My Happy Craftonoons

me and him

2011-12-16T15:21:00.000-08:00

We tied the knot six years ago.
I still remember how giddy and happy that day was.
I love you my Mister Utley!!!

Cheeks turns 1

2011-10-07T14:13:00.001-07:00

Three no more

2011-10-01T13:24:00.000-07:00

My little Miss Miia is four today. We have had a day of sun shine, a slice of rather bad cake, lots of family time, walking and craft fairs, BBQing and bike riding. The new bike has been accepted into the vehicle collection and the first accessory request is a pink bell.

It's about time

2011-09-16T12:52:00.000-07:00

I am not sure what happened to my blogging. I have been signed in and reading other peoples posts the whole summer long. I just never posted anything myself. And now I am not sure where to start. So, here is a quick 1,2,3 of our summer and early autumn.
1. In July we spent three lovely, exceptionally hot and once thundery weeks in Finland visiting mummi and pappa (Finnish grandparents). There is nothing like mummi's pancakes and homemade jam. We collected buckets of blueberries to be dried and enjoyed in the winter and played, played and played. I don't have one single picture of that because my camera decided ten years was long enough for it to work, so it keeled over.
2. Late July and early August was spent packing and dusting and cleaning and packing. We now live in a lovely row house in the English country side, waking up to the Cock-a-doodle-doooo of the neighborhood rooster. The other day Miia said she never ever wants to live in a house where you don't hear a rooster in the morning, so I think she likes it here.
3. Last but certainly not least...after two and a half years of sending his CVs and job applications into the black sink hole Mark got a job. He is starting mid-October. Miia calls her daddy the train-man and he is very happy to be just that.
For now I am putting my Etsy shop on holiday mode, putting away the paper supplies and taking out my sewing. With three birthdays coming up and Christmas just around the corner I have lots of hand made presents to make.
First project... special request for blankets and pillows for Miia's babies. She is fully embraced the role play in the last couple of weeks and spends hours dressing up, feeding and putting her babies to bed. It is such a joy to watch her disappear into her own imaginary world.

Somehow my little squirt is now nearly one. She walks, she has a tooth and she no longer has her scrumptious newborn cheeks. I year has flown by very quickly. Here are my munchkins today.

2011-06-24T13:47:00.000-07:00

My craft room is in bloom. I am surrounded by flowers and colors. My inspiration muse has been my loyal companion today and this is what I accomplished:

Happy weekend to you all! Tomorrow I'll be eating out with my one and only and making new wishes for my 33rd year.

Summer fun

2011-06-03T14:34:00.000-07:00

It's summer time here. Time for berries, playing in the park, digging for treasure in the sand, painting faces during the hot mid day sun. I am very much looking forward to this summer. Especially Saturdays, which for us are all about lazy picnics, watching hot air balloons and flying a kite. (The last one is very much a learning process.We are still at stage one, getting it off the ground.)

I think for tomorrow she has chosen a tiger. We'll see how I do on that one.
Enjoy your weekend. I'll see you soon again!

My two little monkeys

2011-04-09T15:00:00.000-07:00

I thought it might be fun to compare my two cutie pies. These pictures were taken at approximately the same age, five and six months. And with the birthdays being only six days appart, there is exactly three years between my girls. They are so very different. One is little Miss High Maintenance, who loves wearing my make up and has started calling me MUM lately. Mum, at the age of three and a half! Another one is the most content, chill little creature, who already looks like she will be nothing like her sister. Yet, they both look so similar in some ways. It must be those little curious blue eyes. I love them both to pieces and would not change a thing about them. That is how they were given to me. Happy half birthdays, my monkeys!
PS, can you guess which one is which?

2011-03-28T14:05:00.000-07:00

We bought our very first house on Friday. It is a three storey Victorian style, chocolate box piece of beauty. And just like every first time buyers, we spent all our money on the actual house and there was no money left for the decor. But, not to worry. Today was daddy's day off which means some quality family time and lots of crafting. Everybody participated in their own little way. We made a selection of paper rugs to keep our feet warm. Big people and little people with very curious googly eyes. We now have a very pleasant young tenant, who is none else but princess Rapunzel herself. Don't you just love her golden locks? Our next project is to paint the exterior of the house and of course every proper manor house must have at least one rescue donkey.
Today has been a good day. I am a lucky girl to have them.

