Here is a look at my mom's yard in the winter time. These were taken Christmas Day. The sky was so blue and the sun was nice and bright. Thought you would all enjoy seeing what I see most mornings :)
Another tradition I have at Christmas is making Lihapiirakka. Little deep fired meat/rice pies, made in a sweet dough. Since I got home from London/St.Thomas (ont) too close to Christmas, I never had time to make these tasty treats. So I thought it would be fun to teach my nieces Airyana and Marissa how to make them. I also invited my friend Leanne and her daughter Kelti over to join in the festivities. It is quite a long process, as the dough has to rise twice. Here is a look at our adventure:
Marissa kneaded the dough.
Airyana giving it a try.
As always, Kelti gives me that look, "You want me to do what?"
Me and my girlies!!
While the dough was rising, we went out sledding down my mom’s driveway. I haven’t had so much fun… I was giggling so hard. Again, it brought back memories of going sliding with Holly and Jeff. We used to pretend we were in the Olympics, racing down the hill… be cautious of “corner 13”, which caused my slight concussion in ’96. It was fun watching the kids going down the hill, crashing into the snow banks. At one point, we thought we would all try to stack onto the Snow surfer. All 5 of us! When we took off, Rissa and Airy fell off right away, as Leanne, Kelti and I headed down the hill. I was laughing so hard, my stomach hurt. Sometimes it feels great to be a kid again. Afterwards, the 3 kids piled on the sled and I pushed them down the hill, in hopes of making them hit the jump- hee hee. Here is a look at their sliding escapades. (Photos taken by Leanne).
This picture was actually taken the next day with my NEW digital camera :)
HERE WE GO....
Love the faces in these photos- classic!
After we prepared the Lihapiirakka, we had to let them rise one more time. While waiting for them, we headed over to Edie Täti’s for the traditional Boxing Day Dinner. When my Grandmother was alive, she would have loads of family and friends visit on the 26th. Edie thought it would be fun to carry on the yearly event. I have always enjoyed Boxing Day over there because it gives me a chance to see my cousins from out of town and other family members I don’t see all the time. I also enjoy hearing the stories about my dad. Lately I have been really wishing I knew my dad better. He passed away when I was 9 years old and I always knew him as “My daddy the hero”. As I get older, I really wish I had the chance to know my dad, the adult… So family gatherings always give me glimpses of what my dad was like as a man. I really cherish hearing my family talk about him. Especially the stories of when he was a young teenager getting into mischief with his siblings. Of course at every family event, Edie busts out the camera, which causes Uncle Dan to bring out his camera…. So naturally, I had to get my camera to capture what I love about my family. These pictures probably won’t make sense to most… but I took them for Holly and Jeff so they can see what they are missing and maybe they will make their way over here for Christmas one year.
It was also fun having Leanne and Kelti over to experience a family gathering at the Repo house… and I got to show them the fabulous Bubble light
Cutting circles out of the dough
The filling
Uncle Dan taking a picture of....
the typical candid shot of the people on Edie's couch....
Edie taking a picture of Danny taking a picture.... gotta love my family!
Me and "Ed"- I love my aunt, she is loads of fun and has taught me a lot about being finn!
A look at the blue bubble light... maybe you have to see it in person to understand why it is that cool!
Once we returned home, we finished our all day project. Here are some pictures of the final product.
Thanks to Leanne and Kelti for spending the day with us! And thanks to Rissa & Airy for letting Amy Täti teach you some of my favourite Finnish/Christmas traditions.
Oh so yummy!!!
Marissa kneaded the dough.
Airyana giving it a try.
As always, Kelti gives me that look, "You want me to do what?"
Me and my girlies!!While the dough was rising, we went out sledding down my mom’s driveway. I haven’t had so much fun… I was giggling so hard. Again, it brought back memories of going sliding with Holly and Jeff. We used to pretend we were in the Olympics, racing down the hill… be cautious of “corner 13”, which caused my slight concussion in ’96. It was fun watching the kids going down the hill, crashing into the snow banks. At one point, we thought we would all try to stack onto the Snow surfer. All 5 of us! When we took off, Rissa and Airy fell off right away, as Leanne, Kelti and I headed down the hill. I was laughing so hard, my stomach hurt. Sometimes it feels great to be a kid again. Afterwards, the 3 kids piled on the sled and I pushed them down the hill, in hopes of making them hit the jump- hee hee. Here is a look at their sliding escapades. (Photos taken by Leanne).
This picture was actually taken the next day with my NEW digital camera :)
HERE WE GO....
Love the faces in these photos- classic!
