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.

Autumn Comes Early in Norway

Autumn arrives early in Norway in a gentle and quiet way. It's a chance to make the most of the last of warm weather before the start of winter.

Fiona McKinna

20 hours ago3 min read

Friluftsliv: the Word that Changed How I Live

Friluftsliv means so much to Nordic people. It's something we should all have more of in our lives. It can balance our hectic world with calm, connection and peace.

Fiona McKinna

3 days ago4 min read

What Makes Nordic Noir the Go-To Genre for Cosy Nights In?

In recent years, the genre known as Nordic Noir has taken the world by storm. This stark and moody world of crime dramas has captivated...

Fiona McKinna

Jun 225 min read

The Nordic Tradition of Midsummer Bonfires

All throughout Scandinavia at midsummer you see bonfires burning. It's a strange time of year to light a fire and it's been done for millennia, but why?

Fiona McKinna

Jun 162 min read

Why are Scandinavians so Happy?

Why are Scandinavians so happy? There are some key reasons why they are. Sone of the reasons are part of Scadinavian society, but many we can adopt in our lives right now.

Fiona McKinna

May 166 min read

Essential Nordic Lifestyle Ideals Explained Quickly

Whay are people in the Nordics so happy? You can be like that too with some simple of these simple Nordic lifestyle ideals.

Fiona McKinna

Apr 185 min read

Easter Marzipan: A Surprising Scandinavian Tradition!

Marzipan is a favourite treat in Scandinavia and Easter is a time to indulge a little in a tradition that is a little surprising

Fiona McKinna

Apr 74 min read

Sisu: How to Have True Finnish Resilience

Sisu is the very essence of Finnishness. It conveys a resilience and bravery in the face of adversity that we can all benefit from

Fiona McKinna

Mar 173 min read

Six US Cities Where Scandinavian Culture Thrives

Scandinavian culture is not only important to those living in Scandinavia, but also in te US. Here are six cities in the US where it thrive

Fiona McKinna

Mar 95 min read

Ready or Not, Here Comes the Nordic Spring

March is the first spring month in the Nordics and one we eagerly anticipate. Long winter days begin to warm up and the snow melts

Fiona McKinna

Mar 35 min read

The Quirky Traditions of Scandinavian Fastelavn: What You Didn't Know

Fastelavn is a joyful and fun celebration throughout the whole of Scandinavia. It's a time to embrace joy before the start of Lent

Fiona McKinna

Feb 175 min read

How to celebrate your birthday Norwegian style

Norwegians certainly know how to celebrate. Birthdays are organised in a special way, but we can do the same wherever we are in the world.

Fiona McKinna

Feb 95 min read

Velkommen februar, Welcome February!

February is such a romantic sounding month. It has the promise of an early spring, longer days and the romance of Valentine's Day. In...

Fiona McKinna

Feb 12 min read

The Secret of Lagom: The art of Embracing Just the Right Amount

Lagom, how to have not too little, but not too much. The Swedes seem to do it effortlessly, and so can you wherver you are in the world

Fiona McKinna

Dec 2, 20243 min read

Velkommen desember, Welcome December!

Welcome to the cosiest of cosy months in the Nordics. December is all about Christmas, snow and cosiness.

Fiona McKinna

Dec 1, 20242 min read

Silppu, a very traditional comfort food from Finnskogen

Silppu or silpo is a traditional dish from Finnskogen in Norway. Bacon, potatoes, onion and milk are cooked together for best comfort food.

Fiona McKinna

Nov 27, 20242 min read

Who was Nikolai Astrup? Uncovering the Mystery of the Underrated Norwegian Artist

Nikolai Astrup is not the first artist you think of as a famous Norwegian artist, but his art was significant and important.

Fiona McKinna

Nov 10, 20243 min read

Velkommen november! Welcome November!

Welcome November, the first winter month in the northern hemisphere. Here's a round up of the simple pleasures we enjoy in Norway this month

Fiona McKinna

Nov 1, 20243 min read

How to Infuse Your Life with Unbeatable Nordic Energy

The Nordics is place filled with gentle and powerful energy and positivity. We can bring that into our lives wherever we are in the world

Fiona McKinna

Oct 13, 20243 min read

Lutefisk, love it or hate it

Lutefisk is a typically Nordic food, but can be a great divider. In Norway you either love it or hate it. But what is it??

Fiona McKinna

Oct 4, 20243 min read

Living a Nordic Life

Autumn Comes Early in Norway

Friluftsliv: the Word that Changed How I Live

What Makes Nordic Noir the Go-To Genre for Cosy Nights In?

The Nordic Tradition of Midsummer Bonfires

Why are Scandinavians so Happy?

Essential Nordic Lifestyle Ideals Explained Quickly

Easter Marzipan: A Surprising Scandinavian Tradition!

Sisu: How to Have True Finnish Resilience

Six US Cities Where Scandinavian Culture Thrives

Ready or Not, Here Comes the Nordic Spring

The Quirky Traditions of Scandinavian Fastelavn: What You Didn't Know

How to celebrate your birthday Norwegian style

Velkommen februar, Welcome February!

The Secret of Lagom: The art of Embracing Just the Right Amount

Velkommen desember, Welcome December!

Silppu, a very traditional comfort food from Finnskogen

Who was Nikolai Astrup? Uncovering the Mystery of the Underrated Norwegian Artist

Velkommen november! Welcome November!

How to Infuse Your Life with Unbeatable Nordic Energy

Lutefisk, love it or hate it

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