This is my 3rd Christmas/Holiday season in Finland and let's say it's a much different one than my previous 2.
How so?
Well, this year, we have a new baby (okay - he's 2 months old now and looks like a 3.5 month old in size) to add to the mix, a couple Brazilian friends who joined us for both Christmas Eve and Day....and NO SNOW.
One could argue that there IS some snow outside - but in general - it's a light dusting...or it's in clumps...oh wait - it's mostly all washed away.
In Finland, when there's a green Christmas (aka no snow) - they call it a "black Christmas". Same thing.
In previous years we have had lots of snow and last year we even went on a Christmas Day hike across the frozen lake.
It hasn't been cold enough recently to keep the lake frozen at all...which really sucks because it's so dark and depressing out (I've been stuck inside for about 2-3 days - quickly losing my mind) and the snow would REALLY help brighten the area up!
That and it's nice walking out on a frozen lake and watching the dogs run around and making other doggy friends...
Bah humbug!
On the flip side, there are 365 days until next Christmas (there's that extra day in February due to a leap year) - so once the snow and cold really settles in (hopefully soon?) then I can start next year's Christmas cards.
Sick I know! (And I have a few to finish...sorry if you don't receive one by New Year's Day!)
Oh right, back to Christmas.
Anyways, for Christmas Eve dinner - we agreed on a bigger meal then (as Brazil celebrates Christmas on the Eve of, just like Europe) and a slightly smaller meal for Christmas Day (I make my husband wait to open gifts until Christmas morning).
So for the bigger meal - we went for a leg of lamb! And for the smaller - we opted for a roast chicken dinner.
I hate turkey (sorry this is old news) and they weren't in favour of ham or pork at the moment....
I hope your holidays were warm, safe and happy!!
PS I totally forgot to add this before posting it on Facebook - but anyway I will add it now quickly:
I planned EVERYTHING to a "T" so that I would NOT have to go to the stores on Christmas Eve or Friday.
Guess what happened on Christmas Eve? My bathroom lights burnt out.
Not a big deal right? Well it was. Because we don't have a window in the bathroom, and I didn't want to use candles (our guest is allergic to scents and my husband hates it) and we also change the kids' diapers in there too.
So I hauled out my bus pass, rushed to Antilla, grabbed 2 light bulbs (they are the long fluorescent type) and rushed back home - because our guests were arriving a couple hours after I got back.
And of course, I got the right sized light bulbs - but two different shades of white.
So if you're in my bathroom and wondering why you feel like you're very calm on the right side of your face but feel like you're going blind on your left - my apologies.
How so?
Well, this year, we have a new baby (okay - he's 2 months old now and looks like a 3.5 month old in size) to add to the mix, a couple Brazilian friends who joined us for both Christmas Eve and Day....and NO SNOW.
One could argue that there IS some snow outside - but in general - it's a light dusting...or it's in clumps...oh wait - it's mostly all washed away.
In Finland, when there's a green Christmas (aka no snow) - they call it a "black Christmas". Same thing.
In previous years we have had lots of snow and last year we even went on a Christmas Day hike across the frozen lake.
It hasn't been cold enough recently to keep the lake frozen at all...which really sucks because it's so dark and depressing out (I've been stuck inside for about 2-3 days - quickly losing my mind) and the snow would REALLY help brighten the area up!
That and it's nice walking out on a frozen lake and watching the dogs run around and making other doggy friends...
Bah humbug!
On the flip side, there are 365 days until next Christmas (there's that extra day in February due to a leap year) - so once the snow and cold really settles in (hopefully soon?) then I can start next year's Christmas cards.
Sick I know! (And I have a few to finish...sorry if you don't receive one by New Year's Day!)
Oh right, back to Christmas.
Anyways, for Christmas Eve dinner - we agreed on a bigger meal then (as Brazil celebrates Christmas on the Eve of, just like Europe) and a slightly smaller meal for Christmas Day (I make my husband wait to open gifts until Christmas morning).
So for the bigger meal - we went for a leg of lamb! And for the smaller - we opted for a roast chicken dinner.
I hate turkey (sorry this is old news) and they weren't in favour of ham or pork at the moment....
 |
| Our guests made a banana pie with chocolate frosting on top! |
 |
| Leg of lamb dinner with roasted veggies and cheesy garlic bread for Christmas Eve dinner... |
 |
| Christmas Day dinner - toasted herb bread with EVOO, fried pepperoni, broccoli with garlic and oyster sauce (weird I know), cucumbers, and chicken with veggies and rice! |
 |
| Christmas Day dinner - blueberry/raspberry cheese cake with white and dark chocolate on top! |
I hope your holidays were warm, safe and happy!!
PS I totally forgot to add this before posting it on Facebook - but anyway I will add it now quickly:
I planned EVERYTHING to a "T" so that I would NOT have to go to the stores on Christmas Eve or Friday.
Guess what happened on Christmas Eve? My bathroom lights burnt out.
Not a big deal right? Well it was. Because we don't have a window in the bathroom, and I didn't want to use candles (our guest is allergic to scents and my husband hates it) and we also change the kids' diapers in there too.
So I hauled out my bus pass, rushed to Antilla, grabbed 2 light bulbs (they are the long fluorescent type) and rushed back home - because our guests were arriving a couple hours after I got back.
And of course, I got the right sized light bulbs - but two different shades of white.
So if you're in my bathroom and wondering why you feel like you're very calm on the right side of your face but feel like you're going blind on your left - my apologies.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.