The Dutch have a special word to describe “cosiness”, “comfort”, but it’s also something that goes a little beyond that. “Gezellig”. Pronounced correctly, it kinda sounds like you’re clearing your throat, but this blog explores its meaning by documenting experiences that make life richer and deeper; through food, family, and the making of a home.

About

Amanda DeVries Graphic Design Graphic designer and Brand Consultant. Daughter. Ex-engineer. Sister. Wife. Mom to three.

Obsessed with colour. Part-time chef. Part-time DIY-er. Book lover. Infrequent gardener. Part-time thrift-store stalker. Full-time driver/nurse/slave/life-coach to my kids. Dreamer. Doer.

Back in 1999, I married into a Dutch family. They have a special word to describe “coziness”, or “comfort”, but it’s also something that goes a little beyond that. “Gezellig”. Pronounced correctly, it kinda sounds like you’re clearing your throat, but it’s meant to describe:

The feeling you get whilst sipping something warm, feet up, on your front porch;
The inner contentment of spending a fabulous afternoon at the beach on a glorious day;
The security and happiness of a comforting meal shared with great company;
Finding that perfect “thing”, marveling in its design, or appreciating its quirkiness.

You get the picture.

This blog is about all these things: family; friends; home and health.

After being raised in the ‘burbs of Toronto and living in Ottawa for 10 years, we settled in this pocket of Southwestern Ontario on a 40 acre farm, where my husband has started his journey as an organic vegetable farmer. Now our days are full of from-scratch cooking, muddy kids, and big open skies.
Kids