Category Archives: Winter

Day 30: Proekt 365 (A little streaming sunshine)

by in #365grateful, Everyday Life, Helsinki, Winter and tagged , , | Leave a comment
Day 30: Proekt 365 Lovely streaming sunshine to brighten my day

Day 30: Proekt 365
Lovely streaming sunshine to brighten my day

My close personal relationship with my desk, keyboard and computer screens continued today, finding me pretty much locked in my desk chair and focused on the tasks at hand. So, I was thoroughly delighted to be able to turn off the desk lamp for even a brief bit of time today as the sunshine streamed through the windows and brightened the room around me with dazzling winter sunlight.

Glorious, lovely, bright sunshine. If you look closely at the photo, you can see my transition lenses darkened a bit. Yes, it was just that bright.

We may have only had a brief window during which there was no need for any additional light. But, I’ll gladly take it. A month ago, it was ‘dark’ (think very, very grey) all day and completely dark by about 3.00-3.30 in the afternoon. Here we are heading into February and the days are longer and, more importantly, brighter. I swear, that plant in the corner along with all the other plants in our flat perked up as soon as the first traces of sunshine hit. That same plant looks rather sad just now, sitting in the darkness.

We may be expecting a bit of snow over the weekend, which will be very much welcomed by this household. But, it is such a relief to see the days lengthen and the sun rise that much higher in the sky each day. Winter may be here, but summer is coming.

Day 27: Proekt 365 (The frozen familiar)

by in #365grateful, Environment, Helsinki, Random musings, Winter and tagged , , | Leave a comment
Day 27: Proekt 365 A familiar spot frozen over

Day 27: Proekt 365
A familiar spot frozen over

The contrast between the seasons in Helsinki is mind boggling. At this time of year, we normally have quite a bit of snow and everything is covered in a sparkling layer of white. This year, we have the sub-zero temps finally and most things are frozen over, but there is precious little snow. No matter—there is still much loveliness to be found.

Rather than giving in to the temptation to stay in and hibernate the winter months away, we try to get out and about during the brightest bit of the day (or at least before the sun sets each day). Today, we were a bit late in getting out due to other commitments. A standard part of our walks has us passing over the above bridge. In the pools on either side of this bridge, a family of ducks can normally be seen scavenging for the bits of bread crusts and seeds our neighbours take to them or paddling about in the waters still unfrozen and quacking away the days.

It’s shocking to see this nearly frozen solid. But, frozen it is. And, lovely as ever it is.

The family of ducks must have wandered to another spot less frozen over. All that remained of them today were their footprints in the snow covering the ice. Small bits of water still show and the water is flowing under all of that ice. Alas, no ducks.

But, it’s a different world in this normally tranquil paddling pool, much as the world around us looks so different at this time of year to what it will look like six months from now. Rather than a familiar world frozen and darkened by the burden of frost, snow and ice, everything will be alive with green and colour and the varied songs of the many birds who call our neighbourhood home. And, also familiar.

Still tranquil, but not quite so quiet. Yet, always lovely.

Day 24: Proekt 365 (Afternoon / early evening tea)

by in #365grateful, Beverages, Everyday Life, Gratitude, Helsinki, Random musings, Winter and tagged , , | Leave a comment
Day 24: Proekt 365 A spot of afternoon / early evening tea (and chocolate)

Day 24: Proekt 365
A spot of afternoon / early evening tea (and chocolate)

I love cups of tea, particularly on cold, grey winter days. Add a side of chocolate, and my afternoon is pretty much perfect.

This particular cup was a gift from a dear friend who a) knows how much I love large cups for tea and coffee; and b) was acutely aware of the pain I suffered last year when I clumsily shattered my beloved coffee cup one morning. (I think she also knows me well enough to understand that I frequently spill my coffee / tea / beverages all over myself / desk / floor / counter when I fill them too full and the cup itself is too small. No such worry with this cup, which is perfect.)

Today has been a rather grey and extremely cold winter day in Helsinki. Some snow fell, which was lovely. But, it’s a sleepy sort of end to another frenetic, crazy week. My afternoon cup of tea today was a bit late in the making, but I’m enjoying it all the same. Paired with some chocolate and sipped from my lovely cup, this isn’t a bad way to end this particular week.

Here’s hoping that your weekend is relaxing, filled with laughter and warmth and that your cups runneth over (err….sort of), regardless of what is actually in them.