A drop of food coloring and couple of googly eyes

2011-02-02T12:32:00.000-08:00

We spent four hours crafting today, that is four times longer than we have ever done in the past. The magical ingredients were a big tub of PVA glue and a drop of food coloring. Miia loves adding food coloring into other things. Cupcake frosting is number one. Although it might be the sugar in the frosting that has something to do with it. Lately we have been crafting with glue and food coloring. Much easier to wash off from your toddler, cheaper and more exciting if you are brave enough to let the toddler do the mixing. So today we geared up with some Cath Kidston and some pink glue and created some deep blue sea monsters that were scary and said: "Roar", yet had a smile on their faces. I love child's optimism. All Miia's creatures, being friendly or scary, are accompanied with a smile. So, here is our deep sea monster, but don't be alarmed, she is friendly!

Miss royalty is three today

2011-01-06T06:49:00.000-08:00

My little Bebekin is three months today and she is such a joy to have around. Even her big sister, who started out being not-so-loving, is now giving her smooches non stop. I love watching them together and can't wait until Sofi will be big enough to contribute to our games with more than just the drool.
Today we built an enormous fort out of every blanket and a chair found in the house. We used a flash light as our moon. It kept changing it's position to keep Sofi entertained. We ate South African blueberries, Miia's favorite snack. We told each other a story about a friendly girl dragon with long eye lashes, who loves playing hide-and-seek. We blew bubbles with a plastic tea pot.
More memories I will always have and cherish.

She is all smiles.

2010-12-20T12:46:00.000-08:00

With busy daily routine, laundry to do, lunch to prepare and games to play with my three year old little rascal, I often forget to enjoy the smiles and giggles of my new arrival. I find it very hard to balance the time between the two and feel guilty not giving all of my time to Miss Miia any more. She has an endless amount of energy and imagination and it seams like I have an endless list of chores to do and piles of laundry to wash. Mothers of eight...I salute you! But it is in the quiet evening moments after my toddler is peacefully asleep that I realize how much I love having my new baby in my arms and how much I love her giggles, her little smile and her intelligent expression.

Introducing the new Mrs.

2010-12-06T14:02:00.000-08:00

Boy, oh boy, did it really take me two whole months to recover from the sleep deprivation. My baby is going to be two months old tomorrow and I have no idea how that happened. Her beautiful juicy cheeks are getting wonderfully round and her long eye lashes are getting longer, yet it seems just like yesterday that she was born.
From this day on I pledge to post one new picture of my cheeky girl per week, with no slacking.
So, here she is at two months.

It's raining it's pouring, our daddy is snoring

2010-08-23T10:01:00.000-07:00

To be honest we all took naps today. It's just one of those days when you want to snuggle up next to those you love and plan your next summer vacation. We thought we would capture the last rays of summer sun and fluffy blue clouds, as it was pouring down rain outside of our windows. So we put our little artist to work. Why stop at having just one sun, Miia thought we need two, one in each corner of the sky. Mummy thought she better not show too much of herself, so she hid behind the tree. One, two, three said daddy, ready or not here I come.

My first piece of fresh vintage

2010-08-19T07:23:00.000-07:00

I have finally completed my first quilting project. And it's a beauty if I say so myself. Now I just need to patiently wait for the little sister to arrive. We live just above the fabric shop that sells a galore of vintage inspired quilting fabrics. How convenient for me, not so for my wallet. But perhaps just one more. Who would have thought that I would be an addicted quilter:)

Today I am 31 young

2010-06-24T03:53:00.000-07:00

I am 31 years, some days young, some days old. Rather than focusing on my new years resolution of losing ten pounds which for very obvious reasons is not happening at the moment, I thought I would make a list of fun things to do by 32.

