Editor,

Have you heard of the Danish word “hygge?”

It is a word that doesn’t really have an English translation, but roughly means the cozy feeling that comes in mindful, simple moments. In the winter, this can be felt sitting in front of the fire with your slippers on, sipping on tea or a hot toddy and having easy conversation with a friend. In the summer, it is the South Whidbey Tilth Farmers’ Market.

I spent the whole afternoon today in a state of hygge at Tilth. My oldest child helped at a farm stand with our friend arranging and selling produce. My younger two children played in the sandbox, rode on the toy vehicles and ran around paying for yummy things for our family to eat. I had lovely conversations with friends, sat in the sun and started reading a new book. There was also live music, food from the restaurant and blackberries from a farm stand to snack on.

The Tilth Farmers’ Market is such a gem on our island. And while I want to keep the cozy feeling it has, I also want that feeling to be shared. I hope that more people will join me there to support our local farmers and artisans who have created such a wonderful place for us to experience the summertime hygge of Whidbey Island.

Warmly,

VANESSA KOHLHAAS

Langley