THE BOOK

DWELL, GATHER, BE BY ALEXANDRA GOVE

Why do we enjoy curling up with a book and a warm beverage in front of a fire on a snowy night? The Danes have an idea: hygge. The art of finding relaxing, comforting moments is a close translation to the Danish word (pronounced hoo-ga.) And, what better place is there to experience hygge than in the comfort of your own home? Home is where the heart is, after all, and togetherness is another key component of hygge. In the book Dwell, Gather, Be, Alexandra Gove guides readers through adding hyggelig touches to their home (dwell), when they’re entertaining (gather) and when taking moments for themselves (be).

Gove first learned of hygge when she traveled to Copenhagen for a design trip. Finding the word hygge to attach her feelings of coziness and comfort to felt like she “had found her life calling,” she writes. Eager to spread the hygge spirit, she and her husband moved back to the United States and opened Hygge Life, a home décor shop with an attached café, in the Vail Valley. The business duo’s mission is “to help people discover a more intentional, thoughtful way to experience moments in their lives.”

Dwell, Gather, Be offers various ways to bring hygge into your daily lifestyle, with beautiful, stylized photos gracing virtually every page to maximize design inspiration. Whether you’re looking for ways to make your home cozier, spice up family gatherings or perfect your self-care routine, this book will be a great addition to not just your coffee table, but to your life.

THE BEVERAGE

CIMARRON COFFEE ROASTERS

And what could be more hygge than having a warm cup of coffee while you peruse the book? Cimarron Coffee Roasters creates a variety of blends for coffee aficionados and casual consumers alike. With a roastery lab in Montrose, a coffee shop/bookstore in Ridgway and an online subscription option, Cimarron Roasters bring their six different blends to people on the Western Slope and beyond. These blends include the Chimney Rock dark roast, the Rwandan Kanzu, the Peruvian El Sauce and, of course, their house espresso — the Courthouse.

This pantry staple can be mixed with cream, used as a drip coffee or consumed straight up. Regardless, the notes of baker’s cocoa and cherry beautifully lace your morning cup (or two). The smooth, bittersweet brew pairs perfectly with a sweet treat for your midday snack or to kickstart your day. Perfect as a gift or to stock up for yourself, you’ll definitely want to curl your hands around a warm cup this winter.

I recommend taking the time to sit down in the morning and savor the syrupy flavor of the Courthouse blend. Or better yet, make a pot for the whole family and gather together to appreciate the art of a superb cup of coffee. After all, hygge is all about the little things you share with the ones you love.

Originally published in the Winter 2020-21 issue of Spoke+Blossom.

Book + Beverage: Winter 2021