bons baisers de france

Thursday

2012-02-09T19:03:00.001+01:00

I woke up today too early, Léonie was sitting on the bedroom window, scrathing the glass. I got little bit annoyed and couldn't sleep anymore, so I got up. Coffee, reading some blogs and getting ready for the day. I'm working at the office only twice a week, so I wasn't in a hurry to work.

At 9.30am, I got dressed up to go out and headed to the other side of the city. The mistral was gone, so it was just nice calm weather to walk to the Police du Domaine to get a macaron for the car. Not a macaron you can eat, a yearly parking pass so we can park the car anywhere inside the walls of Avignon.

After I went to Le Halles for get some vegetables, rye flour and brasilian nuts.

I also visited CycloPanier(local and bio products) near us as they had rutabagas.

I am planning to make some christmas food again, kind of addicted to Finland and finnish things lately.. Home sick a little bit.

Léonie was all over the bags, not sure if she was more interested of the veggies or the paper/plastic bags.

She loves crawling into a plastic bag. And ripping it to pieces.

Sweet potatoes, rutabagas, carrots and beetroots.

And colorful hands after cutting the beetroot.

Winter veggies

Mix some of your favourite veggies, cut these into cubes

add good olive oil, honey and spices (sea salt,pepper,herb de provence,garlic,onion)

Cook in the oven for at least 50mins / 175degrees

I made quickly some ground beef steacks with a creamy sauce (super delicious!)

Sauce

olive oil

garlic

Heavy cream

ketchup

half cube of chicken broth

mustard

tabasco

I made the garlic sizzle in the olive oil before adding the rest of the ingrediences.

Super easy and good. Can add HP sauce (we didn't have) and other spices too.

Between the cooking, I made rye bread dough and after lunch it was time to bake some bread.

Easy and good!

I love everything that smells good.

I cannot resist good candles, perfumes and sprays.

Last weekend we went to a new shopping center and I bought Durance Vanilla ambiance perfume.

What can I say, delicious..

And I am kind of addicted to girly stuff like make ups, creams and stuff.

So when I saw lately this BB cream in TV,

also in Kalastajanvaimo's blog (she is a Finnish woman living in Norway, and I adore her style)

I needed to get the cream.

And as it's winter time, my hair is flying everywhere, all electric. And itchy skin.. It means only one thing:

it needs some moisture!

So I got this Nuxe's oil what can use from head to toes, literally. It can be used to tame the flying hair, or too dry feets. And it smells so good! A big plus for the good smell.

Now it's time to relax and cook the dinner.

smile.

2012-02-03T19:00:00.002+01:00

It feels like a heavy rock has been lifted from my chest,

I feel free.

I resigned from the school and it was a good decision.

I´m having 4 days (weekend included) off from work, it feels good.

I picked up my camera again, I´ve cooked, looked at old photos, used sewing machine...

All these nice things what were forgotten.

I found pictures of the first days of having Léonie at home.. She was so adorable kitten with a rat tail.

The first picture is the day, when we took her home. She was so calm, sitting on my lap and looking out from the windows. She never was afraid of us, been our cat since then.

Immediately feeling like home.

And playing. [that tail!]

Fast forward to this week..

Sweet cakes from Histoire de Pains...

We got snow! Ridicilously small amount but it's snow! And freezing here.

She is already 9months old, little canneloni.

And more sweets.. I bought french caramels(toffee),melted it and folded some fleur de sel on it.

I´m addicted to salty toffee.

Train - Mississippi

Snoop Dogg/Wiz Kalifa - Young, wild & Free

Gérarld de Palmas - L'Etranger

Aloe Blacc - Green Lights

Andy Hammer - Keep your head up

Maroon 5 - Moves like Jagger

Desire - Under your spell

Kavinsky - Nightcall

College - A real Hero

Medi - How you would do it

Pyörä!

2012-01-28T20:15:00.001+01:00

This is what I got one week ago.. A new bike!

I also started pilates lessons once a week, the teacher was bit amazed that I was able to do everything without problems.

The bad news,or good actually, I decided to stop the studies. The studies I selected aren't at all what I thought it would be, and staying there is depressing me to the point that I can't sleep anymore..So, even it feels weird to "quit" it's the best thing to do. I can concentrate to my work now, maybe spend my time actually enjoying life! I feel like I did this school thing to please others, now it's time to react and live the life like I want. I don't want to regret anything :)

Happy weekend lovelies, I hope this decision gives me more time to actually enjoy hobbies,like photography ;)

Hey you.

2012-01-17T16:21:00.000+01:00

Coffee and cinnamon rolls

korvapuusti

reminds me of home, of my parents.

I remember the first time I tried to make the cinnamon rolls alone at home when I was kid,

trying so hard and I didn't have enough power in my arms to mix it or knead the dough.

My mom came home and did it for me. She's really good baker, used to be a pastry chef.

She showed how to do it, helped me and since then, I know how to do cinnamon rolls by myself.

I left the fancy icing away since R doesn't like it (and these are traditional finnish ones without).

This reminds me of my parents as they always have cinnamon rolls at home.

coffee and cinnamon rolls.

I was taking photos of the pastry, when I saw through the lens little paw trying to grab the bun.

Sliding, little by little, this little kitty was all over the bun - ready to taste it!

I think she has really good taste, all what we cook - she wants a bite!

We must be excellent at the kitchen.

We had raclette on sunday.

If you ever come to France at winter time, this is the thing you need to try!

And me, I'm getting better. I just came back from the first physical therapy session, my kiné is spanish girl and we both struggle to speak french(she forgot how to speak english so we are stuck with french).

Must be hilarious for the others too.

I'm hoping to be in better shape soon, planning to buy finally a good bike.

Any ideas?

City bike, more sporty one?

How I should choose?

By the way, if you know cool interior deco blogs or websites that gives nice ideas and DIY's,

let me know!

I want do something for the apartment.

Something pretty.

Stay cool!

Listen.on spotify.

Spinnerette

Shaka Ponk - Let's Bang

Sean Hayes - Powerful Stuff

When life kicks you in the butt...it hurts.

2012-01-06T18:42:00.001+01:00

Oh where to begin..

2 days before New Years Eve, I didn't feel great.. Fever kicked in, I went to pharmacy to get medicines to calm it down and I continued working. For 2 days.

At the weekend, I was happily celebrating that I didn't get sick,little I knew what was about to come...

Monday morning, I felt really nausea and had a gastro coming.. Which lasted 4 days! And what I did do? I went to work! I even managed to do an examen at school(you dont want to miss an examen in my school and get 0 points...).phew. Stupid? Yes. Inappropriate towards other fellow workers/students? Yes sir.

The french healthcare system starts paying a tiny amount money from the 4th sickleave day,no wonder why people shows up at work while being sick. So did I. Didn't want to lose part of my salary..

And that's not all. This morning, feeling better but having a bad cough(where that came from?) I was about to take the trash out and I bent down to take the bags.. I felt like a knife hitting into my lowerback. I knew its no good, but I felt pressured to be at the lesson today as I was supposed to keep a presentation, I limped to my car and drove to school.

1h and 45mins later at the school,I decided to give up and go to see a doctor. 3hours later, I came home with doctors papers telling I have pharangitis and lumbago,paper telling to have my whole back x-rayed,bunch of medicines and 10 sickleave. And 10 times physical therapy.

This was my first week of the year,my own fault too that this happened. The pressure to do things is sometimes just way too high, and we forget to take care of ourselfs. I learned this today, this life is mine and I am in charge what happends.

See you,dear friends, when I'm able to walk and sit properly again :)

Take care.

My 2011. what a Y E A R !

2011-12-31T11:17:00.000+01:00

Tammikuu

January is the month you want to stay cozy and warm inside, it's the month you can also eat Galette de Rois!

On 6th of January, we devored this piece of deliciousness.

And I drank lot of coffee, with whipped cream of course!

Home made scones by R's mom.

And we visited Paris!

Helmikuu

February was on of the favourite months of mine,

Because we traveled to see my family in Finland.

And on the same trip, we visited Stockholm - Sweden.

Maaliskuu

Having walks outside..Baking funny things..

Huhtikuu

April was a very good month,because I god a good job as bilingual secretary.

Later that year I started studying again for BTS diploma,to be a Management assistant.

I like it, as I get full salary for the school part too (3 days a week at work,2 at school).

Toukokuu

One good month again, my parents visited here. I miss them so much.

Kesäkuu

On 14th of June, Raph took me out for birthday dinner.

And gave me the best gift ever, a trip to Venice!

Heinäkuu

Just before our trip to Cannes and Venice, this little furball did arrive to our life. I had been wanting to take a cat for years and finally R was ok to take it,because I wanted it so badly. And it has been a pure joy to have her around since then!
(even she makes little tricks all the time...)

Spending the 14th July, Fête nationale francaise in Cannes.

And then driving to Italy, Venice!

Such a beautiful place, everyone should visit there at least once in life.

We will surely go back one day.

Elokuu

In august we had two quick holiday-weekends, snorkeling and relaxing in the sun.

We went to Fréjus and La Londe-les-Maures.

And Léonie was already getting bigger.. and more demanding ;)

Syyskuu

September.. oh sweet september. I visited home, spend time with my family and seeing friends. This time I went alone, R stayed in France for work and taking care of little L.

Lokakuu

In november I found out that Léonie wasn't feeling good. I took her to the vet and she was having huge problems..luckily everything went good and she got a surgery later. Her fur is still growing back, we can see a thin line where the fur was cut off.

Our first Halloween pumpkin!

Marraskuu

November, I was really busy and didn´t have time to take much photos. And it was raining a lot.

It was the first time I was evacuated because of the rain. For us everything was alright, but many people in France and Italy lost their homes.

Joulukuu

And finally december..

This year went really fast. Are you going to make some new promises?

What are you expecting from year 2012?

