Foggy skies, pumpkin candles, and cozy blankets are making my home feel like fall—and one of my favorite games to play this time of year is The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
Maybe it’s because Skyrim is one of my “comfort food” games. Maybe it’s because of the game’s wintry atmosphere. Whatever the reason, I am starting a new playthrough this year too!
They say rewatching to your favorite shows can be a healthy self-soothing measure. I imagine returning to beloved games could have the same positive impact on my mental health. Right now, I am all about taking care of myself, especially in this season and especially at this time in my life.
I turn 40 next year, and I want to make sure I stay true to myself as I get older. It can be especially hard as a new mom, indie author, and lots of other things (as I’m sure many of you can relate)! But going back to some of the iconic stories from my past—including games like Skyrim—reminds me of who I am.
And I love the autumn and winter seasons. I love taking long walks on windy days and drinking warm lattes by the fireplace. I love baking treats that make my whole house smell like cinnamon and sugar. I love how rainy days feel like an invitation to stay cozy inside and let the world pass me by for a while.
This time of year, I feel most like myself.
So, to fully embrace this time in my life and this time of year, I’m going back to Skyrim.
My New Skyrim Saga
For this adventure in Skyrim, I’ll be playing a Nord ranger named Aslaug.
She’s a huntress who feels most at home in nature. I have already planned her journey through this season: becoming a more seasoned hunter, finding a family in the Companions, joining the war for Skyrim, building a homestead, and becoming a master alchemist. The point is getting into the roleplaying!
Since I’ll be playing on my handheld ROG Ally, I’ll let you know how I like it on that console (first time). I’m also modding the game a little for a more cozy experience, so we’ll see how that goes.
I can’t wait for quiet nights curled under a blanket with some hot chocolate, living a second life in Skyrim.
To make this experience even cozier, I’m not just playing the game: I’ll be feasting my way through it, too! Let me explain…
My Elder Scrolls Cooking Challenge
Since I turn 40 in the spring, I have several goals for myself before then… including deep cleaning and reorganizing my (messy) condo. I’ve just finished my first room: the kitchen. So, as a reward, I bought myself The Elder Scrolls: The Official Cookbook by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel.
My plan is to cook or bake one Elder Scrolls recipe per week (more if I feel like it) to add to the Skyrim ambiance in my life this season. I’m hoping this little cooking challenge will accomplish a few things:
- Cooking can be a cozy new hobby for me.
- I will become a better cook / baker.
- I will spend some intentional time off my devices, doing something with my hands for a change!
- I will spend time with my son when he wants to help me. (He loves cooking and baking.)
So, let the fun begin!
Through the fall and winter, I’ll be posting here as I try new recipes and live a new adventure in Skyrim. As much as I’d like to commit to a schedule, I’m not going to stress myself with that—I’ll just share my journey with you as it happens. The point is to have fun and feel good!
If you’re a Skyrim fan too (or have always wanted to try it), you are more than welcome to join me! I’d love to hear if you create a new character and about all your adventures. It’s always fun to compare journeys in open-world sandbox games like Skyrim, where everyone has such a unique experience.
To make things a little more fun, I’ve even created a little Skyrim bingo card to track my adventure. Feel free to download this image and use it for your playthrough too! ♥︎
You are also welcome to try the recipes with me! I can’t post the full recipes here, but I’ll let you know how I do with them and share photos (not a food blogger, so no promises how pretty they will be). If you’re curious about the book or any other fantasy recipes, I highly recommend the author’s blog Inn at the Crossroads. She has a Patreon too, and she’s created cookbooks for all kinds of wonderful fictional worlds like Game of Thrones, World of Warcraft, and Firefly.
I’ll be back soon with my first official recipe and in-game adventure. See you soon!
– Ashley
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