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
This is stretching it a bit, first I noticed the woman with the orange scarf, she was sitting on the edge of the window – facing me and the sun having a smoke. Before I could get the shot she turned. The restaurant is out of business, well by the looks f the door. There is a lady coming out through the gate in the corner. So there is a door in this shot 🙂
Arena talo is a commercial and residential building located in Hakaniemi, Helsinki, which completely covers a triangular block on the north side of Hakaniemi market. The Danish-style red brick building was designed by architect Lars Sonck and was completed in two stages in 1924 and 1929. There is an Oxygenol light advertisement on the roof. And lots of doors on the street level.
Oxygenol has also been a part of Helsinki’s street scene for decades: the brand name can be read in two meters high letters on the roof of the Arena building near the Hakaniemi metro station from the direction of the Hakaniemi square. In these you can see it from the back 🙂
I was going to leave it to one photo, but I couldn’t resist capturing more of the breathtaking scenery. The misty sunset painted the sky with hues of orange, pink, and purple, creating a mesmerizing display of nature’s beauty. Surrounded by the tranquility of the countryside, there were no neighbors in sight, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the moment. The absence of gnats or mosquitoes was a welcome surprise, and as the clock neared 11pm, the lingering light of the sunset filled me with a sense of contentment. It was a perfect ending to a busy day, leaving me feeling truly happy. 😃
I took photos to all directions but east, I was too lazy to go and walk to the road. Instead, I found a myself staying on our own plot of land , It ialways nice to see how the colors and light varies depending which direction I am looking at.
Our summer home and sauna looking towards South
South view
pointing my camera to the west in these two photos
Sunset at north west
You see what I mean, could you limit your photos to one, maybe, me no way. Sorry for the overload
HELSINKI’s cityscape is a delightful blend of modern architecture and historical landmarks. The pavilion, located next to the Marketplace on Lyypekin laituri, with its wooden structure and two new piers, the pavilion offers visitors a serene place to take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding area. Inspired by the Helsinki archipelago and Vallisaari specifically, the pavilion’s design showcases the city’s deep connection to its natural surroundings. “It’s shaped like a beach cliff that twists into a squishy ring,” as it was eloquently described in the press release during its initial design phase.
That is not why I took the photos, because delightful blend of modern architecture, no. I just loved how the triangle frames the city view and how the people added perspective to the height of the building
The back of my mobile phone was the background for these colorful images, I obviously was not busy as I took time to try different things with these flowers
Bird cherry flowers showily in early summer. The heavy-scented flowers attract insects, especially flies and bees. Black fruits of the bird cherry are bitter-sweet. They can be used for making tasty liqueur, or for dyeing wool as they yield a pale lilac shade. Also called European bird cherry, Hackberry
I think these are suitable for this week. Ympyrätalo “Circle House”) is a circle-shaped office building located in the Hakaniemi district of Helsinki, Finland. The building is a local landmark. The building’s architecture has been seen as a high point in 1960s Finnish office building architecture.
Goldilocks is a common name for a whole group of buttercups. They often begin to flower already at the end of April and their flowering time peaks at the turn of May and June. The plant’s inflorescence is clearly more modest than meadow buttercup, which flowers a couple of weeks later.
I have taken some summer flower photos, but for some reason I have not posted them. I have been less on the computer, maybe that is one of the reason. This is For Cee’s Flower of the Day.
All photo can be enlarged with a click.
Spreading bellflower grows as a biennial in Finland, Spreading bellflower in Finland is usually easy to differentiate from its relatives by its more reddish and more narrowly based leaves. White-flowered plants can also be found, although they are clearly rarer than the purple ones. In southern and central Europe the species is not so clearly defined because several slightly different forms exist, as happens in Finland with harebell.
I spent some time in Helsinki and looked it with the eyes of a tourist. You rarely take photos of your own cities and towns that you frequently visit. Well last week I did, as I already posted we went to see Nick Cave and I took these on my way from the parking garage to the music hall and actually looked at the buildings, not just walked past them. Something we often do in familiar places, this goes to landscape and scenery too. I noticed a fare amount of door and windows, what a revelation to find them in the city 🙂
Kansalaistori is a new square and lawn area in the heart of the city located between the Music Centre and Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma along Mannerheimintie in Helsinki. On the other side of there square there is the Central library Oodi. The square is partially paved and in the summertime popular especially among skateboarders. . Kansalaistori serves also as a venue for various events.
