My tradition of complaining about winter temperatures is going to disappear this year. Yes, I am a warm weather-loving girl, but I’m done with the bad attitude toward winter because it has helped me positively endure Nebraska winters, well, not at all. If you could look out my window you’d see the dreariest January day imaginable. It’s been raining all day with temperatures hovering above freezing and it’s wet wet wet out there. And so gray. Basically, I need a sun lamp, a treadmill and a glass of orange juice to work out my issues today. Before I go join the gym however, I can work on adjusting my attitude. I can do what the Norwegians do, what the Danish do, and embrace the coziness that is only available this time of year. Candles that light up my mantel, a fire in the fireplace, crafting or reading on the couch, warm blankets and good movies to watch. And winter food. Comfort food. Yummy, delicious, homemade food that really only seems fitting during the bitter cold winter months.

So I introduce to you a little series on my blog called “Koselig Cooking.” Koselig is a word Norwegians use to describe a sense of coziness, and I want to borrow it this winter to write about my experiences in the kitchen. It’s a dangerous thing to say you’re aiming to create a series—at least, I hate not fulfilling what I start out to do—but hey, my family needs to eat and I’ve already decided 2016 is the year I do a better job making food in my own kitchen. Baking is my preferred creative outlet, but I am actively trying to avoid eating sweets, as much as I really love them, and so here we go with Koselig Cooking.