A House Called Nut - Life in the backwoods of Finland

One year on

Last night Janne and I were lulled to sleep by the otherworldly tune that ice sings as it freezes. It's a sound that's unique to the coldest of nights--a deep, resonant whale song that seems more appropriate for outer space or the deep sea than a tranquil lake in Finland. Lake song in my ear, my eye spied the outline of white, frosty branches through otherwise black windows and reminded me of what a special place this is, and how lucky we've been to live here. The enchanting, winter scenery that greeted us in the morning reinforced this feeling and I went about my morning routine with an extra spring in my step.

View to the left...

and to the right

Then, I reached for the faucet and discovered that, once again, our water system has failed and life without running water has resumed. That pretty much sums up what life here has been like this past year. Trials and triumphs, ups and downs, fulfillment and disappointment, always played out against a backdrop of stunning natural beauty. It certainly hasn't been an easy year, physically or mentally, but it has been a good one.

I'm sorry things have been quiet around here lately. Even life in the backwoods can get busy and demanding and leave little time for hobbies. We're off to do some holiday traveling soon, so it will continue to be quiet for a little while still. But I hope you'll stay tuned! It's taken all my self-control not to write about some of the Christmas goodies I prepared, but all will be revealed post-holiday when no surprises can be ruined. In the meantime, I'd like to say a big, heartfelt thanks to everyone who's read this blog over the past ten months. I've so often been cheered and encouraged by your comments and emails, and you've truly helped make this experience a joy. Here's wishing you all the very best for the holiday season and for 2010!

Rowing to the edge

Yesterday morning, I stumbled around sleepily (not a morning person) in the dark, dark morning until trumpeting swan calls prompted a glance out the window. Jack Frost had resumed his reign over the lake, and Janne and I decided it was time for what will likely be the last boat ride of the year.

We rowed right to the edge, dipped our hands in the freezing water, and listened to the satisfying crack of the lake's frozen surface as boat met ice.

Some of us remain unconvinced by boats.

"I'd rather be chasing squirrels."

The freezing of the lake coincides with the southern whooper swan migration. These aren't the tame variety that aggressively beg for food in city parks. They've clearly enjoyed a life away from human interruption, and made it pretty clear that we wouldn't get close. But someone did leave behind this feather.

How's your landscape changing?

Happy weekend to all!

Sun therapy, hedgehog bags, and long-lost friends

Just as I was poised to complain bitterly about the last several weeks of freezing rain and seemingly total darkness, the sun decided to make an appearance and suddenly there wasn't so much to moan about. I'm still learning the trick to coping with this time of year, but I think it has a lot to do with slowing down and savoring the indoors...and dashing for the front door whenever the sun gets over its shyness. I miss spending days outside without getting damp and cold, but then there's all that reading and making that would never have gotten done. Still, the brightness of snow will be a welcome respite. Snow, as the Finns say, beautifies.

As for the making that's occupied many indoor hours, here's a little something I stitched for my elder niece's birthday:

It's made of old jeans and an upcycled pillowcase that I scored at a thrift shop. Yes, those are hedgehogs!

I thought the bright pink lining and straps would add enough of an accent so that surface decoration wouldn't be necessary, but after I sewed the whole thing together, it looked a bit dull. That's when I got the clever idea of sewing on applique. Note to self: always add applique to small bags before assembly!

So the stitching is a bit wonky, but apparently this was forgiven. I think I have the hedgehogs to thank for that.

Speaking of thrifting, a couple weeks ago I was reunited with a long-lost, university friend. We'd lived only minutes from each other in Helsinki without ever crossing paths (and anyone who lives anywhere in this small country knows how unlikely that is!) and finally reconnected just as she's emigrating to a place not too far from my home in the US. So we were classmates in London, unknowing neighbors in Helsinki, and now we've more or less swapped countries. 

Which brings me back to thrifting. It turns out my friend has been busy blogging too. I'm slightly embarrassed to reveal that we've been frequenting the same vintage/thrift shops, but while she's emerged with enough content for years of blog posts, I've remained very much a plain Jane. If you enjoy original, offbeat, DIY fashion...and cats!...check out No Signposts in the Sea. I know I'll be reading.