Christmas is here!

Wow! I can't believe Christmas is only a few days away! Aaron and I leave tomorrow night to head back to Chicago. Good thing we didn't leave earlier- we might have been snowed in! We got a lot of snow on Saturday, as you can see below. Here I am in front of our new car (not that you can see it). I had to buy one to get to my new job. The car is growing on me I guess, but I still see myself as a non-car person, and hope to get rid of it as soon as I can. I'm wearing Aaron's mom's old Finnish fur cap. It's dramatic yes, but very warm. I even got a compliment on the street!

I've been wrapping away in preparation for Christmas. Ikea had such great nordic inspired decorations this year. I think it's my favorite paper yet!

Oh, and here's Aaron below in the White Mountains. Pretty huh?

Merry Christmas!

Walter Martin and Paloma Munoz, Snow Globes, mixed media

Caitlin showed me this exhibition the other day and its amazing. Martin and Munoz have been making snow globes with these touching and yet unsettling scenes. They seem to use the confines of the globe as a diorama for images of human interaction, sometimes familiar, and sometimes supernatural. The images below are from the Travelers series, but you can also see their Islands series as well as the rest of the collection here. Their current exhibition is in Spain, but have another opening March 1 in Sheboygan Wisconsin. Look here for exhibition information. 

Walter Martin and Paloma Muñoz
Alone Together, 2005

Walter Martin and Paloma Muñoz
Traveler 225, 2007 Snowglobe 9x6x6 inches

Walter Martin and Paloma Muñoz
Traveler 186 at Night, 2006

Walter Martin and Paloma Muñoz
Traveler 48 at Night, 2003

snow snow snow

we've had a lot of snow recently. The city is so pretty for about a minute- but what a nice minute it is. 

winter, rice pies, and finland

I had some errands to run today but they are getting farther from me. I spent too many hours in my bed with Hank and Lainey reading and eating yummy english muffins with peanut butter and honey. Once I finally got moving and showered, I looked out side and found the world was white with snow, both on the ground and falling heavily from the sky. I think I'll stay in for a while more and apply for jobs and read. Maybe I'll make flan. 

I have been thinking about the lovely Finnish treats my mother-in-law makes over the holiday, especially rice pies. Called karjalan pies, these savory little pastries (if you can call them that) are made of rice porridge surrounded by rye flour crust. They are so so good right out of the oven with melted butter and with a lump of butter on the top. I dream of them on this cold day. Here is an image I found, but can't wait to come back from Christmas with my own images. 

Minna has had an incredible life and I love to hear about her childhood. She used to make these with her mother when she was very young in a stone oven in northern Finland. Her country modernized while she was a child, so she has seen many changes. Her family lives in the country as dairy farmers along a river. I would love to visit in the winter. Despite the cold and the snow and the darkness. Minna says the winter is when Finland comes alive. Snowshoes and saunas are a part of everyday. Of course I'm sure its very hard, but I romanticize about living in a cabin in the woods, warm on the inside to battle the quiet cold on the outside, baking and reading. Minna is happy to be in America, and talks of unemployment and alcoholism, but in my mind I erase these things and make up my own dream, looking quite similar to this. 

a Finnish winter cottage where I wouldn't mind staying.

getting in the mood

I woke up to a white city this morning. There's nothing like the first Chicago snowfall. All is white. There is an erie quiet. For a short time everything looks clean, as it should be, and perfectly in its place. I can't wait to head down to Hyde Park this morning. It's going to be so beautiful I know it. Here is the view from my balcony. 

This weather gets me in the mood for the holidays. I'm happy that 

Finals are almost here, hence break is almost here

My mom comes in less than a week

I didn't get sick even though I had a sore throat 

I have Hank to keep me company

I found a great new clam chowder recipe. 

I saw this man play this evening with roommate James and his jazz orchestra. Very awesome. The snow was falling outside of The Jazz Showcase where he played, two blocks from my place. I love my life. 

"Forest for the Trees" Myoung Yo Lee

I came across this photo series by Myoung Yo Lee entitled "Forest for the Trees" and am loving it. I am intrigued by the integration of nature and man; the tree is perfectly in its own environment growing naturally, and yet the inclusion of a backdrop removes it from its space and changes the way the viewer perceives the object. Such a fan. See the complete series with an interview with the artist here. 

I'm enjoying my day of work (always more to do for this thesis and finals are approaching), but am looking forward for all the prep leading up to Birthgiving, our friends' annual Thanksgiving/Birthday celebration. It's always hosted at 1408, which means I've shifted from host to guest. More on this later. 

I expect some snow today. yay!