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Living a Nordic Life
Welcome to Living A Nordic Life, helping you live a Nordic Life, wherever you are.
From my home in southern Norway I'd love to share my Nordic lifestyle, cooking and surroundings with you, and show you how I have discovered that you don't need to live in Norway to enjoy and embrace a Nordic lifestyle and way of living.
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The Last Day of Spring: A Quiet Nordic Turning Point
Spring ends quietly in Norway on 3 June, marking a gentle transition into the long, light-filled Nordic summer. This reflective article explores the beauty of the final days of spring, from blossoming birch trees and growing gardens to the anticipation of outdoor living. A celebration of seasonal rhythms, slow living, and the unique way Norwegians cherish every precious moment of warmth and light.

Fiona McKinna
3 days ago2 min read


Smörgåstårta, Swedish Sandwich Cake
Smörgåstårta is an exciting and unusual savoury cake that will intrigue your guests and get everyone talking.

Fiona McKinna
6 days ago4 min read


Hedlehestar, Norwegian Oat Pancakes
Enjoy a taste of tradition with this recipe from Rogaland in Norway. These delicious oat pancakes are easy to make and quick to cook for an authentic Norwegian snack.

Fiona McKinna
May 272 min read


Why Nordic Summer Feels So Precious
Nordic summer is precious not because it is perfect, but because it is fleeting. In Norway and across Scandinavia, people embrace long light evenings, outdoor living and simple seasonal pleasures with remarkable enthusiasm. From late-night swims and balcony dinners to strawberries in the sun and quiet fjord evenings, Nordic summer culture is built around appreciating ordinary moments before the light begins to fade again.

Fiona McKinna
May 244 min read


The Almost Nordic Calm We Found in Bruinisse
Bruinisse in the Netherlands feels unexpectedly Nordic, despite being entirely Dutch. This quiet fishing village offers slow coastal living shaped by cycling, sailing, mussel farming, and life beside the water. With open landscapes, practical design, fresh seafood, and calm daily rhythms, Bruinisse captures the simplicity and outdoor culture often associated with Scandinavia — without the crowds, spectacle, or tourist polish of larger European seaside towns.

Fiona McKinna
May 185 min read


After the Flags and Brass Bands
The morning after 17 May, Norway feels softer somehow. The brass bands are gone, the bunads hang airing by open windows, and the country moves more slowly under pale spring skies. Coffee replaces champagne. Children fall asleep clutching tiny flags. After months of darkness and one explosive day of celebration, 18 May arrives like an exhale — quiet, reflective, and deeply Nordic in a way outsiders rarely notice.

Fiona McKinna
May 154 min read


Byggrynskrem med Jordbær Saus (Barley Cream with Strawberry Sauce)
A traditional and simple dessert to celebrate spring into summer. This Norwegian classic combines nutty grains, luxurious cream and seasonal berries

Fiona McKinna
May 132 min read


The Great Norwegian Outdoor Migration has Begun!
After a long Nordic winter, spring doesn’t arrive so much as it detonates. One moment Norway is still wrapped in grey and silence, the next the entire country is outside, dragging grills from garages, power-washing everything in sight and insisting that 12 degrees is practically Mediterranean. The Great Norwegian Outdoor Migration has begun, and nobody is behaving with any kind of moderation.

Fiona McKinna
May 103 min read


Norway’s Grilling Season Begins (Yes, Really)
Grilling in the Nordics doesn’t wait for summer. It happens all year, but early May is when it becomes easy again. Shops fill with new pølser, lighter sides appear, and eating outside feels realistic, not ambitious. The “official” grilling day might be unnecessary, but it’s a useful nudge—light the grill, keep it simple, and get back outside.

Fiona McKinna
May 43 min read


Summer Hygge: a Nordic Guide
Summer hygge is the softer side of Nordic living, where long light-filled days replace the need for cosiness by firelight. It is found in slow evenings outside, meals eaten without hurry, and the quiet permission to do less when the world feels full of light. This is a season of barefoot moments, open windows, and gentle rituals that ask nothing more than your presence. A reminder that warmth is not only winter’s gift, but something the sun can give too.

Fiona McKinna
May 14 min read


Velkommen mai, Welcome May
Welcome to the beautiful month of May in the Nordics when we begin to forget about the harsh winter and look forward to endless summer days

Fiona McKinna
May 12 min read


Brokkolisalat (Broccoli Salad with Bacon & Raspberries); a New Norwegian Classic
Brokkolisalat is a new Norwegian classic. It's a delicious combination of broccoli, creamy dressing, bacon and raspberries that will have you coming back for more.

Fiona McKinna
Apr 292 min read


Ut på tur, Getting Outside on Sundays
Getting outside once a week is a wonderful Nordic habit to adopt and you will be in good company - most of Norway is "ut på tur" too

Fiona McKinna
Apr 265 min read


10 Ways my Family and I Keep Life Simple and Stress-Free
Life can be stressful and full of pressure but we can choose some simple daily habits to make life a little easier.

Fiona McKinna
Apr 204 min read


5 Ways to be Healthy the Nordic Way
The Nordic countries are famous for good health so how can we welcome that into our own lives?

Fiona McKinna
Apr 174 min read


Old Fashioned Norwegian Syrup Cake (Sirupskake) with no eggs or butter!
Delicious, traditional Norwegian cake made with sirup and fragrant spices is soft and tasty even though it contains NO butter or eggs.

Fiona McKinna
Apr 152 min read


A Nordic Spring Routine: How to Live the Season Gently
Embrace a Nordic spring routine with slow mornings, fresh air, and gentle daily rhythms. Learn how to follow the light, spend time outdoors, and shift your home and mindset with the season. This guide to Nordic living shows how to move from winter to spring without pressure, creating calm, balance, and connection through simple, everyday habits inspired by life in Scandinavia.

Fiona McKinna
Apr 124 min read


How to Live a Nordic Spring (Even if You Don't Live in Scandinavia)
A Nordic spring doesn’t arrive all at once—it unfolds slowly through light, air, and small everyday moments. In this guide to slow living, discover how to embrace a gentle seasonal shift with outdoor fika, simple home rituals, and a mindset rooted in patience. Learn how to live a Nordic spring wherever you are, finding calm, connection, and quiet joy in the in-between season.

Fiona McKinna
Apr 64 min read


Simple Living isn't about owning less - it's about wanting less
Simple living isn't about having less and paring your life down to the bare minimum. It's about wanting less and feeling that gentle shift that is so liberating as we let go of the need to constantly strive for more.

Fiona McKinna
Apr 33 min read


Velkommen april, Welcome April
Welcome April and the heart of spring even though it might not feel like that every day in the Nordics! Learn about the things that bring us joy in the Nordics in the month of April

Fiona McKinna
Apr 14 min read
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