1. finish my first baby quilt.
2. perfect the chewy brownie recipe, yum, prior to starting the diet:)
3. enjoy a sunny day in Weston with my 2 1/2 favorite people
4. make a fresh berry compote...childhood memories
5. buy a bright green pair of Birkenstocks
6. get a cute pedicure and than do number 5
7. paint the nursery dresser in fun colors, lellow and oonge and green
8. run in the field on flowers with Miu, don't forget your camera
9. have a BBQ with friends
10. visit Cornwall, they claim having the best fudge in the world
11. have lots of family movie nights with homemade pizza
12. make some colored pancakes, thanks to inspiration from Marisa
13. learn couple of crafty skills, upholstery and felting sounds good
14. make as many hand made Christmas gifts as possible, one done, lots more to go
15. make a mobile for the baby Sis
16. take time of from all the making
17. maple glazed ribs, it's been too long since last time
18. visit the Zoo in Bristol
19. have picnics while it's sunny, English summer is temperamental
20. do the church bell ringing on Monday night
21. move somewhere with the garden and grow some herbs
22. see inside the abbey
23. take photos of the lion collection, you might wonder what those are, but you'll see
24. make some mean curry, try new recipes, not same old, same old
25. visit the Bath thermal spa, a well deserved time off after the baby is born
26. buy a new purse, so many to chose from and so many I like
27. remember all your friends on their birthdays
28. have a fun birthday party for Miu, she'll be three, how did she get so old so fast
29. decide on a name for the little sis, hopeless case
30. finish the photo album that has been under construction for two years, such a procrastinator
31. enjoy being 31
32. don't make any plans for your birthday, that's you hubby's job

What do you dream of?

Round and round we go

2010-06-17T02:23:00.000-07:00

My very first nursery project and my very first quilting attempt is on its way. I am making a baby quilt using a vintage pattern, with some minor changes. The fabrics are 1930 inspired Moda with some Heather Bailey's Pop Garden juiciness to add some fresh color. So far it's coming along nicely, however, I must say quilters must be some of the most patient people, for this is taking ages. Every little detail is hand sewn. Every seam measured three times. If quilters charged based on the time used to make a quilt, they would be priceless. But, it's the final product that counts and I think this should be a nice looking little quilt once finished.

Eirene if you are reading this, you might recognize this pattern. It just has taken me almost three years to actually try making a template.
Stay tuned, I should finish this baby in a few more days. On to the next square...

PS. Can you guess my nursery colors yet:)

Flutterbys, butterflies

2010-06-14T05:34:00.000-07:00

Summer weddings and whimsical butterflies. I thought it's time for something new and summery for the Boudoir. So I whipped up these few prototypes. Know someone who is getting married, send them my way! Support SMEs, visit my Etsy shop just to your right.

I am having a pink over load

2010-06-04T02:45:00.000-07:00

As you might already know, good old wives tales (the way you are caring your baby and being terribly sick in the early pregnancy...means it's a boy) were a load of rubbish. I am indeed having a girl, another little wiggle worm who so far is just like her big sister, very much a night person. So, in my head I had to readjust back to pink and girly. Being a tom-boy myself pink is not my color, but somehow Miukku came to suddenly love pink and anything girly. Dress is chosen the first thing in the morning, forget the trousers, I don't even remember the last time she wore them. Planning the nursery that my two girls can now share has been lots of fun, but man oh man, there are some seriously hideous ideas out there that some people, my guess is mums, love and use for their babies. Look at this beauty for instance. The only thing to make it better would be pink furniture! Yaks!

If you happen to read this blog and you are indeed a proud owner of this pink-over-load, please change it:)
After spending a long and some what frustrating hour on internet, I came to realize that the only way I could have my own beautiful nursery is to go minimalist style. Less is more, with some interesting detail. Some ideas for my inspiration were these two pictures.

I love using one of a kind antique pieces of furniture that are given a new life. White will definitely be my main color, it's clean and sophisticated. Adding is easier than taking away if you ask me. I already have the first great antique market treasure that cost me 18 pounds. Now, which color should I paint it? Decisions, so many of them. Let the DIY begin!

I foresee

2010-04-25T13:42:00.000-07:00

If any of the old wives tales are to be believed,

I foresee lots of blues, oranges and greens in the near future.
What is your guess?

