It won’t come as a surprise that I do want to move out from where I am right now .
But I do have to wait for awhile , and I’ve become quite the expert on waiting (all good things come to those who wait , or something like that ) .
In the meantime I dream , and learn , and plan , and play with ideas which is always a good way of having fun without spending any money or disturbing any feathers on susceptible monsters .
I do have a fascination with New Zealand ( could I get any farther ? ) where I could find a very similar climate to the one I’m used to – and climate is very important for this Turtle – besides beautiful beaches just like mine and last but not least English speaking people ( so I wouldn’t have to learn a new language , even if I wouldn’t mind adding another one to my repertoire ) .
But now my heart wavers , as I’ve found a closer destination , with a beautiful landscape , intricate knit techniques for me to learn and occupy myself during their very long nights (and you know how I like nights 😉 ) , and although the climate might be a “little” harsher than I would like to , I really don’t mind cold .
But what really got this wonderful place on my radar today was an article one of my daughters shared with me .
Do you know what families traditionally do on Iceland on Christmas Eve ? They do give each other books (the real old fashioned ones that you can hold , smell , and turn pages on 😉 )and then spend the night reading them .
For me , this might be one of the best ways of spending the evening waiting for Santa Claus next morning . Add some comfy and beautiful new pyjamas (or real silk loungewear if you want to go classy) , a thick hot chocolate and a crackling fire , and I might not even need Santa next day .
They do even have a name for this – jólabókaflóð (link) or “Christmas Book Flood” . You may find the article I read here , with several links to explore more .
I’m telling you this , if I am not there by this time (well , two weeks ago that is) next year , I will introduce this new tradition in my now ever-changing Christmas Eve Traditions wherever I might be .
Books are and always were a very much appreciated and longed for Christmas Gift for me , so much so that I get a bit sad if Santa forgets them 😉
And because I treasure books and uplifting songs and all that :
So , who wants to move to Iceland ?
Turtle Hugs 🙂
What a great tradition, giving books.
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Bliss for all of us book lovers 😉
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To combine Iceland and books, ROSA CANDIDA is the loveliest story set in Iceland. Hope it exists in English, I read it in French. Love the book tradition, and would love to visit and see the northern lights 😍 But all those endless nights… Not for me, I’m a Mediterranean !
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I know , we need Our Sun 😉
Thank you for your comment and for your book suggestion , will see if my daughter can get it to me on line , I can read either in English or French , no problem there 😉
Turtle Hugs 🙂
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The French translation is very good, they have it on amazon!
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Let me know if you liked it. Hugs:-))
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I will 🙂
Thanks 🙂
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Sounds interesting and very nice tradition! xxx
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it’s on my list to go to Iceland in 2016… and i saw some amazing new years traditions they have as well!!
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Ah! Now I’ve got to go searching for those 😉
Turtle Hugs 🙂
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I never knew about this tradition. But my husband and I give each other books for Christmas to read together through our cold New England winter. Thank you for the link, too!
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Oh, and I share your love of books. What a fabulous tradition!
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You know , a few years back when I could I would always gift books (to the ones who liked them) for Christmas plus another present 🙂
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I visited Iceland two years ago and fell in love with the landscape. The combination of the geysirs, ice, snow and waterfalls are mesmerizing!
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I so want to visit there ! And the people must be quite interesting too , living in such a place 🙂
Turtle Hugs
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I started reading Icelandic sagas and Norse myths after my trip. For such a small country, they have an AMAZING collection of writings.
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What a lovely tradition. It seems like such a nice way to spend the holidays.
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Loved this article and have always toyed with the notion of at least visiting there. Now I know if I do…I’ll never leave!
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Thank you 🙂
Right ! Even if it is dark and really cold outside , if we have books we are ok 🙂
Turtle Hugs
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Like the others commenting I love the Christmas tradition. Books rock, anywhere and any time. However I’m not sure I could wrap my mind around moving to Iceland. Visiting, definitely a bucket list thing, however. Along with tons of other places. Good luck on achieving your dreams.
