My top 9 pictures 2024 on Instagram

Now around the turn of the year is time to look back on the year, and you look back and take stock, one way or another.

For a review of the year , I just looked at my top 9 pictures from last year on Instagram :

In total I shared 156 posts on Instagram, the first post was from the New Year's Eve fire (áramótabrenna) in Selfoss 2023 posted on January 1st, 2024 and my Instagram year ended on December 31st, 2024 with bathing in the hot pot between the years in the bitter cold and great weather on our terrace. In between there was a lot of Icelandic food, what felt like even more Iceland and a number of knitting projects from me as well as a few personal Icelandic moments from us.

The most popular image was a photo of these awesome Northern Lights here in mid-October, and a second Northern Lights photo above our house also made it into the top 9.

Then two double-layered cakes, a "Hnallþóra" for the 80th birthday of the Republic of Iceland on June 17, 2024 as a chocolate cake with meringue, cream and berries, and a carrot cake with cream cheese for the 10th birthday of my blog in July 2024.

And the Skúffukaka, with which I also promoted this English version in the original Gernan version of my blog, made it to third place - with me as the face of the German blog and with my husband as the face of the English blog. After all, he is the one who launched, supervises, maintains and translates the English version.

My "shoulder warmer" ("slá"), inspired by the Hallgrímskirkja tower in Reykjavík, actually made it into the "Top 9" three times in different contexts - I'm happy about that too! I'm always happy about the response that my knitting projects get on the blog.

My Icelandic sweater gingerbreads from previous year made it into the most popular pictures again in 2024, a real all-time favorite, apparently. Also beautiful!

The Icelandic Christmas cat, Jólakötturinn, made it to last place in the top 9.

Basically, I plan to carry on this blog as before: Icelandic recipes for baking and cooking, restaurant and food tips, as well as my knitting projects in Icelandic style and Icelandic wool and of course some moments from our part-time life here in our house in Iceland. I hope I'll manage to try out new and interesting Icelandic recipes and to present them here in the blog.

What do you want from me here in the blog for the coming year?

[Translated from here.]

Nýársdagur 2025

Our New Year's Day 2025

We had really nice weather on New Year's Day yesterday. Bright blue sky, sun, not much wind... simply wonderful!

In the afternoon we picked up our dear visitors at the airport in Keflavík.

However, we wrapped up warmly before we left the house as it was rather cool. The car thermometer showed -19 °C (-2 °F) when we drove off. But the car started without any problems, yay! This can quickly become difficult in such temperatures if, like us here, you don't have a garage.

But everything went well, the car drove off, the path was passable, we were even able to throw our rubbish into the containers at the public rubbish point without any problems. There were trails through the snow to each container. However, there was a relatively large amount of rubbish from the fireworks batteries next to the containers. (There was then a somewhat angry posting from another homeowner in the residents' FB group.)

In bright sunshine and bitter cold we set off across the Hellisheiði to Reykjavík and on to the airport.

Greenhouses next to the road in Hveragerði

Road over the Hellisheiði

View of Reykjavik

As we drove towards the airport on the Reykjanesbraut, the sun was setting and we could see the plane with our visitor already approaching to land.

Bannað að gera þarfir sínar - no human waste

It is forbidden to relieve oneself. As far as I know, this sign this sign has been produced by an Icelandic sign company since 2015 and is increasingly being placed in places used by tourists, such as here at the short-term stop near the airport. Although I definitely find it worrying that it is necessary to put up such signs.

Shortly before we arrived at the airport, however, we had a problem with our car:

The fuse on our heating failed. At first we thought, well, it's going to be a bit cold... we'll just have to get through it. But the problem wasn't the cold, but the failed ventilation. This caused our windows to fog up. And then the wet froze on the cold windows. The side windows were even less of a problem; we were always able to scrape them free, even when it was "snowing" in the car. But if the air you breathe freezes on the inside of the windshield and the driver can no longer see properly - then it becomes dangerous. It doesn't work at all.

It's good when you know someone who can really help you - luckily the problem was solved with a new fuse for the heating.

The drive home in the increasing darkness across the Hellisheiði went smoothly - and we even saw the beautiful Northern Lights that kept dancing over the car. Even around half past five, when it was still relatively light. That was a great start to our visit!