No longer flying solo

2010-04-25T11:52:00.000-07:00

Exciting, exciting. My little one man favor business is going global...gradually. My favor boxes will now be sold in US by a stationary shop Daisy Notes, located in North Carolina. Check it out here. Samples are in the post, now we just need lots and lots of people to get married. If you know anyone who is in love and wanting to tie a knot, send them my way or toward NC.
There really is no better time of the year to get married than now, for love is in the air.

I wish you all Happy Easter!

2010-04-03T11:49:00.000-07:00

Artist in training

2010-03-15T13:03:00.000-07:00

It all started the way it should involving one piece of paper, couple of paint pots and a painting brush.

But then the artist started exploring other medias. Why limit yourself to a square piece of paper, right? Coloring your own belly button, now that's exciting.

Granted we had to have a bubble bath at the end of the painting lesson, we sure had fun. The outcome was one messy and happy toddler.

I wonder what is going to be Miia's first activity request in the morning, I wonder...

First New Year's resolution...check

2010-02-26T11:36:00.000-08:00

I am one of those people who likes to post a new blog post only if and when something big happens. And lately, as I was reading every ones posts, I realized that it has been more than five months since my own post. But, surely big and significant things have happened, I was just in a too much of a winter hibernation mode to notice some of them. I really do not like winter, ironically enough, being from the land of nine-months-long-winters and darkness. Today however the sun was shining, I came home to a lovely bunch of pink tulips and pink frosted cup cake, and it really made me feel that perhaps spring is on its way. Today is also a very special day, because I can finally check off my first New Year's resolution. I am unemployed...check. And that is a happy and a good thing. As of tomorrow, I am going to become a full time mummy and a nest builder. No more work for me for a while. I can now complete few more resolutions, spend some quality time with my little trouble maker, do lots of crafts and simply enjoy being unemployed. I sure hope my boss is not reading this post!
Speaking of the little trouble maker, we did celebrate her second birthday back in October and I was hibernating to post anything. Here is my favorite shot from the day.
My little girl is not so little any more. She is now a very independent two year old who likes pink and only pink and refuses to wear anything but dresses...in pink. Why is it that every little girl goes through the pink stage? I have never encouraged it and I am most definitely not a girly girl in pinky-pink, yet somehow Miia loves pink. It must be encoded in the DNA and the symptoms pop out between the age of two and five. Then suddenly every little girl announces that it's time to repaint the walls of her nursery in anything but pink color. For now, however, we shall enjoy the abundance of pink in our house for as long as it will last.

I want to live until I am 115 years old

2009-09-11T12:59:00.000-07:00

I read today about a woman, who lived a long and it sounds like an enjoyable life. She ate bacon for breakfast, even though she had no teeth, and complained if it wasn't crisp enough. And when asked what she thought about her life, she said she would do it all over again and wouldn't mind living hundred years more. Her name is Gertrude Baines. Her life story made me feel very humble and grateful for everything I have and very hungry for crispy bacon:)
I am grateful for her. I am grateful for him.

I am lucky and privileged to be a part of this trio. I am lucky to wake up in the morning on my semi comfortable air mattress and to be next to these two. I am lucky to sit on my coach, given to us by a friendly soul, next to my always reading hubby. Sometimes when he smiles I am not sure if it's me or a funny page on the book. But, we'll say it's my beauty, shall we.
I am grateful for the lazy afternoons, watching the launch of the hot air balloons. I am grateful for the bohemian strangers in the park, making a beautiful moment a memory.

I am grateful to be, to have and to live! I am grateful today!

They claim Weymouth has the finest sand in the world

2009-07-23T12:59:00.000-07:00

and I have experienced that in two very different ways. The less enjoyable is the fact that every time I now try to use my less it makes that squeaky sound. I have tried every possible way of cleaning it, but those fine grains of sand are there to stay. Playing in that sand, on the other hand, was a blast. Despite the fact that we got bucketfuls of rain coming down on us, we had great time in Weymouth. We built sand castles, gave each other kisses, experienced some amazing winds and saw some amazing views, watched more movies in four days than I have in the last four months and ate lots of fruit and lots of toast (some of us more than others:))
Miia absolutely loved being on the very top of the Portland island and running through the wind.

