That Time of Year?

Granted I only have 21 friends on Facebook, but the updates seem few and far between even for me. It must be a busy time for everyone with holiday shopping, parties, family and friends getting together face to face! Hooray!

Merry Christmas 2010 everyone!

B is for Blizzard

You know you're in trouble when the weather forecast includes these terms:

Arctic air

Siberian sun

Yukon

Nanook

Sub-zero

Gray, I can feel my toes again

Weather drama

These terms were all used in the local newspaper 7-day forecast. Not sure which is worse an east coast "nor'easter" or a mid-west "canadian clipper".

UGH or UGG

I just purchased something I thought I would NEVER buy - UGG boots. They have been stylish for eons, especially with celebs and kids. Not a style maven and living in Florida, UGGs were never on my radar although all the girls have had them for years. Although they look comfortable, they also look boxy and bulky, well.... UGGly. Even the name, UGG, is unappealing. When our family first started purchasing them (yes, the girls each have had multiple pairs) there was just one style that came in two heights and two colors. It seems like this year there has been an explosion of UGGs. Size, shape, color, fabric, not just boots either, they have expanded into scarves, hats, mittens, gloves, all for women, men, kids, even babies.

I need something to keep my tootsies warm out here in the tundra (as Colleen calls it) and UGGs are just the ticket. They have lived up to the hype, are incredibly warm, comfortable, AND (bonus) stylish. With temperatures predicted to be sub-zero next week I may be forced to buy something else I thought I'd never need -- Cuddleduds!

A Winters Walk

Something about a sunny day is just so inviting it makes me want to be outside. The sky is blue, the sun is bright and sparkling on the snow, my knee feels good. So I decided to take a walk in the brisk 13* temperature (feels like 1* according to the Weather Channel). The Mississippi River flows directly behind our condo building and there is a park and scenic path that follows the river. I am not as crazy as some; I passed 3 bikers, 3 joggers, and 2 dog walkers. I did a short loop encompassing 3 blocks and it took all of 20 minutes and it was exhilarating. But I am glad to be back in the cozy warmth of the condo, listening to Christmas music, and looking at the beauty of the outside from inside. Some shots of my walk:

At the start looking at the Mill Ruins Museum, some other loft apartments, and the cantilever of the Guthrie Theater.

A better look at the stunning Guthrie Theater. We are seeing A Christmas Carol there when Colleen gets here next week.

Looking back at the semi-frozen Mississippi and the stone arch bridge across to the east bank.

Passing Gold Medal Park (as in the flour) on the way back. Just one of the many parks near our condo.

Winter Wonderland

I just love the holidays and I enjoy every decoration, song, food and drink associated with Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is just a blur from gearing up for Thanksgiving until the new year in January.

It really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas here in Minnesnowta! I am loving this cold, snowy, weather ... from the inside of our condo overlooking the Mississippi River. When I moved to Boston from Delaware as a young 20 something, my first winter experience was the Blizzard of 1978 and the city basically shut down for a week. Now 33 years later my first winter in MSP, November was the snowiest in decades. And the snow is still coming. Another 4 to 8 inches of light, powdery (Aspen-like they call it) snow is predicted overnight. They don't just shovel and plow this type of snow in MN, they also use small front end loaders with rotary brushes attached that sweep the light snow from the pathways. So cute. They are not fooling around when it comes to snow removal. The first chance of a 32* thaw isn't until 12/15 so this snow is expected to stay around for awhile. But behind the snow arctic sunshine is in store, lows is the -1* category, highs in the mid teens (brrrrr). It might be frigid, but Minnesota has more winter sunshine than any other northern part of the country and some parts of the south. Lots of factoids here.

Might I just be trying to convince myself that I like all this cold and snow? Check back in February!