Icelandic Yule Lads

Iceland's 13 grumpy and intuitive little "Santas' use to scare little kids to behave.  Starting thirteen days before Christmas, one by one they would hike down the mountain into town.  There they check if you have been behaving or not.  If you were a good little child, you would get a little gift in your shoe left on the window sill before you went to bed.  If you dis behaved, you get a potato.  Each lad has a special name that explains his, what shall we call it? ... weakness.

Sheep-Cote Clod: He tries to steal from the farmer's sheep sheds
 
Gully Gawk: He steals milk from buckets left around 

Stubby: Since he is short and small, he hides until you leave the kitchen and then he will steal food from frying pans

Ladle Licker: He licks spoons of all the scrapings from last nights dinner

Pot Scraper: He steals unwashed pots and licks them clean 

Bowl Licker: He steals bowls of food from under the bed (back in the old days, Icelanders used to store bowls of food there - called "askur")

Door Slammer: He runs around and slams doors, making sure to keep everyone awake 

Skyr Gobbler: Icelandic yogurt (skyr) is his favorite

Sausage Swiper: He steals sausages and eats them to his own delight

Window Peeper: He creeps outside windows, looks in and if he sees something interesting he will steal it

Door Sniffer: He has a huge nose that he uses to sniff his way through doors and into a pantry full of baked goods

Meat Hook: Any type of meat is likely to get snitched by him, especially smoked lamb 

Candle Beggar: The last one into town the day before Christmas, he can not resist all the beautiful candles

And then there is Grýla and Leppalúði.  The not so proud parents of the 13 lads.  Grýla is always in a foul mood and likes to steal dis behaving children an cook them in her pot. 

The Christmas cat is not as sweet as he sounds.  If you did not get at least one piece of new clothing, he will come and get you and drag you back to Grýla's pot.

Washing machine

A working washing machine is right there on the top of my list of things that make me happy.   Sometimes you forget what makes you happy until you don't have it anymore.  After a hopeless month of wondering if laundry will get done today, mopping sud-covered floors and withstanding very loud metal noises; the washer is up and running and running and running and run....

Lindor Chocolate

These most delicious little chocolate heavens make any Monday sweet. 

Fire on a cold winter day

So often am I cold and it tells.  Teeth chatter, arms crossed, hands tucked and a most obvious red nose.  The most common response to that is: "But you are from Iceland?"  Yes, I'm Icelandic. I like anything wool, scarfs wrapped around my neck, and nice cozy fireplaces.

Gems amongst the junk

It is only recently that I can find excitement in the disarray of market places and second hand stores.

Chia seeds

These funky little seeds that magically turn into a delicious pudding are so wonderful to eat and are also super healthy.  Hurrah, double whammy. 

The last 21 years

21 years of ups and downs, challenges and blessings.  Countless yesterdays, todays and deep hope for endless tomorrows.