Day 14: Proekt 365 (The lower the temp, the brighter the sun)

by in #365grateful, Environment, Helsinki, Winter and tagged , , | Leave a comment
Day 14: Proekt 365 Sub-zero temps mean clear skies

Day 14: Proekt 365
Sub-zero temps mean clear skies

Stumbling out of bed this morning required the immediate addition of several layers of warm clothing. As I made my way to the coffee, I peeped at the thermometer outside our kitchen window: -17C (that’s 1.4F for those of you not using the metric system). Yes, it’s freezing; but, beyond the cold, we have clear, blue skies and sunshine!

A week ago, Helsinki temps were hovering just above freezing and the days were darker than dark given the constant cloud cover, persistent rain and lack of snow. I don’t mind telling you that everyone was in a foul mood, myself included. Meanwhile, many parts of North America, suffering the great Polar Vortex of 2014, were experiencing the sort of temperatures and weather common for Helsinki this time of year. It was odd.

One week on, we’ve had a very tiny bit of snow to brighten things up even with clouds, and the mercury has plummeted. This is winter. And, with winter and the colder temps, we get winter sun, which is a very much welcome sight.

Day 12: Proekt 365 (Flowers & Fish in Snow)

by in #365grateful, Everyday Life, Helsinki, Knitting, snow, Winter and tagged , , , | Leave a comment
Day 12: Proekt 365 A friend sent me this pic which combines snow and a yarn bomb. Perfection.

Day 12: Proekt 365
A friend sent me this pic which combines snow and a yarn bomb. Perfection.

It is sooooo much brighter today with just a few centimetres of fresh snow on the ground. The day was made brighter still when my friend Andrea sent the picture above of a yarn bomb a few of us did several months ago (on 16 November, to be exact). That it has survived this long is quite impressive. That it is still hanging as the snow falls is an added bonus.

Knit and crochet flowers and fish adorn this fence along the shoreline at the southern edge of Helsinki. Hopefully, along with the freshly fallen snow, they’ll brighten up the day for all who pass by. It certainly makes my day more cheerful, even if just viewed as a photo. Thank you, Andrea!

Day 11: Proekt 365 (The return of snow!)

by in #365grateful, Children, Everyday Life, Helsinki, snow, Winter and tagged , , | 2 Comments
Day 11: Proekt 365 The return of snow to Southern Finland

Day 11: Proekt 365
The return of snow to Southern Finland

What. A. Day.

Welcoming my step-son for a visit yesterday evening followed by an afternoon in the company of some of my favourite people today was followed by the long overdue and very much welcome delivery of the first real snowfall this winter to Helsinki. My cup runneth over.

I didn’t get a chance to snap a photo whilst walking in a real-life giant snow globe, but I did enjoy the moment immensely. Aside from the obvious inconveniences (I really do feel for all those who have to push strollers, walk gingerly, shovel / plow it to be able to get out of their homes, etc.), snow makes winter this far North so much more bearable. Even at night, there is a bit more brightness to the world.

Today’s snow was even more of a treat given that we have been promised some sort of substantial accumulation for the past several days (weeks?), all resulting in a whole lot of nothing. After being indoors for several hours this afternoon, walking out into the heavy snowfall and gigantic swirling flakes was a most fantastic surprise.

As an adult, there is no hope of a ‘snow day’, whereby any obligations for the next day are cancelled or postponed. Living in Finland, that’s an utterly laughable idea. But, that same excitement and thrill is relived with each snowfall. You’d think I’d be thoroughly sick of snow by now after 15 winters spent in the far North. Nope. Still love it. Still wait for it each winter with anticipation and anxiety. And, still giggle like an idiot when walking in it, especially during the first snowfall of the year.

Thank you, Mother Nature! You’ve given meaning to the winter darkness once again.

Day 9: Proekt 365

by in #365grateful, Gratitude, Helsinki, Winter and tagged , , | Leave a comment
Day 9: Proekt 365 A brief moment of sunshine in Helsinki winter

Day 9: Proekt 365
A brief moment of sunshine in Helsinki winter

Helsinki today was graced by a brief return of real sunshine. What a sight.

This time of year, even when the sun appears, it sits rather low in the sky. The photo above was taken around 11 this morning. At its zenith, it’s never much higher than this during the long winter months.

The past month has been particularly dark and grey this year. With no snow at all yet (a rarity) and near constant thick cloud cover, sunshine of any sort is very much welcome. I’m sure there were many an individual standing and reveling in the brief winter sunshine today for that brief while as it appeared in the sky.

Thank you, Mother Nature! Even if it was but a fleeting moment, it was a lovely thing to see!