At Kambar we stopped briefly at the viewing parking lot next to the ring road for a quick photo stop.

This photo was taken by the girlfriend of child no. 2 - Northern Lights over Hveragerði. Just beautiful!

We then arrived home safely.

Well, the fact that we had the problem that the water pipe to the house was frozen during the day at -2 °F (-19 °C) is another story.

And it's not like this was the first time we've had a frozen water pipe...

But:

We were prepared and had at least two large bottles of tap water in the house in case of emergencies. And we basically knew what to do - heat the shed vigorously where the water connection comes in. So - after we got the shed door open again. Because unfortunately the door lock was also frozen. And unfortunately my husband couldn't defrost the lock with either the door lock de-icer or the hand warmer. But with an extension cord and a hairdryer it worked. So into the shed, turned up the two electric heaters, which are actually hanging in the shed as frost monitors. The heating pad wrapped around the water pipes. And then the old electric oil heater on wheels was pushed in front of the water connection and switched on - oh no, that didn't work. Unfortunately, the mop was lying in front of it and was frozen on the floor and couldn't be pulled away. So we couldn't put the heater directly in front of the water pipes. At four o'clock in the morning nothing had happened, but at least my husband managed to get the mop off the floor so that he could push the heater in front of the water pipes. And when I woke up just before 7 and ran into the bathroom - I could just turn the faucet and the water came back. Yay! These are the real moments of happiness...

We won't talk about the fact that the hot pot didn't work properly today and suddenly only had 68 °F (20 °C) instead of 104 °F (40 °C).

It won't be boring!

[Translated from here.]

Gleðilegt nýtt ár 2025!

Happy New Year 2025!

Dear ones, we hope you all had a nice New Year and had a good start to the New Year.

Takk fyrir árið sem er að líða.

In Iceland it is customary to always give thanks for what has been. When you meet someone you know, you always thank them for the last meeting - and when you wish them a happy new year, you always thank them for the year that has just passed.

So with that in mind: Thank you for the year that has now passed, thank you for 2024.

Even if it was an eventful year overall, on a large and small scale, and even if - especially on a large scale - a lot of things didn't go as I would have liked - there is still potential. Maybe something will happen in 2025!

Our year 2024 ended where we began it together - in our house in Iceland. As in previous years, we were back in Selfoss for the New Year's Eve bonfire and fireworks, had a cozy meal at home, watched the annual comedy show on TV and then there was a bit of fireworks all around - and the beautiful northern lights. For me personally, I can be very satisfied with it. And that is a great blessing!

Áramótabrenna við Selfossi

On New Year's Eve we were in Selfoss in the afternoon, which is organized here every year by the community's rescue teams . At 5 p.m. the big New Year's Eve bonfire (áramótabrenna) started on the lawn behind the campsite reception, next to the sports field.

We were there shortly after 5 o'clock. When we went there the fire was already burning.

I always find it fascinating what shapes fire sometimes takes in pictures.

At around 5:15 p.m. the big fireworks display began, which the rescue teams set off on the large hill behind the sports field - located so that you can clearly see it from everywhere. And with enough safety distance and emergency services on site, of course.

So I clearly see a big Christmas goat in the fireworks that is having fun...

After the fireworks we drove back home - and first climbed into our hot pot to thaw out. At only 14 °F (-10 °C) it was rather chilly...!

Afterwards we had a leisurely meal, homemade hamburgers and fries. Always a very sociable meal with us.

After dinner we watched the annual review on Icelandic television and then at 10:30 p.m. the Áramótaskaup came on. This is THE annual comedy show on New Year's Eve, which has been around since 1948, initially on the radio and since 1966 on television. The show consists of comedy sketches and songs with which the show's creators reflect on the political and social events of the year on Iceland. The Áramótaskaup is an important part of New Year's Eve celebrations for most Icelanders. The number of viewers is traditionally the highest on Icelandic television. Around 20 years ago the show had an audience rating of over 95%, but the rating has now fallen but is still around 75%. The advertising surrounding the Áramótaskaup is the most expensive of the year; you pay around 2,500 euros for 30 seconds of advertising time.

During the broadcast, the streets are often still empty, people are sitting at home with family and friends and watching television. And when the Áramótaskaup ends at 11.30 p.m., you go out and set off the fireworks that you previously bought from the rescue teams.

