One and half weeks...

Time before Christmas went fast.

It was Winter Solstice before I really realized it.

Maybe the weather had something to do with it:

no snow, no frost.

But dark, so much darkness.

Christmas Market and light in the night

Yesterday we visited on Christmas Market in Kerava.

Usually there are several around, 

but maybe the most has been earlier this year and I haven't noticed them.

This market was part of Magical Winterland,

that included a lot of different shows, specially for children.

Hubby has been hacking Ikea

When we moved into this house 15 years ago,

the lamps in bathroom was these:

Actually these lamps was also in hallway, vestibule and back in area,

where is f.e water heater.

Lamps might be practical,but. 

They are ugly.

Christmastime starts

It is 1st Advent,

I am not ready.

Lately weeks have been filled with little things,

which seems to take a lot of time.

And I find myself using Instagram more than writing a diary,

Decorating cottage porch

Now, when trees have drop leaves,

from the road there is open sight to cottage porch.

So, when I come home from work,

it is the first thing I will see.

I want it be nice during this darkest time of the year.

So I use to decor it for Christmas time.

Table centerpieces in test

In a hope,

that kittens will "get used to" decor on the table,

and will leave them alone,

I also put something up on the table.

Blue, white,silver.

Looking for kitten safe Christmas decor...

I have been surfing in Pinterest during last weeks.

Looking for decor ideas,

that wouldn't be destroyed by kittens right away.

I have found tons of lovely pastries.

Almost ordinary week

During the week we have had beautiful flaming sunsets,

pink mornings,

shining stars.

And I have stared them all.

Table was set...

Yesterday night we had Kekri dinner.

To celebrate harvesting.

And to light the candles for the ancestors.

Not ready yet...

I am not ready yet to say good bye for summer.

Not even close.

Not ready for fall 

- nor even close to say hello to winter.

But Kekri will be next Saturday.

Miscellaneous notes

First frosts have arrived.

There have been northern lights in nights.

Well, I have been sleeping instead of staring the sky.

First week with kittens

First week with kittens is over.

I feel like newborn's mother:

These two babies runs the house now.

New family members

We have two new family members.

Orphans.

They moved at us yesterday.

And made themselves at home right away.

Wreath for cottage door

The cottage door had also stuck in spring time.

It sure isn't any spring anymore,

so it really was the time to do something.

Flower box

I have an old flower box by the corner of the house.

My hubby has made it decades ago.

And it sure looks like it.

I mean old. And suffered.

It has been painted last about 15 years ago,

when I found the same pink paint,

that previous owners has used to paint the house.

It really isn't any pleasure to the eye.

Fall Market Fair

Little Princess has been visiting overnight.

I believe,

we have managed to entertain Her Little Highness quite well.

Today we visited in Fall Market Fair in center of Tuusula, Hyrylä.

Feeling fall

Wind is screaming in corners.

Virginia creeper is turning in colors.
Fall,
It it definitely here.

Running behind the time...

Circus market was held earlier than normal.

During the decades market is held around weekend of 11th-13th.

This year we almost missed it.

And we were in Imatra...once again

Last weekend was the very last race weekend of the year.

In Imatra.

We were there last year, too.

So, the road should be familiar, right?

Fall is around the corner

I have to admit to myself,

that fall is almost here.

Even the days have been mostly sunny,

evenings are dump and chilly.

And getting darker,

What is up?

We have got warmth. 

Finally.

Not heat, but warm.

I can see becoming fall in the garden.

Holiday with berries?

12 days.

It has been 12 days from my last note in here.

I have come out from woods,

but started with berries in the garden.

I am having my last summer holiday week.

Flowering...

Not me.

Garden.

Weeks in the woods

If you follow me on Instagram,

you already know where I have been hanging lately.

In the woods.

American Beauty Car Show - Sunday sundries

 

 American Beauty Car Show went on late.

Last band started at 22:00

We left before that

- we had 3,5 km walk to hostel.

The only place, that wasn't full booked.

Walking to hostel gave me a chance to look around.

American Beauty Car Show- surroundings

American Beauty Car Show was held in phenomenal surrounding

- in the old Bishop's Castle in Haapsalu.

So the days weren't filled with cars only.

American Beauty Car Show - Cars

Point of visiting a car show is naturally look and admire cars.

