Nature – Blue Moment

Day 150: With Just One

July 16, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Architecture, Espoo, Kiara, NatureTagged 365 Project, Architecture, Espoo, Kiara, Nature, SummerLeave a comment

Alanna started a week-long Animal Camp today so I got to spend a whole day with Kiara, just the two of us.

It is true that twins rarely get enough individual attention. We try, but…

Many parents of singletons admire how nice it is that the girls always have someone to play with – a home-bestie, as the girls call it. But it is also obvious how excited they are when they get äiti all to themselves. And I keep admiring how easy it is when you just have one wish to fulfill at any given time.

We had a good day: we sewed, did the groceries, read, and before picking Alanna from her museum farm camp, we popped into an old tavern (now a coffee shop) with a beautifully preserved courtyard and garden.

Just the two of us.

Day 137: Moment of Rest

July 3, 2026July 4, 2026Posted in 365 ProjectTagged 365 Project, Espoo, Home, Nature, OutdoorsLeave a comment

The girls stayed at the summer cottage with ukki and mummi for extra two days while Stuart and I headed home to tackle their rooms.

Years ago, I realized I can only declutter the girls’ rooms when they are away. It is virtually impossible to throw anything out – not even old socks – when they are “helping”. I never imagined how many uses an old sock could have: a sleeping bag for a doll, a cover for a toy phone, a Barbie shopping bag…

As much as I applaud their creativity and commitment to sustainably, regular de-hoarding is necessary if we want girls to still fit in.

After 10 hours of sorting through tiny doll accessories and random drawings, a short bike to the beach felt absolutely amazing!

Day 133: Midsummer Moods

June 29, 2026June 29, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Alanna, Asikkala, Cooking, Family, Festivals, Kiara, Nature, Outdoors, TraditionsTagged 365 Project, Alanna, family, Finland, Food, Holidays, Kiara, Nature, Outdoors, Scenery, Summer CottageLeave a comment

Finns are always surprised when the weather is good at Midsummer. Although, I could be a spoilsport and note that every single one of the five Midsummers since we moved bach has been beautiful.

Then again, I still remember the years of +9°C and rain, so I mostly let people enjoy their weather debates.

Anyway, it is hard to capture the essence of Midsummer in single picture. I cheated and made a collage. Good food, good drinks, the midnight sun, summer…

Day 124: Sunset in Hannusjärvi

June 20, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Espoo, Nature, Outdoors, WaterTagged 365 Project, Espoo, Nature, Outdoors, SceneryLeave a comment

It is impossible to take a picture of a sunset without it looking fake. I still keep trying.

Day 112: Busy Bees

June 7, 2026June 7, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Animals, Espoo, WildlifeTagged 365 Project, Animals, Espoo, NatureLeave a comment

The house belonging to kids’ scout group has a handfull of beehives at the edge of the property. The bees seem pretty used to strangers coming and going, and they paid no attention to me or my camera.

During spring, the kids sell the honey (there is a bigger farm further away) as one of their fundraising initiatives. This time of the year, they just observe the bees.

And learn to stay away.

Day 110: Summer Cottage

June 5, 2026June 5, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Alanna, Asikkala, Family, Finland, Kiara, Nature, OutdoorsTagged 365 Project, Alanna, Children, family, Finland, Kiara, Nature, Outdoors, Summer, Summer CottageLeave a comment

Swimming, boating, fire-cooked crepes, sauna, bbq, hammering, hand-picked wildflowers, ice cream – long days outside and never-ending bedtime giggles.

A perfect day for little people.

Day 109: Not Quite the Midnight Sun

June 3, 2026June 3, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Asikkala, Nature, OutdoorsTagged 365 Project, Finland, Nature, Outdoors, SummerLeave a comment

In a few weeks, the day will be at its longest in Finland. Stuart struggles to sleep in the light, but I have no problems. I love the long evenings. It feels like you gain a whole new day after working hours.

Even when the sun sets below horizon after 10pm, it doesn’t actually get dark anymore. This image is taken at 23:55.

Dusk.

Day 108: Poison and Beauty

June 2, 2026June 2, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Finland, NatureTagged 365 Project, Children, Finland, Learning, NatureLeave a comment

When Merlin, our late Schnauzer, was in puppy school, he surprised me by learning the command ‘leave’ in 5 min. He surprised me even more by actually obeying it – regardless of what he found on our walks.

It was harder with kids.

Finnish forests are full of delicious berries and plants. It takes a lot of repetition to ensure the kids do not experiment with anything, even when they think they know. Lily of the Valley is easy, but some plants are easier to confuse – and more poisonous.

At least we don’t live in Australia.

Day 104: Joy Of Small Things

May 27, 2026May 28, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Everyday objects, NatureTagged 365 Project, Activities, Everyday objects, Nature, Outdoors, SummerLeave a comment

One of the big clichés in psychology is that happiness comes more easily if you can find childlike joy in small things.

Unrelated, I stopped today to blow dandelion fluff. A dog walker gave me the evil eye. Probably because adults should know better than to spread weeds.

Day 102: When The World Turns Pink

May 24, 2026May 24, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Helsinki, Nature, OutdoorsTagged 365 Project, Helsinki, Nature, Scenery, SpringLeave a comment

A few years ago, Stuart and I took our bikes on the metro to the opposite side of Helsinki. It is a great way to find some new interesting routes, instead of riding the same routes over and over again.

Anyway, on that day we stumbled upon the biggest pocket of cherry trees in Helsinki. It was the peak blossom time, and the park was phenomenal.

This year, when I saw the cherries are blooming, I decided to go back with a proper camera. But, as it so often happens, I got busy and waited a few days too long. I managed to catch the blooms maybe on the last day they were still properly pink. The sunnier batches of the trees had already turned green.

I’ll try again next year.