Nature – 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 221: Change of Season

October 1, 2026October 1, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Fall, Finland, NatureTagged 365 Project, Fall, Finland, NatureLeave a comment

It’s that time if the year when the autumn just crashes in. Right now, the majority of leaves are still green. The trees are yellow only in spots, reeds are turning brown and streets are painted with fallen leaves.

In a week, the world will be all yellow and brown. With a dash of red.

Day 219: Dragonfly, Dragonfly

September 29, 2026September 29, 2026Posted in 365 ProjectTagged 365 Project, Animals, NatureLeave a comment

A dragonfly sat on my shoulder. And my day immediately improved.

Unfortunately, it is really hard to take a picture of your own shoulder without moving.

Day 214: Pocketful of Sunshine

September 24, 2026September 24, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Flowers, Makro, NatureTagged 365 Project, Finland, Flowers, Makro, NatureLeave a comment

With the possible exception of ecstatic puppies, nothing in the world conveys happiness like a sunflower. Sunflowers are not elegant, exquisite, cute or even particularly beautiful.

But they are happy.

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 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 365 Project, Alanna, Animals, Espoo, Makro, NatureTagged 365 Project, Animals, Espoo, Makro, NatureLeave 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 195: Acorn a Day

September 6, 2026September 6, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Makro, NatureTagged 365 Project, Makro, NatureLeave a comment

Girls’ hobbies consume the beginning of my week – Monday circus school, Tuesday cheerleading and comic club, Wednesday Scouts…

On most days, it is better to wait nearby than drive back and forth. In decent weather, I try to take a walk. And maybe take a picture of an acorn.

Day 189: Spiders

August 29, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Animals, Espoo, Makro, Nature, WildlifeTagged 365 Project, Animals, Espoo, Finland, Makro, NatureLeave a comment

My SLR has become temperamental, working only when it wants to. Therefore I don’t often carry it with me on random walks.

I regretted it bitterly as I stumbled upon a collection of perfect spider webs and the hunter on the prowl.

Then again, if I had been carrying my camera, it’ unlikely I would’ve have seen it. That’s how it seems to go.

Day 186: Return Drive

August 26, 2026August 27, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Alanna, Europe, Kiara, Nature, Outdoors, Stuart, Travelling, WaterTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, History, Holidays, Kiara, Nature, Outdoors, Scenery, TravelLeave a comment

The drive home from a holiday, especially with forecasted rain, is rarely fun.

But when it is, it is a lot of fun.

A morning walk (with a breakfast that, according to Kiara, is worth moving to Haapsalu for), a submerged limestone quarry, an abandoned prison, and a real submarine – a few worthwhile stops. And Stuart drove faster than the wind, as the rainclouds never quite reached us.

And at the end is home.

For good and bad.