Finland – Blue Moment

Day 244: Short Days

October 24, 2026October 24, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Fall, Finland, Nature, OutdoorsTagged 365 Project, Fall, Finland, Nature, OutdoorsLeave a comment

Even though it happens every year, it is still a shock to the system how quickly the days get shorter in the autumn. All of a sudden, it is dark when you go to work, and dark when you get home. And it’ll only get worse from here.

It says something about how extreme the change is that, in Finland, the winter blues (or kaamosväsymys) typically start in the autumn, rather than in the dead of winter.

Combine that with the usual (predictable) chaos of life – most intense preparations for peak season at work, the girls’ schoolwork and hobbies – and it is no wonder one feels a bit weary.

But a few sunny, brilliantly colored days do wonders.

Day 242: Ruska

October 21, 2026October 22, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Fall, Finland, Nature, OutdoorsTagged 365 Project, Fall, Finland, Nature, Outdoors, SceneryLeave a comment

Ruska, in Finnish, is the word for the time in autumn when the leaves change color. It encompasses the colors, the season and the particular affection Finns have for the phenomenon (or, at least, for the few beautiful, sunny days we typically get at this time of the year.

In our household, the season is more typically marked by going through all the “midseason wear” the girls need between summer and winter. And buying six pairs of waterproof gloves to replace the ones lost during sping.

Day 240: More Mushrooms

October 19, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Cooking, Espoo, Fall, Makro, Nature, OutdoorsTagged Outdoors, Espoo, Activities, 365 Project, Finland, Nature, FallLeave a comment

I went mushrooming on my own. Major feat. Actually bringing home almost 10l was an even bigger feat.

Good mushroom spots seem to be big secrets, shared only with the closest family. Asking experts (or anyone who regularly picks mushrooms) where to go is almost sacrilege. You either get a very vague answer, or they tell you outright they only go to their family spot. Even internet forums come up empty.

Having no family who go mushrooming – especially not in Espoo – I was on my own. I used AI to identify a right type of forest. And went in blind.

The first hour was pretty desperate… Not helped by the fact that it had been windy, so the forest floor was covered in fallen leaves – each exactly the same shade as the mushrooms I was looking for.

But then I found them. And the best thing is that where you find one, you are bound to find another.

I marked the spot.

Day 238: Reading

October 17, 2026October 17, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Alanna, Finland, Stuart, StuartTagged 365 Project, Alanna, Learning, StuartLeave a comment

I was listening to Alanna read her homework chapter to Stuart tonight. I was surprised how well Stuart was able to catch all the little mistakes, whether she mixed up letters (which can change the meaning of a word) or got the endings wrong.

Considering that he probably didn’t even understand what all the words meant, it is quite a feat.

Definitely requires a lot more concentration from him than from me.

Day 230: Colour Me Cold

October 9, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Fall, Finland, Nature, OutdoorsTagged 365 Project, Fall, Finland, Nature, OutdoorsLeave a comment

It’s here. All the prettiness.

Day 227: ‘Shrooming

October 6, 2026October 6, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Fall, Finland, Nature, Outdoors, WildlifeTagged 365 Project, Activities, Fall, Finland, Food, Learning, Nature, OutdoorsLeave a comment

Everyman’s rights are a fantastic concept, recognised throughout the Nordics. They allow anyone to walk, camp or gather berries and mushrooms in forests – no matter who owns the land.

Picking mushrooms is therefore all the rage among us middle-aged Finns.

In all seriosness, I have been interested in mushrooming for a long time. But it is not something you should attempt if you are totally clueless.

Out of the approx 400 species of mushrooms in Finland, only 5-6 can kill you. Another 50 or so just make you sick. However, those are not odds I am willing to gamble on. Especially as only about 30 actually taste good.

So, I took a course. Six hours with a very competent teacher in a sunny forest.

Now I believe I can confidently recognize five edible ones.

Day 226: Then The Heavens Opened

October 6, 2026October 6, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Fall, Finland, nightTagged 365 Project, Fall, FinlandLeave a comment

Autumn rain feels very different from summer rain. And there is nothing more autumn-ish than a day-long cold drizzle.

Today was not it.

From an almost clear sky, the heavens opened for 10 minutes. The temperature dropped by 10 degrees. And so autumn arrived in full.

Day 223: Blue Moment

October 3, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Architecture, Espoo, OutdoorsTagged 365 Project, Architecture, Espoo, SceneryLeave a comment

Catching (almost) the blue moment among all the blue houses.

Very appropriate for this blog.

Day 222: Murals

October 2, 2026October 3, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Architecture, EspooTagged 365 Project, Architecture, EspooLeave a comment

Alanna’s comic school is in a neighborhood called Karakallio. It’s a bit of a drive, so it makes sense for me to wait there for Alanna to be done. I typically spend at least part of the time walking around the neighborhood.

The most interesting part of the area is the large-scale murals decorating houses here and there.

It’s like a treasure hunt. Suburban version.

Day 221: Change of Season

October 1, 2026October 1, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Fall, Finland, NatureTagged 365 Project, Fall, Finland, NatureLeave a comment

It’s that time if the year when the autumn just crashes in. Right now, the majority of leaves are still green. The trees are yellow only in spots, reeds are turning brown and streets are painted with fallen leaves.

In a week, the world will be all yellow and brown. With a dash of red.