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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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How to Have a Beautiful Nordic Lawn
Keeping a lush, green lawn in a northern climate isn't always easy. Long winters, frozen ground and short growing seasons all put grass to the test. In this guide, I share the lessons we've learned caring for our own Nordic garden, from choosing the right grass varieties and adjusting mowing heights to aeration, fertilising and smart technology. With a little planning, you can enjoy a healthy, resilient lawn that's ready for summer.

Fiona McKinna
13 hours ago6 min read


Living With The Midnight Sun: When Evening Never Quite Arrives
What is it really like to live with the midnight sun? Across Norway and the Nordic countries, July brings long days, bright evenings and a unique relationship with time. From late-night walks and outdoor living to the practical challenges of sleeping when darkness never quite arrives, discover how the midnight sun shapes everyday life and why Scandinavians treasure these fleeting weeks of endless summer light.

Fiona McKinna
21 hours ago4 min read


The Nordic Case for Slowing Down How You Say Thank You
What if a simple greetings card could reflect the values of Nordic living? Instead of becoming waste, plantable seed paper cards transform into wildflowers, turning a small gesture into something that continues to grow. Discover how slowing down, choosing with intention, and embracing thoughtful everyday rituals can make even saying thank you a little more meaningful.

Fiona McKinna
2 days ago3 min read


Homemade Prim (Norwegian Brown Cheese Spread)
In the Nordics prim is as well known as brunost or brown cheese. Outside of Norway it's a little less well known, but once you have tasted it I promise you will love it. For the uninformed, brunost or Norwegian brown cheese is a strange food. It's always in the cheese aisle at the supermarket, but it's not actually a cheese. It's made by slowly cooking whey (the liquid that is usually thrown away after cheese making) until it's caramelises into a thick liquid. This is t

Fiona McKinna
2 days ago2 min read


The Norwegian Tradition of the Open Farm
Open farms are unexpectedly popular in Norway. It's a chance to visit a real working farm, meet the animals and do some fun wholesome activities.

Fiona McKinna
5 days ago3 min read


How Norwegians Celebrate the End of the School Year
School's out for summer! Discover how Norwegian families celebrate the end of the school year with class trips, ice cream, cabin escapes, long summer evenings and a refreshing lack of fuss. From the final day at school to the start of weeks spent outdoors, this is a glimpse into one of Norway's most cherished seasonal traditions and why the arrival of the summer holidays feels like a collective sigh of relief across the country.

Fiona McKinna
Jun 284 min read


The Norwegian Confirmation - A Family Celebration Like No Other
What happens at a Norwegian confirmation? Join our family as we celebrate this important Norwegian rite of passage. From the weeks of preparation and confirmation classes to bunads, family gatherings, traditional food, gifts and cake, this personal account offers a glimpse into one of Norway's most cherished traditions. Discover what a Norwegian confirmation is, why it matters, and how families mark the journey from childhood to adulthood.

Fiona McKinna
Jun 265 min read


Danish Remoulade Sauce
Remoulade sauce is a Danish classic. This creamy and tangy sauce is a popular accompaniment to fish, grilled and meat and (dare I say it!) chips.

Fiona McKinna
Jun 242 min read


The Ancient Celebration of Botolvsmesse
17 June marks the ancient celebration of St Botolph. Although he may not be that well known his legacy lives on and for those of us following Nordic traditions it's a day worth remembering.

Fiona McKinna
Jun 152 min read


How To Create a Calm Nordic Home That Feels Lived In
Learn how to create a calm Nordic-style home with simple furniture, natural materials, soft lighting, muted colours, and less clutter.

Fiona McKinna
Jun 144 min read


The Perfect Midsummer Party Buffet (Nordic Style!)
Midsummer is a time of endless celebration, long days and beautiful weather. The midsummer celebration in the Nordics is a special event with friends and family and of course delicious food.

Fiona McKinna
Jun 124 min read


St Columba's Day in Norway: Salmon, Saints and the Nordic Primstav
Few Nordic traditions capture the connection between history, nature and seasonal living quite like the ancient primstav. In this article, I explore St Columba's Day, a special date on the Nordic runic calendar marked by the symbol of a salmon. Discover the story of the Irish saint who travelled to Scotland, the legends that link him to salmon, and how this centuries-old tradition continues to echo through modern Nordic life.

Fiona McKinna
Jun 93 min read


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
Jun 12 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
May 294 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
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