peacefull

 We are at my mums having a peaceful Christmas time.

Happy Christmas!

winter dream house

joining in

It was our wedding anniversary.

We saw Yayoi Kusamas exhibition. 

I got a change to join the dod fun.

ice skating and tree decorating

We were ice skating outside.

We picked a tree for my in-laws

and the children did some decorating.

sing, sing, sing

At Kaari mall there were Christmas carols.

We sang to our hearts delight.

I observed

how some people were in their winter boots

and others in their fine wear. 

gray

 We arrived in Helsinki late yesterday. It is always a culture shock to be back. I forget that people can understand what I am saying when I speak Finnish. Everybody looks like me with blond hair and a small nose. There is no snow, but there is beauty in the tones of gray.

 We went to this lovely lunch restaurant called Ipi in Kallio. It was lovely and bright.  The food was good. I was happy to eat moose and chantarelles. Outside the restaurant there were babies sleeping in their buggie, while the mummies had coffee inside. What a Scandi thing to do!  

Helsinki by night

View from my Helsinki hotel room,

how strange and familiar it is.

reading for the holidays

There was a package for me from Amazon. I asked my husband, if he had send me a Christmas present. It was not him. Two days later I got a lovely letter from a friend. She had send it. I am taking Haruki Murakamis Colourless Tsukuru Tazaki on my trip tomorrow. I bought Fiona MacCarthys William Morris book for myself as a Christmas present. If only I could put it down, so I get everything done today.

break

It was the last day of my sons school. As I was singing We wish you a Merry Christmas, it hit me: This is my sons childhood. His memories will be in English. The songs he will remember will be these. How different it is from my own memories. There is a cultural difference in my own family.

 

But would I give up the friendships I have made here. Or the person I have become. No, never. 

And it is not just the country that is different from my childhood, the whole world is a different place.

 I have a happy bilangual child, who watches Finnish wintersports with my mum via Skype.

handmade

hiding at the attic

 This is Libertys attic, the most wonderful hiding palce in London.

helping Santa

Today I wrapped 90 little parcels for Santas Grotto. 

This is one of my tasks as volunteer at the William Morris Gallery. Normally I guide school children around the gallery and talk to them about art. I am happy, that I have found here in London, my own thing that brings me pleasure and challenges me.

looking at shop windows

 John Lewises Christmas windons are the best!

cards

dough

It was messy and loud. It was great fun. 

We made gingerbread dough and cookies with friends.

Long since the others were gone to play with the lego, I had a cheerful helper in the kitchen.
I got a glimpse to what it would be like to have a daughter.

Angels on Regent Street

books

In the evening before going to bed we read books together. This month the stories are filled with elfs and snow. Joulusatuja was a book I found last year in Finland and could give now to my son as a little Christmas present. Besides readin books we are watching every evening Christmas calendar from Yle,  the Finnish BBC. The plot this year is extra thrilling.

glitter

I was at John Lewis marveling Christmas ornaments.

One of this years themes is Helsinki.