365 Project – Blue Moment

Day 155: A Fox, A Snake And Other Encounters

July 22, 2026July 23, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Alanna, Animals, Family, Kiara, Nature, WildlifeTagged 365 Project, Alanna, Animals, Kiara, Nature, SummerLeave a comment

When Alanna was just about to turn one, we took her to a small zoo. She was absolutely horrified of the goats, but determined to go and pet the tigers.

This popped to my head when we visited a small animal park just an hour from home. The bunnies, horses and wolly lambs were lovely, but nothing compared to the snakes, porcupines, giant tortoises, reindeer – and especially the foxes.

The place was thoughtfully designed – children could interact with many of the animals, but only if the animals chose to. And, since it was quite hot, not all of them did. I think it’s important for children to learn, that animals get to choose, too.

But I was practically giddy when we got to interract with a fox. I’d never been that close to one before.

Always a kid.

Day 154: Homestead

July 21, 2026July 21, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Alanna, Finland, StuartTagged 365 Project, Alanna, Finland, History, Stuart, TravelLeave a comment

Finland has an endless amount of small local museums – old farmsteads, workers’ quarters, historic homes, and museums devoted to wonderfully specific things like pharmacies, tar, logging or handicrafts.

Alanna’ animal camp was even held at one of them: Glims Farmstead Museum. And she was fascinated by its temporary exhibition on the importance of animal poo.

I often joke with Stuart about these little museums, as I have dragged him to probably fifty of them over the years. They may be somewhat “homespun,” but secretly (and maybe not that secretly) I really love them.

Every one of them exists because someone was passionate enough to preserve a small piece of history.

Day 153: Mugs Galore

July 20, 2026July 21, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Everyday objects, HomeTagged 365 Project, Everyday objects, HomeLeave a comment

Mugs have a mysterious ability to multiply in the cupboad. Years ago, I got tired of million different mugs cluttering the kitchen and donated everything but the matching set that goes with our plates – and, of course, my Moomin mugs. (Every Finn living abroad has at least a few).

Since then the mug situation has stayed pretty much under control. We still have the “adult set” and the Moomins. And a few that are perfect for soup. And my hot chocolate mug (perfect for wrapping both hands around). And the one a dear friend gave me. And the one my colleagues got me when I left. And a few smaller ones for the girls. And…

Day 152: Fun With Bike

July 19, 2026July 19, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Finland, WaterTagged 365 Project, FinlandLeave a comment

“Go shopping by bike,” they said. “It’s so much more fun,” they said.

In all honesty, 94% of the time, it is.

Day 151: How Do You Know It’s Summer?

July 18, 2026July 18, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Nature, WaterTagged 365 Project, NatureLeave a comment

As an old Finnish song goes: “The sun is shining, and it’s raining. Summer must be here.”

Day 150: With Just One

July 16, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Architecture, Espoo, Kiara, NatureTagged 365 Project, Architecture, Espoo, Kiara, Nature, SummerLeave a comment

Alanna started a week-long Animal Camp today so I got to spend a whole day with Kiara, just the two of us.

It is true that twins rarely get enough individual attention. We try, but…

Many parents of singletons admire how nice it is that the girls always have someone to play with – a home-bestie, as the girls call it. But it is also obvious how excited they are when they get äiti all to themselves. And I keep admiring how easy it is when you just have one wish to fulfill at any given time.

We had a good day: we sewed, did the groceries, read, and before picking Alanna from her museum farm camp, we popped into an old tavern (now a coffee shop) with a beautifully preserved courtyard and garden.

Just the two of us.

Day 149: Beliefs

July 15, 2026July 15, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Alanna, Espoo, KiaraTagged 365 Project, Children, LearningLeave a comment

There is a fine line between creating a magical childhood and ensuring your children know what is real.

For example, how do you explain that dinosaurs were real, but dragons are not? That blue whales and giraffes exist, but unicorns are imaginary? That bats are real, but vampires are not.

We have spent time explaining that bears can sleep the whole winter, that caterpillars can dissolve into soup and emerge as butterflies, that geese can navigate across continents, and that some lizards can grow back their tails.

But humans can’t learn to fly.

Day 148: Crafts

July 14, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Home, KiaraTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Home, Kiara, LearningLeave a comment

Kiara, especially, is obsessed with crafts. We buy sellotape in bulk because – and I am not exaggerating at all – she uses five or rolls per week. She comes up with very practical and innovative designs and can surprise me with real out-of-the-box ideas – some of which really work.

Alanna does crafts when the mood strikes, but she is more interested in drawing – comics especially.

To build on this, I dug out my old sewing machine and we spent a happy few hours testing it out. Alanna made a beautiful dress for her doll. Kiara sewed a little pouch and a pillow.

I was just proud.

Day 147: Evening Ride

July 12, 2026July 12, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Espoo, Outdoors, SportTagged 365 Project, Activities, Espoo, Outdoors, Sport, SummerLeave a comment

Our electric bicycles are among the best investments Stuart and I have ever made.

We’ve done fantastic tours with the kids sitting in the back and one of us towing our luggage in a trailer. In addition to shorter trips, such as weekend in Porvoo, we’ve toured the Finnish archipelago, Åland, and Sweden – our longest tour yet. We planned it for 450km, but ended up doing 600km instead.

Now that Alanna and Kiara are riding their own bicycles, the distances are shorter and we are prioritising trips closer to home. Even so, after a long day in front of the laptop, a quick 20-25km ride still feels amazing

Day 146: Trick Shot

July 11, 2026July 11, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Everyday objects, PhotoshopTagged 365 Project, Everyday objectsLeave a comment

As I compare my ongoing 365 challenge with the one I did nine years ago, they look quite different.

It strikes me how much more spare time I used to have for trick shots, Photoshop, interesting set-ups and little projects. They have largely been replaced by candid photos of the things we do with the kids.

So one trick shot – to honor my former self and the happy spirit of summer.