Happiness = Valenki

OK, these things will never win any fashion contests. But when it's -17 outside, these are what you want on your feet: traditional Russian wool felt boots, called "valenki". Worn with a pair of thin socks, they keep your feet really warm, even in Siberian-like snows. After coveting other peoples valenki for years - the fact that wearing valenki was considered the best way, short of neon, to advertise your hickness when I was over there, notwithstanding - I found a pair on sale on ebay and they arrived on Friday. Do check out the seller valenki-rus if you have size 7 or 10 feet and you can snag a pair for under $10.

My feet are SO happy. And I was especially glad to get them just when my DH was coming down with a cold. Wearing valenki is an old folk cure for keeping flu and cold free - some kind of stimulation of the feet. Take it for what it's worth. In general, I'm feeling better week by week. Got the okey-dokey to go back to work after the 3rd of January.