I am hoping to find more time for taking photos, to find the joy of sports, saving money for a trip far far away from Europe, seeing friends, visiting home and seeing my family, spending time with friends, cooking and baking a lot of yummy things!

And now you have learned all months in Finnish,too!

Hyvää Uutta Vuotta 2012!

Happy New Year 2012!

Bonne Année 2012!

Thank you all, my friends.

ps. I got this amazing book as a gift, I will surely make all the goodies soon..

Last week of 2011

2011-12-28T11:03:00.001+01:00

One weekend before the real Christmas, we celebrated Finnish Christmas at home.

It was perfect.

That morning we had traditional rice porridge with fruit soup (cold and sweet)

I spend whole morning in the kitchen to prepare the dinner, I made everything (except the ham) from scratch, like I always do.

Léonie likes the taste of Christmas(tree)

Carrot gratin,rutabaga gratin and Christmas ham.

And of course a dessert.. cheesecake!

I can't belive it's the last week of 2011!

I didn't keep any promises I made, like keeping up with the sport, loosing the extra from the belly and no shopping. That's just me and I'm cool with that.

Still, I need to get fit before I'm 30..

Two years left to achieve that ;)

Oh and on the real Christmas, I ate much LESS than ever and it's a good start.

Not too many chocolates either!

Have a great week and hope you had great holidays!

See you in 2012!

Hyvää Joulua!

2011-12-24T15:13:00.001+01:00

Merry christmas,friends!

a quick hello.

2011-12-17T08:59:00.000+01:00

Hei kaikki!

And thank you for the sweet comments, I truly appreciate these. I just haven´t had lately time to comment back, post (or even take) nice photos, or to even sleep enough. I don't have any holidays around christmas, but luckily the school is closed for one week. I still have one exam before christmas, so I should study.

After a long and tiring week, it's finally weekend. We decided to have pikkujoulu, a little christmas this weekend,

putting up the christmas tree, having a traditional finnish christmas dinner (at 24th and 25th it will be french christmas).

As the weekend just begun, I'm still having my pyjamas on,

just had rice porridge and fruit soup for breakfast.

These photos are from last weekend, when we visited R's parents in Orange. The day was so beautiful with the fog and amazing light.

The winter here looks like fall, we hardly ever have really cold weather or snow.

This year has been different - the temperature in this month has been around +10..+15!

What is quite warm.

Léonie and her first christmas calendar. With cat treats ;)

We finally found the christmas tree, it is beautiful but I couldn't capture its beauty.

And as we have a small apartment, we needed to change the order a little bit that the tree could even fit in.

Last night our dinner was Mont d'or, again these french cheese deliciousness.

Mont d'or before cooking, looks like molded...but delicious!

With white wine..mmmm.. nice friday night.

I need to start cooking soon for tonight and post a christmas package for my parents (I'm little late heh)

Have a nice weekend and enjoy!

Ps. Frank Sinatra's christmas album is still my favourite.

Early christmas gift

2011-12-07T06:31:00.001+01:00

I have been quiet for a while here, just haven't had energy for blogging after work and school.

Still have few school projects to finish,home works and 3 exams before christmas

[eek, tomorrow accounting AND marketing exams!]

And I really haven't had time for photos either, what really sucks. Every evening when I drive back to from work to home, I see amazing sunsets and I wish I could stop and take pictures. I don't stop, because there is a reason why I'm in hurry to go back home.. the traffic. I don't want to spend the evening in the traffic and then trying to find a parking place inside the walls of Avignon. With our car, after 6pm it's getting impossible. So I just drive.

Last weekend, I got a early christmas gift from my parents!

No, they didn't came to visit [and I can't spend the christmas with them either...] but they had agreed with R that he will take me to the store to get the gift already and can start using it immediately.

Kenwood Prospero - it does everything!

So immediately at weekend, I had to test it. I made quark pie on saturday [aah, again,no pictures..]

and sunday I baked some bread. This time, I did remember to snap a photo!

Now I'm off to get ready for work, it's 6.40am in France and I am tired. Léonie woke me up at 5am, she was so hungry. Since she was sterilized, she is getting little bit chubby. I'm struggling with the amounts of food I should give, she still eats kitten wet food so maybe that's the reason. She gets real meat few times a week,kitty wet food and then really tiny amounts of dry food [I don't belive that dry food is good for cats, but she is kinda addicted already for the daily dose of dry food]. I am going to give more raw meat for her, and order adult wet food when the stock of kitty food is finished. Any suggestions,help or advices?

Itsenäisyyspäivä

2011-12-06T13:02:00.001+01:00

img google image

Hyvää Itsenäisyyspäivää, Suomi!

Today is the Independence Day of Finland.

Home, sweet home.

After work, I will light up the candles, make glögi and relax.

Glögi

Cinnamon, cardamom, sour orange, ginger and cloves.

Red wine or blackcurrant juice.

Mix together and let it get delicious in low heat.

Don't boil the wine.

img google image

**************************

It is traditional for many Finnish families to light two candles in each window of their home in the evening. This custom dates to the 1920s, but even earlier, candles had been placed in windows on the birthday of poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg as a silent protest against perceived Russian oppression. A popular legend has it that two candles were used as a sign to inform young men on their way to Sweden and Germany to become jägers that the house was ready to offer shelter and keep them hidden from the Russians.

[text from wikipedia]

**************************

Weekend in pictures.

2011-11-14T09:42:00.001+01:00

Hello!

Oh, it's Monday, again, and I am so tired. And I feel like old granny as every inch of my body is aching.

And I know the reason..

Our friend M did have her 30th birthday party last weekend. The party theme was LMFAO Party rock athem, so of course it meant dancing...and dancing.. and dancing.. !

And my back didn't like it a bit! haha and I did fell asleep on the way home and Raph needed to drive me directly to the front door before parking the car. I just gave Leonie some food (at 3.30am!! ) and went directly to bed, with the makeup and all.

Earlier that day,we went to eat at Tommy's, the only american restaurant in town...I think.

If you know any other in Avignon - please let us know!

Or good burger places.

please,no photos

I was little bit disappointed for the hamburgers, as we were the first customers and first to serve and the hamburgers were little bit cold inside! But as we both feel bad to say anything, ever, we kept our mouths shut and ate cold hamburgers.

My parents sent me a package from Finland, my mom made me wool socks for the winter!

How sweet is that! I am trying to knit still the same wool poncho that I started 2 years ago.. I won't ever get anything ready. And Léonie likes too much to attack the knitting stuff.

And the weekend was passing by way too quickly..

Whole weekend, Léonie was little bit fofolle, funnily crazy.

Coucou!

By the way, Léonie has so pretty eyes! It looks sometimes yellow, but when you look close it's mix of blue, green and yellow, all separately in circles.

I am not sure what is going on in the little head of hers!

" But I am calm.. keep coming closer.. yeees, come closer.."

and then she can attack again ;)

She is so sweet.

One of her favourite places, bathroom sink.

She like to drink straight from the tap and play with the water.

Sometimes she even puts her head under and gets wet head.

And I thought cats doesn't like water.

Have a great week!

I love rainy days. Why don't you?

2011-11-08T16:05:00.002+01:00

photos taken with samsung galaxy S 2 / camera effects

[ photos from Avignon center streets, place Crillon, Le Pont Saint Bénézet, cinéma Utopia Manutention, our kitchen ]

Why people dislike rainy days?
I love walking outside when it rains, take my raincoat, Hai's and go out for a walk.
Let the rain wet your hair.. feel the raindrops on your skin.
It feels good.
After it feels even better to sit on the sofa, warm feets and cuppa of cocoa,tea or what ever is your favourite drink. Add few honey waffles, nut&raisin chocolates, delicious!

How I love this time of the year!
Dim light, mouth full of sweetness and cuddling at the sofa with the loved ones.

Le pont Saint Bénézet, known as Pont d'Avignon - water is up until the sidewalk.

Enjoying the fall with dry feets - Nokia's HAI boots [shark]

Our homestreet.

And our tiny blue door between the driving school and restaurant.
Can't wait to go home tonight after work...

Weird Friday

2011-11-04T18:49:00.001+01:00

Since few days,I have been sick. I almost decided not to go to school today because of that, but I wanted so badly to get the result of the first exam that I went anyway.

My morning started nicely with Leonie relaxing on my lap,looking like a baby.

I saw from the window that it is raining really heavily.. Little I did know that the rain could turn to something more...

First lesson,we were given our results in order, bad grades first and best ones last. I was sure my name would be called immediately, but when half of the students had already got their test - I was thinking there must be a mistake! But no, I actually got quite good grade of french «ecriture personnel». Not the best but higher than average in our group. I was so happy!

At the lunch break,we were looking from the windows ... gosh,there is a LOT of water in the streets... Our third lesson was about in half way when people started to receive messages that the rivers nearby are flooding. What? Floods? People started to call around and we got info from the main scool building that students needs to be evacuated. We waited until we got sign to leave, I went quickly to my car.

The roads were already full of cars,water everywhere. Few roads were blocked. I decided to go around the city on other side,trying to drive more far away from the flooding river. I called R earlier,then my phoneline died for a while. I wasn't sure if I was able to go home, as I heard that the old walls what are around our city will be blocked with sand bags. I reached R again by phone and I picked him up from work on the way. There was only one road flooding inside Avignon,luckily not in our neighbourhood. Now we are safe and in warm,rain has stopped for a while. We are waiting the second rain to hit Vaucluse area at night. Crazy,right?

If you are interested,go to google and search «Avignon inondation» pictures,amazing..

Halloween!

2011-10-30T17:52:00.001+01:00

Happy Halloween!

Do you have nice plans for the Halloween?

We are having a dinner with friends on Monday night.

I don't even have a costume or make up ideas..

Yet. Hopefully by tomorrow yes.

Any ideas?