On our third day there we decided to go to the beach rain or shine, after all we went to Weymouth because of the ocean. It actually ended up being a sunny day for the most part, with the occasional rain drops. But, I don't think Miia noticed the rain at all. She was so loving playing with daddy and building the sand tunnels that everything else went unnoticed. I so wish we lived closer to the beach. There is just something wonderful about waking up in the morning and seeing lonely fishing boats far on the horisson. One day, one day, I will be that fisherman. But for now, four days by the ocean were enought.

Long, long time ago

2009-07-04T12:59:00.000-07:00

Oh how long it has been since my last post! I wrote about Mother's day,that means it has been months, shame on me. Lots has happened. My little monkey is no longer a baby, for sure. Looking at the pictures of her now, she definitely has become a little toddler. A little toddler with big attitude. She now chooses not to greed people she used to blow kisses to and share her muffin with a puppy by the shop. And, last week, for the first time she accepted ice cream from us. That's right, up until last week she would give us the most horrified looks when we offered her an ice cream cone.
When it comes to my crafts, I have been working on the largest sewing project of my life, and finely finished it this morning. Woohoo! As a reward we are going to Weymouth for a couple of days and after that I get to make things of my choice again. I can hardly wait.
My paper flower collection is growing, and they have been selling well,here is the latest crop

it is very satisfying to know that there are brides out there using my creations for their memorable day.
Alright, we are off to Weymouth to play on the beach and built sand castles. When I return, lots of new posts and lots of new ideas will be posted.

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

2009-03-09T13:46:00.000-07:00

So, I was given an assignment to come with something appropriate for little people, age four to ten, to make for mother's day. Something that will not take more then 15 minutes and requires no monkey glue. I thought drawing a card would be boring, they will most likely do that in school. Printing cards and making them color the pictures, been there, done that. So, this is what I came up with, for the girls. Brilliant, I know, I know. It's a three dimensional, make-it-yourself flower. Just like diamonds are girl's best friend and last forever, paper flowers are mum's best friend and last forever, as long as the paper is acid free. No watering, no sun light and maximal freshness. Yam.
I thought I would cut different pedals and let their young imagination go wild. It might become a rose, a tulip or it just might be a new invention. I think kids are brilliant, they see things and create things in such a refreshing way. It's going to be interesting to see the final master pieces. I might post some of them. Now, what to make for the boys that comes in pieces?

Hats, hats, hats

2009-03-05T13:34:00.000-08:00

I have my prototype. It is done, finished and ready to be reproduced. I have done it time and time again, trying to come up with a flattering style for my little girl, tell me how I have done? The color must be an inspiration taken from the most-of-the-time-gray English sky. Now that my last knitting project is done, it is time to focus on the wonderful summer collection. Maybe it will invite spring to come sooner, for today we had snow, again. I have lots of ideas, lets see how much time I manage to find.

This simply made my day

2009-03-04T04:37:00.000-08:00

I just could not not post this picture. Myself, my dear friend Kathryn and our kiddos spent a wonderful day in the park and as we were walking to a local pub for a cream tea, my first experience with that, my little girl and Kathryn's little boy were holding hands. This just made me smile and made my day. How is it that someone who is 17 months old already knows how to and likes holding boys hand? This was definitely not staged, they kept holding hands all the way to the pub. You can definitely tell who wears boots in this relation ship, eh? Love it, absolutely love it!!!

Five little monkeys jumping on the bed

2009-02-28T13:09:00.000-08:00

This project is one of those where you make one as a gift and then, suddenly you feel the need to make more and more, just in case. I believe that just as a girl can never have too many pairs of shoes or bags, no man can have too many ties. My husband proves my theory right. When we were facing our big move cross the pond, he was faced with a tough decision. Which twenty out of so many more than twenty get to move and which get to stay. The fact that I love bying him ties makes the situation worst, christmas gift..tie, fathers day...shirt and tie, you get the idea. And it is never to early to start, I mean the earlier you start, the bigger your collection grows. I had this piece of fabric for the longest time and never really could think of anything girly to make for my little monkey, so when a dear friend of mine had her little handsome fellow, it was time to dig out the fabric.
My second project will have to keep you intrigued for couple of days. As I am still working on some of my knitting projects, it feels too early to post the summer collection, but you do get a little sneak peek.

