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.

Simple and delicious sorrel soup (Engsyre suppe)

Early in the spring and summer sorrel is at it's best. It's an ancient vegetable and we don't use much now, but it's delicious!

Fiona McKinna

May 15, 20243 min read

How to decorate for a Syttende Mai celebration

The best Norwegian decor comes out for Norway's national day on 17 May, but it's also a chance to make our space look great for the summer

Fiona McKinna

May 12, 20247 min read

Sharing our lives with animals keeps us grounded

Sharing our lives with animals has some surprising health benefits that make it worthwhile in more ways than just companionship

Fiona McKinna

Apr 28, 20244 min read

The Easy Way to Make Beautiful Bunting (step by step tutorial with photos)

Colourful and beautiful bunting can make a summer space look cosy and inviting. Follow my tutorial to make your own

Fiona McKinna

Apr 26, 20244 min read

Ramsløk majones (wild garlic mayonaise)

Ramsløk or wild garlic is in season in April and it's a ingredient in Norway. My simple recipe make the most of this delicious ingredient

Fiona McKinna

Apr 24, 20242 min read

What is a bålpanne?

What is a bålpanne? You'll see these tripod grills all over the place in Norway and people will happily use them in public spaces

Fiona McKinna

Apr 15, 20244 min read

Simple ways I save money and make life easier

Simple ways I save money everyday and make my life easier. They are all easy to implement and you can start today

Fiona McKinna

Apr 14, 20246 min read

Lapskaus, Norwegian beef and vegetable stew

Lapskaus is a firm favourite in Norway and a well loved comfort food. It's a dish that is simple but delicious and so easy to make

Fiona McKinna

Apr 12, 20243 min read

Ja vi elsker camping (yes, we love camping)

Camping is an incredibly popular activity in the Nordics in the summer and it has so many things going for it. Let me inspire you to try it

Fiona McKinna

Apr 1, 20244 min read

Velkommen april, Welcome April

The days are getting longer in the Nordic and it's time to think about how to make the most of the warmer weather to come.

Fiona McKinna

Apr 1, 20243 min read

A beginners guide to foraging

Guidance, tips and essential equipment advice for new and seasoned foragers alike. I share my best advice to get out and forage from nature

Fiona McKinna

Mar 29, 20248 min read

Why not use a pretty basket

Baskets are not only practical to use, but are pretty. They bring some nostalgia and romance to our lives. So why not use one?

Fiona McKinna

Mar 24, 20245 min read

Nordic Easter traditions you may not have heard of

Easter is a time for slowing down a little in the Nordics and enjoying the arrival of spring with some more unusual traditions and habits

Fiona McKinna

Mar 18, 20244 min read

Påskekrim! A Norwegian crime fest

Påskekrim or Easter crime is a strange celebration of crime in Norway that happens over Easter, but it's not what you think...

Fiona McKinna

Mar 15, 20244 min read

The Norwegian love of cross-country skiing

Everyone knows that Norwegians love to ski and they seem to be born to it. There are some things about it that might surprise you

Fiona McKinna

Mar 10, 20244 min read

Fredagskos, Friday cosiness Nordic style

Fredagskos is the unique Nordic way of celebrating the end of the week. It's simple, intentional and cosy and it's an easy habit to embrace

Fiona McKinna

Mar 4, 20244 min read

Velkommen mars

Velkommen mars! Welcome March and the first spring month. There is lots to look forward to in the Nordics this month as we embrace spring

Fiona McKinna

Mar 1, 20243 min read

Solskinnsboller (Sunshine buns) for Soloppgang on Svalvard

Every year as the sun appears over the horizon the residents of Svalbard celebrate in a unique way

Fiona McKinna

Mar 1, 20244 min read

New skills to learn for a creative year

Learning new skills gives us a wonderful feeling of achievement and fulfillment and even better if they are useful and traditional crafts

Fiona McKinna

Feb 25, 20244 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

Feb 19, 20244 min read

Living a Nordic Life

Simple and delicious sorrel soup (Engsyre suppe)

How to decorate for a Syttende Mai celebration

Sharing our lives with animals keeps us grounded

The Easy Way to Make Beautiful Bunting (step by step tutorial with photos)

Ramsløk majones (wild garlic mayonaise)

What is a bålpanne?

Simple ways I save money and make life easier

Lapskaus, Norwegian beef and vegetable stew

Ja vi elsker camping (yes, we love camping)

Velkommen april, Welcome April

A beginners guide to foraging

Why not use a pretty basket

Nordic Easter traditions you may not have heard of

Påskekrim! A Norwegian crime fest

The Norwegian love of cross-country skiing

Fredagskos, Friday cosiness Nordic style

Velkommen mars

Solskinnsboller (Sunshine buns) for Soloppgang on Svalvard

New skills to learn for a creative year

Ut på tur, Getting Outside on Sundays

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