Espoo – Blue Moment

Day 240: More Mushrooms

October 19, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Cooking, Espoo, Fall, Makro, Nature, OutdoorsTagged 365 Project, Activities, Espoo, Fall, Finland, Nature, OutdoorsLeave 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 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 216: Abandoned Houses

September 26, 2026October 3, 2026Posted in 365 ProjectTagged 365 Project, Architecture, Espoo, History, OutdoorsLeave a comment

Ever since the real estate developers started buying land around the metro station, there have been an unusually high number of empty old wooden houses in the neighborhood. Some cleared out and tidied better than others. Some already falling apart, with a overgrown gardens.

All adorned with graffiti of varying artistic merit.

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 201: Progress

September 11, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Espoo, Home, NatureTagged 365 Project, Espoo, History, Home, NatureLeave a comment

About six months after we moved to our house, a new metro station opened 700m away. Since then – over 4 years – nothing has happened in that area as the city plans have been challenged in different courts.

But we all knew that there was no scenario where a metro station this close to Helsinki would remain surrounded by forest and a few old houses. So they have now started felling the trees and tearing down the old single-family houses.

We all knew, except my girls. They are horrified that someone would destroy nature just to build houses. Why can’t they build houses where there are no trees, bunnies or squirrels?

How right they are.

Day 197: The Bugs of Finland

September 7, 2026Posted in Nature, 365 Project, Makro, Alanna, Espoo, AnimalsTagged Espoo, 365 Project, Nature, Makro, AnimalsLeave a comment

I have always thought there are really no “cool” bugs in Finland. After a walk with Alanna in the sunny forest, I have to admit: there are. I am just really bad at spotting them.

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.

Day 192: Taking the Bus

September 1, 2026September 1, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Alanna, Espoo, Fall, KiaraTagged 365 Project, Alanna, Espoo, Kiara, Learning, TravelLeave a comment

Alanna and Kiara started extra lessons in English as a native language this year. The classes are held in another school, so we have been practicing taking the bus.

The have almost mastered it. Now they just need to remember to keep on eye on where they are going.

Day 191: Bicycles and Baquette

August 31, 2026September 1, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Espoo, Family, Kiara, Outdoors, Sport, StuartTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Espoo, Food, Kiara, Outdoors, Sport, Stuart, SummerLeave a comment

Cycling slightly longer distances is easier when you have a fun destination. Even if it is just a picnic in a park.

I nearly craned my neck keeping an eye on the rainclouds. The forecast promised rain only later, but the 6km back home would feel long in the rain.

We made it with at least 4 minutes to spare.