Léonie is doing great, thank you all for the sweet comments.

I had my first exam at school, French & General culture, needed to write an essay.

The subject was really hard,I think, something like " Can our society exist without sports".

Eeh.. it was hard. I think it would have been easier of course in finnish, so I was struggling to write it in french.

I hope that I will still get more than zero from it ;)

I bought some fall decorations to home, as we haven't ever had any here.

Léonie found it very interesting and tried to eat all, specially the wheat. In the end, the decorations are now hidden at the time when we are not at home. Wheat is hanging on the wall, because she cannot resist it.

Cat owners (or any pets that likes to destroy stuff) do you have same problems?

Any new thing that comes to home, L needs to try and bite it.

All candles and decorations that were here when she did came first time, can stay in peace.

What about the christmas? Are we forced NOT to have a christmas tree? It´s my favourite holidays and if I can´t decorate..

A proof.

Few pieces missing.

cooking yummy things...

and we got some Aveyronnaise goodies.

Smashed potatoes with Tomme cheese.

And we got our first (EVER) Jack-O'Lanter for carving!

Raph made really good work, it looks so good.

One tiny critter is creeping around the table, getting closer..

it smells weird..

Have a funny and spooky Halloween!

Quick update

2011-10-22T07:37:00.001+02:00

Thank you for all the nice comments,

Léonie is back at home from the operation and already feeling much better!

She came home with lot of pain, but the next day she was already starting to move little bit and acting normally.

This morning, she was already running and came to sleep on my lap.

I wonder how long it takes the fur will grow back?

She looks weird without the fur, and so thin.

She actually lost weight during the stay at the clinic.

Léonie with her best buddy, Marcel the monkey.

Finally it's weekend, I hope to take some other photos to share than just Léonie ;)

Have a great weekend, my friend!

to-do list

2011-10-19T11:51:00.000+02:00

Do you sometimes feel like you have too many things to do and don't know where to start?

And the best idea is just to go to bed or watch tv?

I might need to start doing to-do lists.
It's not fun, because my to-do lists are not filled with fun stuff.
Maybe I need to create 2 lists, one for fun stuff and one for serious stuff.

I better start with the fun stuff.. it keeps me motivated:

Fun stuff:

* Try the sewing machine
* Buy pumpkins (decoration and real)
* Make peppermint patties
* Bake cupcakes
* Get a new haircut = fringe
* Take photos

photo seriouseats.com

Serious stuff:

* Finish the school presentation (in french!)
* Start reading for the coming exams (general culture and expression, economics and law.. yo, all in french)
* Keep on writing the company presentation (school project)
* Try to catch up with sports (it's been like a one year again since the last sporty moment)

photo weheartit

My feelings about the studies are are changing little by little,

I am starting to enjoy the new things. I realised that not everything in my courses are totally new,

I can actually manage through the lessons. When I am having a hard time, I have new friends there who are willing to help. Still, I am having mixed feelings about the coming exams - we have been there hardly one month.

Will I pass, what happends if I don't pass?

Stress.

I haven't had time for any hobbies lately, my camera has been packed away too long time - this weekend I need to take it out and try to appreciate the changing nature.

Fall is coming.

Léonie is going today to the clinic so she will be away from home until tomorrow evening.

No worries,she is absolutely fine now!

On weekend I am wishing to complete some of the fun tasks too;

R's parents are coming for lunch (trying out for roasted chicken recipe!)

maybe try some new baking recipes

to get some pumpkins from the market

and pop to the salon to ask when our friend M would have time to cut my hair.

With all these on my mind, I will continue working through that serious stuff to-do list.

Happy wednesday, everyone!

Being ill...

2011-10-11T18:46:00.001+02:00

Our sweet Léonie got sick 2 days ago.

I never thought that a simple upset stomach could turn to something more dangerous..

No longer than few days ago, she started to have bad stomach, refusing to eat and drink.

As cat shouldn´t stay without food and water, we were worried about her. I gave her water with a medical squirt, tried to make her eat. She did eat a little bit, and last night she was playing already. We thought it was better, until I woke up at 1am that she was sick again. We decided this morning that it´s time to call veterinary and I got a time for today.

And we just came back.. She is having a beginning of pyometra, infected uterus. It is really rare for cats,

and Leonie is only 6months old! We didn´t even have time to get her spayed before it did hit, I had an appointment for the operation for next week. Now she is under heavy antibiotics, hopefully she will be alright and can be operated next week.

Pyometra is the medical term used to describe an infected uterus. This infection can be open (draining pus from the vagina) or closed (pus is contained in the uterus by a closed cervix).

Pyometra can be a life threatening infection and may even require emergency surgery. A closed pyometra is more of an emergency than an open pyometra, since there is no drainage of pus in a closed pyometra. If left untreated, cats become very ill and some may not survive.

JkesselDesign wrote good about the subject

This isn´t only for cats, dogs can have it too, and other animals. Remember to get your pet spayed or neutered.
Now we are just hoping that Léonie will get better soon :)

Garden photos and life

2011-10-05T10:41:00.000+02:00

Hello friends!

Even I have been really busy lately, with the school and work, I wanted to share some photos from my trip to Finland. I love my mom's garden, with small vegetable patch for carrots, potatos, onions and others.

Carrots and strawberries living freely together.

It was already fall with 15 degrees, unlike here in France we still have around 30 degrees.

I'm quite ready for the crisp mornings, warm drinks and lovely wool shirts.

Come Fall, come!

I bought some organic tea's from Ruohonjuuri store, what is a bio store in Finland (but the teas are originally made in England)

I like the idea to have bio products and handmade things, I bought this bamboo dishcloth what is washable and long lasting.

And who doesn't love bikes?

Little bit of Tiramisu syprup for my coffee..

And peppermint extract for baking..

Some handmade marmelades

and lingonberry chocolates for R's sister (for her birthday)

Yup, so I started the school. How it went? Thank you for asking -

I'm in trouble.

It is so hard to study in french, my first reaction was to quit it and leave to Finland.

As I did came twice back home crying, I really don't feel like going back there anymore.

Since everybody is waiting much from me, I don't have a choise than try and continue..

I'm not happy with my life, so far. Maybe it will get easier.

Tomorrow back to school.

[long sigh]

I need to find back the positive thoughts, so I made a list:

- I got a sewing machine from my sister!

- Léonie is finally behaving nicely at night (she needs to sleep in another room,though), and we can sleep.

- Next Saturday is supposed to be many shootings stars at evening, we will go and see these with R.

- Mexican picnic on sunday as it's our friend's birthday

And I just need to find time for trying the sewing machine.

Have a great wednesday!

Visiting: h o m e

2011-09-26T21:38:00.001+02:00

When I take the plane back to Finland, my heart is ripped in two pieces. I take half with me, but other half stays in France in my second home, with my sweethearts R and Léonie. Anyone who has two homes, two countries, knows how it feels. I love visiting both homes. Living in both homes. But I can´t have both at same time, so I needed to choose and it was time to visit Finland.

As I just bought a new phone, I have been snapping photos with it all the time. That much I forgot that I had my Canon with me. I still took some with it, but it was easier to drop the phone to the small bag and just go out.

I saw few friends of mine too, it has been so long. I feel very disconnected of the world of friends, I don´t have any in France right now. Not close ones at least, with whom I could share things, have a hobby and go out. Of course I have Raphaël but I would like to have a friend. Do you feel the same, that it is really hard to find good friends when you are an adult? Specially in another country.. I do feel alone there still.

We drove to Turku to help my sister to renovate her new home. It is a lovely wooden house in the center of Turku, but a lot of work to do in small time - I got little bit annoyed too to use my holidays (selfish) to paint and rip off the old kitchen.We have our own company for renovating projects so we (whole family) where there. I was the worst, as I have a quick temper in these things and my back and wrists are not made for heavy projects like this. So my dad was working like crazy whole week. No need to hire pro's as we have few in our family.

I did eat way too much chocolate and salmiakki, I went to see Stand Up Turku! -show [what was g r e a t] ate in a really good restaurant [pasta.. I was so sick after] went to the movies and walked out after one hour, it was first time ever I saw a movie full of crap [tree of life..] I ate the biggest muffin ever in my life, it took me whole day to finish it. I laughed. I spoke finnish. I was at home. Tomorrow my plane will leave back to the second home. I will see my sweethearts again. Luckily R has been keeping me up to date and sent me many sweet emails with photos of Léonie.

And I did color my hair here. I went 9 months without any color and now I saw how weird it did look in sunlight. So now I am brunette again. I like it.

And look who is saying hello!

Is it a cat or an owl?

I hope you have a great week, I will be back in France tomorrow.

I am living pretty exciting times, on thursday I am having my first day in school!

Wish me luck [M E R D E! in french]

early morning

2011-09-17T06:41:00.001+02:00

I discovered the sweet life of Starbucks while visiting Amsterdam, you know we have Starbucks in Paris and Marseille only, but nothing between (I guess). I visited once in Paris but took hot chocolate (duh.. should be coffee) so this time, the two times I had breakfast there I tried different flavoured lattes. Loved the vanilla latte, adored the hazelnut! And the blueberry muffins! (no need to mention that we do not have Starbucks in Finland,at all..)

I had one evening to visit the center of Amsterdam, as it was a worktrip and we were working around the clock (almost!)The center is quite interesting, specially when you get lost in the red light district.

Butter Waffles, eat one and you feel sugar running in your veins.

So yes, it was a worktrip to the biggest tradeshow for the creation,management and delivery of broadcasting media and entertainment.

Propably the most expencive display there was from Sony, they had one hall for themselves.

pictures from my phone

In 35mins I am supposed to wake up (thanks to Léonie, I woke up at 5am) and then get ready to....

FINLAND!

Yes, indeed, I'm taking my plane this morning!

