snowy day in finland

Well, with my workout buddy being gone, I bit the bullet already and didn't go to the gym this morning.  This may not seem like a big deal to most people, but when your husband earns his living by keeping in peak physical condition, naturally you want to keep up.  Not to mention how many nights a week we eat pasta and heavy carbs for dinner.  Don't get me wrong, I love to work out and I love to eat healthy.  But when he goes to "work" for the day, he burns nearly 1,000 calories.  If I skip out on my workout I definitely feel a lot more guilty about my indulgences!  Days off (and indulgences) are completely necessary though, guess I'll just have to make up for it tomorrow :)

 On a totally different note, it snowed here last night!! There have been flurries different times already this fall, but this is the first measurable, actual stick-on-the-ground snow since we've been here.  I love the snow, but the cleaning off your car, takes you 3 times as long to get anywhere, get stuck behind a snow plow stuff really ruins it for me.  Since I don't drive here, obviously none of that is an issue, so I say BRING IT ON! :)  In celebration of this snowy day in Finland, I'm going to make a list of the things that I simply could not live without today (or most winter days here, for that matter!)

1)  My Ugg Adirondak Boots.  These babies are awesome in the snow (they are made fully waterproof!)  and unlike most snow boots, they're CUTE, too!

2)  North Face's "Metropolis" Parka.  Definitely my most versatile coat.  You can slip it on with sweats to run to the grocery store quick, or wear it over a nice sweater or blouse.  It's super warm, has a hood (that you can detach if you want), and is nice and long so it keeps your whole body warm.  Plus, it looks great with the Adirondak boots! :)

3) UpCider JouluOmena.  This stuff is amazing!  Alcoholic ciders are very popular in Finland, and they come in all kinds of flavors (apple, pear, strawberry, mixed berry, you name it)  This particlular flavor (JouluOmena) is my favorite- Joulu= Christmas and Omena= Apple.  It's a little bit different than the regular Omena, it has a little spice/cinnamon-y flavor to it.  Guess that's where the Christmas comes in.  It makes me feel very festive and winter-y.  A glass of this on the couch at night= heaven!

4) A Karl Fazer Milk Chocolate Bar.  I'd have to say this rivials for the best chocolate I've ever had.  Made in Finland... just doing my part to support the local economy! ;)

 

5) Mariah Carey's "Merry Christmas" CD.  J will make fun of me for putting this because I tease him all the time about her being his childhood celebrity crush, but this CD is a Christmas must!!