Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

I wouldn't go as far as saying the weather is frightful--it's a little below 0C and there's a layer of snow on the ground--and I don't have a fire that I could say was delightful, but it's definitely beginning to feel a lot like Christmas here in Stockholm.

Of course, with the snow comes the usual problems of icy sidewalks--especially in downtown Stockholm where the snow has already melted and now frozen all over again. One of my colleagues fell yesterday on an icy Stockholm sidewalk and I nearly fell on my way to work. Yup, I alone found that perfect patch of ice hidden under a dusting of snow. But I was lucky--somehow I managed to stay on my feet despite looking like I was doing a slapstick routine for a few minutes. My colleague wasn't so lucky and now has a sore back and a big bruise. I've given her the link to Naprapathögskolan's student clinic--they really helped me the last time I hurt my hip and lower back so I think they'll be able to help her too.

According to the weather reports, we're in for a white Christmas--I hope this is true. We haven't had proper snow on Christmas Eve (at least in Stockholm) for at least four years. Last year was a boring snow-free Christmas. I want to go sledding...I want to make snow lanterns...I want to make snow angels and pelt Tord with snowballs.

I wonder if anyone else is dreaming of a white Christmas...

Christmas is coming, Christmas is coming...


...but in Stockholm there isn't a drop of snow, nothing to make you feel giddy and bubbly with Christmas spirit. Where the hell is the snow??? Outside, the sky is a dull shade of gray and the lack of sunlight--we've had two full days of rain in a row--is making me feel like a sleepwalker.

Slowly but surely Advent lights are turning up in people's windows and fairy lights strung round balcony railings. But where is the smell of glühwein and roasted potatoes and chestnuts...? Oh wait, I am thinking of Austria where the Christmas spirit is in full swing. What I wouldn't do for a steaming cup of apfelpunsch right now...

So this week I will continue my Christmas movie bonanza--what is the Christmas season without an overdose of corny Christmas movies that make you laugh or smile or even cry a little? Tord and I are both in the mood for Elf, which I bought when I was in the US but has since disappeared or at least gone MIA somewhere in our messy apartment. I saw Elf for the first time two years ago. I was in an awful mood (ill, depressed, probably a little grumpy) and its unadulterated silliness made me laugh so hard that I forgot about my sinus infection. Will Ferrell screaming, "Santa Claus is coming, Santa Claus is coming!" and all of his antics to make James Caan (his on-screen dad) love him kept a smile on my face for hours. It's brilliant--and I don't mean brilliant in a Wim Wenders Wings of Desire or a Cinema Paradiso kind of way. I mean brilliant in a laugh out loud I want to watch it every Christmas kind of way. I guess I will have to search for it at our local video store. Must have Elf, must have Elf!

Over the next few weeks my Christmas dosage of movies will include The Family Stone, The Preacher's Wife, The Bishop's Wife, Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life. I will probably drive Tord insane with all of my Christmas movies, but he's used to it by now.

I even made my own double disc compilation of my favorite Christmas songs...a third volume may soon join it... Ah....Christmas, well...okay, I can survive a little longer without snow....as long as I get to see Elf soon.