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! 

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?

Polar Bear Plunge

SUB. ZERO.

'Can't imagine even the Finn in me would get me to take this jump, but I know some people who dove right into Hyrum Dam at the Cache County Polar Plunge -"Freezin' for a Reason" to raise money for Special Olympics. 
(I learned there are three million athletes worldwide!) 

Crazy, no?

This year's fundraiser is on Feb 8-9 with plunges at midnight and noon. There will be lots of teeth clattering, but what better reward than a warm heart!

Until summer calls

I love this time of year when the end of summer and the beginning of fall mesh together. It makes you relish the fading pleasures of summer's warmth and light.  

In my childhood, and even into my children's preteen years, we would ride our bikes to the river, with rolled-up rugs strapped to the back rack. The load was decided by the size of the helper. The river banks had a dock with sunken-in barrels for us to stand in. We would unroll the rugs into the water, then soap them up on the dock and scrub with our might. Then, with our fingers slipping on the slick weave, we would dump them back into the water to rinse them off. My mother taught me how to roll up the rug as you soap and scrub, to keep to your space on the deck, and how to control the heavy bundle in the water.

I remember letting go of the smaller rugs on purpose, to see how long they would float, and then snatching them (with a jump in my chest) just as it was almost too late. We lost a few brushes and bricks of soap in the current, but I'm pretty sure we always brought home all the rugs we took out.

The river water would soak my arms and belly and streak my shins (which now itch at the thought of it), as I huffed and puffed the clean rugs up the bank to let them drip dry on the wood beam. We often left the bigger rugs there until the next day, but pedaling home seemed exhausting nonetheless. 


To mimic my sweet summer memories, I gathered my supplies (rugs, wash pan, biodegradable soap, and a stiff brush) and set out to clean my rugs, enjoying the sun's warmth on my back while scrubbing.

I didn't go to the river. Our back deck was my scrubbing station, and I was glad I didn't have far to drag the sopping rugs to dry.

So, my friends, I'll hang on to my sweet memories until summer calls again...

What kinds of traditions do you remember of your youthful summer days? Did you blend work and play?

Fall Fashion (or "bouquets of sharpened pencils")

Summer felt sort of like a whirlwind to me, here and gone quickly, bringing and taking with it boundless joy and heart-wrenchers. I was just posting of summer and autumn meshing together, and now, here we are, smack in the throes of fall. 

Unless you're in an area that does year-round school (what are your thoughts?), this is the season delving in for a new year in a new grade, with new friends in the making.

I found this Finnish grade school lunch menu I had jotted down a few years ago. (It could serve as a list of ideas for meals at home, too!)

 

Tuesday: Macaroni-ground beef casserole, salad, ice cream
Wednesday: Hamburger patties, boiled potatoes & gravy, grated carrots
Thursday: Trout stew, "soft" bread, fresh vegetable
Friday: Chicken gravy, rice, black currant jam, cucumber

Monday: Shepherd's pie, salad
Tuesday: Stewed pork, boiled potatoes, cabbage-lingonberry relish
Wednesday: Baked fish, mashed potatoes, mixed peas, corn, and bell pepper
Thursday: Liver and onions, mashed potatoes
Friday: Sausage soup, cheese, "soft" bread

Monday: Fish sticks, white gravy, potatoes, shredded cabbage
Tuesday: Cabbage and ground beef casserole, lingonberry jam, tomato-onion salad
Wednesday: Hot dog gravy, potatoes, summer salad
Thursday: Pea soup, "soft" bread, carrots
Friday: Italian casserole, fresh grated root vegetables

Monday: Chicken meatball, potatoes, curry sauce, iceberg lettuce
Tuesday: Spaghetti with ground beef, shredded carrots
Wednesday: Herring patties, mashed potatoes, tomato
Thursday: Ground beef gravy, potatoes, parsley carrots
Friday: Cream of wheat, strawberry sauce, boule bread, cold cuts

I think "soft" bread means that fresh bread takes the place of the dry cracker bread commonly available in Finnish schools.
Ice cream must have been served to celebrate the first day (and maybe lessen the sting) since it appears to be the only dessert on the month's menu.

Bon Appetit!



To help myself embrace the season, I did some back-to-school shopping. I think a few new items on your desk or in your wardrobe can be a boost, whether you're going or sending children to school or not. Wouldn't you agree?


So I spent a day rummaging through every store in town and came home with bags of fabulous finds at deep discounts. :) Do you like my fall color scheme?
My sister-in-law gave me the tree necklace because she is awesome.
Mia took the great photos because she's awesome, too.

 

And there you have it -just like that I feel ready to take on cool weather and all that autumn brings! 

Happy Fall!

Sea and Sky

I was reading a post from A Cup of Jo (joannagoddard.blogspot.com) and learned about this fabulous hair product for summer: John Masters Organics Sea Mist Sea Salt Spray with Lavender. In the description it reads, "Now every day can be a day at the beach." If you're not with the sea, what better way to bring it to you!To spray in my hair the fullness I would get from splashing in seawater daily? Right up my alley! And the idea is compatible with the tomboy in me; wash and spray, hop on the bicycle, and let your summer spirit soar! Plus, the lavender acts as an anti-inflammatory and normalizes your scalp condition, so I think it'll help my pool-water-saturated skin to cope. 

You can get the spray through LuckyVitamin.com. It's about $15 for a 9-oz bottle. And I like that J.M. is committed to partnering with local farmers. (How's that for a free ad, folks!)  :)

As part of my seasonal obsession with all things coastal, I made this sofa pillow for my shop. I had to have one for my porch, too. It cheers me up every time I come home to my non-coastal house. 

Dreaming of seaside living (and missing it so much), I'll share with you these views of the gorgeous west coast of Finland.

Can't you practically feel the warmth and the coolness mixing on the smooth boulder, or the hot grains of sand in your footprints? Do you hear the seagulls and the lapping of the water? 


I squint at the sun's sparkle off the blue and fill my lungs with the energy of the salty breeze. 
Ahhh... this is living.

Savoring Summertime with Raparperipiirakka

It brings a smile to my lips to think of the sweet things of summer. 

Here's How to Make a Rhubarb Treat With Your Favorite Toddler:

 these stalks clearly pass the taste test 

so

 measure the dry ingredients

 add sour cream

 and melted butter

spread the blob onto a pan lined with parchment paper 

 cut rhubarb stalks

 and place them in the pan

this is the best part!

then bake

and be so glad you did!

                                                                             

    RAPARPERIPIIRAKKA (Finnish Rhubarb Pie)

 3 stalks rhubarb, washed and peeled

1and 2/3 C all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

2/3 C sugar

1and 1/3 C sour cream

1/3 C butter or margarine, melted

Mix dry ingredients first, then add wet ingredients.

Mix quickly with a wooden spoon. (It's ok to have a few lumps)

Spread onto an oven pan or cookie sheet with edges, lined with parchment paper.

Cut rhubarb into 1/2 inch pieces and place on batter.

Sprinkle with sugar.

Bake at 400 F for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.

(Note: ovens vary, so check periodically)