So I wish everyone a great weekend and see you after the holidays.

news from our area

2011-09-12T21:06:00.001+02:00

I came back late last night back to France from my work trip to Amsterdam. This afternoon, I got a phonecall from my sister telling that there has been explosion in the nuclear site near us.

I am more than relieved that it was clearned safe and no leaks and that it didn't happend in the actual nuclear reactors. We are located just 20-30km (13-18miles) from the area.

In the few hours without actual information what has happened, I did actually search information what to do in case of the leak, and was already thinking should we buy iodine. Actually anyone located this near the nuclear sites, should always have iodine at home. We don't have, but maybe for the future I will get some...

For the nicer things, work trip went fine even it was really tiring. I worked 7 full days last week, came home so tired. Still I am, have been just home relaxing. I try to post some photos later. In one week, I will travel to Finland :)

AFP - At least one person was killed and four injured in a blast at a nuclear site in the south of France on Monday as the government sought to play down fears of a radioactive leak.

France's state nuclear regulator had said earlier that there was a risk of a leak after the blast at Codolet in the Rhone Valley near the southern city of Nimes.

Despite killing one person and wounding at least four more, the blast "did not cause any radioactive leak", a spokesman at the energy ministry said.

National electricity provider EDF confirmed the initial death toll following the explosion in an oven at the site.

Few days offline..

2011-09-09T06:00:00.000+02:00

Dans le port d'Amsterdam

Y a des marins qui chantent

Les rêves qui les hantent

Au large d'Amsterdam

Dans le port d'Amsterdam

Y a des marins qui dorment

Comme des oriflammes

Le long des berges mornes

Dans le port d'Amsterdam

Y a des marins qui meurent

Pleins de bière et de drames

Aux premières lueurs

Mais dans le port d'Amsterdam

Y a des marins qui naissent

Dans la chaleur épaisse

Des langueurs océanes

(Jacques Brel - Amsterdam)

both pictures MondoSport Travel

I'm off for the trip to Amsterdam!

I doubt that I will have time for sight-seeing or anything else from the work schedule I have..
And I just got my hands on the new Samsung Galaxy S 2 (any recommendations for cool apps?)
so this will be my only camera on the trip - limited space, no DSLR.

See you next week , ystävät!

memories

2011-09-05T09:42:00.003+02:00

2008.. We drove over 900km and more than 13 hours to reach this beautiful place called Salla in Lapland.

This photo was taken in January, afternoon sun at winter time.

And when the sun goes down..

Still so beautiful.

good stuff.

2011-08-31T19:40:00.002+02:00

I've been home for last two days, both working and relaxing. As I'm really really tired (thanks to Léonie who wakes me up between 5am..6am every morning,either trying to chew an electric cord or amputate my ankle) I have spent the days doing nothing.

No, that would be a lie.

I did go to the library Ceccano to get new book (Can you keep a secret? by Sophie Kinsella) by the way, it's hilarious! And in one day I read half of it..

Yes and also I did also walk yesterday to R's office at evening, then we walked to see a house outside the remparts, ancient walls that are around the city of Avignon. You see, we live intra muros and then there is the rest, extra muros.

Here you go

So the walls are pictured with blue color.

I forgot the point of this.. almost.

So we went to see the house, but it was too near the big road and way too noisy and the house was too petite, so we are not moving anywhere,yet. We are looking for the almost perfect one.

Léonie's grass has been growing, and I bought a basil. I wish I could say I did grow it from seed, but..

I admit, everything dies under my green thumb and I bought the basil from the market. But you see, I can grow grass for my cat.

I'm not sure if I made something wrong with the grass anyway, as Léonie looks like drunk.

It's not cat mint, either.

serveuse! my shrimp sauce is finished!

Give me more sauce!

One of my favourite breakfast.. greek yoghurt with or without anything.

If you don't know how to choose a wine, I'll tell you! Go to the store, and either

- Follow some older french man, who is picking the wines. Follow him until he has chosen and take the same bottle.

- OR choose the bottle by it looks, as it's pretty.

You see, it's really simple!

I used both and never got a bad one.

I made today some meringue because the stupid store next to us was asking almost 5 euros for tiny bag.

So I made it and it's even more better than the ones from store! 2 egg whites and 125gr of sugar makes 2 plates like that. I ate half of them at once, I feel bit sick.. overdose from sugar?

Mariskool bowl from Iittala, Finland

Okay, my days at home are boring.

Eeh..

Two days of work left and it's weekend!

A bientôt!

random photos...

2011-08-28T08:41:00.000+02:00

Morning coffees..

Playing with Léonie..

Summer is perfect with fresh veggies and fruits!

I am happy because

- The heat is gone and we have fresh air! I can sleep again.

- in 2 weeks I will visit Amsterdam for the first time (work trip!) and in 3 weeks I vill go to Finland!

- Léonie has been really sweet kitten, lots of sleeping next to me

- Soon R is finished (hopefully) with his extra work and we have time together

- We are looking for a new home with a terrace

Have a nice sunday!

Ps. Thank you for the sweet comments and lovely to see you, new followers!

relax..take it easy.

2011-08-19T17:12:00.000+02:00

Have a relaxing weekend!

We're off for the second mini break!

With Léonie!

Isn't she cute?

mini break

2011-08-17T13:20:00.000+02:00

...camping...

...beach...

....relaxing in the sun...

...road trip...

....snorkeling..

...canoeing...

that was our mini break last weekend.

something want I want?

2011-08-10T11:17:00.000+02:00

Or could I say, something what I NEED?

I'm having a problem.. Soonish I will be traveling for my work and guess what?

I don't even own any pants. Just 2 pairs of jeans and then some jeans-look-a-likes, leggings.

So no pants, what I will wear at the trip?

I must be a disaster when it comes to the clothes..

Then one thing is, I should learn how to walk with high heels.

I use always flats and sneakers, even at work I always have ballerinas

(please notice, we don't have any dress code)

Not too high heel, small enough for beginner.

Any tips?

I love this style, but it's way too high.

I would love to have that kind of blazer, too.

I am trying to figure out the basics I need for my wardrobe,

if you have good ideas please share!

I can tell honestly that I have random pieces of clothes that doesn't match and mix.

And when it comes to the things I need,

I really have a huge need for wool shirts because I love winter clothes.

I am going to get my hands on this shirt when I travel to Finland.

So, a list of basic clothes what every woman needs?

where I can find it?

Just reserved

2011-08-04T19:09:00.000+02:00

A trip to visit HOME!

I am so glad and I can't wait it.

The down side is that I'm going alone, R will stay here working and taking care of Léonie.

It will be sweet to walk again on the ground I know so well.

Have you ever visited Finland?

Or would you like to visit?

2011-08-03T18:28:00.004+02:00

Give me food!

or I will eat this eggplant..

consider yourself as warned.

miam.

outside.

2011-08-01T18:18:00.002+02:00

Last friday R took a day off from work and we spend a long weekend together.

We decided on friday to take Léonie outside, for a walk.

She is really supercat and all new things are alright to her.

Like her harness, took me 2 times to get her used to it and then we went outside.

I think she did love it, she was full of energy to explore the forest and hopping around.

When we got home, she fell asleep immediately and slept whole evening.

Is she a dog or what? with the tongue out.

She does that after a playing inside too, just when it's too warm.

Right now, I'm not working.

My contract ended last week and we are waiting to make the new one.

The news are, I'm starting my studies again after summer and the contract is apprenticeship contract

so I will be working 3 days a week and 2 days a school. Hopefully after 2 full years I'll have a french degree as a Management Assistant. I have same sort of degree from Finland but as it's not known in France

it's safer to me to do french degree and have a safe life here with a french diploma and possibilities with my career.

So about that I'm not working, I had time today to cook properly.

I made feta-zucchini-bacon cake and tomato tabouleh.

Taboulé (like french people say) is super nice at summer as it's cold and fresh.

You can vary the ingrediences, this was the first time I made it at home and it's actually so simple.

I was just scared to make it, as i'm bad with the bulgur.

a l w a y s I do something wrong and it gets sticky or too watery.

This time, perfect.

Saturday evenign we went to a party, and we ended up going to bed at 4am.

The worst part on this story is, that I wasn't that sleepy and woke up at 7am.

Whole sunday without a nap and just 3 hours sleep, I started feeling weird in the end of the day.

We just laid on the sofa WHOLE day watching Dexter.

Great sunday. It was even more great to finally go to bed and sleep.

I went through my clothes and put away few things I didn't need.

I ironed all clean ones, and folded everything nicely. It's so different now, since it used to be stuffed and all clothes wrinkled, a mess. Now it's in order, I try to keep my closet that way.

I think I will allow someday myself to buy a sewing machine (and a new hoover, I "cleaning addict" want something that works properly) I hope that doesn't count. I have a pile of clothes that needs taking in from the seams, so I think the machine would be a good thing.

wednesday feelings

2011-07-27T17:46:00.000+02:00

Sleepy Léonie.

a new resolution - can I really do this?

2011-07-24T10:37:00.000+02:00

As being the newest reader of the amazing blog Flourish in Progress

I dug deeper and deeper the posts until I found Elisabeth's Project.

She decided to stop the maniac (sorry to say maniac but it sounds like) shopping when she turned 30, until she will turn to 31.

So the thing?

I need to try this. I don't know I ever have been successfully engaged to something like this, that I will really manage keeping my resolution.. There has been plenty of times that I promise to eat better and start sports ( a lifetime change, umm..) yea it didn't ever work out that well.

My problem is,

I buy clothes that after a few times using these, I don't like these anymore.

If I do like, I use these of course but now I'm forced to use clothes that doesn't feel good either.

I keep everything in my closet and these doesn't fit in.

Then I buy some more. and more.

I don't even remeber the time when my clothes would have actually be broken and I would throw away something. Yes, my clothes looks like used but no holes or broken seams. I don't even own a sewing machine to fix my clothes. But hey, these were not broken.