However, we didn't buy any fireworks this year. And here in the country there wasn't that much going on with the neighbors either. But we had beautiful northern lights - and were able to enjoy lots of northern lights and a bit of fireworks at the same time from the warm room window.

However, the northern lights were much more persistent than the fireworks.

In this sense:

Gleðilegt nýtt ár! I wish us all the best for the New Year 2025!

[Translated from here.]

Milli jóla og nýárs

Between Christmas and New Year

We're currently taking it easy between the years. Sometimes the weather isn't that great, so I think you can stay at home with a clear conscience.

On Sunday we had really fantastic weather! Bright blue sky, sunshine, not much wind, but rather cool at 14 °F (-10 °C) ...

The husband and child took advantage of the good weather and went for a bit of hiking in the area.

My husband took this picture of the sun on the way, at 12:06 p.m. Well - in summer there is (almost) midnight sun here, but now in winter there is at least midday sun, just above the horizon!

In the meantime I did a bit of housework and knitting. And after lunch we all went back to our hot tub for a swim. The photo was taken at half past one. It's wonderful to climb into 104 °F (40 °C) hot water when the outside temperature is 14 °F (-10 °C)!

I also wish you a few nice, cozy days, if possible...

[Translated from here.]

Túnfisksalat með skyri

Tuna salad with skyr

If you're looking for a delicious dip for New Year's Eve or another nice occasion, I could also recommend this one - that is, if you like fish.

In any case, the fish thing is a bit of a critical point for my family - the majority of people are fine with grilled salmon, but beyond that it becomes difficult...

No matter - I think this tuna salad with crackers is delicious! For the part of the family that doesn't like fish, there's the cheese and bacon dip that we had at Christmas. At least I can always use it for my youngest!

Ingredients

180 g canned tuna (drained weight)

180g pure skyr

80 g sour cream

4 hard-boiled eggs

1/2 red onion

1 red pepper

1 tsp mustard

coarse sea salt

ground black pepper

Preparation

Peel and dice the hard-boiled eggs.

Peel half the red onion and cut it into small pieces.

Wash and clean the red pepper and cut it into thin strips, then cut the strips into small pieces.

Place the skyr and sour cream in a large bowl.

Add all remaining ingredients...

... and mix the whole thing thoroughly. Season with a little salt and/or pepper to taste.

Serve the tuna salad with crackers or similar as a dip.

Bon appetit!

[Translated from here.]

Jólamaturinn okkar

Our Christmas dinner 2024

For Christmas, my children had expressly asked for a traditionally roasted bird (goose, or alternatively duck) with red cabbage, dumplings, potatoes and sauce, just like before. With warm red cabbage - not cold, as is more common in Iceland. So classic German food.

There were no special requests for starters and desserts, so I had free rein.

So I prepared two different dips for the first hunger, along with crackers and small pretzels:

A large portion of my still current favorite Icelandic dip with cheese and bacon ...

... and a smaller portion of salmon spread with egg (Savulohilevite), a Finnish salmon dip based on a recipe by Michaela from her blog Mahtava .

The cheese and bacon dip in particular went down wonderfully, especially my youngest offspring could have just spooned this dip away. My daughter and I really appreciated the salmon dip... definitely both very tasty, easy to prepare and quite filling for the hungry family.

For dessert, I made Finnish snowflake tarts (Lumihiutaletorttu) or Christmas tarts (Joulutorttu), also based on a recipe from Mahtava - simply fill ready-made puff pastry with jam, fold it, bake it and then dust it with powdered sugar. So beautifully uncomplicated!

The recipe actually calls for a pack of ready-made puff pastry and plum jam or other jam. I made 1.5 packs, just to be on the safe side, so that everyone would definitely be full, and filled them with plum jam, strawberry jam and nut nougat cream. The recipe is wonderfully simple, and although it takes a bit of time to form all the snowflakes, it's actually not difficult. And it tastes really good and looks great too!

The nut nougat cream stars in particular were a hit with the youngest members of the family.

We all really enjoyed our Christmas dinner with the entire family and everyone had at least something to fill up on. Nothing complicated, just easy to prepare, but still something different and visually appetizing. What more do I want..?!?

Merry Christmas!

[Translated from here.]