In our rushed world, now filled with fears of viruses, etc, many of us have forgotten what it’s like to be cozy. The last two years have hopefully taught us that being safe in our own homes and neighborhoods provides contentment and that feeling of coziness if we can’t be close to our loved ones.
I felt cozy in my former home. I started a family there in 1988 and lived in the house with both daughters. In 2009, I met Hans whom I married a few years later. He helped make that house cozier with his carpentry and building talents, and of course, his humor and love! Seems once we got her looking gorgeous, we said goodbye!
We scratched the itch to move and we began a new life in a larger home and property. It is surprisingly easy to keep it cozy and warm, which is a great idea when you live in the Pacific Northwest.
As I prepare to spend my second full winter here, I am still shocked at how soon the sun sets. Not only is the sun low in the sky all day, but according to this source,
“The sun will set before 4 p.m. every day after that until the Winter Solstice. Then, the days will slowly start getting longer again. The next time the sun will set at 5 p.m. is Feb. 7, 2022.”
I guess I’ll be getting cozy for a few months yet. Not hard to do with this guy!
When I’m home, I like a cozy, comfortable, calming space.
Stacy Keibler
How would you define cozy?
Oxford Dictionary defines COZY as “giving a feeling of comfort, warmth, and relaxation:
“a cozy cabin tucked away in the trees.”
Everyone can identify with a fragrant garden, with beauty of sunset, with the quiet of nature, with a warm and cozy cottage.
Thomas Kinkade
“Cozy” can be found in the warmth of a kitchen or an inviting mountainside setting.
The Danish have a word to describe the idea of “cozy,” known as Hygge (pronounced hue-ga). Hygge is a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being, according to Oxford Dictionaries. Snuggling with pets and blankets suggests coziness and is good for your mental health.
Cozy or Hygge Hobbies
There are hobbies that are considered “cozy” or “hygge.” In this era of self-care, cultivating a hobby that brings you joy and contentment is a must-do. Depending on your interests, you can go for hobbies where you create coziness, like knitting, quilting, and crochet. Other home arts include soap-making, candle-making, and baking. I enjoy holiday decorating to make my home look cozier.
If you’re outdoorsy or fitness-oriented, hiking or walking and filling your eyes with beautiful scenery is always a win. While you’re out and about, try your hand at taking pictures and cultivating a love for photography. Our mobile devices make it impossible NOT to capture a fine photograph.
There are hundreds of wonderful hobbies available to explore.
Speaking of photography, it is up there in my top two favorite hobbies of all time (hiking is the other). I have not forgotten about Writers’ Quotes Wednesdays Writers’ Choice prompt (forgotten) this week. I think this quote works wonderfully for the idea!
Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.
Aaron Siskind
Even Bald Eagles Get Cozy
Last weekend, we drove 60 miles to Higgens Point on Lake Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, to see bald eagles congregate as they hunt for spawning kokanee salmon. We picked a great day with clear blue skies. More seagulls than eagles, but oh my, I finally got some of my own fab photos of eagles! This eagle pair hung out together and I can’t believe I caught this image of them looking “fondly” at each other and cozy together in the same tree.
Here is a close-up of one of the pair. The eagle photos were taken with my Lumix FZ300 at full 600 zoom in aperture mode.
As we walked back to our car, I looked back and caught the eagle couple in another cozy pose. Aww.
Photo Challenges this Week
Each week I am inspired by my fellow bloggers’ photo challenges. I find it fun to incorporate these into my Sunday Stills weekly themes when possible.
- Marsha’s Writers Quotes Wednesday: Forgotten
- Cee’s Flower of the Day Pine cones and needles
- Dawn’s Festival of Leaves at least one picture!
- Johnbo’s CellPic Sunday all images except the eagles
- Jude’s Life in Color: Black or Gray eagle silhouette
December’s themes are ready for your viewing pleasure on my Sunday Stills Photography Page.
Colorful Bloggers’ Links
Sunday Stills is a wonderful community of bloggers and photographers who desire to connect with one another. Below are the last week’s links from bloggers who shared their favorite ruby-wine color challenge photos.
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Easin’ Along Image shared in comments
Hugh’s Views and News Image shared in comments
Philosophy Through Photography
Retirement Reflections Image shared on Instagram
NEW TBL
Sunday Stills Photo Challenge Reminders
Sunday Stills weekly challenge is easy to join. You have all week to share and link your post. I appreciate so many loyal participants each week and am blown away by your talents!
- Please create a new post for the theme or link a recent one.
- Tag your post “Sunday Stills.”
- Title your blog post a little differently than mine.
- Don’t forget to create a pingback to this post so that other participants can read your post. I also recommend adding your post’s URL into the comments.
- Entries for this theme can be posted all week.
I’m looking forward to your posts featuring “cozy!” Next week, December 5th is the Christmas Song Lyric Photo Challenge, where you try to match your images to selected lyrics of your favorite Christmas song. We had fun this summer, click here to see how we all did it–easier than you think.
Wishing you a COZY week!
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