Okay. So I have a problem. And this is how to get rid of it.

No shopping for a year, counting from today,24th of July.

I made a list, what are big no's and what are still OK to buy.

List of things I CAN'T buy:

- Clothes (new socks,undies etc are OK if everything's breaking)

- Shoes (unless I break my shoes and these are useless)

- Accessories

- Decoration to home/ Home furnishings

- Books and magazines (use library only)

- Junk food

List of things I CAN buy:

- food, cleaning things and supplies for home

- make up, only when the old one is finished
- cat things for Léonie
- Gifts for friends and family
- Finland related things (like special food and goodies when visit family once a year)
- Cafe/drinks on the cafe's and terrace, with friends (I don't ever go alone, anyway)

I think also my problem is the cheap clothes, that I think are so cheap that I can buy all the time - in the end I have bunch of clothes that doesn't look good after few wash, and with the amount of money I could have got one quality thing what is long lasting.

So what I am waiting from this?

I want to learn how to save money, get space in my wardrobe, learn how to match my old clothes and stop thinking too much how I look and that I would look better in new clothes (what is incorrect since I buy the ones I don't like).

Hzave you ever decided something unexpected like this?

perfect trip to Venezzia

2011-07-21T10:13:00.003+02:00

QWe're back! We spend 6 great days traveling around, walking until our feets were hurting and bellies full of pizza. Italian pizza! I wish we could always be on vacation, but it was nice to come home and pick up Léonie from her daycare,too.

Thursday morning, after late night dinner with friends and taking Léonie to friends place, we were tired but excited to start our trip towards Mougins (near Cannes) to stay 2 nights at friends place.

For the evening, as it was 14th of July, there was fireworks at the beach near La Croisette and we decided to have picnic there.

Next day, after a good sleep, we drove to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat to spend afternoon at the beach and walking around.

On saturday we packed our things and took a direction to Venice! A long day head of us, Raph drove again whole way. I did just look at the beautiful sights and sleep on the way.

It took whole day from Mougins,France (Alessandria, Piacenza, Brescia,Verona) to arrive to the airport of Venice in the late afternoon, to take boat from the airport to Rialto and then walk to our B&B located in Dorsoduro near l'Accademia.

And the place was amazing. R had planned everything, without I knew he had reserved this cute place to stay.

Our B&B Casa di Sara was a lovely house located perfectly outside of the tourist areas, we saw many corners of Venice where local people were living,too.

Our street

Campanile at San Marco

San Marco

Raph had planned a small budget for us to take Gondola, if we can get a good price.

The prices can chage between 80 euros to many hundreds, depends when and what kind of.

The gondola was amazing!

We stayed in Venezzia for 2 nights, then we started our trip back to France on Monday morning.

We drove to Milan, near the airport we had a nice hotel reserved and we spend the evening there.

We had a 4 star hotel, and the restaurant was the same, or even more - expencive!

We ate there, and our tiny tiny tiny dinner was 28euros with -20% reduction.. guess what we had with that price?

4(!!) raviolis per person and a glass of wine, then we shared a bottle of water. So altogether 8 raviolis and 2 glass of wine, one bottle of water was 28euros. phew. I felt really embarrased to leave the restaurant after that, but as we were hungry, we did end up to drive to a local pizzeria and took pasta carbonara! haha!

This time the plate was full and it was so much less expencive, and good!

We went sleep with bellis full of pasta and got up early enough to drive back to home.

This time we crossed Alps!

We drove from Milan to Torino, and from there to Briançon,France.

It was beautiful.. We were not that lucky as it was raining, but there was still snow at the alps and really cold weather. I didn't think we would en up to have 4 degrees up there at summer.

We were supposed to drive to Gap from Briançon, but guess what?

Our road was closed because of the Tour de France! It didn't ever cross our minds to check that before, so of course it was exactly our road to home and we couldn't take it. GPS recalculated new road for us, what took little bit longer for us. We drove to the small mountains we had never heard of , had actually really nice way back to home. We wanted to avoid taking the highway for 2 reasons, in France it's paying and second, you don't see much landscapes like when you take small roads.

This amazing place was just few hours from home, it was nice to discover new corners of France.

Now we're back home, I have been washing clothes and just relaxing here. R went just back to work, I need to go back to the office tomorrow too. The holidays were short but so great, I'm so thankful to have so lovely boyfriend who made this kinf of surprise for me. As if you remember, the trip was a birthday gift :)

Tonight we are going to see some fireworks in Avignon, as the 14th July evening here was cancelled because of the Mistral wind. Then it's soon weekend, few more days to relax at home.

I will continue my battle with the laundry, now.

Have a great rest of the week!

few days at home

2011-07-08T09:11:00.000+02:00

Good morning, how was your week?

It's been a busy week for us, with Léonie. My mind is busy all the time, thinking that the kitty is alright.
Even at night time, I keep on waking up from my sleep, worried. She has been so nice cat, that no need to worry but it's just my mind trying to play tricks on me.

This week the Festival d'Avignon started. Loads of posters everywhere, tourists and action.
In our square, there is many restaurants so it's busy night and day, it is the hardest time of the year to try and sleep. We are lucky to have holidays soon.

When Léonie came to us, she was almost immediately like at home. She had few problems what the veterinary took care of and she didn't eat that much. But now one week has passed and she's eating enough and being an energetic kitten.

I'm quite busy still, this weekend so I'll be away from here,too. Hopefully I will come back with bunch of photos and stories to tell.

Have a lovely weekend!

Léonie

2011-07-01T08:12:00.003+02:00

edit. Okay, Léonie visited the veterinary today as we found out that "he" has fleas and sneezing a bit.. So off we went, and first thing the doctor told that he is actyally SHE, so it's a girl! And yes she has fleas, we got her all meds agains this and worms etc. and vaccined too. She should be healthy kitty soon :)

She is finally here!

She is so sweet little kitty!

First days of summer

2011-06-24T18:01:00.000+02:00

Hello.

Last saturday we were celebrating A & T's first year of marriage, with the friends.

They had rented this super nice provencal house from St.Pantaleon,

it was the same house where was the wedding reception last year.

Too bad; we got windy evening so no swimming in the pool!

I might or might not drank too much sangria,since I had horrible headache next whole day.

mmmm.. those cherries were delicious. That is the kind of garden I would love to have ;)

too bad that house is 3000€ per week to rent.

My back hurts.

On 21st, it was the first day of summer and traditionally also the music festival day in France.

Our small city, full of people. I knew already in the beginning of the evening that it will be hard to sleep at night,

but I didn't guess that next morning my back would be wreck from the standing and watching concerts.

We were at the allees de l'Oulle where our friend Ludo was playing too, and then there was this group called Pep's what was really great,too!

So where I was.. yes, the concerts on the streets of Avignon were mostly DJ's and really loud. We went back home around midnight as the next very day was working day for most of the people (errr.. not me). With earplugs, windows closed and fan whipping whole night, we survived.

No noise, but my back was just really bad next morning.
On tuesday, my friend H, from the university french class did came to visit Avignon.
We spend nice evening together and then the next day.. what else than shopping!
We always end up shopping together....

We planned to go to Palavas beach,
but the morning was rainy so we skipped that- very bad idea,
as the rain passed and heat got until 30 degrees or more.

Uh oh, tyesterday was the last day of the work this week; today I still had french lesson and now I'm free for the weekend. It's midsummer in Finland and I miss the traditions terribly. I talked with my mom in the msn just to ask if they have plans for the midsummer but she told me that they are going to have a huge storm so I guess nothing fun happens.

By the way, does anyone of you have Samsung Galaxy S phone?
Or is everyone into the iPhones?
I want a smartphone but can't put all my money to it (uh I think 629€.... 739€ is TOO MUCH!)

so this seems like a good choise and not too expencive with current sales.

Samsung Galaxy S and iPhone.

I found supercute pouches from Ven Ven's Etsy so I'm going to order one or 2 nice ones to protect it more. I'm really messy with my handbag so I prefer to protect the new phone.

Minimal pouch by Ven Ven

I just whipped up raspberry cheesecake for tomorrow's music festival, that our friends are organising and R is going to play there too. Hopefully can snap some pictures there, too. And of the cheesecake when it's ready.It takes 3,5hours to bake and needs to cool down for 6 hours, so it's a looong waiting before tasting.

So friends, what are your weekend plans?

Anything nice coming up?

I hope you all have nice and relaxing weeked!

I've been waiting for you.. and still waiting.

2011-06-17T08:53:00.001+02:00

weheartit

This weekend was supposed to be the weekend.

Our kitten was supposed to come home, on sunday.

IT WAS PLANNED since the kitty was 8 days old.

(maybe you can see that I'm really in a bad mood)

I asked R to call the owner

(pardon me, but the first time I called to the owner, I couldn't understand a word)

So yes, R is calling for them. And we got the news that the owner is not at home, she will be back in 2 weeks only and the kitties are living somewhere else (?!) for this time.

What the hell..

Why they didn't let us know..

I was so sad whole day when I got the news,

I'm almost sure that there's no kitty for us.

I hope he is still there and we can get him in 2 weeks, then.

It's just NOT the first weird thing the owner does, so that's why I'm doubting.

Oh well.. I am still trying to keep the hope.

We are going this weekend to celebrate our friends first anniversary (they got married last summer)

at really cool provencal house, with swimming pool and everything.

I'll be picking up cherries and relaxing.

How about you?

Have a lovely weekend.

surprise

2011-06-15T12:15:00.006+02:00

Last night, Raph took me to the restaurant as a surprise.

We went to the Le Bercail what is located in the Île de la Bathelasse,

just on the other side of Rhône river.

Kir and muscat, our aperitif

I had a handsome date

I look so tired, but this was the only ok looking picture of the 3 what was taken of me ;)

Avignon by night, isn't it beautiful?