After we prepared the Lihapiirakka, we had to let them rise one more time. While waiting for them, we headed over to Edie Täti’s for the traditional Boxing Day Dinner. When my Grandmother was alive, she would have loads of family and friends visit on the 26th. Edie thought it would be fun to carry on the yearly event. I have always enjoyed Boxing Day over there because it gives me a chance to see my cousins from out of town and other family members I don’t see all the time. I also enjoy hearing the stories about my dad. Lately I have been really wishing I knew my dad better. He passed away when I was 9 years old and I always knew him as “My daddy the hero”. As I get older, I really wish I had the chance to know my dad, the adult… So family gatherings always give me glimpses of what my dad was like as a man. I really cherish hearing my family talk about him. Especially the stories of when he was a young teenager getting into mischief with his siblings. Of course at every family event, Edie busts out the camera, which causes Uncle Dan to bring out his camera…. So naturally, I had to get my camera to capture what I love about my family. These pictures probably won’t make sense to most… but I took them for Holly and Jeff so they can see what they are missing and maybe they will make their way over here for Christmas one year.It was also fun having Leanne and Kelti over to experience a family gathering at the Repo house… and I got to show them the fabulous Bubble light
Cutting circles out of the dough
The filling
Uncle Dan taking a picture of....
the typical candid shot of the people on Edie's couch....
Edie taking a picture of Danny taking a picture.... gotta love my family!
Me and "Ed"- I love my aunt, she is loads of fun and has taught me a lot about being finn!
A look at the blue bubble light... maybe you have to see it in person to understand why it is that cool!Once we returned home, we finished our all day project. Here are some pictures of the final product.
Thanks to Leanne and Kelti for spending the day with us! And thanks to Rissa & Airy for letting Amy Täti teach you some of my favourite Finnish/Christmas traditions.
Oh so yummy!!!
Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year. Ever since I was a kid I have always been anxious for Christmas time. I guess it’s because it’s a time for family, memories and Finnish traditions. One of my favourite things to do during the holiday season is make Finnish Ice Candles. Edie Täti , (Täti means aunt in finn) would always have her deck decorated with numerous ice candles she made. Every night she’d light them up and put on her Christmas lights and my sister and I would watch from our bedroom window across the field at the spectacular display of lights.
On the 21st, I went over to my aunt Edie’s to help her decorate her real tree, which she chopped down herself from her yard. We had so much fun hanging the old ornaments that have been around for so many Christmas’, ones with the years printed on them, old fashion Joulupukki figures, and the classic bubble light. When I was a kid, my siblings and I would sit for hours in front of the tree watching those bubble lights. That is Christmas to me- that bubble light.
Brings back so many memories of Christmas’ past. (As with most of my posts, if anyone will appreciate my blurb on the bubble light, it will be my sister Holly.) As I was leaving Edie’s, I noticed all her ice candles on her deck- if anything, my aunt has always been consistent. I, of course, was inspired to make my own ice candles to keep the tradition going. My mom and I had fun adding food colouring to them, pine needles and lemon slices. Here are some pictures of our creations.
Another tradition I had when I was younger was going over to Edie Täti’s on Christmas Eve close to midnight. We’d sit around the tree, fascinated by the bubble light and listen to family stories. We’d also count down to midnight so we could go home and open our presents! Since I am living at my mom’s right now, I thought it would be fun to revisit this old tradition. So at 12:30am, after all my Christmas Eve festivities I went over to Edie’s with a bottle of Cabernet Franc (one of my favourite wines). Judy Täti was there too, along with my cousin Sara. And like most visits at Edie’s, we sat around the tree, telling family stories, laughing and being mesmerized by that infamous bubble light. I didn’t end up leaving until after 2… it definitely was one of the highlights to my Christmas. I couldn’t help but miss my sister Holly and my brother Jeff. Perhaps that is why I wanted to write about my Christmas Traditions… in hopes that my sister and brother would come home for a Christmas, since it’s been too long since we’ve giggled together, drank egg nog, quoted “While You Were Sleeping” and been awestruck by Edie’s amazing bubble light. Miss you guys!!!
On the 21st, I went over to my aunt Edie’s to help her decorate her real tree, which she chopped down herself from her yard. We had so much fun hanging the old ornaments that have been around for so many Christmas’, ones with the years printed on them, old fashion Joulupukki figures, and the classic bubble light. When I was a kid, my siblings and I would sit for hours in front of the tree watching those bubble lights. That is Christmas to me- that bubble light.
Brings back so many memories of Christmas’ past. (As with most of my posts, if anyone will appreciate my blurb on the bubble light, it will be my sister Holly.) As I was leaving Edie’s, I noticed all her ice candles on her deck- if anything, my aunt has always been consistent. I, of course, was inspired to make my own ice candles to keep the tradition going. My mom and I had fun adding food colouring to them, pine needles and lemon slices. Here are some pictures of our creations.
Another tradition I had when I was younger was going over to Edie Täti’s on Christmas Eve close to midnight. We’d sit around the tree, fascinated by the bubble light and listen to family stories. We’d also count down to midnight so we could go home and open our presents! Since I am living at my mom’s right now, I thought it would be fun to revisit this old tradition. So at 12:30am, after all my Christmas Eve festivities I went over to Edie’s with a bottle of Cabernet Franc (one of my favourite wines). Judy Täti was there too, along with my cousin Sara. And like most visits at Edie’s, we sat around the tree, telling family stories, laughing and being mesmerized by that infamous bubble light. I didn’t end up leaving until after 2… it definitely was one of the highlights to my Christmas. I couldn’t help but miss my sister Holly and my brother Jeff. Perhaps that is why I wanted to write about my Christmas Traditions… in hopes that my sister and brother would come home for a Christmas, since it’s been too long since we’ve giggled together, drank egg nog, quoted “While You Were Sleeping” and been awestruck by Edie’s amazing bubble light. Miss you guys!!!
