We're back!

We're back, new and improved - smelling of fish and dusting volcanic grit from our clothes. Iceland was magnificent. It is a place of magical beauty - waterfalls that defy the imagination, glaciers, mists, flowers, sheep. But also a darkly beautiful side - volcanoes, steep roads, vulnerable towns perched between avalanche zones and moody fjords. While we were there, a tour boat witnessed a minke whale being attacked and killed by a pod of killer whales. Two polar bears washed up on the shores this summer.

But the Nordic gods were glad we were there and blessed almost every day with sunshine and warm weather. (The mist was beautiful, too - truly Icelandic). An Icelandic friend came very close to winning the big national golf tournament and she's only 16!

First on the agenda: Did I find any yarn stores?

Answer: No. But don't be disappointed. Here was my mistake. I was looking for shops that specialize in yarn and didn't realize that yarn is still a part of normal, every day shopping. Guess where I found yarn - grocery stores, gas stations and my favorite yarn supplier - the local flower shop in town (Neskaupstadir). Here is a picture.

Do you see how they wind their yarn? Isn't that cool? I've never seen that before. It's true Icelandic Lopi and when you knit with it, you have to double strand this, so the disk is designed so that the yarn can be easily pulled from the center and from the edge. I have two ideas for my first Icelandic lopi sweater, but I left my other 3000 photos in a pocket of a jacket that was left behind at another farm called Krokur. (don't fret, my in-laws are still there and are bringing it back). We had a darling visitor to our farm named Arna and she had a sweater on that . . . well, I'll tell that story when I get the pictures.

So feast your eyes on some Icelandic scenes:goofing off at Sellfoss

brotherly love


If you're Icelandic, this picture needs no explanation. However, since most of you are NOT, this is the Icelandic Pylsa or hot dog. If you love lamb and you're a hot dog connoisseur, then Iceland is the place to be.


Hiking Sellfoss.


One big goofball in Reykjavik.

I promise to post more pictures, as soon as I get them back!