365 Project – Blue Moment

Day 48: Early Signs of Spring

March 24, 2026March 24, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Espoo, Finland, Nature, OutdoorsTagged 365 Project, Espoo, Finland, Nature, Outdoors, SceneryLeave a comment

It’s been several weeks of above 0°C temperatures, and the snow is gone – except for the random piles covered in sand and pebbles that typically only melt at around midsummer (or at least it feels that way) and the sea ice. Plenty of ice left.

The sun was shining brightly and the neighborhood forest felt like spring. It is still early in the year and the nature seems unsure whether it can trust the warmth. There are no early flowers or green shoots in the trees yet. The first shoots of grass are rising from the forest moss.

Day 47: Mud

March 23, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Everyday objects, HomeTagged 365 Project, Everyday objects, HomeLeave a comment

Spring. Mud.

Inevitable.

Day 46: Long Way Up

March 22, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Architecture, EspooTagged 365 Project, Architecture, EspooLeave a comment

Most often, when I go to the office, I take the metro. I live almost at the end of the line, so even on the busiest of mornings, I can get a window seat, close my eyes, and listen to my audiobook.

Almost without exception, I come home after rush hour has passed. Rarely more than a handfull of people get off at my stop. I get the long escalator all to myself.

One of these days I will get off one station before, as that apparently has the longest escalator in Finland. So far, I have never prioritized the experience over getting home faster.

Day 45: Stars are Born

March 22, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Kiara, WorkTagged 365 Project, Alanna, Children, KiaraLeave a comment

I work in consumer product business and we needed to shoot a simple product video for a new launch. When our intended model got sick, Alanna and Kiara stepped in at short notice.

I was very proud of the girls. They handled the whole thing as little pros. They listened to instructions, patiently went through all the repetitions, and kept a positive attitude. After all, I had promised them a salary.

I don’t think the experience made either of them dream of acting as a career.

Day 44: Bad Mood Weather

March 21, 2026March 21, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Finland, OutdoorsTagged Outdoors, 365 Project, Finland, HelsinkiLeave a comment

In Southern Finland, there is no weather worse than +2°C and rain. My foreign friends think I’m nuts when I say I’d take -25°C any day over +2°C.

You can enjoy the beautiful crispness of -25°C if you wear the right gear. But nothing improves +2°C and rain. It is miserable, depressing, gloomy, and, because it is Finland, most often dark.

I think my opinion has only gained credibility now that my South African-born-and-bred husband has started to agree with me.

Day 43: Heat of the Moment

March 20, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Everyday objects, MakroTagged 365 Project, Everyday objects, MakroLeave a comment

Nothing to add.

Day 42: Roughhousing

March 20, 2026March 20, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Alanna, Family, StuartTagged 365 Project, Alanna, Children, family, StuartLeave a comment

Stuart relaxes by lounging on the couch, reading a book or browsing his tablet. Often, one of the girls ends up curled next to him.

Occassionally – probably too often in Stuart’s mind – the girls start a game of “daddy playground”. The rules seem varied and complex, but involve a lot of climbing, swinging, tickling and shrieking.

Highly relaxing!

Day 41: Surprise

March 16, 2026March 20, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Everyday objects, Home, MakroTagged 365 Project, Everyday objects, Home, MakroLeave a comment

Stuart brings me flowers often, at least a few times a month. He has done so for as long as we have lived together. Even now, it is always such a nice surprise

Day 40: Light in the dark

March 15, 2026March 15, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Espoo, OutdoorsTagged 365 Project, Espoo, OutdoorsLeave a comment

Days are getting longer with spring, but even that does not help, when your workday extends to late evening. Luckily, our winter lights are still in on.

Day 39: Totally Useless Facts

March 14, 2026March 14, 2026Posted in 365 ProjectTagged 365 Project, HomeLeave a comment

I am a sucker for totally useless facts. Did you know that a seashell has an IQ of 8? That means it isn’t smart enough to attract or hunt food—but it is smart enough to eat it if something happens to land on top of it. Or that with an IQ under 80, you can’t chew gum and walk at the same time.

Well, now you know. And a day when you learn something is never completely wasted.