Finland

My annual trip to Finland took place in the first half of August. But a week before I left, I had to see this one off to her own Finland adventure. I love her new bags! 

And then it was the rest of the family's turn to squeeze into our economy seats. 

These two are always very excited to travel. 

And then we were there. 

First night in Tampere. 

Next day, the first stop was traditionally the Tammelan Tori (market square). 

Everything is so fresh and beautiful. 

Nothing beats new potatoes straight from the ground. 

The second stop is always Stockmann. 

Since it was also my birthday, I got a little party glitter treatment :-)

And, of course, when in Finland, the one and only way to celebrate a birthday is with a strawberries and cream cake. 

Travel Diary in Pictures II

One thing every self-respecting Finnish person does in the summer time is spend some time in the country side, preferably at the family summer cottage. My yearly pilgrimage to the mother land must also include a trip or two the summer cottage. It's literally a summer cottage (I've actually never been there in winter), and in true Finnish tradition, it has no modern luxuries, i.e. no running water. This is part of the charm for the Finns, as the lack of amenities forces you to slow down, to live a more simple life, and really get back to the basics. It's good for the soul to take a break from the news, the social media, the constant compulsive need to check emails, etc.

And since I got to this down time mode and restricted myself from cellphone, camera, etc, I don't have pictures of the forest trip, or the blueberries I picked, or the pie I baked, nor the mushrooms the kids picked, or the quiche my mom baked with the mushrooms. You just have to believe me that we all thoroughly enjoyed being in the forest and then utilizing our pickings for our delicious nourishment.

Travel Diary in Pictures I

Bye Coco, we will miss you lots! 

Midnight in Iceland

Finally asleep on the second leg of the journey

Sun rise somewhere east of Iceland

When in Finland, first things first. Fresh food from the farmer's market, i.e. TORI. 

A little jet lagged but not much worse for the wear. 

Three generations

Uusia perunoita! Metsämustikoita! Superfood!

Haven't used a VIHTA for years. Should have bought one! 

Käsityön taidonnäyttöjä. Tyttärilläni oli mansikkahattu ja siitä saivat aina New Yorkissa isot kehut ja ihastukset.
I'm not so sure about the piggy hat... 

Tapolan Mustaamakkaraa NAM!

First stop - Pingviinijätski

Next stop - Wayne's Coffee

Yay Vacay - it's slowly sinking in... 

And BTW - Wayne's Coffee's skinny vanilla latte is better than Starbucks' version. 

Pikkukakkosen puisto is a must every day we are in Tampere. 

And finally - here's the real deal. New potatoes, butter, herring, turnips & onions, wild mushroom salad.
This meal is everything.