Don't Forget Your Mama!

Today (May 13th) is Mother's Day!
So in Finland - it's celebrated as a holiday...nothing is open.  Perhaps the odd restaurant - but not necessarily all of them.  So you may want to check their site or call them first!

Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful ladies - whether you're expecting, already a Mother - or perhaps a Grandmother!  You're all very special and some of the hardest working people around!
And of course, for those Daddies that do double-duty - Happy Mother's Day to you too.

Gl�gi and Winter Tires

This is your annual reminder that there's now snow on the ground (at least in JKL) - so you should have snow tires on your vehicle.  It is mandatory to have them by December 1st or by the first snow fall.
The roads are slick too - so be careful.  (You may want to get some for your bike too if you can...)
If caught without winter tires on your car - there is a fine - how much, I don't know...but it can be pricey!

Now onto other pressing matters.
Red, White (well it's more like yellow/gold colored) or Blue Gl�gi....which do you prefer?
I prefer Valio brand over Marli...Marli is just a tad too sweet for my liking.

BLUEBERRY GL�GI?!
What is the world coming to?!

The burgundy colored carton is the "normal stuff"...the gold colored carton is the "white" Gl�gi (smoother and slightly nice taste)...
There's also sugar-free and vanilla-flavoured Gl�gi (I haven't tried the vanilla one yet)....

Then this year - Marli dug out the big guns and made a blueberry flavoured Gl�gi....

It's in English! (Blueberrish??

When I told some Finnish friends that I saw blueberry flavoured Gl�gi - there were some grunts of disapproval....but I think it tastes okay.  Not as fabulous as the red stuff...the white stuff is alright too....it doesn't quite scream "CHRISTMAS IS COMING!" but it's alright I suppose.  (My husband has yet to try it.)

Now as you can see in the bottom photo - Gl�gi is a drink that people drink hot.  They'll add raisins and almonds in the mug and stir it around and eat it with a spoon or drink all their Gl�gi and then eat the raisins and almonds...it's all up to you!  (Hubby prefers it without nuts or raisins).

I have a confession to make....*deep breath*

I like my gl�gi cold.  Not only that - but some times, as a "treat" for myself...um I like to add Sprite or 7-Up to my Gl�gi....like � and � of each...I suppose it's a "Sparkling Gl�gi"....

And all the Finns begin to shake their heads at that weird Canadian girl who drinks her Gl�gi cold and sometimes mixed with pop....

Pyh�inp�iv�n - aka stores closed Saturday Nov. 5

I've been running around today like a chicken with its head chopped off!
Tomorrow's the big Naming Party for the newborn and my older boy's birthday party - so I'm going wild with preparations....and should have posted this sooner!

Tomorrow is Pyh�inp�iv�n - aka All Saint's Day.  Nothing is opened in terms of shops...not sure about restaurants - so check in advance before heading out!  The odd small grocery store might be open - but take a look.

Happy Canada Day!

Today is the birthday of Canada...my home-country!

It's a big day turning 144 years old you know!

To celebrate Canada Day, everything is closed (some restaurants may be open - but those are few and far between) and if the weather is good - then typically there are barbecues, fairs, picnics, fireworks, family gatherings and visits, parades and of course there's the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo.  It's a large show shown in Halifax for about a week or so, with performances from all over the world!
It is held indoors, in Halifax, Nova Scotia - but they often do a parade on Canada Day!

In Westville, where my husband is from, there's a huge fair, a parade and fireworks!

Oh, but in Ottawa - Canada's Capital - that's where the party is at!
Why?  Because Prince William (The Duke of Cambridge) and his wife, Catherine (Duchess of Cambridge) are visiting Canada on their first North American Tour together!
Here's a video!

Well, this year - I spent Canada Day with my friend (who is Finnish) - as my husband is en route to London for a conference somewhere in England.
We did some knitting/crocheting, some gossiping and I whipped up some Chinese stir-fry...which was really yummy!  Then for dessert - to be a bit more patriotic - I made strawberry/banana short cake with whipped cream (red and white!)....and chocolate covered strawberries too.

I really don't know what Canucks eat on Canada Day....growing up - we never ate anything in particular, like you would eat a ham or turkey for Christmas or Thanksgiving....so I just made whatever I felt like eating and thankfully it worked out :).

Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of our lovely meal - because I gave my camera to my husband to take some photos of his trip...

I hope you all had a wonderful day - Canadian or not!  (Americans have their Independence Day July 4th)