Howling, huddling, and healing in Week 6 of "15 Weeks of Friluftsliv"
Sound the call for a midwinter frilufts-fest with this week's activity guide and enjoy warming spices from the recipe of the week.
Howling, huddling, and healing with a dash of spice
In Week 6 of “15 Weeks of Friluftsliv,” we’re entering midwinter, the time between mid-January and mid-February that is often the coldest, particularly in Scandinavian countries. Many of these countries have more specific dates and traditions surrounding the midwinter idea, so we took inspiration from this concept and developed an annual tradition of a midwinter “Hike & Howl” to celebrate this moment, as well as the arrival of the first full moon of the new calendar year, the January “Wolf Moon.” This month’s full moon falls on Monday, January 13th—a date not very conducive to schedules for gathering.
Not a problem when you embrace the “gnome matter the weather” ethos of open air life (friluftsliv!), whenever, and however, you can. We gathered on Friday night at Raritan Headwaters Association when the moon was almost full and bright enough to guide us on the trails. (The beauty of the full moon is that it is bright in the days surrounding its peak, so you can enjoy its glow for several days.) We huddled by the fire, hiked, then howled at the moon.
Why the howl? The January full moon is called many names in various cultures, one of them being the “Wolf Moon.” According to the The Old Farmer’s Almanac, this was because wolves could be heard howling in hunger at this cold and stark time of year. However, wolves actually howl for a different purpose—reinforcing social bonds. Howling is a rallying call to say, “I’m here, we’re here.” Come find food, find safety, find warmth in the pack.
Use this week’s activity guide and recipe to rally your pack and howl. Howl for celebration or for healing and know that we are here to answer back as we make our way through winter together.
1. Full Moon Hike - Week 6 Activity Guide
The January full moon will arrive on Monday, the 13th. This week’s guide gives tips to easily get outside to enjoy it using all your senses, even if you only have little time on a weeknight. And here’s the thing about a full moon, you can enjoy its brightness on the days leading up to and after its peak.
Be gentle with yourself and find a time that works for you. It’s worth it to step outside, even if only for 15 minutes, to revive that ancient ability of human eyes to see in the dark with only the light of the moon.
This week’s activity guide is a favorite that we shared last year and it is helpful for any winter moon. There is something about a full moon in this season with the crisp clarity of the air, the light that makes the ground glow, and the mesmerizing effect that makes you forget the temperature.
Download this week’s activity guide and give us a howl on Friluftsliving Family Instagram so we can gather together in spirit in the light of the Wolf Moon (tag #15weeksoffriluftsliv).
2. Warming spice infused Swedish pepparkakor (ginger snaps)
A friluftsfest and celebration of midwinter calls for treats that will warm you through and through. We can’t resist Swedish pepparkakor (aka ginger snaps). They form a perfect base layer for any gathering with warming spices that make them so yummy.
We kept things really, really easy this week and bought a tin of Nyåkers pepparkakor for our friluftsfest. Nyåkers is the oldest bakery in Sweden and while their recipe is a secret, there are many great recipes you can find online to make your own pepparkakor.
You can serve pepparkakor as they are, and if you’re so inspired by the full moon this week, play with them to create the phases of the moon!
If you want to take it up a notch and add some warmth to this cookie base-layer, one of the sweet kids who joined our Hike & Howl came up with the following brilliant use for pepparkakor and we’re hooked. She called it the S’more Special Gingersnap.
S’more Special Pepparkakor
Ingredients:
Pepparkakor (purchased or homemade)
Bag of Marshmallows
Bars of chocolate
Instructions:
Option 1: Roast your marshmallows over a campfire, once roasted to desired doneness, assemble into a s’more sandwich using the pepparkor in place of graham crackers.
Option 2: Use an oven broiler to roast the marshmallows. Layer one cookie on the bottom, add marshmallow and broil to desired doneness (watch very closely). Remove from oven, add chocolate and top cookie to form the s’more.
These cookies can’t help but warm your heart.
4. Ways to gather
Create a full moon gathering: Whether it’s on the actual day or the days surrounding the full moon, make a plan to gather family or friends to step outside for a stroll and enjoy the full moon. Use our recipes from this and other weeks as inspiration (don’t forget the glogg)! Check out this 2025 Moon Guide: Seasons, Stories and Celebrations from Night Sky Tourist for winter moon dates and moon viewing tips.
Share moon stories: Did you know that the nursery rhyme Jack and Jill is a moon story? We learned this from the storyteller who joined us at Raritan Headwaters Association for a campfire. “Hjuki and Bil” are siblings in Norse mythology who experience transformation into the phases of the moon. Head to your library or do an online search to find more moon stories to share with friends and family as you gaze up this week.
We can’t wait to hear how you welcome winter and create a meaningful outdoor experience in Week 6 of “15 Weeks of Friluftsliv.” Let us know in the comments!
Here’s to sharing ideas and getting outside with a “free-air-life” ethos, gnome matter the weather.
The Hike and Howl was so fun! I love and appreciate these warm gatherings of community, enjoying the magic and beauty of nature. 😊