You can see the Pont d'Avignon (Pont St.Bénezet) and up up in the rocky thing is a park called Rocher des Doms.

And from the park, you can walk until the Palais des Papes.

somewhere behind these ancien walls, is our little apartment.

The other day when I went for jogging, that is the road I run around.

I was already so excited of the evening at the restaurant,

and I couldn't even guess what was still coming..

When I opened this letter what Raph gave me, my eyes filled with tears.

It was really hard not to cry - I was so happy!

A trip to Venice!

and it says J-32 so we will go on July there!

Merci mon coeur, tu est le meilleur.

Thank you sweet friends for the birthday wishes.

soon 28.

2011-06-13T17:43:00.001+02:00

The sunny days are back, it's time for a salads and homemade croutons.

Croutons are really delicious and easy to make. Even I shouldn't eat bread,
I had few in my greek salad today.
Just need pieces of bread, mix with olive oil, salt, pepper and what ever you want and bake in oven.
easy, right?
I did use garlic,basil and chili for these.

I just came back from jogging, it's been too long time since the last one.

It's more hard to start sports again when it's really hot and sunny all the time. But I went and survived.

Yes yes, so the twenty-eight.

It's tomorrow, my birthday. I'm pretty glad to turn 28, I'm happy to get older.

Where's the wrinkles? I would love to have few..

I'm quite fed up for the people telling to me that I look so young, like 15.

Or their faces when they hear I'm 27 or older than they are.

ha ha. well, at least I will look good when I'm 40!

I got myself new shoes,

And kitty stuff for little L who is coming on sunday!

homemade ice cream with liquorice sauce

bad bad bad idea if want to get rid of the tummy!

I went to the hairdresser [Black Orchid] last friday, I kept my own hair color but went for the wavy hair.

I am really happy about it, so long for the days I'm fighting against the flat, dull hair.

I have thumb in a middle of my hand (it's a finnish expression when you are bad in something)

when it comes to my hair, so I haven't been able to do yet any nice wavy hair-do, or take picture of it.

But I'm loving this.

For the rest of the week, I hopefully will be celebrating a little bit, seeing friends and of course,

I need to work tomorrow.

Hope you all will have amazing week!

Bises.

edit 14th June:

my birthday - workday look :)

monday, sleepy monday

2011-06-06T10:16:00.000+02:00

This is how I feel

.... Monday in 5 pictures....

I wish I could go back to bed...

but instead of that

I'm working.

pics weheartit.com

rainy day

2011-06-02T14:10:00.001+02:00

I'm the one who says that rainy day sucks, but I love still walking in the rain.

When I woke up this morning, the hard Mistral was gone and it was raining.

R went to work, even it's free day from work - in France everyone needs to work one jour férié

per year - so they decided to work. But I didn't have to go to work, so I stayed home, googling how to protect my DSRL from the rain. Plastic bag and rubber band and it was ready-to-go.

I drove to the island next to Avignon, got lost and then stopped to nice place to take some photos.

On the time I was out from the car, the rain stopped. So my plastic bag cover didn't get tested.

I somehow always find myself taking pictures of horses, they are just magical animals.

Like I said, when it rains.. go outside.

the world did look so much more brighter outside than from the window.

And it made nice morning walk too, for the lazy one.

I can't belive it's already June, this month there is so many things happening.

Friday we will have some evening with old school friends of R,there is music festival coming, my birthday, out kitten arrives, our friends one year anniversary weekend, fishing/camping weekend to plan..

June rocks!

Happy thursday!

ps. I need to figure out what to do to my hair,
I have pretty fair skin, blue/grey eyes (see my picture in about page..) and darn too light eyebrows.
So haircolor?
light, dark, brown,blond?
straight or wavy?

And yes, it will be a hairdresser who does the coloring this time.

la plage: Palavas les Flots

2011-05-31T11:20:00.003+02:00

We did hit the beach first time this year on sunday. It was just perfect weather, +30 with the cool breeze.
Since I burn really easily because of the fair skin, this time I did splash sun cream already at home, more than 2 hours before the tanning. And it did save my skin, mostly, but I forgot one thigh - sunburn!

I didn't dare to take my camera to the beach, because of the amount of people and I don't want it to be stolen. I have older Canon what I wanted to take, but it requires 4 batteries and I forgot to charge these.
that's how my memory works - I need to do lists and notes to remember everything.

So here is one picture of the beach day with R's iphone. I'm not really into to the latest smart phones and stuff, but I want quite badly the iphone 4 because of the cool apps to take quickly nice photos.
like these times when I can't take my DSRL with me.

So, do you take your expencive SRL to the beach?
Are you ever worried that it could get stolen?

hello hello.

2011-05-25T09:50:00.005+02:00

Hello, everyone.

It has been long time since the last post. I felt like there's nothing special to share,but..

There was still something.

My parents visited 1,5 weeks ago here! They came on wednesday evening to see us, they had to spend thursday by themselves driving around Marseille and then we had 3 days together before they left up to the north again, by car.

Did I told you, they always take a boat from Finland to Germany, then long drive from the harbour to south France. That makes 27 hours in the boat, then long 1500km by car.

So we visited cities, villages and had family time together. When they left, we cried. I felt so bad, that few days after I was still weepy, when driving from work to home, I felt like crying.

It's always hard to be apart from your family. This decision, to be away from my family is heavy in my heart.

But I can't be in two places what I love,same time.

Maybe someday we can have tiny house by a lake, in Finland, we can visit there when ever we want.

Nuuksio National Park, Finland

I told in the other post, that we decided to take a cat. My feelings about it has gone from being crazy happy to crazy worried, you know when your life is about to change and you feel all the extreme emotions. This is what is happening to me, with a cat! ha ha. It's just a long wait before he is coming home, almost one month still.

So in the end of june, we will have the little guy here.

I sure will share some photos when the owner will send those.

Fontaine

de Vaucluse

I haven't been taking photos lately,I need to take my camera out more.

It's been +30 every day, and it's way too warm for a northern girl like me.

I can't have walk outside without being in the edge of heatstroke.. Can't even think of sports outside.

I just keep on dreaming of the garden, nice patio and evenings with a barbeque.

Hope you all have great week!

NaturAvignon

2011-05-10T08:57:00.000+02:00

last sunday we had amazing weather and we spent the morning in the "NaturAvignon" happening,

I was mostly interested to see the local and bio producers.

I love markets.

In our square, we have every saturday local market, and just next to our house is a cyclopanier boutique, for local and bio veggies, fruits and products.

from this herb seller, we bought a basil, just need to plant it and hope the southern sun and heat won't kill it this time.. Any tips?

I also found yerba mate, I have had it on my mind since I read about it in Boho Girl's blog.

I drink it plain but that vanilla rice milk sounds really good, maybe i try to find some and test this recipe.

Yerba Mate (pronounced "Mah-Tay") is truly a remarkable herbal beverage which ranks exceptionally high in nutritional content among brewed or steeped drink products. For pennies a serving, a cup of yerba mate provides more value and is more cost effective than many manufactured energy drinks or meal replacement options on the market. Additionally, a large number of consumers trying to kick the coffee habit have found yerba mate to be a healthful, yet still stimulating, alternative to their cup of joe.

yerba mate

This market had so many interesting things,

but unfortunately the bio makes everything ridiculously expencive.

I can find local (and even bio) things around the city less pricey..

there were honey producer, who sold honey candies with bees ;)

On our way back, R showed me something sweet. he knew there was petits poulains,

small foals near in the area, so we stopped by to say hello.

Yes I am supercute!

this one was little bit shy, wanted to come and say hello but didn't dare, yet.

the other one stayed with the mama, like foals does when they are small.

we need to go back when they start to run around.

Happy (late) Mother's day to all moms ,

I called my äiti on sunday and we had nice talk.

my family is visiting soon here, so happy about that!

w a p p u is here: peek for the goodies.

2011-04-30T16:45:00.000+02:00

Last year, I decided that I want to cherish more the finnish traditions and I made some vappu (1st of May) goodies. This year, I continue the traditions. I know many people loses some of their culture on the way when moving to another country, as I feel like what is happening to me.

So I found some recipes, made some sima (mead) and tippaleipä (some sort of churros)
and I will cook some traditional lunch today.

Tippaleipä

and sima

Sima is traditional mead, fermented lemon and sugar drink. When I was choosing the recipes, I didn't even think that it would make around 6 litres of sima and 3 full plates of tippaleipä. And we are just the 2 of us.
Tonight, we will go to see the last game of Avignon volleyball team where E is playing, then my finnish friends M will go back to Finland. So sad.. hopefully I can travel to Finland to see her soon!

Traditionally, 1st of May, you take your graduation hat and have picnic at the park.
Sparkling wine and strawberries!

Have a great Vappu & 1st of May,dears.

Ps. Our little tabby kitten will arrive home in the end of june!
stay tuned to see photos at summer :)

pääsiäinen.

2011-04-25T10:08:00.000+02:00

Hyvää Pääsiäistä!

Happy Easter!

I got a huge bag of easter eggs from R,

I gave him Ferrero Rocher chocolates (his favourites).

and then we got dark chocolates from the family.

chocolates everywhere.

How was your Easter? :)

lovely prints and being sick.

2011-04-20T14:13:00.000+02:00

I have been following for a while Éadaoin's blog called

City of Blackbirds

And you know what, I won amazing prints of her

when she had giveaway on her blog last month!

So today when I came back from the doctor's office, I had these 3 lovely prints waiting.

I need to find frames for these, and put to the wall.

Have a look at her lovely blog and etsy store!

I will keep a little pause from blogging, just to get healthy again.

I'm having bronchitis and fever, but still need to wait 48hours before starting the antibiotics.

So off I'll go to bed, continue reafing my book called "The Book of Negroes" by Lawrence Hill

I think this is the canadian version, as in USA the book is called "someone knows my name".

It is amazing story. and maybe a little bit of sleep would do good too..

Have a lovely wednesday, all!

seriously.

2011-04-19T09:46:00.000+02:00

I haven't touched my camera much lately, we didn't do anything special at weekend either..

where is my life?

Well, I somehow got myself trapped with bad habits again, so I have been baking.

I made carrot cake and few flans. Carrot cake was success, so good that didn't stop to take pictures.

And yes, I have been feeling ill because of that crap I ate.

Flans were good, not really fan of it but it was fun to make and the taste was better than I expected

I have been sugar high few days and I'm tired

yes it looks funny, but taste was good!

So due the tired feeling, I haven't done anything lately.

where is all my hobbies, passions?

sleeping, I guess.

I need to get out!

seriously.

sunday trip: the riverside

2011-04-12T14:07:00.000+02:00

Sunday, what a lovely day.

This day is made for good things.

We spend afternoon at the river, relaxing and taking sun.

And thank you for the comments on the last post,
I had my first workday on Monday and it went fine.
Now I'm learning to write with azerty keyboard istead of the qwerty, so it takes a LOT of time to write
simple things.

Happy week, everyone!

today.is.the.day

2011-04-05T18:08:00.000+02:00

Dear all, I have great news.

What can I say, except I am super happy!

It's a job from my own area

(office job!)

not too far away from home,

I can speak mainly english at the work (and french too)

what else could I ask for ?

It feels good.

ps. I bought peanut butter lately,it tastes bad. (sorry anyone who loves it)

anyway, I did think of different things where peanut butter would fit

and remembered that snickers tastes like peanut butter.

well, I took a spoonfull of peanut butter with nutella.

Heaven.

first weekend of April - Lake Peiroou

2011-04-03T16:13:00.000+02:00

Yesterday afternoon we drove to the lac de Peiroou,near St. Rémy de Provence.

It's the first time we drove there, as we didn't actually know there would be a lake in Provence.

And then we saw the signs, no swimming. the lake area is closed from june to september.

What is this lake without you can swim and visit there at summer?

well, It's still nice for early summer picnics and walks at nature.

At the other side of the lake, there was stables.

And the paddocks with beautiful horses.

After sitting by the lake, we had a short walk behind the lake.

It was relaxing, with forest and flowers around us.

I miss being close to nature, to be able to have walks in a forest easily.

I grow up living next to forest, I was always outside and discovering new places

when I moved to my first apartment in Helsinki, it was located in an island

where I had all the nature and sea around me.

Living in Tampere was amazing too,

I had forest next to the building and a lake just 10 minutes by bike.

Finland is known of it's lakes, there is lakes everywhere.

That I miss from my home,too.

Lakes.

Now living in the heart of this city, I'm staying more inside

as I don't like to walk on the streets everyday.

I want the nature back.

what's for lunch - few photos from the cuisine

2011-03-30T19:00:00.002+02:00

I love cooking. I might not be the best in it, but I truly love it. And baking.

cakes. muffins. chocolate, you name it.

It has been a good season of avocados, I think I haven't ever eaten real avocado before I came to France.

Yes, I'm ashamed.

I used to buy ready made guacamole in Finland, avocados were quite more expensive than here.

But then, i got the groove.

I started to buy these everytime I went shopping.. spiced avocados eaten with spoon are great.. homemade guacamole is excellent.

So yes, I have now my favourite recipe of guacamole, eaten with fresh spinach or salad.

(not with nachos anymore..)

I love cooking so much that I even brought my Jamie Oliver mortar from Finland to France.

You know, it weights a ton. luckily it came by car with my parents.

And I have thing for lemons too. Now I buy 4 lemons a week, just for cooking. If I don't cook it, I drink it.

Love the bitter taste of lemon.

Guacamole getting ready.

It was so delicious that I din't have time to take picture when it was ready.

I did put some french spinach leafs on the plate, and guacamole in the middle.

Sprinkle with olive oil, (good) vinegar and lemon juice.

Guacamole

for 2

1 big ripe avocado

small shallot (or half of small onion)

pepper,salt,chili pepper, rosé pepper

olive oil and lemon juice

mix all together and leave it for half an hour to get all flavours

The other day, I cooked first time some stuffed zucchinis, it came out pretty well and delicious

round zucchinis with spinach salad

I cook everyday, from scratch, mainly lunch. We eat everyday together lunch with R, as in France

most of the people has 1,5hour lunch break. As R is working pretty near our home, he walks here and we have lunch together. That's excellent!

Most of the nights we'll cook together.

what's on your menu, mes amis?

ps. Adele - Rolling In The Deep

Spring garden

2011-03-28T10:54:00.000+02:00

Today when I woke up, I felt good. Sleeping in our bed is good.

We spend the whole weekend at the parents, helping to pack everything into the boxes,

the big house renovation project is about to start.

There we slept in R's old bedroom, in a sofabed, I didn't sleep good at all.

My back was aching, so I'm glad to sleep in our bed again.

Saturday was great, sun shining and so warm.

After lunch I napped in the sun, getting little bit color to my arms and legs,

and few freckles onto my face. And I had time to snap few spring garden pictures.

Sunday we had only rain, we used the whole day for packing.

Quite dull weather, specially after amazing sunshine and then can't step outside at all.

I would love to be more outside, have my own garden, but we don't have that option, yet.

someday.

We came back home late at sunday night, tired.

Dinner and few old episodes of the King of Queens

and we were ready to sleep.

These little snails are everywhere, every plant, every wall.

I finished few books, The Kite Runner and Daughters of Shame,

I recommend these both for everyone.

Khaled Hosseini - The Kite Runner

Jasvinder Sanghera - Daughters of Shame

me + juju

We also visited our friends who had their first child,

little baby boy, Jules.

Have a great Monday!

getting fit

2011-03-24T10:52:00.001+01:00

I have been wanting to write about one subject for long time, but didn't find the words.

I'm not a writer, I make mistakes and everytime I write longer story

It gets deleted anyway. But this time, I want to share this one with you:

Since we came back to France from Finland, I changed my life.

I get sick from eating food with high carbs and

I overate all the goodies in Finland.

And I was sick all the time..

So 1,5months ago, I stopped eating the products my body can't take,

it did change my life!

No more belly aching, no more looking like 6months pregnant after lunch!

I lost 8cm from my waist (3.14inches) and 5kg (11 pounds) just with this change of eating habits.

I know, healthy life needs healthy ways of living and also sports. I'm not naturally sporty type, so I need to force myself to do something. I got myself a Wii, I know I know, it's funny, but it helps with my balance problems.

Because I have had 2 accidents with horses, first one a horse stepped on my lower back and second one, I broke my neck when I fell from the horse, I have hard days with the aching back. Doing regular yoga and stretching helps and makes wonders!

So the first time in years, I feel pretty good about how I look. More important, how I feel.

I don't know if this change of life will fit for everybody, but for me is been the best thing ever.

I'm not that strict with myself than some people, not doing any Atkins diet or other,I'm listening my body and getting everything that fits for me. My big no's are pasta,rice,potatoes and then everything with flour and high in sugar. I do eat vegetables everyday, I eat some fruits what doesn't make any allergies to me.

So living in France, middle of all these sweet bakeries and lovely bread, croissants and everything, it felt like slap in the face. But I got used to it and I don't have the cravings anymore.

I stopped sugar candies, I changed to dark chocolate.

Hardest part is eating out and having dinner/snacks at friends place.

What can I eat.. only thing what they serve is chips and snacks, maybe pizza later at the evening and beers.

Last time we had evening like that, I ate little bit earlier at home before we left and luckily, my friends did understand and I got omelette instead of pizza! And it was fine, wasn't hungry after, didn't feel like eating pizza and the best, we didn't have to leave to home because of my sick feeling!

So until I figure out what to keep with me when we go out, or order at restaurant, I try to eat before we leave at home.

Like the restaurant the other day, Fou de Fafa, they were so sweet to make a special plate for me without the potatoes.

But then I cracked, and ordered tiramisu ;)

How about you,

trying to get to summer shape or changing the way of living?

Have a great thursday, everyone!

sunday walk: Chateauneuf du Pape

2011-03-20T17:36:00.001+01:00

We had nice saturday, lunch at Fou de Fafa, in the heart of Avignon

super good! We got salmon with red pepper sauce, A and R made me a special plate without pomme de terre,

served with huge salad. And dessert, tiramisu. Their specialty is banoffee pie..

That i'll try next time!

At evening, we went to see Avignon - Cambrai volleyball game.

It was reaaaaally close, but Avignon won!

Today we went to vide grenier (garage sales) in Chateauneuf du Pape, but it was really bad.

We just walked around, snapping photos and had coffee at the terrace (and desserts...)

+18,5 degrees! it's spring!

With body and mind full of sunshine

I wish this lovely weather will continue forever!

Early Easter Eggs.

2011-03-13T11:57:00.000+01:00

Hello everyone.

I noticed there is new readers, would be nice to get know you little bit more.

So please leave a little note, your name and what you love.

Last week I decided that it's time to do changes, I started by simplifying our home.

I started by kitchen, taking away the dishes and things we don't use.

I hate having too much stuff around here.

Simple is better.

My wardrobe got cleared too, I took one huge bag of clothes away.

I have the feeling I have so many clothes, and nothing to wear.

I'm trying to have simple collection of clothes what I like and not getting new ones until I really need.

This cleaning is not ready yet, but it's a good start.

Last friday was S's birthday, it was held in A's restaurant, Fou de Fafa. A's husband had made delicious gluten free chocolate cake, unfortunately even this small piece was too much for me and I ended having pains.

It was totally worth of it ;)

girls and glasses of Prosecco,

if I remember right the name of the sparkling wine.

