A warm September morning with mist over the fields still at seven, not yet eight :-), sun shining down gently, casting a golden hue over everything. The soft rustling of leaves , while wildflowers peek through the dew-kissed grass, adding splashes of color to the tranquil scene. Birds chirp, creating a cheerful symphony that fills the air, their sweet melodies .. As I stroll through the road, the earthy scent of damp soil creating an aroma that invigorates my senses. I can’t help but feel a deep sense of joy. This natural, simple countryside beauty, I really appreciate the little things that often go unnoticed. So pretty, just love it.
Egídio’s challenge entry for the Lens-Artists Challenge #316 – Destination: Fun provides us with a fascinating glimpse into what brings joy to his life. It’s clear that he leads an incredibly active and dynamic lifestyle, and his stunning photography serves as a testimony to his myriad interests and the delightful locations where he indulges in them. Each picture is a window into his world, a world filled with energy, passion, and a deep appreciation for life’s many adventures.
FUN – or maybe a feeling of contentment. Happiness.
Enjoyment is the word I would use to describe the simple yet fulfilling moments in life. I find joy in being surrounded by my family and close friends; their laughter and support brighten even the dullest of days. Moreover, my appreciation for nature’s wonders knows no bounds. Whether it is the breathtaking sunrise on a misty morning or the mesmerizing night sky dotted with twinkling stars, I wind up finding enjoyment in simple moments of natural beauty, capturing them with my camera lens as an avid photographer.
Time spent with family, the gray day does not matter
Fun is indeed going out for a meal and enjoying the luxury of not having to prepare it yourself, allowing you to savor every bite without worrying if it turned out tasty. It’s about being served in a beautiful way, with carefully arranged dishes and delightful presentations that elevate the entire dining experience. These small joys of life are fun.
Last weekend, it was extremely rainy, with the rain lasting for most the weekend. The night was particularly intense, as the thunder and lightning circled around our summer house for hours, creating a dramatic spectacle in the sky. The heavy rain beat against our roof relentlessly, creating a rhythmic pattern that filled the air. Despite the cacophony, I found myself unable to sleep. It wasn’t the noise that kept me awake, but rather a strange compulsion to listen to the storm. From midnight until the early hours of the morning, I was captivated by the sounds of nature in turmoil. This is entirely unrelated to the topic at hand, but I felt compelled to share this peculiar incident.
Dark clouds couple weeks back
But during the day I did find beauty in the nature set against gray skies and rain. The contrast between the dark clouds and the lush greenery added an extra layer of enchantment to the scenery. It does not take too much to make me happy; the simplicity of nature’s beauty never fails to bring a smile to my face. I got good shots of very common scenery here in Finland, capturing the serene lakes, verdant forests, and charming countryside. This time, I am not going far, even though I love to travel. Exploring the nearby landscapes has allowed me to appreciate the often overlooked treasures close to home, and yes, it certainly is FUN to discover the hidden gems in my own backyard.
One more fun thing; I really enjoy the editing process of photography as well as it gives an opportunity to try to show how I see / saw the view I took the photo off. Hence my blog title: the world as I see it.
Exploring the various editing tools and techniques allows me to enhance the mood, colors, and composition of my photos, turning them into visual representations of my unique perspective. Adjusting the contrast, saturation, and sharpness helps me convey the emotions and beauty I experienced when capturing the image. Through editing, I strive to create experience, inviting you to see the world through my eyes and feel the essence of each moment frozen in time.
I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to each and every individual who graciously dedicated their time and effort to participate in the common objects challenge. Witnessing the diverse and imaginative interpretations of what is often considered ordinary and mundane has been nothing short of captivating. This experience has truly opened our eyes to the unanticipated beauty that surrounds us in the most unexpected of places. The stunning array of photographs and the innovative methods employed to present these everyday items have undeniably demonstrated the exceptional depth of creativity within our community. Each contribution has beautifully illuminated the unique perspectives and artistic talents that enrich our shared space.
Join us again next week as it is Tina’s turn to host at Travels and Trifles next Saturday. Her captivating photography and engaging storytelling always make her blog a delightful site to visit. Prepare to be transported to stunning landscapes and culturally rich locations through Tina’s lens, and immerse yourself in her insightful narratives that bring each place to life. Whether you’re an avid traveler seeking inspiration or simply appreciate the beauty of the world, Tina’s posts are sure to captivate and inspire. Mark your calendars and don’t miss out on this upcoming adventure with “Travels and Trifles”!
Looking for more information on joining our challenge? Click here.
My last photos are from the concert Hall where the Orchestra played a part of Sibelius Karelia Suite.
