family – Blue Moment

Day 61: A Peanut A Day Makes A Happy Parrot

April 6, 2026April 6, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Animals, FamilyTagged 365 Project, Animals, family, HomeLeave a comment

My sister has a parrot, a yellow-naped amazon called Niki. Occassionally, when my sister and her husband are both travelling, Niki comes to stay.

98% of the time, Niki is a very easy – and quite fun – houseguest. The only two exceptions are the times she starts loudly (and I mean loudly!) protesting for being excluded from the flock activities (eg., if she can’t see the dinner table from her cage) and when she needs to be moved.

For some reason, Niki does not like men. Any men. Even my sister’s husband is smart enough not to try to touch her. So, getting her from her “visiting cage” to her tiny travel cage is my problem. And Niki typically does not want to go into the travel cage.

Over the years we have become good enough friends, so she does not seriously try to bite me anymore. But it is a delicate balance of cajoling and being firm. And bribing. And in very tough spot, bribing a bit more.

Ps. My sister can handle her well. I guess Niki and I still lack a certain bond…

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 42: Roughhousing

March 20, 2026March 20, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Alanna, Family, StuartTagged 365 Project, Alanna, Children, family, StuartLeave a comment

Stuart relaxes by lounging on the couch, reading a book or browsing his tablet. Often, one of the girls ends up curled next to him.

Occassionally – probably too often in Stuart’s mind – the girls start a game of “daddy playground”. The rules seem varied and complex, but involve a lot of climbing, swinging, tickling and shrieking.

Highly relaxing!

Day 37: Birthday

March 12, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Alanna, Family, Festivals, KiaraTagged 365 Project, Alanna, family, KiaraLeave a comment

Alanna and Kiara turned 8 today. It’s a cliche – but I truly can’t believe it’s been eight years already!

The girls are at that wonderful age, when they can behave like big girls for a little while – discussing plans to meet up with friends and writing secrets in their diaries. And the next moment they are happy little kids again, playing with magic birds and a baby dolls.

May it last for a long time still!

Day 31: Two Young Wildcats

March 6, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Alanna, Family, KiaraTagged 365 Project, Alanna, family, KiaraLeave a comment

Most of the time (well… a lot of the time) Alanna and Kiara get along well. They play together often and still share many of the same interests, hobbies, and friends. But like any siblings, they also fight. Loudly! Usually at the worst possible moment.

Alanna was born about two minutes before Kiara, but they have both silently (and sometimes not so silently) agreed that Kiara is the big sister. She is often the one who takes responsibility, apologizes and consoles her sister.

Most often after first goading her into a furious rage.

Day 23: Cape Winelands and impossible-to-spell Franschhoek

February 28, 2026March 1, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Africa, Family, Nature, Outdoors, Travelling, WildlifeTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, family, Kiara, Nature, Outdoors, Scenery, South Africa, TravelLeave a comment

I love proper breakfast. Whenever I find the time, I cook different dishes even just for myself. I adore eggs in all forms, sauces, mushrooms, avo, bacon, salmon, yogurt, jams… you name it. Funnily enough, breakfast is the only meal Stuart does not cook. And rarely eats.

But there was no need to twist his arm to get him to enjoy a great breakfast in Franschhoek. The market was even on, so we spent a good few hours around town before taking a scenic drive to Vredenheim Wine Estate to meet the whole wider family for lunch.

A day of beauty and decadence.

And yes, despite visiting Franschhoek at least 15 times over the years, I still need to check the spelling every time…

Vredenheim has a park for big cats. These white tigers were not getting along…

Day 17: Heat and Wine

February 18, 2026February 28, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Africa, Family, Nature, Outdoors, TravellingTagged 365 Project, Children, family, Outdoors, Scenery, South Africa, Travel2 Comments

It was hot today… 35C at highest. I am not sure if I have just forgotten what it normally feels like, or if I have lost my heat survival mode after living four years in Finland.

We battled the heat with excessive time in the pool and relaxed walk in the (shady) forest. In the evening, when it started to cool down slightly, we headed out to a nearby winery with a quirky restaurant. Cold white wine and a frozed daiquiri improve any night.

Day 16: Moment of calm

February 16, 2026February 16, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Africa, Alanna, Family, Outdoors, TravellingTagged 365 Project, Alanna, family, Outdoors, South Africa, TravelLeave a comment

Braai is a fantastic South African word for bbq. It includes the act of cooking (braai master is a sacred – and respected – duty) but it also carries a strong nyance of coming together with friends and family around a fire.

Every time we have ever visited Cape Town Hayley and Craig (Stuart’s sister and brother-in-law) have hosted a family braai. Today was no exception. Great meat, family, hot sun, cold wine… it feels like we’re back home!

But with all that going on, it’s good to take a moment to yourself.

Day 9: Bookworms

February 8, 2026February 8, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Alanna, Family, Home, KiaraTagged 365 Project, Alanna, Children, family, Home, KiaraLeave a comment

Books are big in our family. Stuart and I read a lot. Luckily we both love Kindles, or the biggest room in our house would have to be dedicated to books.

We’ve also been reading aloud to the girls every day since they were just a few months old. We still read a bedtime story together every night, even though Alanna and Kiara are starting to read on their own.

At the moment, Kiara enjoys stories in chapter books, while Alanna loves comics. Both also enjoy good non-fiction. That part they get from their daddy.

Day 7: Pikkunen

February 6, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Home, Kiara, PeopleTagged 365 Project, family, Home, Kiara2 Comments

Pikkunen is my teddy. I got it from my grandma when I turned 14. But as it’s the most huggable teddy in the world, the girls have claimed it as their own – even though they certainly don’t lack soft toys themselves