would add to the summer Hygge list, one from the northern hemisphere and one from the southern hemisphere!! If I'm at home in Perth, Western Australia, I like to go down to Cottesloe beach after the heat of the day has largely dissipated, and get some fish and chips and sit on the sand under the shade of the huge conifer trees. I like to watch the sun go down to the cacacophony of the wild galahs finding their roosts for the night... It's the most amazing racket!!!
The summer hygge I'd like to add from here in the Midlands of the UK is to get my cup of morning coffee and my folding chair and go outside, before it gets too warm. To set my self up under one of my lovely big trees, oak or ash, and look up at the blue sky through the canopy of green, soaking up the dappled warmth, birdsong and gentle breezes!!!
Meanwhile, here it's freezing!! I'm going to go and get my coffee and a fleece and rug up for the morning!! :-)
Thanks for your lovely blog and patterns and inspiration.
Best regards from brrrrrrrr UK!!
Rowan xx (aviatrixuk)
Your Southern Summer Hygge sounds delightful, Rowan. I absolutely love eating outdoors in the Summer! Al fresco right? There are very few things more lovely than sitting under a large tree, with a picnic, a book or a spot of crochet. In the meantime, enjoy your Winter Hygge ( you lucky fish! )... I'm NOT going to say I'm jealous because I'm determined to make this Summer a very Hygge one indeed! :D xx
DeleteHi there, nice list of thing's to do. My favorite is walking to the beach with our dog Steve, and sit there and listen to the waves, either summer or winter. I also love to walk up the mountain, especially if its warm but windy, I love how every tree makes its own sound. Close to home there are bamboo trees and they sound like its rainning, when their leafs move. The smell of pine trees. Here the weather is still holding on good, only some rainy days but with the sun out. Jen, thank you for your paterns and being such a wonderful friend. I do hope you come back one day over here and visit us. Many hug's to you and your beautiful furry baby's.
ReplyDeleteSofia
(wisdom61)
Oh, Sofia...I do miss the Greek Isles an you paint such a vivid picture with your words. Some of my best Summers were spent in Crete! I can still smell the magical fragrance of wild herbs, thyme, sage and chamomile up in the hills! :) xox
DeleteJen you know, I would love to se you coming over for vaction, on this island is very differnt then the other islands, We have a waterfall, sand dunes, many ancient sites, a ancient theater that was excavated after 2.5 thousand years later and they had a play there, with actors like Ethan Hawk, Jeromy Irons and so many more, it was wonderful, and all the beautiful herbs that I gather. Hug's my friend :-) xoxo
DeleteMy favorite summer hygge activity is picking wild berries that I find on a walk in nature!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway! Ravelry ID: kjprice
Ah, Kris that is a lovely thing too, picking berries! My Fig tree has baby Figs already and I think there will be some Jam making going on over our Summery Xmas. Summer is starting to sound like fun! I really appreciate everyone sharing their Summer Hygge tips. :-) xox
DeleteTake a day off work, crank up the AC and crochet a favorite blanket pattern :-) Ravelry ID jaycee1422
ReplyDeleteYou rebel you! :D xox
DeleteHave a fave face spritzer with essential oils to hand & revive in an instant xxx
ReplyDeleteRavelry ID - MummaDeb
Oh, that is definitely a Summer thing for me too! And Iced Tea. I think I'm going to actually fall in love with Summer this time. Usually I absolutely dread the heat but now I'm looking at it differently. Happy Weekend, Deb! xx
DeleteHi Jen!
ReplyDeleteAh summer in South Africa! I know it's arrived when we start up the ice machine, we braai (BBQ) outside on a wood fire and I get to use my ice-cream machine again. Any wool projects are put in the cupboard and are replaced with cotton projects and talcum powder.
Ravelry ID SandyLubbe
Oh, I love that tradition, for you, getting out the ice-cream machine! And talcum powder...I forgot about that! :D xox
DeleteSummer music concerts and lazy Sundays on the boat on the dam.
ReplyDeleteRavelry ID Heathertwo
Yes, that sounds very Summer Hygge!I love it! :D xx
DeleteSummer for me is the smell of fresh cut grass and the crack of a baseball off at bat. Rarely id: kmmsb459
ReplyDeleteAh, yes Kelly...there are certain sporty sounds that bring a feeling of Summer Hygge...for me...hearing tennis balls being hit, and someone splashing in the swimming pool. Here in Cape Town, the grass dies right down in Summer. It's hot and dry and all green things struggle.On the plus side, no mowing until the winter rains.
DeleteI moved from South Africa to Ireland a couple of years ago and summer hygge now is to drench myself in each and every sun ray I can find, trying to warm the marrow in my bones. I even move my crochet chair from one sunspot to the next as the sun moves on: isabelw
ReplyDeleteOh, Isabelm that reminds me so much of when I lived in Holland! Now it's the opposite, I move to the shady spots ( with the Cats1 ).At least your Winter is cold enough to really get into some Winter Hygge right? I'd happily swop my Summer for your Winter. :D xx
DeleteDuring summers, my sisters and I used to have sleepovers in the basement. It sounds a little wrong, but it was blessedly cool, and the basement wasn't old or musty or anything. And during the day I went out to swing on the hammock in the yard and reread my favorite books.
ReplyDeleteI'm Amiamitchi on Ravelry.
Hi Jen!
ReplyDeleteSummer things for me - planting seeds and flower pots.
Making ice cubes with kool-aid or fruit juice with toothpicks or other such thing stuck in it.
Love your fur babies! Such sweetness.
Keep creating and surrounding yourself with pretty things so we can too! <3
My ravelry name is RobWillson.
Thanks so much, I will try my best! What a great idea with the fruit juice ice cubes! One of my favourite summer treats is frozen bananas added to a blender! Instant banana icecrean! :D xx
DeleteThose are just too precious. I wonder if one could take several of those and join them (would probably be kinda mesh-like. Given that it would have a good bit of openness, would that perhaps give you a really nice summer blanket/bedspread or such?
ReplyDeleteMy ravelry name is emckee
I'm sure someone will give it a whirl? I think it would look very vintagey? :-)
Delete