So I find myself in a narrative state of mind lately. I remember when I was younger, my sister Holly and I would always make up narrative pieces about our life or pick out the songs that would best suit our soundtrack to life. It's how we spent countless nights (instead of studying) - over analyzing our thoughts and the non-existent romances in our friends lives and even our own. We'd journal these epic events that seem so trivial now, but were defining moments at the time. So here I am again, on a new journey in my life, narrating the thoughts that are floating around in this mind of mine. I think this also has to do with me watching episodes of My Boys and Men in Trees, which feature lead actresses as writers, often ending the show in narrative blogs. And if no one understands this, I know Holly will. Even though we live miles a part and we don't have that much time together any more... we still know how to appreciate a good "thinking out loud" bit.
As many of you know, I am a lover of wine. Especially red. It is deeply layered with surprises and subtlety, mystery and familiarity, aromas that can take you back to the Tuscan hills where you first discovered it and most of all, good conversations. There are so many varieties of red wines, it's hard to say which one is the best- as I believe it depends on personal preference. Some of my favourites include Chianti, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. But there is one that out ranks them all for me: Brunello di Montalcino. A super Tuscan wine. It is rich with flavour, smooth and rare. And like most great wines, it keeps getting better with age. I believe good friends are like a bottle of wine. They are there when you need them, they are full of depth and they add character to the day. And of course, friends get better with age too!
I was writing with a friend of mine last week, who I have discovered is an amazing writer. I told him that his writing is like a bottle of Brunello - to which he replied, I think you've had too many glasses tonight. But honestly, when he writes, it just makes sense. Just like when you drink a brunello, it just makes sense. The only way I can help you to understand this Brunello friend of mine, is to share with you what he shared with me. (with his permission of course). I am also trying to convince him to start up a blog, as I feel we could all benefit from "how he sees life". Some of you know that I have recently left my family business and have been struggling with the transition of it all and the aftermath. So here are some words of wisdom from my friend G... enjoy
Gianluca writes:
I know that it would be easy to propose extreme solutions to you, black and white solutions, but we live in a colored world and nothing is determined and sure and feelings are like shades of different colors waving continuously like the light of candle flame...
also:
As many of you know, I am a lover of wine. Especially red. It is deeply layered with surprises and subtlety, mystery and familiarity, aromas that can take you back to the Tuscan hills where you first discovered it and most of all, good conversations. There are so many varieties of red wines, it's hard to say which one is the best- as I believe it depends on personal preference. Some of my favourites include Chianti, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. But there is one that out ranks them all for me: Brunello di Montalcino. A super Tuscan wine. It is rich with flavour, smooth and rare. And like most great wines, it keeps getting better with age. I believe good friends are like a bottle of wine. They are there when you need them, they are full of depth and they add character to the day. And of course, friends get better with age too!
I was writing with a friend of mine last week, who I have discovered is an amazing writer. I told him that his writing is like a bottle of Brunello - to which he replied, I think you've had too many glasses tonight. But honestly, when he writes, it just makes sense. Just like when you drink a brunello, it just makes sense. The only way I can help you to understand this Brunello friend of mine, is to share with you what he shared with me. (with his permission of course). I am also trying to convince him to start up a blog, as I feel we could all benefit from "how he sees life". Some of you know that I have recently left my family business and have been struggling with the transition of it all and the aftermath. So here are some words of wisdom from my friend G... enjoy
Gianluca writes:
I know that it would be easy to propose extreme solutions to you, black and white solutions, but we live in a colored world and nothing is determined and sure and feelings are like shades of different colors waving continuously like the light of candle flame...
also:
Every new thing we don't "possess" is more interesting then our usual things, especially because we don't own them. And enjoying what we have and taking care of them is not giving up the better thing but living deeply and not just staying on the surface.
It's like my old tap shoes, always comfortable then I wanted to change them last year just because I thought the new ones were better. As a matter of fact I had problems with the new pair more than with the old one (I lost my big toe nail and suffered a little pain and still I am) so next time I change them it will be for a better reason than because they are my "old tap shoes". But when I had in mind the new shoes I couldn't see the rest in the right perspective.
Hey Sammy & Keri- I realize you have been married for a year and a half already, but hopefully this will bring back some wonderful memories of your special day. Thanks so much for allowing me to share these moments with you. Miss you both!
I love the above shot of Keri. It was after she was all dressed, she looked in the mirror and said "Damn, I look good." It was the cutest moment- love you Keri :) I think it was also a bit of "Sammy's gonna love the way I look"! And well, he did!
Keri spying out the window, seeing if she could catch a glimpse of her groom.
These last 3 are my favourites!!!
I love the above shot of Keri. It was after she was all dressed, she looked in the mirror and said "Damn, I look good." It was the cutest moment- love you Keri :) I think it was also a bit of "Sammy's gonna love the way I look"! And well, he did!
Keri spying out the window, seeing if she could catch a glimpse of her groom.
These last 3 are my favourites!!!
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