Most of the photos in this series are in Monochrome, capturing the essence and mood of the scene in a timeless black and white aesthetic. As you scroll through the collection, you’ll notice that amidst the artistic monochrome compositions, there is a solitary color photo strategically placed. This serves as a captivating contrast, a glimpse of vivid reality in an otherwise grayscale narrative. The deliberate inclusion of this color photograph is a nod to the diverse and multi-faceted nature of the experience I’m sharing. Reflecting on the captivating imagery, I found that the music shots particularly stood out in Monochrome. There’s a grandeur and timelessness to them, evoking a sense of history and significance. Do you share this perspective?
Additionally, I’ve complemented the visual story with two brief yet impactful videos capturing the music in motion. These videos serve as an immersive extension, bringing the rhythmic melodies and vibrant energy to life, inviting you to experience the music in a new dimension. They can be found at the conclusion of this post, inviting you to immerse yourself further in the ambiance and emotion of the moment.
Any idea where these are taken, I did say I will continue. Now was a great opportunity to post some doors for Dan’s door – Yes we are at the Sibelius Hall 🙂
heading out
The Sibelius Hall, located in Lahti, Finland, is known for its stunning architecture and acoustics , where the blend of tradition and modernity is evident in every aspect of the hall’s design.
This is such a challenge – well no challenge at all. I have so many shorelines from this summer that I am having trouble deciding what to post. Do I limit to one days worth of photos or from several ??? My week has been a roller-coaster of emotions to birthdays and a funeral and work on top of it. I started this post a week ago, and here I am next Saturday, still working on it. I wanted to post some of my new photos from Hailuoto, but me being me, well I do need to edit them first, but with all the all the things happening this week, here I am. Anne, I did get it done, I love this theme.
I am going to share some photos from our lake cruise through the three lakes, between the cities of Lahti – Heinola in Finland. We have for several year thought about doing this, but never got around to doing, but this summer we did.
Here are some shorelines of these three lakes; Vesijärvi is a lake of 111 square kilometres (43 sq mi) near Lahti in southern Finland. The city of Lahti is connected to Päijänne through Lake Vesijärvi and Vääksy canal. Lake Päijänne is the second largest lake in Finland (1,080 km2 (266,874 acres)). The lake drains into the Gulf of Finland via the Kymi River. And through lake Päijänne you reach Lake Ruotsalainen which is medium-sized lake in the Kymijoki main catchment area. it is located in Päijät-Häme, near the town Heinola.
I also love the seaside as you might know. Last weekend I visited Hailuoto for the second time.
Just to give a little information; Hailuoto is an island in Northern Ostrobothnia. It is the third largest island in Finland, known for its beautiful nature, sandy beaches and bird watching opportunities.
A small, close-knit community of about 1,000 inhabitants lives on the island, and you can get there by ferry from Oulu. We drove there with my. son and two grandsons. The day was gray, windless. We were lucky no rain
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Lighthouse
The Marjaniemi lighthouse reaches majestically into the sky. Its pale brick walls reflect bright sunlight. When I touch a building, I feel its strong foundation. Historical stories whisper in my ears.
This lighthouse has been seen as a symbol of Hailuoto since the end of the 19th century. The design of Finland’s leading architect Axel Hampus Dahlström was built and finally put into use in 1872. Since then, it has been an unusual aid to shipping.
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“From the appearance of the lighthouse, you can immediately see where Dahlström has taken his impressions,” guide points out. ” Italian architecture has had a great influence.” I would have not known this immediately 🙂
The lighthouse happens to have a so-called “Italy window”, which has been used to send signals to the sea through colors. The fact that the colors are the same as the Italian flag is just a funny coincidence. The real Italian atmosphere is created by the architecture.
The colors of the lighthouse
On the west side of the island, the low tide revealed a fascinating landscape of rocks and vibrant green grass, creating a picturesque scene against the backdrop of a multi-hued sky. The ever-changing sky displayed an array of gray tones, each one offering a unique charm when observed from different directions. Despite the shifting shades, the beauty of the scenery remained constant, providing a moody landscape. As we appreciated the enchanting surroundings, our grandkids gleefully immersed themselves in the cool waters of the Baltic sea, huge enjoying themselves.
The harbour had only few boats there at this time.
On the eastern side of the island, the shore stretched out into a beautiful expanse of grassy knolls and swaying reeds, with fields extending as far as the eye could see. The gentle breeze carried the scent of earth and sea, creating a serene and nostalgic atmosphere. The old dock was only a pile of rocks, worn down by years of relentless waves and weather. Despite its dilapidated state, it still held a certain charm, a reminder of times long gone . Over time, nature had reclaimed much of the area, with wildflowers blooming between the cracks in the stone, and seagulls nesting in the crevices. It was a place where the past and present intertwined, each telling a story of the island’s rich history.
Leaving the island this was the last photo I took. The wind turbine dominated the scene.
wind turbine at Hailuoto
Last week, John’s Cool Colors inspired us! it was great to see your beautiful interpretations of this theme even if I did not comment on them. Thank you, John, for hosting such a beautiful challenge.
