Are you familiar with hygge? A Danish word that roughly translates to “warm coziness,” it’s been a design and health + wellness trend in the US for a few years now — and with an emphasis on “enjoying the little things” like comfy clothes, warm socks + blankets, and steamy mugs of tea, it’s easy to see its appeal.
Interest in it has increased since it’s been called a panacea for the pandemic, because it calls for us to do leisurely things that make us relaxed + comfortable, something we can all use more of. And because the Danes are among the happiest people in the world, it’s hard not to think there may be something to hygge. Protip: it’s pronounced “hoo-gah” despite looking like it should be pronounced “higgy” (which is how I always say it in my head). Keeping that in mind, in honor of the new year (and increased happiness), here are 21 ways to get hygge with itin the 828.
1) Enjoy some hot chocolate. We love the maple + smoked salt liquid truffle from French Broad Chocolates(10 S. Pack Sq.) and the Nutella hot chocolate from 10th Muse Comfort Food(1475 Patton Ave.)
4) Light a candle. We particularly like the hand-poured, small-batch, soy-based ones from Elder & Co., who donate a portion of their proceeds to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
5) Live out your lavish lifestyle fantasy with a visit to the largest private residence in the country, the luxe Biltmore Estate.
6) Cook something amazing, preferably something indulgent that takes a while to prepare, like soup, stew, or lasagne. Not sure where to start? Consider a cooking class from The Asheville Kitchen, whose classes are now offered in a small “bubble group” format for four to six people.
Share this with your all your fellow creatures of comfort. 👇
NEWS NOTES
Weather ○ 52º | Mostly sunny | 5% chance of rain
Development ○ Woodfin locals have organized to challenge the construction of the Bluffs on Riverbend, a complex of 1,545 luxury apartments, 30 1,000-sq-ft buildings, a 59,000-sq-ft office building + a church. Richmond Hill + River Rescue is going door to door to protect 92 wooded acres between Asheville’s Richmond Hill Park + the French Broad River. 🏗️ (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Civic ○ Good news, bookworms. Beginning Tues., Jan. 19, Pack Memorial Library will reopen to the public at 50% capacity. The library will offer in-person browsing and check out with limited services + hours of operation from Tues.-Thurs., 1-6 p.m., Fri. and Sat., 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.. The library is closed Sun. and Mon., and its digital offerings are always available. 📚
Coronavirus ○ Check out the latest COVID-19 statsfor NC from the Department of Health and Human Services here. As of Tuesday afternoon, 10,936 cases and 201 deaths have been reported in Buncombe County. ○ The NC Department of Public Safety still hasn’t obtained crucial details on the vaccination distribution for inmates + correctional officers ages 75 + older. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 36 people have died + over 7,700 people have been infected in NC State Prisons. Currently, there is not a firm schedule for distribution of the vaccine, nor do state officials know which vaccine they will be distributing. (Carolina Public Press) ○ Many long-term care staff in NC are choosing not to take the coronavirus vaccine, despite its accelerated spread among nursing homes. Health officials say the decisions are affected by staffing shortages, lack of familiarity with technological systems in the state, and the logistical issues of involving 100 counties and dozens of hospitals. (AP News)
Edu ○ Asheville City Schools has extended remote instruction through March for all students. Pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students will continue learning virtually until March 16, the end of the third nine weeks. Pre-kindergarten-5th grade is tentatively planning to shift from Plan C (all virtual) to Plan B (a blend of in-person + virtual) on March 17. 💻 (WLOS) ○ Hendersonville Church (1705 Spartanburg Hwy.) is offering support to Henderson County parents by opening a virtual learning center while parents are at work. Parents can drop off kids before work at 7:30 a.m. + can pick them up by noon. The hours of operation may be expanded as more volunteers are available, and the center will be open as long as Henderson County schools are in Plan C (all virtual). 🎒 (WLOS)
Number ○ $61 billion. The amount of money publicly owned airports contribute annually to the state economy. This is based on a report by theNC Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation, which shows the state’s network of 72 publicly owned airports employs 373,000 individuals, provides $2.5 billion in state + local tax revenue, and $15 billion in personal income. ✈️ (WLOS)
Trending ○ DYK WNC has not one, but two cast membersin new cult favorite show, Cobra Kai? Reynold’s graduate + Asheville native Hannah Kepple stars as “Moon” on the Netflix series, and Wolf Laurel’s Susan Gallagher brings life into “Homeless Lynn.” 🐍 (Asheville Citizen-Times)
State ○ Food & Winemagazine has released their choices for the best sandwiches in each state. The pimento cheese offerings in the Charlotte region(Lexington + Kernersville, to be exact) took home the top spot. Now if you’ll excuse us, we’re off to go smear some of this quintessential Southern cheese spread on some bread. 🥪 (Food & Wine)
DYK ○ Lights flickering in your home could mean your electrical system needs an upgrade.Learn more + how HAYNES Electric can help.💡Ⓟ
TheBuy ○ Hey, meat lovers: Meet your new favorite delivery. With ButcherBox, you can spend less time searching for high-quality meat and more time cooking meals at home in the New Year. Bonus: Sign up and get up to 10 lbs of meatfor free. 🥩Ⓟ
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Watch ○ Virtual Jazz by Request Hour| Wed., Jan. 13 | 5:30 p.m | Virtual | Free | Join Steinway pianist + composer Michael Jefry Stevens for a free virtual jazz hour. 🎷 ○ Quarantine Livestream of Poetry Open Mic| Wed., Jan. 13 | 8 p.m.-12 a.m. | Virtual | Free | Sovereign Kava features poet + performer Caleb Beissert. Share a live video to the page to participate, or just watch. 🎤
FeaturedEvent ○ Let’s Talk Influencer Marketing | Wed., Jan. 13 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Virtual | Free, Register | Presented by Infinity Marketing, this webinar focuses on the benefits of influencer marketing and how to identify potential influencers for your brand. Speakers include Shannon Kohn, Social Media Strategist, and Kendall Nicholson, Senior Media Specialist.Ⓟ
Find more of this week’s local events in our January PlanAhead.
Disclaimer: It is up to readers’ discretion to determine whether they feel comfortable participating in any mentioned events based on COVID-19 protocols and precautions. If you have questions, please contact the event’s organizers directly.
Examining the contours of a lot without dense foliage in the way is one advantage of starting your AVL land search in winter | Photo provided
DYK? The winter months have some great benefits for those looking to purchase land in the Asheville area.
Starting your land search in winter makes it easier to… ○ Visualize the contours of the lot ○ Examine how sunlight impacts the land (and your future home) without dense foliage to block views ○ Evaluate sound + background noise ○ Consider things like window placement for sunset views ○ Establish plans for wells + septic systems, if needed. Ⓟ
It’s Wednesday, which means we’re sharing what we’re watching. Ali is about to dive into the new season of The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (she loves the dark take on the vintage Archie comic) and recently really enjoyed Impetigore, a new Indonesian haunted house film (and the country’s official entry for the Academy Awards’ Best International Feature Film). Brook just finished The Flight Attendant and is mega pumped the second season of Servant drops this week.
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