Heikenpaiva!

Are you cold now? Because I am. And I get the chills just looking at this picture. Perhaps that's because it reminds me of being knee deep in snow, cold wind blowing in my face, hunched over....just to get this shot. It was our weekend adventure....the pursuit of a few good winter pictures for a project I'm working on. This is one of MANY we took.
But because of this adventure, we missed out on Heikenpaiva!! I'm totally bummed that I didn't realize today was the day. Heikenpaiva is Finnish for Winter Festival (I think) but that's not what I think it means. See, I'm not Finnish, not at all, but I know that Heikenpaiva really means "Crazy people jumping in the Portage"
You see, one of the festival events involves a bunch of people, in their skivvies, jumping into the Portage while other, fully dressed people watch and shake their heads in disbelief. Craziness. There was also a parade, a boot throwing contest, and a wife carrying race. See...this is what happens when it snows six months of the year. Desperate times call for desperate forms of entertainment.
So yes, I did get some awesome pictures, but Karl didn't get to carry me in the race. I'm sure he's devestated :)
I wonder how long I have to live her to be an honorary Finlander. I mean I already know how to say FLOWER SHOP. What more could I need?