A fresh breeze of spring in the air

2009-02-21T11:45:00.000-08:00

They say if you don't like the weather in England, just wait fifteen minutes. It has definitely proven to be the case in our part of England. When it comes to the change of a season, fifteen days did the trick. We went from a snowy tree tops, crisp air and ice covered roads to a wonderful warm spring weather in a matter of just few days. Today was a truly springy day. You could tell it from the amount of little kiddos at the park. Ours was one of them, we went to every single swing, rocker and climbing bridge...again and again.
I love watching the arrival of the spring and the beginning of a new life. The trees are getting their first buds, the snow drops are finally free from the thick layer of snow, the birds are chirping. I have to say it is absolutely charming. Charming, I am telling you. It also gets me in the mood to make something light, springy, bright and juicy. Let's see what I can come up with. Off I go.

Craftonoons

2009-01-04T13:11:00.000-08:00

As my dearest friend Eirene used to call the wonderful time we spent crafting. Craftonoons were spent planning, cutting, sewing, buying, buying and then buying some more fabrics. We used to take our babies, and sometimes some extra babies too, that are very close in age and go for walks to a local little boutique for fabric shopping extravaganza. What a good summer that was.
Since we moved to England, going fabric shopping has not be a possibility, for there are no fabric shops in a posh town of Bath. That hasn't stopped me from crafting on a daily basis. I think there is no better way to spend your time after your baby has gone peacefully, and sometimes not so peacefully to bed. As an artist of sewing crafts, that is my new official title, as I am not a trained seamstress by any means, I go throught phases. First I went throught dress phase. Right now I am entering a Knitting Pouch phase. I made the first couple of pieces of my knitting pouch collection last week and one of them sold on Etsy within twelve hours, not bad, go me. It's time to sew some more pouches. Off I go.

Three years and counting

2008-12-17T13:41:00.000-08:00

Today is our three year mark since the memorable wedding day, December 17th, 2005. Memorable indeed. It was freezing cold, cake was more than an hour late by which point most of the guests left, my photographer didn't show up and when we left for our honey moon, the only pair of shoes I had packed were my wedding pumps. But then again, the only few that stayed for the cake are the people I love and adore and being in Park City on a cold winter day in pumps gave me an excuse to buy a new pair of shoes.
These three years has been an adventure. We have packed and moved seven times, good luck to the postal service trying to catch up with our mail. We have visited Germany and enjoyed Bratwurst, for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. We have been to McCall, Idaho. Perhaps not the most known place on the map, but definitely memorable one with beautiful lakes and green endless forests. And finally, we are now exploring the mysterious and foggy place on the opposite side of the pond.

We became parents and are now enjoying having our wonderful, temperamental and brilliant daughter who is known as Monkey, Miukku and Squirt.

We are once again finding ourselves in a new and intriguing culture. Men, I love my life! It is never too predictable and too boring. I am looking forward to many years to come. I have a wonderful man by my side and a curious little girl who make me happy. Together I am ready to explore every place on the map.
Happy anniversary my dearest hubby! I love you!

there is always sun after the rain

2008-12-12T14:08:00.000-08:00

Mainly this post is meant to cheer myself up. It is absolutely poring rain outside. As I am sitting in my usual blogging spot, I can see the streaks of water running down my French windows. Rain...and it is mid-December. My house is full of Christmas cheer and instead of beautiful fluffy snowflakes there is rain outside. I am mentally preparing myself for a rainy, snow flake free Christmas. Oh well, we'll have to cut out some paper ones and glue them to the window. Good thing is, there is always sun after the rain.

