by countdown to Xmas
It stopped snowing mid-morning yesterday, leaving us with a gloriously beautiful, magical world, especially when the sun comes out. This year we have many amazing huge icicles; I was surprised to see some black-capped chickadees taking a sip at their melting tips. I don’t understand people around here who whine about the snow and cold when it’s such a rare gift from Mother Nature.
Last night our eldest daughter and partner arrived safely after a five hour problem free drive from central interior BC. However, our middle daughter, husband and grandkids’s direct flight from London yesterday was cancelled without explanation. The little ones were so very disappointed. They were rescheduled for today with a plane change in Toronto, arriving this evening so they are in the air over Ontario now.
So many travellers have had huge delays everywhere because of snow, I hope they all make it home for Christmas! Another snow storm is coming tonight and tomorrow, with continuing snow on and off the rest of the week, though it’s going to warm up. I do hope the rain doesn’t come too soon!
As for getting ready for Christmas, we’re just about there! Last week I made stollen (a German Christmas bread) and cranberry pistachio biscotti (Italian). Today, while the others are out doing last-minute shopping for gifts and food, youngest daughter and I just finished baking Finnish Christmas tarts. The Finnish gingersnaps dough is chilling and the daughters will make and bake them tomorrow morning with their nieces.
Tomorrow evening we celebrate our traditional Finnish and German Christmas Eve, starting with a Finnish style feast of ham and many vegetables, followed by carols around the piano while awaiting Santa’s arrival. Some years we go out to see the Christmas lights festival in one of the city parks but it’s too cold this year. Candlelight and a crackling fire will be much more inviting.
I will post my annual Christmas e-card and wishes tomorrow as I have too many glorious snow and ice photos to share right now! Enjoy your holiday preparations and have safe travels!
Related post: good tidings poem of 2007
December 23, 2008 in Canada and BC, Culture by Marja-Leena
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Lovely. I do feel a twinge of envy at the thought of such a traditional Christmas as you will be celebrating this year.
Hope all the family makes it on time for the big event.
Lovely pictures but all that snow makes me long for Lapland and there are no recipes for the Finnish goodies… A Merry Christmas to you and your loved-ones and thanks for your love and encouragement, you are one of my best friends-I-yet-to-meet!
Wandering, thanks and the same to you and yours! You have a white Christmas where you are!
Hattie, I imagine that perhaps you celebrate a non-traditional Christmas in Hawaii? And thank you, the family did arrive earlier this evening and it was wonderful to see them all, especially the grandkids!
Julie, yes, Lapland where I’ve not yet been…! If you are interested, Virtual Finland has similar recipes to what I use, or I’d be happy to send you mine! And thank you, my dear friend, I hope we might meet in the New Year! Happy Christmas with your beloved Ragazzi!
lovely photos of snow from your cosy vantage point.
I’m glad your family was able to get together and was not part of the tales of traveler’s woe that we’ve been hearing on the news!
Taina, thanks! I’m glad too that my middle daughter’s family got home okay, although a day late because of a cancellation. As you say, so many have had worse problems! Hope your Christmas was a wonderful one!
Love the bells! I’m back from internet-less country hills and hope you and your family had a wonderful time and are basking in the warm afterglow together!
Rouchwalwe, thanks, we sure did! These are German porcelain bells, by the way, but appear too dark in this photo to see the unique image on each. For several years, we received that year’s edition as a gift at Christmas. They are too heavy for the tree so I hang them on the candle/chandelier in our solarium.
Ah, then you can all soon go out into the solarium at midnight and ring in the new year … Prosit!
Rouchswalwe, we may light the candles and just do that, thank you. Sometimes it’s too cold to be out there for long, being unheated. Prosit to you too!