quilt burnished with the glow of a cozy fire. Hygge.
Julehjerter, the Danish paper hearts, remind me of Christmas Eves past at B'mor's house. She was the mother of my father's childhood best friend, and they were like brothers. She had a big hand in raising him, treating him like another son (or perhaps a beloved and slightly mischievous nephew!). "B'mor" was our non-Danish-speaking version of Bedstemoder. On Christmas Eve, there was always a marzipan pig by the elaborate wooden candle carousel on her table, and julehjerter dangling between painted wooden and delicate glass ornaments on her tree. The bright red-and-white hearts are woven like little baskets to hold treats or tiny surprises, and I was thrilled to finally learn to weave them, as they seemed impossible - and possibly magical - to me! (Bonus puzzle: I've "signed" my name and the copyright year, encoded in a wacky way - can you find them?) ;)