Mending and Tending in Week 11 of "15 Weeks of Friluftsliv"
Friluftsliv-inspired activities for the toughest of February weeks.
Friluftsliv to get you through
This Week 11 of “15 Weeks of Friluftsliv” newsletter is coming out later than planned. It’s been one of those weeks. …But it’s exactly a week like this when the ethos of friluftsliv (open air life) delivers the power to get you through. Mending and tending are top of mind, so read on for this week’s activity guide and recipe of the week which are inspired by these verbs.
“I beg you take courage; the brave soul can mend even disaster.” —Catherine the Great
The weather in New Jersey this week has been quite harsh with ice, wind, and frigid temps. It’s the type of forecast that makes it difficult to safely venture outside. Even when it’s not possible to head outdoors, there are still ways to channel friluftsliv and set aside time to connect with nature. Hoping these ideas provide warmth and reprieve as we move through the rest of the season.
1. Mindful Mending - Week 11 Activity Guide
If there’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing, then what to do when your favorite winter clothes show signs of wear? Take it as an opportunity to indulge in some mindful mending. With this week’s activity, you’ll benefit from time to create, to mend, and to gear up for your next outdoor adventure.
Download this week’s activity guide and follow us on Friluftsliving Family Instagram to share more examples of felting and mindful mending (#15weeksoffriluftsliv).
2. Spread friluftsliv like butter — Recipe of the week
There is one constant ingredient in Tacy’s Norwegian family recipes book: butter. During a tough week, what better comfort ingredient than this smooth, soft goodness. When the winter wind started whipping this week and we faced a day indoors, we decided to try something we’ve been so excited to test out… a vintage wooden Norwegian butter mold!
Wooden molds like this were used for butter and cheese. Someday we will work up the courage to try cheese but this week we opted for the easier route and softened butter we had on hand to make a warming-spice compound butter. The compound butter recipes that can be beautifully displayed for gatherings are endless now that we know how to use this! Whether you use a butter mold or not, try this recipe for cardamom butter and warm up your February weeks.
Equipment: Optional butter mold
Ingredients:
2 sticks of unsalted butter
1 1/2 t ground cardamom
1/4 c brown sugar
1/2 t salt
Instructions:
Bring sticks of butter to room temperature so that they are softened
Combine butter and ingredients into bowl
Mix until combined
If using a mold, pack the butter into the mold and freeze for 20-30 minutes to harden and shape.
Serve with bread, biscuits, or crackers.
4. Ways to gather
Mark your calendar:
Wintry Mix Dance Party on 2/22, a collab with Bernardsville, NJ’s Dance Local and Friluftsliving Family. It’s an all ages, indoor/outdoor dance party to create the ultimate wintry-mix of music + moves to make you chill in the best way possible.
Maple Sugaring Fest on 3/2 at Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit, NJ
Maple Sugaring Days in early March at Schiff Nature Preserve in Chester, NJ
Woodcock Watch on 3/6 at Raritan Headwaters Association’s Fairview Farm. Enjoy this sign of spring on its way!
Not local to NJ? Everything we host and share is something you can modify to do wherever you live.
Here’s to sharing ideas and getting outside with a “free-air-life” ethos, gnome matter the weather.