Kiasma from the back. All the photos in the galleries can be enlarged by a click.
Kiasma is a museum of contemporary art under the umbrella of the Finnish National Gallery. The primary focus in the museum collection is on Finnish contemporary art. Kiasma was designed by the American architect Steven Holl and opened to the public in 1998. At Kiasma there’s also a museum shop and café. These are all taken from the backside of the building.
Sanoma House with its glass facade is situated in Finlandia Park, a cultural oasis in the heart of Helsinki, north of the Helsinki railway station, beside the Museum of Contemporary Art-Kiasma, the Central library Oodi and the Music Centre. The first and second floors mainly consist of covered public space.
Finland’s 200-seat parliament gathers in this impressive building representing 1920s Classicism. The facade of the building is made of red granite from Kalvola. The main facade includes 14 Corinthian columns. It is across the road from the kansalaistori.
Musiikkitalo is an acoustically first-class concert hall as well as other facilities providing a wide range of musical experiences for people of all ages and a place to study music. The residents of Musiikkitalo are Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and Sibelius Academy, Uniarts Helsinki. These are also taken from the back of the Music Hall
This a photo of Oodi, I’ve taken at spring, for some reason I did not take on this time, but as it is in the square I’ll add it here.
I have to admit that lately I have been a lazy photographer, and most of the time I’ve taken photos with my mobile. I have two previous posts about the beauty of summer nights and these were taken the same night. I took these first, then went to get my camera to take better shots of the moon. The iPhone has a great camera, with a RAW option, and you can get great photos with it; even the zoom is okay. But you can also edit and crop the images as a way of enhancing it.
It’s amazing how much the technology in smartphones has advanced, allowing us to capture stunning images without the need for additional equipment. The convenience of having a powerful camera always at hand has certainly made me rely more on my mobile for photography. Despite its compact size, the iPhone truly delivers remarkable image quality, especially in low light conditions. The ability to edit and refine the pictures directly on the device further adds to the appeal of mobile photography, providing a convenient way to enhance the visual impact of the captured moments.
The color of the sky, clouds and mist set such a beautiful view, that I only slightly edited the contrast and light in Lightroom app – nature did the rest.
Birch trees stand sentinel, white and tall, Their leaves a verdant canopy, a gentle sprawl. Mist weaves through their trunks, a spectral dance, As dusk paints the sky in hues of chance.
The evening cradles them in twilight’s hark. Silhouettes against the canvas of fading light, They sway, entwined, in nature’s quiet rite. And there, where fog and foliage converge, A sacred silence settles—a tranquil surge.
So let us linger here, beneath their boughs, Where time suspends, and dreams are allowed. In this ethereal embrace, we find our place, As birch and fog weave magic, leaving no trace.
I took these of the strawberry moon, but only now got around to posting them, I shared some taken with my mobile on Instagram, but these I took with my camera.
Strawberry moon
I was already in bed, all comfortable and ready to go to sleep, when my husband repeatedly said the mist is rising, the mist is even heavier, meaning get up, grab your camera, and take photos. Good on him or I would have missed some lovely midsummer moments.
The moon was so pretty.
It was such a serendipitous moment, being snug in bed and then being urged to capture such an ethereal sight. The mist rolling in created an otherworldly ambiance, and combined with the presence of the strawberry moon, it resulted in a truly mesmerizing spectacle.
I sat down and took a shot with the fence in the foreground
It’s moments like these that etch memories for a lifetime, and I’m grateful for the nudge that led to these stunning captures.
Clouds started to gather around the moon
so lovely moment
Were you able to capture or see the strawberry moon in June? The strawberry moon, also known as the June full moon, is a beautiful sight that occurs when the moon is at its fullest and appears with a warm, reddish glow. This phenomenon takes place in the month of June, marking the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. People often gather to witness this remarkable celestial event, and many photographers aim to capture its stunning beauty through their camera lenses. The strawberry moon has cultural significance in various traditions and is a source of inspiration for poets, writers, and artists around the world. So, did you have the chance to admire this enchanting spectacle?
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography 