Activities – Blue Moment

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 225: Kids Comic Book Fair

October 5, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Helsinki, KiaraTagged Children, Alanna, Kiara, Activities, 365 Project, HelsinkiLeave a comment

There was a kids’ comic book fair in Helsinki today. If not for a friend who sent us a note, we never would’ve known about it. And unfortunately, based on how few people there were, not everyone has such a clued-up friend.

I often wonder how much cool stuff we miss, just because we never see the ads.

But we made it to this one. The best activity was designing their own characters for a comic graveyard. Alanna’s two-tailed cat zombie laughed out loud while scaring others and swinging. Kiara’s 10,000-year-old worm was actually not dead. He was too stubborn to die – but liked hanging out with the dead. But then again, he was bad at math, so who knows how old he really was…

Now we wait to see if either of these characters makes the cut for the actual comic book.

Day 218: Comics and Animation

September 28, 2026September 28, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, AlannaTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Black&White, Home, LearningLeave a comment

Alanna started a comic school this fall. She is beyond excited. Comics are her obsession. And more than just reading them, they are also her preferred way of expressing herself. Alanna has a very observant drawing style, and she tells a story with every image she draws.

The course also goes through the basics of animation. This has been a totally new discovery for Alanna, and it has been interesting to see how she has already learned to adjust her drawing style. Her animations are – by necessity – much simpler than her other drawings.

Where are the beginner comic book courses for adults?

Day 217: Puzzling

September 27, 2026September 27, 2026Posted in 365 ProjectTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Black&White, Everyday objects, KiaraLeave a comment

I am old enough to admit I love puzzles. I always have. According to my mum, I loved them so much as a 2-year-old that my nursery teachers got worried.

The problem is that when I start one, I get totally obsessed. For two days (sometimes three, if it is during the work week), my fingers constantly itch to get back to it.

Until it’s done, and I am left wanting to start a new one (and resisting because… well… I have a life).

The girls see this and want to be involved. Alanna sits next to me and tells me the story of every character, flower and house in the puzzle. Kiara sits across the table and obsesses over her own puzzles.

Day 213: Little Gardener

September 23, 2026September 24, 2026Posted in 365 ProjectTagged 365 Project, Activities, Home, Kiara, NatureLeave a comment

Possessing a love for flowers and no green thumb can be… aggravating. Especially in Finland where the season for natural flowers is short.

Occassionally, I give it another go.

Kiara helped me pot some Erikas. A special favourite of mine – for obvious reasons.

Day 212: Soukka Day

September 22, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Espoo, KiaraTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Children, Espoo, Fall, KiaraLeave a comment

Finns are not very good at building neighborhood communities. In general, Finns are not very good at casual socializing. Having lived in our current house for five years, only now – through Scouts – have I realized there is actually any community activity at all.

So today was a Soukka Neighborhood Day. The girls participated in a Scouts skill trail, which rewarded participants with a free crepe and jam.

Grassroots participation.

Day 211: Office Party

September 21, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Helsinki, night, People, WorkTagged 365 Project, Activities, Helsinki, SceneryLeave a comment

A good night out is a good night out.

Not much more needs to be said.

Day 205: Design for Kids

September 16, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Helsinki, KiaraTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Children, Helsinki, Kiara, LearningLeave a comment

Somewhat by accident Alanna, Kiara and I ended up in Design Week’s kids’ workshop.

The girls got to design fashionable outfits, new houses and a – best of all – a mascot that they could then program to make sounds, flash lights, or show images.

An accident to repeat.

Day 194: Books and Play

September 5, 2026September 5, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Architecture, FinlandTagged 365 Project, Activities, Architecture, Children, Espoo, LearningLeave a comment

I love some of the new libraries in Finland. They are a far cry from the stereotypical dusty, dark rooms with a librarian angrily shushing every sound.

The library in Lippulaiva, the nearby shopping mall, is full of color, sounds and running children. There is a playground with a slide and a real car, a pool table, a few 3D printers, and a loom. There are soft armchairs, cushions on the floor, and several soft nooks tucked away in corners. And there are books that people (kids especially) actually want to read.

I sympathize with people who feel it is too much; that libraries should be quiet and calm, with a focus on education.

But I think reading should be fun.