Valley Flora Hygge
This is the moment I wait for all year, when the pepper plants are bent over under their load of circus-colored fruit. Reds, oranges, yellows, and even purple. It means there's nothing to worry about if I forget to pack my lunch in the morning: there's snacking to be had in every field, from carrots to sweet corn to celery to cucumbers to tomatoes to peppers to apples to pears to kiwi berries. The imperative is to eat, which for us also means to gather.
In Denmark and Norway, there is a word: hygge (pronounced hoo-ga). We don't have an exact parallel in English, but it essentially describes "a form of everyday togetherness....a cozy and convivial atmosphere that promotes well-being." It's about enjoying the good things in life with people you love, maybe even by candlelight. It's a cornerstone of their culture and some sociologists blame hygge on the fact that the Danes are among the happiest people in the world.
Hygge is pretty easy to come by these days around our table, surrounded by this cusp-of-fall abundance and the best crew we've ever had working on the farm. I hope your weekly harvest basket inspires a little hygge around your table as well.
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