Nature, lovely nature

It's usually early June when we take the top and doors off the Jeep and take it for a leisurely drive in the mountain valleys around us. 

The thrill is always the same: snow has made way to budding flowers and fields of timid green. 

Worth the wait through the long winter months! 

Four of my favorite people live in this gorgeous home they built with their own hands. I love to visit them and I always come away with renewed energy and serenity -and a resolve to do something about my interior design. 
The details speak for themselves.


The entrance hall.

                                                                                                                                  photo by mia k

 The dining room echoes the entrance, one floor up.

                                                                                                                                        photo by mia k

                                                                        photo by mia k

                                                          photo by mia k

                                                                                    photo by mia k

                                                                                  photo by mia k

                                                                                 photo by mia k

                                                                                                                                           photo by mia k

View from a bedroom

A nearby lake

See what I mean? :) Energy and serenity.

a brand-new fall of remembering

How is your autumn going, so far? Mine's on the brink of (swiftly) changing into winter, and I wonder how we got here from spring !

After living outside of my blog world the entire summer, I have so much to share it's overwhelming. 

I'll sort it all out, but here's a little peek into a charming historical site we walked through one lovely August afternoon.

LEINEPERIN RUUKKI (Leineperi Ironworks) is in the province of Satakunta on the west coast of Finland. This country pearl quietly shares its story with anyone willing to take the time to look. 

The village was established in 1771 on  the banks of Katokoski. Today 250 people call it home. Leineperi hosts Craft & Antique Fairs by the artisans who work in their shops on the grounds. Visitors are free to roam and explore the old ways of the old days. 



The old mill.

The Blacksmith's. It was dark in there,  so we thought it best to quickly pass through... We did glimpse nails, horse shoes, and various iron tools all over the place. 

Interesting use of stone and brick on the outside of the building. 

Lots of storage behind these doors. I'm guessing in the olden days this was used for, well, storage.

A museum for Kaarlo Kangasniemi, a Finnish weightlifter and Olympic Gold medalist, who was born here in Leineperi.

The mill.

Stoneground flour in the making.

The barn.

The old school was built in 1888 and it's still in use!

This organ rules the small entrance hall. It brings back memories; my first-grade classroom had one just like it! (I couldn't resist taking the photo, even if I had to do it through the window between the blue doors.)

We enjoyed tea and fresh sweet rolls in this seeped-in-tradition cafe, Savipakari ("Clay Baker), established as a bakery in 1860. They serve lunch and "tea-time"snacks through the summer months (and during winter by reservation).  The rye-flour that's ground in the mill gets made into hearty bread rounds and served here!

Spring at last?

April [snow]showers, May flowers, and a bright look at spring!

The sunny days in April always seem to trick me into thinking that spring is right there, around the corner -and for some lucky ducks it is- but then a chilly wind whips around or the dawn reveals yet another snow blanket on the back deck. Like this morning. 

So you can imagine my delight when the sun pitched in and the deck was summery and shimmery by afternoon. I basked in the promise of spring; maybe this time the warm days will linger until summer takes over and turns them into heat. Fingers crossed. I'm dressing in pastels to will spring here!

Hauskaa Vappua! Happy May Day!

Our red currant bush made it through the winter and is already boasting tender leaf buds

along with the aspen.

 

In their sheltered corners these tiny flower babies and a daring dandelion share my enthusiasm.

I'm starting to spot bicycles and baby prams and kites. Sure signs of spring around here.

When do you have spring? What are your favorite signs for it?