This week Anne has a lovely challenge, that has unfortunately has inspired beutiful posts, but due to lack of time I have just looked at them, but no comments. Sorry for that. But life happens…
What’s up later today? It is my turn to lead us, so please visit my blog later today, Saturday 7th September. Until then, take care and and keep on smiling! I will make sure I comment on all posts linked to my blog no matter what.
If you want to know more about the Lens-Artists Challenge, please click here.
It was a windy and cloudy day and we did not feel like barbequing so we drove to Lahti have lunch. We drove to Vuorikatu and first thing I noticed that lots of construction had been done and the sea of signs was the second thing I noticed as we got out of the car. it’s a jungle out there.
Looking down the hill you can see the ski jump hills, a landmark of the city. Behind the fence was a (Harjun koulu) school. I took a photo of the entrance. In the last two photos you can see some of the yard, and an apartment building and the tower of the Lahti City Hall
From the hill you can see to the hill on other side , (Ristin Kirkko) the Church of the Cross it is the main church in Lahti, Finland. The modernist church, completed in 1978, was one of the last design projects of the renowned Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. The first photo in the gallery below.
And then we drove up the hill to see the radio masts of Lahti an other landmark of the city
Lahti is an important radio city because of its old radio broadcasting station. The Finnish Broadcasting Company was established in 1926. It was soon found that the radio broadcasting station in Helsinki was not powerful enough. The first long wave station in Finland was built in Lahti because of the city’s central location. Built in 1927, the 150-metre-high radio towers became a landmark of the city. Lahti’s broadcasting station was inaugurated on 22 April 1928.
The popularity of radio increased quickly in the 1930s, and it became necessary to expand coverage. In 1935, a new long-wave station was completed in Lahti (today the Radio and TV Museum Mastola) with a powerful 150 kW Marconi transmitter. In 1953, ultrashort (FM) waves and transmitters were introduced in broadcasting. In the same year, the transmitter of the Lahti long-wave (AM) transmitter was replaced. In 1958, Suomen Televisio was established and began its television broadcasting. Currently, FM and television transmission operations in Lahti are run by the Tiirismaa station, completed in 1967.
The AM station in Lahti stopped broadcasting in 1993, as the Finnish Broadcasting Company discontinued its long-wave service. Mastola
You can sense the changing season in the air, as the days grow shorter and the nights longer. The warmth of the sun feels different somehow, as its angle changes in the sky and its rays become more gentle. The sun is lower, casting long, golden shadows that stretch across the landscape. The earth’s scent is changing too, as the fallen leaves begin to decompose and release a subtle, earthy fragrance. Can you feel it in the crisp breeze that carries the promise of autumn?
Framed view from a Cafe in Mankala, Iitti. The Brita cake alone made the drive there worth it. So delicious. The picturesque surroundings, the warm, inviting atmosphere of the cafe enhanced the visit, making it a delightful escape.
For John’s Cellpic Sunday. I took these with a mobile phone
Recipe ingredients 12 servings The bottom of Brita cake 125 g margarine or butter (80% fat) 1 DL sugar 3 yolk 1 ½ dl wheat flour 2 tsp baking powder 1 DL low-fat milk On top of Britankaku 3 of egg protein 1 ½ dl sugar Brita cake filling 3 dl whipped cream 2 tbsp sugar 2 tsp vanilla sugar 200 g raspberries To decorate Britankaku 3 dl raspberries and blueberries ½ dl lemon balm or mint leaves
Brita cake – instructions: Beat the fat and sugar. Beat in the egg yolks one at a time. Combine wheat flour and baking powder. Mix them into the dough alternately with the milk. Grease the baking paper. Spread the dough over it in a sheet the size of a baking pan. Wash and dry the beaters. Whip the egg whites until stiff and gradually beat in the sugar. When the mixture is stiff and shiny, spread it over the base dough. (If you want, add almond flakes on top.) Bake the brita cake in the oven at 175 degrees for 20-30 minutes until the meringue is beautifully light brown. Let it cool. Whip the cream until foamy and season with sugar and vanilla sugar. Halve the cooled cake plate. Place the other half on a serving platter. Spread the whipped cream and raspberries on top. Place the second cake plate on top. Decorate the brita cake with raspberries and blueberries and lemon balm or mint leaves. Tips! Britakaku combines a thick cake base and a light meringue. The crunchy base tastes suitably almondy and toasted. Part of the cake’s charm is its carefree appearance. Spread the meringue dough with a clean spatula. If fatty cake batter is mixed with the meringue batter, the foam may settle. A traditional brita is usually made on a baking sheet, cut into two parts and filled with whipped cream and fresh raspberries, strawberries or other summer berries. If you use frozen raspberries, choose Finnish ones and use them plump. Thawed frozen raspberries color the filling and crumble. Vary the brita cake filling according to your taste. As an addition to the whipped cream, you can use cream cheese or curd, you can replace the raspberries with other berries or fruits. You can put, for example, cherries, lingonberries, strawberries or rhubarb between Britakaku. Also try the wonderful apple brita, chocolate brita and charming Christmas brita! You can bake the bottom of Britakaku the day before, but you should only fill the cake right before serving. This keeps the meringue crispy.
