Home – Blue Moment

Day 77: Reading Nook

April 23, 2026April 23, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Espoo, HomeLeave a comment

We have a balcony upstairs that we didn’t use much at first. Our large covered terasse downstairs acts as our living room every summer, so this space was largely ignored.

Two years ago we added a comfortable chair and a small table, and that was all it needed to become a reading nook. Being a little higher up, the balcony catches the last rays of sunlight in the evening and on a rainy day it is quite pleasant to listen to the tapping on the window.

And if you close the door properly, you are not visible from the inside.

Day 71: Jumping up, up, up…

April 16, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Espoo, Home, Kiara, OutdoorsTagged 365 Project, Alanna, Children, Espoo, Home, Kiara, Outdoors, SpringLeave a comment

Last year Santa brought the girls a trampoline. I was a bit worried it wouldn’t be used much, but I didn’t need to worry. Last summer, there was barely a day that girls didn’t go jumping, at least for a bit. Most days, there would be several friends bouncing with them.

We set the trampoline up again today (you have to take it into storage for winter). Thirty minutes later, you could already hear the laughter of four little girls.

Day 70: Raking

April 15, 2026April 15, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Espoo, Home, Outdoors, StuartTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Espoo, Home, Outdoors, SpringLeave a comment

Raking is pretty far down the list of my favourite things to do. But there is some satisfaction in having a tidy yard. At least it has been dry, which makes raking easy. Keeping girls at task was harder.

Day 67: Warm Milk

April 12, 2026April 12, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Everyday objects, Family, Home, TraditionsTagged 365 Project, Children, Everyday objects, HomeLeave a comment

Warm milk has been a part of our bedtime routine since… well… since the girls were just born. We transitioned from mother’s milk to cow’s milk and from bottles to sippy cups to normal cups – but the routine stayed. It is a taste of calming down (most nights).

Day 56: The Second (Of Many)

April 2, 2026April 6, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Alanna, Family, Festivals, Home, KiaraTagged 365 Project, Alanna, Espoo, family, Home, KiaraLeave a comment

Girls’ birthday always ends up being multi-day affair: the celebration during the actual day with immediate family, followed by family birthday with exetended family, and last (but not least) the party with friends.

The good thing about twins is that you do this once a year.

Day 51: One More Trick

March 28, 2026March 29, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Home, KiaraTagged 365 Project, Activities, KiaraLeave a comment

Kiara and Alanna go to a circus school every week – and love it! Before this, we tried dancing and gymnastics, but they were not quite right. My girls don’t want to move as they are told, they want to move as they feel.

So circus school fits their personality better. They still practice flexibility, performing, and working in a group – but they can also do tricks, climb, juggle, and build pyramids. And they are encouraged to find their own way of doing things.

Now, Kiara has gotten it into her head she wants to start cheerleading. She is small, so she wants to be a ‘flyer’. We’ll see.

Day 49: Forts

March 26, 2026March 26, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Alanna, HomeTagged 365 Project, Alanna, Everyday objects, HomeLeave a comment

There is something wonderfully whimsical about building a fort. I have rarely found anyone, child or adult, who does not get swept up in the excitement of putting one tohether. The more elaborate the better. And you always need a string of fairy lights.

Some people prefer forts with open space, but I adore ones with nooks, crawl-thru-doors and piles of pillows. I have always dreamed of having a secret room in my house – one you can only reach through a closet, low tunnel or a trapdoor under your bed. Maybe building a cramped fort is the closest I’ll get.

My chances of secret room would likely improve significantly, if I preferred a less modern-style house.

Day 47: Mud

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

Spring. Mud.

Inevitable.

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 38: Spicy

March 13, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Cooking, Everyday objects, HomeTagged 365 Project, Everyday objects, HomeLeave a comment

We use spices liberally. For most recipes, I double the amounts written and often add one or two that weren’t even mentioned. And, because we love variety of cuisines, we’ve ended up stacking dozens and dozens of jars. I think one of our major expenses, whenever relocating to another country, has been replacing all the spices we’ve had toleave behind.

When the kids started eating the same food as us, we reduced the heat, but otherwise changed nothing. The girls simply grew up eating anything and everything.

They still join me in the kitchen – just to smell each spice and taste every herb. And now they even enjoy little chili.