We did.

Hours and hours.

In show area and in town.

American Beauty Car Show, travel to Haapsalu

We spent weekend overseas.

In Haapsalu, Estonia.

Admiring many Finnish cars and listening Finnish bands.

We were in American Beauty Car Show.

July is running fast

July has brought roses.

Between rains there has been short moments of sunshine.

Just enough to know that sun is somewhere.

Few hours escape

Weather cast promised heat for yesterday.

So, on Thursday night I asked hubby,

if we would go to a short cruise.

Just few hours enjoying (read: I enjoy) sea wind and beautiful coast of Helsinki.

Dinner on the board, perhaps?

He said yes,

and I booked us for a 4 hours cruise with buffet dinner.

The ad said there will be nostalgic music during the sail.

Sounds romantic...right?

I'm singing in the rain....or not.

Sunday was shiny,

Right now I can hear thunder raging.

We really don't suffer lack of rain this summer.

Where is The Summer?

It is almost the end of June.

It is still chilly.

When I walk around the garden in the evenings,

I need quilted jacket.

But blooming is going on.

Summer solstice

Summer solstice came fast.

Early summer was cold and rainy.

Today summer has shown it's real face.

Warm and shiny.

Midsummer

When I woke up yesterday in the morning,

it was raining.

So, nothing new with the weather.

Midsummer week

Midsummer week was cold. Windy. Rainy.

There was short, shiny moments,

but it felt that wind won't never stop blowing.

Welcome home!

Our door representative has been in mess.

I bet it will be soon mess again,

but I used a part of the only warm and sunny day for ages 

to make it look a little more neat.

Saturday fun, Car Show

My hubby bought his first American car back in 1979,

when we were dating.

It was a dark red Plymouth Valiant.

Alike this one we saw yesterday in Car Show in Kerava.

Well, his one wasn't that shiny.

Growing and blooming...

I just can't pass my Clematis without taking a photo.

Every day. 

I have only one left,

but it is so beautiful,

when it blooms.

In the middle of nowhere - in Kaanaa

Supermoto brings me to weird places.

And weird situations.

I sit in car hours staring typical Finnish landscape.

Woods. Lakes. More woods.

Maybe few cows - or even horses.

As I did last Saturday.

Cottage porch

I finally got cottage porch cleaned up.

During the winter months it uses to be a place,

where we just walk through with wet, snowy and muddy shoes.

It is cold,  but dry,

and unfortunately we are lazy enough to throw in there things,

that are waiting for decent place - like landfill.

Not so great result

As I planned,

I defrosted freezers.

I have two of them,

so I am able to do it also in summertime.

Holiday at home

I'll have few days off.

Starting tomorrow.

It rains.

I comfort myself with photos from last weekend.

Flaming bacon and other outdoor fun

 

We have owned gas grill for few years,

but we use it very rare.

We grill usually with embers instead of gas.

We use gas grill when we are too hungry to wait embers

- or it is raining.

Crazy days, crazy week

It has been crazy and hectic week.

At work, at home.

Working overtime.

Getting prepared to racing weekend.

Trying to sleep in the the spring light,

when sun forgets to go down early enough.

Promises of spring

I don't work in garden because my garden needs work.

I work in my garden because I need garden work.

Sure, my garden isn't a traditional one.

A little helper

Little Princess spent weekend at us.

When my kids spent time at my mother's,

they were clean and polished,

when they came back home.

I am not that kind of grandmother.

We made some cleaning in garden plot.

Week in garden

During last week

- even though it has been cold - 

in the garden has happened a lot.

Yes, a lot of weeds has sprout out,

but also a lot of beauty.

Memories of Madona: Pärnu-Hesinki

It doesn't take hours to drive from Pärnu to Tallinn.

Google says it is less than two hours without traffic.

It sure takes longer from us.

Here and there we saw Forsythias in bloom.

Memories of Madona - on the way home, Pärnu

We left Madona in late afternoon.

We chose E22 and E63, Via Baltica, instead of P30.

For driving it was a lot better,

but for landscapes it was more boring.

Memories of Madona - a day in Madona

I was so glad,

when we finally arrived to Hotel Madona.

After sitting in car for hours,

it was great to know,

there will be a chance to spread your arms,

if you want to.