Jan
27

All the light

by Sofia   -   in Random

I am not a person who really gets affected by the lack of light or warmth. I have other things that make me upset. But I do know and understand that it does have a very strong effect on some peoples moods. So I am happy to tell you I did the math and today we have around 2 hours more sunlight a day than we did a month ago and next month it will be two more. The sunlight might not be the strongest word for weather like todays looks like it’s going to be. Pretty grey and wet. But let’s try to think of ways to find the silver lining in that too.

Collage pictures from my Pinterest files. 

If it’s grey outside the candle light looks even lovelier. People always make fun of ” candle lighters” and yes it is very true that if you have real life altering worries in your life the candle light will probably not make it any better. But if you are just annoyed it’s another cold and rainy day it really might. I have the Heather candle from Nest Helsinki in our kitchen and it has such a warm and  inviting scent it just makes my day a little nicer from the get go. I will try to get myself one more as it’s burning out. They are on sale now so I hope there are some left.

Make nice plans throughout the day to cheer you up. I’m not saying you have to have lunch dates etc. It can be the smallest things. Buy yourself that nice tea you always look at in the shop and brew a cup when you feel like rubbing your forehead. Or go get yourself some fresh air, even the grey days are still fresh, and buy the loveliest cup of coffee you know in town. If you have take away it will also keep your fingers warm on your way back home or the office. Take a moment to text something nice to people you like. Or someone you haven’t seen or heard from in a while. I always find that sending nice messages to my friends instantly makes me feel really good. Get yourself a lovely snack. I love to choose a seasonal fruit like blood oranges at the moment. If you plate them nicely they will make you feel even fancier. Or silly, but to me it feels lovelier. Or buy some pastries for the family or even yourself and enjoy. Make small plans also for the evening so you don’t just fall down on the sofa unable to get back up. Decide to light up the fireplace. Play a round of Uno with the kids or memo or whatever they like. Do you have a show that you like to watch? Something to look forward to in the evening. Make yourself a nice nest and relax. Take a hot bubble bath or pamper yourself a little. Read a book, a poem or an interesting article. Flip through a magazine you like. Just treat yourself with the smallest little things that might make you happy. Things you can also do on a sunny day but they feel much cozier when it’s not. On sunny days nobody has time for hot bubble baths inside.

Jan
17

Ski bunnies

by Sofia   -   in Random

We escaped the city for a little ski-ing up North. Just our family, the wonderful white nature, the peace and quiet of the snow filled forests and fresh air all day long. A lit fireplace and a sauna every night. We love our yearly trips to cross country- and downhill ski. Great cozy meals and playing games at night. We do spend time together at home but it’s always a little different when you change the scenery.

I am very unsurprisingly in navy and white at the slopes but we got the kids colorful Colmar outfits from the sale last year ( I shared it here). Great for spotting them at the slopes especially as in Finland there is often snow or the weather is otherwise grey. You want people to actually see you to not get run over. This is what we learned last year when trying to spot our friends and one of their kids had a very brightly colored helmet and pants. We could always spot her from the lifts.

Jan
14

Slow cooking

by Sofia   -   in Cooking

I have a Le Creuset Dutch oven that I like to use for braising things and making stews but lately I have wondered if I should get an actual crock-pot slow cooker. If I have understood correctly you can leave it on during the day and then it slowly cooks your meal while you work. Or you can make a lovely porridge overnight and wake up for it in the am. There are actual slow cooker cook books available as well as Pinterest full of ideas. As we do have a pantry I thought it would also find a spot in my house in case I don’t want to have it in the kitchen counter all the time. But I did find a white one which is a bonus for me. 

What do you think? Do you own and use a slow cooker? If you do please share your ideas and thoughts on it. I asked on Instagram and I got no con´s from those of you who have one but plenty of pro´s. So I think my mind is already headed this way. But I do not just buy on a whim so I’ll give my thoughts some time to stew ( pun intended) as well as discuss with the rest of my family to see what they think. But the idea of coming home from work to a warm meal that has been slowly cooking to perfection during the day or to wake up to a lovely porridge in the morning kind of has me excited. Think lovely soups, or a bowl of chili or even a tagine or some lovely stew. And Martha Stewart’s famous slow cooker Mac´n´cheese would make our girls so happy. The best bonus in my mind.