I’m not a fan of baseball but I think there are few among my followers in USA, follow the link to know about Finnish baseball, which I am not a fan of either 😀 but I more action is in our version.
Photos taken at Pulkkilanharju by the lake Päijänne.
Pulkkilanharju, which serves as the southeast gateway to the National park, is a truly captivating natural wonder that beckons visitors with its stunning vistas. The highest point on the island offers panoramic views over Lake Päijänne’s largest expanse, Tehinselkä, creating a mesmerizing sight that never fails to leave a lasting impression on all who behold it.
As for Lake Päijänne itself, it is truly a marvel of nature. Spanning an area of approximately 23,204 hectares, or 232 square kilometers, this vast expanse is dotted with around 2,690 picturesque islands, each adding to the lake’s allure. The remarkable expanse of Päijänne forms part of the Kymijoki watershed and ranks as Finland’s deepest lake, with an astounding maximum depth of 95 meters. Furthermore, the lake boasts an extensive coastline that stretches for 2,200 kilometers, showcasing the stunning natural beauty and providing ample opportunities for exploration and recreation.
Päijänne’s status as the second largest lake in Finland only adds to its significance, drawing in locals and tourists alike to marvel at the awe-inspiring splendor of this natural gem. Whether it’s the tranquil shores, the diverse flora and fauna, or the potential for water-based activities, Lake Päijänne stands as a testament to the incomparable beauty of the Finnish landscape.
A lovely place by the river to stop for a glass of wine or a cup of coffee at Riverside (jokiranta) in Vääksy is the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy a summer day. Whether you’re seeking a tranquil setting to sip on a fine glass of wine, or simply craving a hot cup of coffee while taking in the beautiful riverside views, Riverside in Vääksy offers a escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Sit back and relax as you watch the gentle flow of the river, feeling the soothing ambiance that only nature can provide. This charming spot to enjoy the simple pleasures of life in a picturesque setting by the water’s edge.
When you drive in Finland on small dirt roads, you can come across this kind of old-time milieu, with the gravel crunching under your tires and the scent of pine trees filling the air. As you navigate the winding paths, you can imagine that the picture was taken years ago, before the modern advancements reached this corner of the world. The old log houses stand as witnesses to the passage of time, surrounded by many different outbuildings in the yard. Electricity pylons, a striking contrast to the rustic scenery, bring it into modern times, emphasizing the coexistence of tradition and progress. When presented in black and white, the atmosphere is further enhanced, allowing in the timeless vibes of the past.
I spent an afternoon at this manor in Lahti celebrating my father in law’s 90th birthday.
Mukkulan kartano
More about the history of Manor One cannot describe the history of the Manor, without giving a special mention to the mysterious ghost of Mukkula, which sometimes makes an appearance around the estate. This is what Helli Jalas, a senior guide at Mukkula tells us: “It is said that a female figure sometimes descends the Manor’s stairs and enters the drawing room. It is believed that she is a former Lady of the Manor, wanting to check that everything in the drawing room is still in order – as it should be.”
The weather has been rather unpredictable over the past week, with a mix of rain, clouds, and sunshine. It’s one of the hallmarks of summer, especially in July, when the weather can fluctuate dramatically from one day to the next. This kind of variability keeps everyone on their toes, as you never quite know what to expect when you step outside.
PR‘s Monochrome madness asked for statue photos, and it turns out that I don’t have all that many. The first one is from Oulu. The others are from Italy. And I don’t know anything about them other than for some reason I took photos of them many of them have wings 🙂
A special feature in Oulu’s police history were the market police, whose task was to monitor the discipline and order of the market. It was through them that a large part of the townspeople and the population of the province also got to know law enforcement and the police.
The time of market police lasted in Oulu from 1934 to 1979. From those times, the sayings ‘Are you from Oulu, are you afraid of the police’ and ‘Gents are good and go their separate ways’ have survived in Oulu. After the end of the market patrol, as a tribute to these policemen, a bronze statue, Toripolliisi, designed by Kaarlo Mikkonen, was erected in front of the Market Hall in 1987 as a result of a public gathering. This 220-centimeter-tall, standing policeman from Oulu has over time become one of the sights and subjects that most reflect the Oulu community.
All photos in this gallery can be enlarged by a click
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography 