Arrival at the summer house

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It has been almost one week since I arrived at the summer house in Finland. The routine kicked in fast. The wake-up between 9 and 11 o’clock, porridge with berries while watching the lake view, walking the baby in the woods (she seems very impressed by the surrounding tall pines and spruces), cooking lunch, cutting wood, observing birds, arranging the boat garage, heating up the sauna and preparing dinner (often Grilled vendace: a typical Finnish meal after sauna).

I usually go to sauna around 9 o’clock in the evening, after putting my daughter to sleep, and return to the kitchen to cook while my parents have their turn at the sauna. The weather hasn’t been warm enough for drinking rosé wine at terrace but we have enjoyed red wine from Luberon and biodynamic red from Languedoc-Roussillon (Domaine Cazes, Cuvée Marie Gabrielle 2011). Life is sweet here and will only get sweeter when my husband arrives some time next time.

No need to look further for peace and calm. Finnish lake scenery at its best.

No need to look further for peace and calm. Finnish lake scenery at its best.

It is 7 o’clock in the evening as I am typing this. Time to cut wood and heat up the sauna!

PS I will be here for several weeks, so stay tuned for more stories about the life at the Finnish summer house!

Lastly, Pearlspotting is on Facebook and on Instagram. If you prefer Twitter, you can find me here @Miia_Niskanen

See you soon!

26 thoughts on “Arrival at the summer house”

      2. Miia Post author

        A bit like us! It has been VERY hot in Paris (40C, which is very rare) and I am dressing my daughter in (vintage!) winter clothes here at the summer house 🙂

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    1. Miia Post author

      Kiitos 🙂 I just looked at the one-month weather forecast and things are not looking good…. Only twice will the temperature climb to 22C! Well, it is nice here anyway, and maybe better for the baby when not too hot.

      How is your summer coming along? Lots of travels in Finland I see! Take care 🙂

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  4. Sartenada

    Thank you. The fact is that this summer has been poor due to cold and rainy weather, which means that we have made only few short trips around in Finland. At the end of the first whole week in august we will visit again Oulu, due to some personal interest there.

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  5. Tiina

    Hi Miia, nice to read a new blog post from you 🙂 Reading about your summer house experience reminded me how I started reading your blog last summer as you wrote about summer house and the Finnish summer. I’m glad I did :).

    Despite the heatwaveless weather, I’ve enjoyed the summer in Finland, and spending time in the summer house. I’m not such a heatwave person anyway :). I’m drawn to the simple, unhurried routines that you describe and the peaceful and calm lake scenery in your photo. I hope you’ll have a relaxing holiday and lots of happy moments with your daughter and parents! 🙂

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    1. Miia Post author

      Hi Tiina! Thanks for your kind words -as always 🙂 Is your summer house near your home? I read you are on holidays at the moment? I am waiting for my parents to finish sauna so that we can eat herring and new potatoes. Enjoying a beer while waiting 🙂
      Have an excellent summer!! And if you visit this area, don’t hesitate to stop by for coffee! Would be avec plaisir..

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      1. Tiina

        Hmm it seems my original reply was swallowed by wordpress a few weeks back…anyway my holiday is coming to an end in a few days. Our summer house is close to where I live. I wish it would be closer to yours so a visit could have been easily arranged:). Been picking blueberries a lot the past week. I love to make blueberry pie and eat it!:) How about you; is berry picking your cup of tea? 🙂

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      2. Miia Post author

        Sorry for the late reply!! Busy life at the summer house 😉
        I am not that keen on the berry and mushroom picking.. haven’t done it since I was a child in fact! But I love to cook whatever ppl bring me: right now we are about to eat smoked pike perch as starter, chanterelle with potatoes as main, and a redcurrent pie for dessert. Yummy!

        Hope you have had a smooth return to work. Still going to the summerhouse during weekends?

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  6. Packing my Suitcase

    Sooooo happy that you are back Miia!!
    I wish we had met in Paris, but time was hard!! I went with my husband and another couple that have never been to Paris before, so I had to help them out a bit 😀
    I hope all is fine with you and that you enjoy your summer!!

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