Midsummer Weekend - Pt 1: Boating

Well, while my midsummer weekend really wasn't that eventful (work, work, and yes, work) I somehow in between managed to take so many pictures, that I really am going to have to split my tales into parts as there is no way I can upload so many pictures to one post and have them all shine as they should. Lol! :) So for your viewing pleasure, I'll try to upload in the next few days.

First off, my midsummer eve breakfast was summery rice porridge. In other words, regular rice porridge, except the topping was my failed attempt at rhubarb jam. Tasted mighty delicious though! And it got me through the evening at work.

Midsummer day, I got dropped off at our garden by good, old, crochety Patches. My husband and dad wanted to test out the motor and see why it dies and I tagged along for a free ride to the garden. And guess what? 

The motor died half way.

I guess it has some over-heating problem. Anywho, I didn't mind the slow pace of them taking turns messing with the motor and rowing. I was able to cuddle with Nana (my parents dog) who is the only one of the combined 4 dogs that likes boating. I could have fallen asleep. The water was like a mirror and the clouds were impressive. And I loved the photo opportunities, although I will say, it's hard to get a straight horizon in a rocking boat! Lol!

 Is that boat on fire?! No, it's a SAUNA BOAT! Sign me up for one of those babies!!

 (see the bird's reflection?)

Well, thanks for reading. Stay tuned for Pt 2: Gardening.

Apple inspiration

We took a walk through the arboretum yesterday, fortunately in between the rain and hail (?!) showers! The peonies were still in buds and unfortunately looked a bit like they have been a bit too damp for too long with all the rain we've been having. Hopefully they dry out and open!

The more "fancy" roses are still growing, but on the hill up to the rose garden, there are a bunch of rose bushes that are the kind that bloom all summer and do well with the Finnish climate. I loved looking at (and smelling) the rose bushes and fantasizing about rose hedges around my future farm garden one day. Ah, daydreaming is one of the best past times. :) I'll share the pictures in the next post, as I think it might just be a bit too much to upload at the moment. Instead, here's a picture of a rose-like geranium of my mom's as a consolation. 

We've been feeling a bit down about the patio business and in general about the cramped living space in our current apartment. So we applied to move to another student housing building and landed the number one spot...so hopefully we get offered an apartment there soon! It's slightly more dated (ahem, 70s...) and a bit further (but close to the lake and forest) from downtown, but it's almost twice the size of our current apartment. We've gotten so excited that we've been discussing the placement of furniture and art. Lol!

The kitchens in the apartments are really horrendous, 70s harvest gold yellow. Dog puke yellow.

What do I do? I decide to paint on the biggest canvas ever here at the folk's house... the one that has been intimidating all of us for years. And I decided, if you can't beat harvest gold, join it. Therefore, inspired by a photo I took recently of my yellow glass bowl with apples, I painted it. And I painted. I almost cried in between. I got frustrated, to the brink of giving up. I got excited. I sang and danced most of the time I painted it. And I love it. The end result is very me: quirky, off center with complete disregard for actual reality. But I'm happy with it. And proud I stuck it out. So take that ugly kitchen!!! You're gonna get prettified!

I couldn't believe I broke out of my comfort zone of painting pink flowers with blue backgrounds. 

"You're not a still life artist, it's your interpretation"

Thanks hubby for the words, I love ya!

Another boat trip was in order today and while we caught a bit of a shower, it was mostly sunny. And yes, the motor died again a few times, but oh well. She is just a crochety old one. Lol. The scenery was gorgeous and I thought I would share some pictures of the picturesque and semi-famous Pispala. It is a historical part of Tampere. I love the old wooden houses and the scenery -- lake views!!! It used to be the poor folk's part of town, these days, it's everything but. 

I also was on a baking mission today, this time for my dad's birthday. Happy birthday Isä!!! 

Gluten-free coffee-chocolate-coffee cake made up by yours truly. I moistened it straight out of the oven with Disaronno. Mmm... and then poured caramel made from scratch on it. Yup, because I can. 

Thanks for reading, see you tomorrow!