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Thank you ! Even if I don’t achieve most of them I’ll still have a great time “dreaming” .Turtle Hugs
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Take your great times where you can and you’ll be surprised at the fun times that accumulate over the years.
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Thank you 🙂
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I have been talking about visiting Iceland for so many years now, I think my other half is sick of hearing about it! In fact, we have a frozen food chain of shops in the UK called Iceland so it has become a running joke that we will just go there and visit the frozen burgers!
I’m unsure about moving there full time (although your other suggestion of New Zealand is a definite – would love to) but I’m determined to visit before the end of the year. In fact, hopefully by my birthday but that might be too soon (March). I’m slightly scared I’ve built it up so much that I won’t actually like it when I’m there. Then I remind myself it’s full of volcanoes and snow and the Northern Lights… It will be awesome!
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I’m sure it will be awesome 🙂 and that you will love it
Turtle Hugs
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Haylee,
maybe you’ll want to visit this just arrived “turtlie” http://tinyindiangirlupamountain.com/2016/01/07/see-you-in-iceland/
Turtle Hugs 🙂
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Thanks so much for this! Some helpful tips in the links from the post, anything to help save some money! 🙂
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😉
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I’m packing my bags. I’m bowled over by this practice! In fact, I’m SO in love with this that I think next Christmas, I will start a new tradition. Seriously. Every Christmas I gift my kids and Bonaparte with a gift card to Barnes & Noble! Ever the summer person, I still find the dark winter months perfect for curling up on the sofa, blanket thrown over me, a cup of tea and a great book! THANK YOU! Thanks for such a great post and an educational one at that!!! XOXOXO!
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Thank you Catherine 🙂
I’m so happy you liked it , and hurrah for new Christmas Traditions 😉
Turtle Hugs
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I love to visit Iceland. It’s always been on my list of places to see–so many wonderful tales. And you’re so right about the book-giving tradition. How can you not love a nation for that:) Here’s hoping Santa gets you there soon!
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Denmark’s my choice…
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Denmark has its pluses , but it is a bit close to home …;)
Turtle Hugs
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My son is a huge fan of the country and we are actually planning to travel to Iceland this year! I love the book tradition, that is awesome!
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Good ! I think you will love it 🙂
Turtle Hugs
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I love the book tradition! I would love to see Iceland but I don’t know if I could live there. And there is no way I’d ever get John to agree to move anywhere. I’ve talked to him about moving less than an hour from where we live now and you’d think I asked him to leave the planet! Also, young kids, etc. I don’t mind the cold, though, but after a while I might crave a bit more warmth… of all kinds… 😉
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Half the year in Iceland and the other half in Hawaii ???
Turtle Hugs 🙂
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Yes… Because hot surf instructor. 🏄 🏄 (must have at least 2… one for each of us…)
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I spent a year in Iceland during my four year stay with the Air Force. I published a post a while back on Stand Up Paddleboarding in Iceland, of all places. I too saw the article about Christmas and just love the idea. Check this out. http://supdays.net/2015/09/11/standup-in-iceland/
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How about that ? Amazing pictures on your post 🙂
Did you like the people when you were there ?
Turtle Hugs
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I spent 3 weeks backpacking around Iceland. It’s amazing. Oh the hot springs. The people are so nice, and they almost all speak English (as a second language), too.
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That is good to know 🙂 As much as I like to learn languages the idea I have of Icelandic (is that the word?) is that it is a bit difficult 😉
Turtle Hugs
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Good luck with ur moving, dear Turtle. 🙂
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Slow moving …
Turtle Hugs
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Oh I want to move to this place and that and everywhere.. I know my boyfriend would love us to move there.
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What a lovely tradition – sometimes I think the younger generations are missing out on “real” books in favour of pc and hand held devices. You cannot beat a real book, with pages to turn and smell x
Ps I wouldn’t fancy Iceland – I hate the cold!
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We can always eat a bit more Pringles for a little padding 😉
Turtle Hugs
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Ha! 😄 I like your thinking my friend – pack the suitcase – we’re off to Iceland 😄 x
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🙂
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