Go big or go gnome in Week 7 of "15 Weeks of Friluftsliv"
See what gnomes know about thriving in winter as we reach the halfway point in our 15 weeks of winter adventures.
Some little gnome facts
We reach the halfway point in “15 Weeks of Friluftsliv” this week! Welcome week 7 and mid-January. If it feels like January 36th, then read on. It’s time to get gnome-schooled about how to thrive in winter’s longest stretch.
Gnomes… whimsical, mischievous, helpers, protectors of nature. Gnomes exist in folklore across cultures, but in Scandinavian lore, they are a symbol of resilience and fodder for imagination on the bleakest of winter days. Called “nisse” in Norwegian and Danish; “tomte” in Swedish; and “tonttu” in Finnish, you’ll find many stories of gnome adventures on farms and in homes. It’s easy to understand how these legends came alive in the darkest days of polar night. Imagining the enchanted natural world of gnomes provides a spark and delight on a cold day.
We’re learning lessons from these gnome tales this week through our Week 7 activity guide and recipe of the week. Whether you plan to spend more time inside or out, bring some whimsy to your week with these nature-inspired ideas.
Take heart, polar night in the Northern parts of Norway ends in January too. The sun is coming back up above the horizon. For now, take comfort in gnome tales and the warmth of friluftsliv magic.
1. What’s in a gnome? - Week 7 Activity Guide
Just as Scandinavians dreamt up tales of gnomes to pass the long winter days, we can do the same from wherever we are. This week’s guide offers three ways to create your own gnomes. It’s an activity for all ages. Flex that creativity-muscle and get inspired by the wintry world gnomes inhabit. Take it further by checking out the “Ways to Gather” section and make a day of it!
Download this week’s activity guide and follow us on Friluftsliving Family Instagram to share ideas for stamps (tag #15weeksoffriluftsliv). We can’t wait to see what you create!
2. Play with your food - Recipe of the week
Marzipan is a featured ingredient in many Scandinavian desserts. This week we use it to create our own gnomes. It’s truly a chance to play with your food!
If you’re short on time, you can purchase marzipan from grocery stores or online.
Sweet Treat Gnome
Ingredients:
Option 1: Purchased marzipan
Option 2: Homemade marzipan using an easy recipe like this
Snowflake shaped sprinkles or other sprinkle decor to decorate
Optional food coloring to color the marzipan
Instructions:
Use the marzipan like playdough.
Mold or roll the marzipan into the desired gnome body and head shapes.
Remember that gnomes come in all shapes and sizes! Create a gnome family or group of friends.
Decorate and enjoy as a sweet treat or use it to accompany a larger dessert spread.
4. Ways to gather
Create a hot chocolate buffet: If you make the sweet treat marzipan gnome from this week’s recipe, use it to decorate a hot chocolate buffet. Gather some friends and family and let the creativity flow for everyone to build their own hot chocolate treat, then step outside to enjoy it.
Take a gnome walk: Make an outing of it to head to a local park or preserve and create nature gnomes from this week’s activity guide. As you walk along the trail, pause every so often to create a little nature gnome to greet the people who follow.
Mark your calendar:
Next weekend brings several events to celebrate wassailing season! Not sure what that is? Stayed tuned for the Week 8 newsletter and in the meantime, save these dates for local NJ events honoring trees.
Winter Tree ID event on 1/26 at Raritan Headwaters Association.
Wassailing the apple trees on 1/26 at Terhune Orchards.
Not local to NJ? Everything we host and share is something you can modify to do wherever you live.
What are you up to as we reach the halfway point of our 15 Weeks? What have your favorite moments been so far, and what are you looking forward to? Let us know in the comments!
Here’s to sharing ideas and getting outside with a “free-air-life” ethos, gnome matter the weather.
Love the little gnomes! I'll have to go out and make some after the snow!