The primstav might be an ancient calendar, but it is still relevant today and especially for those in the Nordics or with Nordic heritage. It's an important link to the past and a simpler time.

I don't usually like writing about religious and holy days but in Norway they are entrenched into normal day to day living. It's got nothing to do with the country being religious, because it's most definitely not, but more about tradition. Many of the religious holy days in Norway are included in the primstav (runic calendar) and as it's something I take a keen interest in and have been sharing with you, I feel the need to include as much as possible.

The 14th April is a significant day on the Nordic runic calendar. It's the time to turn to the summer months and look forward to warm days

Fastelavn is a joyful and fun celebration throughout the whole of Scandinavia. It's a time to embrace joy before the start of Lent

One thing I learnt when I first moved to Norway was that people here rally like to celebrate any special day that comes along. This has been going on for many years. Many hundreds of years, in fact. The simple pleasures of celebrating a day and noticing anything significant about it makes daily life much more interesting. Blåsmesse is a saint's day that is marked on 3 February in Norway. It's a day that is special on the Nordic primstav (runic calendar) and I thought it w

The Nordic primstav or calendar stick is a special part of Norwegian culture with important days still marked today

Dinesmesse is not only St Denis' day but also the time when the herring is at it's fattest. I am sharing a delicious and unusual recipe

Britemesse is the day on the ancient primstav to commemorate St Birgitte. But it is also a known as Kåldagen (Cabbage Day) for good reason

29 July is a day when we commemorate the Viking King Olaf the Holy. To celebrate I have a light and delicious raspberry dessert to share

Gauksmesse is a day that is celebrated on 1 May in Norway and is still a public holiday even now. The celebration dates back to pagan times

Sommerdag, or Summers Day on 14 April, is considered to be the first day of the start of the Nordic summer half of the year and is a...

Marimesse om våren (Mary's Message Day or Spring Mass, also known as the Annunciation) is a holy day on the primstav commemorating the...

Gregorsmesse is named for Gregor the Great

Blåsmesse is a special day on the Nordic Primstav that falls on 3 February

Rømmegrøt is a delicous sour cream porridge that is very typical of Norwegian cuisine. It is usually served with cured meats.

Midwinters Day on the primstav is marked by the symbol of the bear. You must be cautious not to wake it!!

Bløtkake is a light sponge cake filled with cream and berries that is seen on almost every Norwegian dessert table at celebrations

Lågen Valley bread is a hearty and rich loaf from the Lågen Valley in Vestfold, Norway. It's perfect for cold days. Here is the recipe

Riskrem is a comforting and easy Nordic recipe that is perfect hot or cold.