Apples of Gold

Roots & Wings

As Finns living overseas, our identity is a delicate dance between the past and present, a symphony that resonates with the echoes of our homeland while embracing the richness of foreign lands. The Finnish term “ulkosuomalaiset” encapsulates those of us born in Finland but living overseas, each of us sharing a common thread despite our…

True Beauty

During my visit to the hospital to see my mum today, I shared an elevator with an elderly couple. They got off one floor before me. Witnessing the elderly gentleman gently take the lady’s hand and leave the lift together made my world pause. Holding the lift door open a bit longer, I observed the…

Good Morning Twenty Twenty-Four

I find myself waking up, or should I say, grappling to rouse myself into a new year. It’s a struggle between the allure of sweet dreamland, which persistently tugs me back, and the desire to rise and savour the very first chai of twenty twenty-four. Although the temptation to slip back into a deeper sleep…

Bless Your Heart

At the moment, our home is like a linguistic smoothie, blending accents from around the world! You see, our friends from Florida are currently enjoying an extended stay with us throughout the entire month of November. Within the confines of our humble home, there’s not just the delightful blend of Finnish and Australian accents echoing…

Cardamom Spice

In my cherished childhood memories, there exists a place sweeter than any other—the quaint kitchen of my grandma. There was no place on Earth I’d rather be than in my grandmother’s warm and welcoming kitchen, learning the art of baking pulla, a sweet and aromatic Finnish cardamom bread. The 4th of October is here, marking…

Childhood Summer Cottage

Although Helsinki’s cobbled streets and majestic architecture formed the background of my early life, my world was anchored by a cozy cocoon of a significant place within the city. In the northeastern reaches of Helsinki, where the city’s pulse slows and nature’s embrace charms, lies the picturesque neighborhood of Itä-Pakila. It’s where my childhood summers…

Life is Short

Have you ever received news that left you wandering aimlessly, with your mind so consumed by thoughts that, despite your desire to be productive, you find yourself unable to accomplish anything? Today happens to be one of those days for me. This year, the shortness and unpredictability of human life have become so intimately intertwined…

Storytelling

In the midst of the chaos of our modern world, where the noise of daily life often drowns out the whispers of the past, storytelling stands as a serene oasis—a source of wisdom and a connection to our family history. This timeless tradition offers a tranquil respite, a momentary escape into the sanctuary of our…

Love at First Sip

Allow me to share a little secret with you. Every morning, I begin my day with a steaming cup of Masala Chai tea, lovingly prepared and brought to my bedside table by my husband, Peter, without fail. Let me introduce you to this small yet cherished pleasure in my life. It’s a slow-cooked Chai tea,…

I’m learning to Dance in the Rain

Life is a continuous learning experience. One of the most interesting questions I like to ask elderly people is what life lessons they have learned. It’s also a question I often ask myself. When people talk about shopping in Finland, they ask each other how much stuck to them along the way. I love this…