Faroese Activities

We always love our time in the Faroe Islands - our family is so good to us - our friends are welcoming - the food and culture are so inviting - no wonder we keep going back!! Ragnar playing a table game with his parents,

while I try to hurry and finish my Christmas projects on time.

Enjoying time with family at our grandnephew's 5th birthday party.

New Year's Eve specialties -

clockwise from top left - slices of dried whale meat - cold potatoes - dried fish and slices of whale blubber.

They tell me it was all delicious - I was too full to try any after a super yummy birthday dinner for Ragnar's sister.

We drove around town at midnight, admiring the beautiful fireworks.

Supper time - Ragnar cutting a piece of dried sheep meat.

Yummy, yummy, yummy!!!!

One day Ragnar's sister brought a roast pan full of aged ribs for dinner.

Ragnar, his sister and brother in law enjoying the ribs.

And so were his mom and dad!!!

We seldom see much snow in the Faroes, but this year was an exception and we enjoyed its beauty so much. Our front gate.

Taken from our back door.

Ragnar getting his exercise in.

On the back verandah.

It was getting dark by 4:00 p.m., but we snapped a couple photos of boats by the docks.

3 Days of Christmas

We love the Christmas celebrations in the Faroe Islands. Since our last Christmas there was in 1991, this time was extra special. When we arrived there on the 10th of December, all the houses decorated with lots of outdoor lights brightened up the drive from the airport to our home town. Craig, Claire, Ellie, Rebekah and Lydia joined us on the 17th, adding lots of extra joy to our already great time.

Here we are gathered around Ragnar's mom and dad's dining room table, ready to eat duck, with all the trimmings, on Christmas Eve.

Following the delicious meal, we gathered in the living room to open our gifts.
Ellie, Rebekah and Lydia discovering what is in the parcels.
Then showing the rest of us what they found.
I had started to knit these 3 sweaters a couple of weeks before we went to the Faroes, but worked every spare moment after we arrived to get them all ready on time.

Aren't they sweet models? Home made scarfs from their great grandmother.
Now its their mother's turn to show us hers.

Ragnar's parents turn to open theirs.

On Christmas Day we had Leg of Lamb. They tell me it was also a yummy meal, and I just have to believe them since I decided to get the flu that day and only had a glass of water as I watched them eat.

Ræstkjøt!! Wind-dried, aged lamb meat!

All my Faroese friends tell me this is the most delicious meat on the planet! On Boxing Day we all gathered at Ragnar's sister's home, along with her children and grandchildren. Although I did enjoy some on the 31st, my tummy wasn't ready for it yet this day. I really enjoyed listening to everyone talk about how much they were enjoying it though.

After the table was cleared, it was immediately reset with lots of delicious desserts.

Then the ladies gathered in the living room to play scrabble.

While the men were in a different corner watching a British Soccer game.

Then as if we had not partied enough, that evening we were invited to attend our Filipino next door neighbour's baby's dedication.

Lots of familiar dishes that make our mouths water - pancit, adobo and lumpia.

We understand there are about 100 Filipinos living in the Faroe Islands, and many of them had gathered for this special occasion. What fun to see the surprise look on their faces, when they heard Faroese people speaking to them in their mother tongue!!

We enjoyed meeting lots of them, finding out where they grew up in the Philippines and their stories of moving to the Faroes.

Then we sang the familiar tune in 3 languages -

Tillukku til tín

Tillukku til tín

Tillukku góða Teresa

Tillukku til tín!

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday dear Teresa,

Happy Birthday to you!

Maligayang bati

Maligayang bati,

Maligayang, maligayang

Maligayang bati!

What fun packed and enjoyable 3 days of Christmas with family and friends!!

Volunteer Ladies

We have been very blessed this school year to have 5 young ladies volunteer to help us with various jobs on the NTM center. 3 of them work in the Nursery, one in the kitchen and one is our Graphic Designer. It has been our pleasure to get to know them quite well as they come to our home each Monday night for a Bible Study and time of fellowship. We usually begin with our time in the Word, followed by a snack and chatting, and recently have added a episode of 'Little House on the Prairie'.

This evening was our 'Christmas Party' and we all had dinner together. Ragnar usually joins us for the Bible Study, but this evening he had to make a couple of airport runs.
During our recent trip to Spain, I had several hours where I was sitting with idle hands, so I decided to give them a project to knit a scarf for each of the 'girls'. A few hours in the car, in the airplane, and listening to discussions gave me a great start, and I am thankful I was able to get the last one finished the night before our party.
When I wrapped the scarfs, I didn't put names on them, so they could choose or exchange, but each one kept the one they opened.

We sang lots of Christmas Carols this evening too.

Then on to the dessert and a couple episodes of Little House on the Prairie. I love watching them with these girls. Although there is a big generation gap here, they seem to love them as much as I do!!