Knock, knock... welcome gnome! 15 weeks of winter inspiration is back.
Gnome Matter the Weather is back with your "15 Weeks of Friluftsliv" weekly inspiration to get outside and welcome winter.
Welcome winter ‘24-’25
We’re back for another winter of the Gnome Matter the Weather newsletter and weekly, nature-infused activity inspiration. Consider this your field guide to exploring the season ahead! Once again, we’ll be embarking on “15 Weeks of Friluftsliv,” channeling the Scandinavian ethos of “friluftsliv” for what is now the FIFTH (!) year. Join us each week, for 15 weeks, to make the time to get outside for a meaningful, easy, outdoor activity, from early December to March Daylight Savings and the start of spring. It can be with your family, friends, or for time on your own. These winter adventures will transform you as you realize you can embrace and move through all seasons with joy and awe.
1. “Gnome Matter the Weather” back for another season
You’ve heard the phrase about getting outside “no matter the weather”… Well, we (Tacy Quinn and Lauren Theis) put a whimsical, nature-infused, fun spin on this with our collaboration, “Gnome Matter the Weather!” We launched this collab last year and at the end of the season, we paused to reflect on how best to move forward. We met up to create gnome homes (ok, they were technically toad homes, but a gnome could easily move in) at a local pottery studio in April. We find that crafting and reflecting pair well!
And now, three seasons later, we arrive back at winter, rejuvenated and so happy to be here with you again! This winter we will focus our shared efforts on this newsletter with Tacy’s writing and Lauren’s illustrations. We’ll also share in-person gathering opportunities for NJ-area locals at Raritan Headwaters Association and inspiration from fellow nature lovers around the globe.
Subscribe to the newsletter for ideas to welcome winter wherever you live. We combine the lived and learned adventures of Tacy’s Scandinavian-outdoor-ethos inspired Friluftsliving Family (where you can follow along on Instagram) with the knowledge and expertise of Lauren’s years as Director of Education at RHA and her talent for beautiful illustrations.
The winter blues are real, but so is our ability to create connection and community to get us through difficult seasons. You don't have to live in Scandinavia to "friluftsliv" --we even pull it off in New Jersey! Join us from wherever you are for weekly outdoor “free-air-life” inspiration (and the occasional in-person event if you're local to NJ) over the next 15 weeks.
2. Weekly inspiration for winter outdoor activities
Each week, for the next 15 weeks until Spring Daylight Savings, we’ll share a an activity guide to inspire you to get outside for a meaningful, easy adventure. We know time in nature is beneficial but so often the demands of busy weeks sneak up on us and suddenly it’s Monday again. We’ll show you how it’s possible to dedicate time during the week, whenever you can, for meaningful outdoor connection. Check out this week’s activity to kick off Week 1 of 15 Weeks of Friluftsliv:
We brought back this original activity to kick off week 1 because we hope you will find a way to celebrate the start of 15 Weeks of Friluftsliv with a ceremonial celebration—whether a campfire or a modified version with candle or lantern to spark the light for the dark season ahead. A campfire is that ancient gathering spot where we draw warmth, tell stories, set intentions, and together create the light to see us through.
Download this week’s activity guide and follow us on Instagram to share even more ideas (tag #15weeksoffriluftsliv so we can celebrate each other’s outdoor fun!).
3. Fuel your adventures (recipe of the week!)
It’s time for glogg! This warm, Scandinavian mulled wine with many variations makes an outdoor adventure festive, whether you drink it outside or when you return to the warm indoors. You can make it with or without alcohol. We love the social traditions of glogg—inviting neighbors to go house-to-house to enjoy a cup, or gathering friends together for a toast before a hike (skal!). Given the hectic pace of the December holiday season, we’re keeping this modified recipe easy to spare you time in the kitchen, so you can instead savor this treat and slow down.
Apple Glogg
Ingredients:
8 cups apple cider
Juice of 2 lemons
Orange slices and star anise for garnish
1-2t crushed cardamom pods (strain before serving)
Optional kick for adults: Splash of Aquavit to taste
Instructions:
Combine apple cider with cardamom in a pot on the stovetop and bring to a simmer. Let simmer for 15-20 minutes. Add lemon juice. Strain before serving if desired. Serve hot with orange slices and star anise. Add optional splash of aquavit (a traditional Scandinavian spirit) for adults.
Modifications: You can refrigerate the glogg to re-heat later or to serve cold—we like to add seltzer to make it a spritz if December temps or activities don’t require a warm drink.
4. Ways to gather
If you’re local to New Jersey, join us for a Campfire Under the Stars at Raritan Headwaters on 12/6 from 6-8 PM where an astronomer will bring a telescope to give us glimpse of the winter night sky and a storyteller will share tales to liven the night around the fire.
Not local? Everything we host and share is something you can modify to do wherever you live. Gather your own crew and take inspiration from great sites like Night Sky Tourist to create a backyard gathering with star stories.
We can’t wait to hear how you gather this week to kick off 15 Weeks of Friluftsliv and welcome winter! Let us know in the comments!
Here’s to sharing ideas and getting outside gnome matter the weather this winter.
Yay, so excited to follow along this winter! 😊