Let me describe to you the simple pleasures of Finnish life. It’s an early autumn morning, there is a crispness in the air and a light drizzle but it is hardly noticeable. I arrive at the local Prisma supermarket store to collect some essentials to add to my already loaded car. I enter the store…
Author: Apples of Gold
I'm a mother of four adult children and also nanna to four grandchildren. I love baking, cooking and hosting dinner parties. My hobbies include reading, walking, and genealogy but I am especially passionate about nature and Inspirational Creative Writing! I was born in Helsinki Finland, but migrated to Melbourne Australia as a child.
My four blogs include creative writing blog at www.applesofgold.blog
an Australian travel blog at www.downunderroadtrip.blog
a Christmas blog at www.insidejaanaschristmashome.blog
and a food blog at www.finnishfoodiefromdownunder.blog
I would love you to visit all four!
The Royal Symphony
Some time ago now, I had an unforgettable experience, at The Sydney Opera House where I got to listen to the masterful performance of Pictures at an Exhibition by Sydney Symphony Orchestra by conductor Giancarlo Guerrero. There is something about live music that is exhilarating. As an audience member I felt more than a spectator,…
Everyday Moments
I have lived in Australia most of my life. We all get conditioned to the surroundings around us. It becomes everyday and something that becomes so ordinary that it becomes a part of our life’s fabric. What is interesting to me is that we become almost blinded to our surroundings, so much so that it…
Blue and White
I was 11 years old when my family migrated from Finland to Australia. At the time I had very little understanding of the magnitude of what it really meant. I think I was more excited about going on a plane than anything else, because I had never flown before. Yet I was acutely aware how…
Time Travelling
I caught myself daydreaming today. I had traveled back to the days of my grandma and the happy days of my childhood. The Finnish word “mummi” (which means grandma) is always connected to the word “happiness” in my thoughts. Here I was ringing her doorbell, the type you twist, instead of press. I didn’t have…
Winter of Discontent
William Shakespeare first used the phrase “Winter of Discontent” in his popular play Richard III, where King Richard is expressing his feelings of discontent. We get the idea that he is not happy with his current situation. Later Shakespeare’s line has been used to describe several historical world events such as the winter of 1978-79…
Christmas 1939
Written by Jaana Jokinen, told by my father Matti Samuli 30th November 1939 “All aboard!” The conductor’s booming cry drew my mum to her feet. “The train is leaving, let’s go!” I clapped my hands enthusiastically. I could hardly contain my excitement. Even though I was barely four years old, I had travelled quite a…
Dancing Lights in the Sky
I come from the country of the midnight sun. I come from the country of thousands of crystal blue lakes, of untouched forests, abundance of wild berries and mushrooms, of reindeer and bears. I come from the country of clean air and where the lights dance in the sky. It’s the nation that loves tango,…
Sunrise Sunset
Is your favourite season spring, the time of rebirth, daffodils and new beginnings? Or do you prefer the summer fields laden with golden yellow flowers and humming bees darting through the air? Maybe you are like me and prefer the shorter, cooler days of autumn with an incredible display of vibrant colours. Yet isn’t there…
Apples of Gold 