Wednesday, December 24, 2008

my mother's angels began the week


mun Äidin enkelit. my mother's angels

mun Äidin enkeli. my mother's angel


a tonttu from a vanha Joulu liina. An elf on an old Christmas linen from Finland. My mother decorates her home each Christmas with her Christmas linens and angels.


Part of the food spread at my mom's 75 birthday drop in party, which included suolakala voileipä or salted salmon sandwiches, karjalanpiirakka, piiparit, almond cake, cheesecake, fruit cake, quinoa salad, and many other delicious edibles. Lots of coffee was served. There were many guests.


After many days of delicious edibles, morning walks are a must. I left for my morning walk today rather late, 10 am. Anna and Eero, visiting from Finland, came over last night for supper with their new son, Aleksi. Again, more delicious edibles. This morning I decided to sleep in. A gal is entitled to that every now and then. When I left for my walk it was -21c.

A dusting of snow fell last night. It is not a cliche to say the day was magical.


The air was crisp and clear, the sun was brilliant, the snow was glistening, and the sky was crackling blue. I saw starlings eating mountain ash berries, pine siskins eating birch catkins, and redpolls burrowing in the snow.


I took the shortcut on the path through the woods which used to be an old toboggan run.


The scrub bush up close; it's a tangle.


The path along the creek was plowed nicely, but even so, after 5 k of trudging through the snow, one feels a bit breathless. My cheeks were frozen by the time I got back home.
The winter lights at my home.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hyvää Joulua! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Merche Pallarés said...

¡Oh, the pictures are SO lovely! They remind me of my dear Canada, country which I was very happy to have grown up in. Because even though at the beginning, being a child of immigrants (if you read my old posts (2007) you will get more of an idea of what I went through...) it was tough, afterwards, I ADORED Canada.
Lovely your mother's Christmas decorations and the food!!! Absolutely scrumptious!
Much love and MERRY CHRISTMAS, Hugs, M.

Anonymous said...

MERRY XMAS AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO
MY AUNT !

Valitettavasti herrasmiehen onnittelut tulevat aina myöhässä. Herrasmies ei koskaan kysy naisen ikää.

Anonymous said...

Hyvän Joulun ja Uuden Vuoden toivotukset myös täältä pohjoisesta.
Pakkasmittari näyttää täällä 0-astetta. Tv. Jorma perheineen.

northshorewoman said...

Marja-Leena, happy holidays with your family; your time together sounds like special memory-making! You are blessed. With 2 of my children in the Middle East, our Joulu aatto was quiet, indeed.

Merche, many warm greetings to you, too. I am enjoying reading your "postcard sized" stories on your blog. You have great recall of past memories, and have many interesting vignettes to share. Have you been back to Toronto recently?

Ari and Jorma, I hope your Christmas was special, surrounded by family, and peaceful. That is the best kind. Snow is nice, too. I know much of Finland is suffering a lack of snow, mild temperatures and gray skies. Like Marraskuu all winter long! Oh, dear!
Enjoy the rest of December and hyvää uutta vuotta to you and your family members.

Della and her family are coming to Thunder Bay on Saturday, so we are looking forward to their visit.

Come to Canada soon and take part in our family occasions!

Jorma, I don't have your email address. Please send me an email at
tainacee@yahoo.com

Merche Pallarés said...

Dear North, I'm waiting to retire and then, hopefully, will go to Toronto because I haven't been back since the eighties and I miss Canada. The only time I could go now would be in the winter when I have less work, but do not have the necessary clothing for a Canadian winter! Thanks so much, once again, for your very sweet comment in my blog. Much love 'n hugs, M.