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…
Tag: Precious Cherished Moments
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,…
White Christmas
I have only ever had one white Christmas as an adult, and it was truly magical. My family lived in a small country town in the eastern side of Finland, 60 kilometres from the Russian boarder, called Savitaipale. This is where my paternal grandfather’s side of the family is from. The town is so small,…
Childhood Home
Written by Jaana Jokinen, told by my mother Mirja Anneli September 1949 in Kallio, Helsinki, Finland Slowly but surely, the days were getting colder and darker. School was back and autumn was upon us. I have always been a summer person, so even as an 8-year-old I wasn’t too happy about the changing weather. There…
Homesickness
I was struck by a feeling of homesickness this afternoon. Most of the time I go about my life without feeling it, yet every now and then it hits me full force. Being Finnish-Australian, I do add a touch of Finnish into my everyday life in any way I know how. I have moomins, Marimekko,…
Fabric of Life
When you think about the fabric of your life lived so far, what colour threads do you see? Which are the dominant colours? What patterns are evident in your tapestry? If every experience is a stitch in the intricately woven fabric of your life, then how have you been stitched together by the fibres of…
A Dying Art
Disney’s Belle is one of the best fictional bookworms around. When the Beast gives Belle her very own key to his magnificent library, cream-coloured double doors open to showcase paintings, a writing desk, a spectacular fireplace, spiral staircases, floor rugs, and some reading chairs on the colourful ceramic floor. But most importantly, the walls are…
Apples of Gold 