a bunch of tree huggers went for a walk

2008-12-03T13:15:00.000-08:00

One of my very favorite things about autumn is watching the colors change around us. When ever we can, myself, Mark and the Munchkin, pack some snacks, put on our boots, grab my loyal D100 and off we go. Today we had approximately 120 minutes of sun shine before the sun set, so we decided to head off to the village. The scenery that had yellows and oranges jumping at you two weeks ago transformed into very calm, frosty winter serenity. It seems as if the number of trees was cut in half. Just a funny visual trick I guess.
There were just a few spots of frost on the ground and it made me realize that Christmas season is getting very close and it might be my first one with no snow. Last Saturday we put up all the toddler safe seasonal decorations and now it really feels like Christmas is just around the corner.
Down town Bath is getting rather packed with panicking shoppers, not quite last minute, but definitely starting to run out of time. For some strange reason and despite all the business I am very excited about Christmas this year. It might have something to do with being in the new place or perhaps it's because I have been reading Christmas books with my Munchkin. Speaking of the Munchkin I realized that with all the other little things of our busy life I haven't taken any photos of Miia for nearly three weeks, so today I decided to make up for it. Ladies and gentlefolk, my little Miss Personality at fourteen months.

Let me out

2008-11-08T13:33:00.000-08:00

We are back to being very English over here. It's stormy, then sunny, few drops of rain and back to sunny. The weather has been so unpredictable that being a couch potato seams the most reasonable thing to do. My child however is more optimistic, hat on and ready to play, whether it would be in the puddles or sun shine. And have I mentioned that Miukku has never, I mean not once before, let me put a hat on her. Mummy, can we go yet?

It has been very monochromatic

2008-10-27T13:15:00.000-07:00

The last few days there has definitely been the smell (and look) of autumn in the air. The wind has been breezy, the clouds are gray and thick and rain has been drizzling on and off. But then we got a colorful and juicy looking delivery right to our door. And it reminded me of the wonderful color spectrum of the fall harvest. I guess it's not all that monochromatic around me after all!
Miukku seemed to enjoy grapes the most, in fact she ate the vast majority of the package. Good luck to us with the next diaper!

last summer

2008-10-27T12:24:00.000-07:00

Before getting madly busy with packing, KSL classifieds and yard sales I had some amazing days photographing the little kiddos in my neighborhood. These three, Logan, Leah and Arthur were the most memorable to me.
Meet Logan, the drool machine. I got to meet this little guy once, at our friend's barbecue get-together. Logan who was at a time five months, spent the whole night smiling on his dad's lap and producing an incredible amount of saliva.
Leah is by far my youngest model. I got to photograph her when she was only four weeks old. Being a parent of a full time wiggle worm I was constantly amazed of how calm Leah was. It was as if she spaced out during the photoshoot and dreamt of a bottle of warm milk.

And finally, meet Arthur, the son of Arthur who happens to be the son of Arthur. This little guy is my all time favorite to watch. When ever he would smile, you could see a full row of teeth and let me remind you he was only nine months old at a time.

England is

2008-10-21T14:34:00.000-07:00

Such a dream full, mysterious place. It seams as if time is standing still here. Centuries go by, yet the same street signs remain. Every possible surface is covered in moss and memories. We live in a village called Winsley. It is a place with no traffic lights, no busy life style. Every morning I see a milk truck, delivering milk to each door. Some of the streets are still covered in pebble and are barely wide for one car. And as every respectful English village, we have Seven Stars, a local pub or a free house as Brits call it, that sells fish and chips. It is indeed the only gathering place in the village.

The winds have been blowing

2008-10-21T12:09:00.000-07:00

The winds have been blowing, this time east. So, here we are, finally settling in our new home, at least I truly hope this could become our new home. Walking on the streets of Bath with Miia in a stroller, a lot of people think that I am local because who in their right mind would move with a baby especially all the way across the world. And so they ask me for directions only to hear two words later that I am indeed a foreigner just like them. So, are you an American, is their question. I then try to explain that actually I am not, I am a finn. This gets people even more perplexed. And so we get into a rather deep conversation on how and why I sound the way I do. I have shared my biography with half of the population of Bath so far.
After several relocations during this summer...first in McCall Idaho, then Salem Oregon, here I am a finn in Bath.