After 2 and a half glasses, it was getting to my head. We had more drinks at another S's apartment and then I left home - drunk, I needed to eat something else too that the cake.

Saturday was quite windy and raining, we spend the whole day inside.

I found funny easter egg idea from Deliciousdays.com, to make some cake eggs.

No need to say, that I wanted to change the recipe,

as the original one was sponge cake and I wanted muffins.

Muffins.. inside the egg. with chocolate pieces..

disaster!

Firstly, if you try this at home, don't put any chocolate pieces..

these won't fit from the small hole you made.

Or if it does, it will make the batter spill all over the place.

Then, take your time. Don't think this is easy peasy, it takes a LOT of time.

My neck and back hurting, I think it took me whole afternoon until evening to make everything ready.

And the last advice, don't fill even 2/3 of the egg, it will spread out all over the cooking pans.

Maybe half would have been enough. Maybe it depends of the batter, mine was raising like crazy.

Use the rest of the batter, if left, to make muffins or cakes.

Ready!

Cleaning the eggs is the part what takes the most of the time. Emptying, cleaning with running water, salty water and then running water again.. leaving to dry. Loads of work.

what a mess... but delicious!

Pity I can't eat much of these since it has flour inside, R has a quite many to eat.

Today is still bad weather,

and I don't want to be stuck at home another day so we could see friends and hang out.

Have a great sunday!

Ps. I am truly sorry for the catastrophe in Japan, we are following the news and hoping eveything will be soon better.

inspiration

2011-03-07T20:55:00.000+01:00

I have been stuck in my mind for a while.

inspiration. and lack of it.

I have million ideas on my mind, what I would like to share and get ready.

I know why these just turn around my mind, and finally disappeares into the empty space of lost thoughts.

I feel incompetend to put my ideas to the paper. I see ideas as images, but not able to draw.

I was feeling quite bummed yesterday evening, I spend whole day inside while it was sunny.

Today I decided to fix it, after my lesson and lunch I drove to Île de la Bathelasse, wanting to take some photos.

I drove until the stables, but when i saw it was full of people,

I got timid and did turn car around and drove away.

Only picture I got from my trip, was this.

Pont Saint-Bénezet, known also as Pont d'Avignon

I get my inspiration from my home, Finland, and from France. My family.

Nature. And some bloggers listed here.

Just need to let go, free my mind.

café for gourmand.

Where you get your inspiration?

sunday, lazy sunday

2011-03-06T14:29:00.001+01:00

Lazy sunday, I love you.

Nothing is better than sunshine, chocolate and relaxing.

Since I changed my habits to more healthier way, I can enjoy dark chocolate. specially this orange flavoured one is super good.

What is happening to me?

First I started to like olives, then olive oil, then fish and now dark chocolate!

I think it's pretty good change.

My succulents are now in the growing phase, it's spring definetly.

I just don't know what is wrong with the one in background, it has tiny red spiders(?) running around the leaves, I cleaned to poor plant but it's dying. What can I do?

Since I moved to France, I have been missing fresh berries much. In south these doesn't grow at all, except strawberries. I took few bags of frozen ones, it makes yummy breakfast or afternoon snack.

As talking about the moving, Brenna from Le Fabuleux Destin de Brenna, asked me to write a guest post about living in France. Have a look!

Testing home made bokeh filters

We had nice weekend, friday our friend N (Tirfoto Lwilaba) had a photo expo event.
Saturday evening we went to see Avignon -Dunkerque volleyball match, as my (finnish) friend M's boyfriend plays in the team Avignon as a pro, they got us guest tickets.
Avignon won 3-0, nice one!

Have a nice and lazy sunday, everyone.

Last weekend

2011-02-28T18:55:00.000+01:00

Last weekend was a m a z i n g.

Everything started on thursday, R turned 28 and we met friends on the bar.

We had great night out, but R didn't know that this wouldn't be end of it, I had planned a surprise "party" at the tapas restaurant for friday and all friends were coming!

I didn't want to ruin any surprise, but I had to ask him not to work too late that day, as the past weeks he has been working much. So he knew there is something, but what, he didn't guess. All our friends were there, we got him a gift he has been wanting more than one year. Don't ask me what this machine does, I just know that you can record music at home and attach your guitar/bass on it too. Super gift for musician!
Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera to the restaurant, so no pictures of that night..

Line6 POD Studio UX2 /Img Thomann

Saturday our friend's first baby, Jules, was born, I can't wait to meet him!
He is so adorable in the pictures.

At sunday we had lunch with the family and we tried to have walk at the Dentelles de Montmirail
but it was too windy (Mistral!). We decided to drive to another village to have hot drinks and then we continued back to home.

I did love this red wine.It's surprising since I don't like red wines.

I hope you had nice weekend too!

ps. I have one interview this week, fingers crossed!

spring is here

2011-02-23T19:13:00.000+01:00

at Sunday we drove to Vallabrégues for a vide grenier sales, it is kind of flea market

and often has professional antique sellers too. I bought this spanish water bottle, it's quite rare to find this big ones in good shape. This one is 44cm high and the girth is 52cm.

After we visited Tarascon, to have coffee and enjoy the sunshine.

On the way back, we finally stopped to take pictures of the almond trees

and R took few branches to home. Like i told in the last post, i feel like these belong to nature but we couldn't resist to try, so 2 small branches found their way into our home. and i have the allergy now.

Reminder: wash the windows..

I have been really busy last few weeks, with my french lessons, taking care of things and the best part, meeting new people! One day my english friend A sent me a message, telling that she is meeting some english speaking friends later that week and I could join them. She told me that there would be another finnish girl, so for both reasons, I wanted to meet everyone. It was really nice afternoon spend at the terrace in the sunshine. There were people from England, Scotland, Australia and America, and of course we two finnish girls. It's always great to meet new people, and we really felt friends with the finnish girl M, so we have been shopping, visiting cafés and today we visited St.Rémy de Provence.

We had great lunch at the restaurant in St.Rémy and I noticed this cute little dog, he was so patience while waiting his owner to finish the lunch. Seems that french restaurants are quite tolerant with animals.

Just before I was about to leave to St.Rémy, postman did rang our doorbell and I had package what I ordered from
Bark & Leaves!

I'm already in love with this tote bag, it's perfect! For little plus, there was a pile of cute prints from Aura,
I need to find frames for these.

I feel so relaxed now, happy and full of life. Spring is here, it really makes everything better.

Enjoy the sunshine!

Kitty debate - yes or no

2011-02-18T19:15:00.000+01:00

I have been wanting my own pet for years, since I moved away from my parents house.

I had to leave our sweetheart there because my student apartment wouldn't allow pets and Naku was really happy at my parents grand house and having a yard to play.

When I was kid, I was asking almost weekly from my dad if we could get a horse. Now I understand that you just don't get a horse, just like that. I still want it someday, when the time is right. I have always loved all kinds of animals, I used to have stick insect, birds, a rat and a dog. Oh and we had a cat when I was really small, but my parents decided to give it a new life at my grandma's farm.

all photos / The Itty Bitty Kitty Committee

Anyway, I have been thinking about taking a cat. Seriously.

We have been talking about it, I have asked questions from friends who has cats, and visiting pet stores to look at the things. Now I need to know all plus and minus sides of having a cat. Some people says that it stinks to have the littery box, some says it doesn't if you clean it. How is it really? Can you have non stinky box?

This little one couldn't have direct access outside, as we don't have garden. And we live in a center of the city.

Is 38square meters too small for a kitty? Am I worrying too much? I don't want to make too many mistakes, what if the kitten will be a freaky one like our Naku when she was puppy, she shred the papers from the wall, ate a hole in mum's nice carpet, peed everywhere to protest, when under coffee table to scratch it.. endless list of the weird things she got in her head. And she turned out to be the greatest dog ever! So smart and lovely. She even did know how to sneeze when we told her to.

I was thinking about little female cat, is there much difference with the genders?

And is it bad for the cat not to have company of other cats?

I really need help and advices.

Looking at these cuties, my heart says yes already.

Photos The Itty Bitty Kitty Committee

Finland : visiting Turku, nordic ski trip in Sipoo and visiting Porvoo

2011-02-17T11:15:00.001+01:00

My sister M lives in Turku (Åbo), situaded in southwest coast of Finland, next to Aura river.

Turku used to be the capital of Finland until 1812, after that Helsinki became a capital.

At 1827 there was a Great fire of Turku, leaving over 11,000 people homeless. It was the largest urban fire in Nordic countries.

We did got to see a Logomo museum, to see Fire!Fire! exhibition about fire and the Great Fire of Turku.

Before the museum we had a walk in the archipelago of Turku,

it was quite freezing with -16 degrees and wind. Wind makes everything much colder.

I saw in news lately that in Helsinki it's -19 degrees, but with the wind it feels -30 degrees.

Logomo's cafeteria

Finnish salmon soup

We wanted to try the firefighter's outfit, too bad that it was kid's size only.

desperately trying to make fire.. R made fire with flint,

i think we need to buy one to our camping trips too!

demonstrate how the baker's street in Turku looked like after the great fire.

The pavement was still warm and smoke coming out between the burnt logs.

Relaxing on Fatboys after Fire!Fire!

Back to Vantaa..

I had planned a nordic ski trip to us, what left from Kuusijärvi - lake, made a tour in forest and one stop at the laavu, a small cabin where you can have fire and cook your meals. We skiied 10km to the laavu and back.

Kuusijärvi - lake, ready to swim!

Our last day trip was Porvoo, old part of the town. Porvoo is located southern coast of Finland, opposite from Turku. It's an old medieval town, with amazing old town. In Porvoo most of the people speaks swedish.

We have many cities and towns in Finland where the one of the main languages is Swedish.

Traditional (tourist)Lapp hat

We had a great trip! Nice to be back in sunny +14 Avignon, even I miss badly home again.