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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 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 39: Totally Useless Facts

March 14, 2026March 14, 2026Posted in 365 ProjectTagged 365 Project, HomeLeave a comment

I am a sucker for totally useless facts. Did you know that a seashell has an IQ of 8? That means it isn’t smart enough to attract or hunt food—but it is smart enough to eat it if something happens to land on top of it. Or that with an IQ under 80, you can’t chew gum and walk at the same time.

Well, now you know. And a day when you learn something is never completely wasted.

Day 38: Spicy

March 13, 2026June 21, 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 to leave 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.

Day 35: Just us

March 10, 2026March 10, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Espoo, HomeTagged 365 Project, Espoo, HomeLeave a comment

The girls are at scout camp for the weekend. As a rare treat, it’s just Stuart and me for two days. So, obviously, we clean…

But once the house is clean and the spring sun shines through the window slats, it’s time to relax.

Day 32: Showering

March 7, 2026March 7, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Home, Kiara, WaterTagged 365 Project, Home, KiaraLeave a comment

One thing I miss from South Africa is a bathtub. Finland has an estimated 3.3M saunas but bathtubs are quite rare. Don’t get me wrong; sauna is amazing. But sometimes I would just love a bath.

When we moved to Finland, Alanna and Kiara were 3 years old and had never showered in their lives. Bathing a toddler is easier – and more fun. A bit of a culture shock.

Day 30: The Law of Inertia

March 6, 2026March 6, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, HomeTagged 365 Project, Activities, HomeLeave a comment

Over the years I have realized that the only way I exercise regularly is to have everything I need ready at home. I actually enjoy going to the gym. But after a long day, or facing a cold early morning, getting there just takes too much mental effort.

Instead I just step into my shoes at home for a “quick 10 min stretch” and 90% of the time, once the initial friction is beaten, I keep going. Law of inertia.

And when I really can’t be bothered, that’s fine too. Ten minutes of stretching is still better than nothing.