So far, December has been unseasonably warm, characterized by gray and rainy weather; we’ve only enjoyed one sunny day here in southern Finland. The dreariness of the skies affects my mood, it really does. However, we did go to Helsinki to see live music and on the way we saw the season’s festive lights in Helsinki, which I found to be quite tastefully arranged, stylish would be my word. I snapped a few iPhone photos to preserve the memories, but unfortunately, none turned out well in terms of quality—they’re all somewhat blurry. I’ll attribute this to the frigid weather; the biting wind was so cold it left me shivering, making it hard to hold the camera steady.
A festive winter scene in Helsinki’s Esplanade Park, featuring a beautifully illuminated Christmas tree and decorated deer sculptures near the statue of Johan Ludvig Runeberg.
A festive pedestrian street in Helsinki with twinkling holiday lights.
Livemusic, americana, mexicana? We went to see a top band assembled by Alejandro Escovedo and Sami Yaffa in Savoy in Helsinki. A long-time songwriter (74 years old), Escovedo was born to a family of Mexican immigrants, and he often sings stories about the experiences of immigrants in the United States, a musical family as only 8 out of the 13 children became musicians. Brothers Coke and Pete once played in a small Chicano band called Santana. Pete’s daughter is Sheila E.
This was a new artist from Texas to me; I loved how he told the stories about the songs. I can say I truly enjoyed this wonderful artist’s music there is something to be said about to listening to live music played by wonderful musicians.
Live performance by a talented band and Alejandro Escovedo, showcasing a captivating musical experience.
The photos are nothing to brag about, but will be a reminder of nice evening. For John’s Cellpic Sunday
I got a request to show my new vase with flowers that I featured in my how to survive November round post. I am not happy with any of these, not even the edited one.But here they are for John’s Cellpic Sunday.
A single red rose in a sleek glass vase, sharing my feelings in a minimalistic style . Not happy.
It seems that I am frequently posting food photographs on this post, showcasing the delightful variety of dishes that capture my attention. However, I haven’t taken many photos with my phone this week. I do like taking shots of beautifully served food, usually it’s a meticulously plated gourmet meal at a restaurant. I always strive to highlight the artistry and creativity behind every plate.
Yesterday I had lunch that took four hours with a friend; we enjoyed a three-course meal and a bottle of nice wine, savoring every bite as we reminisced about our past adventures together. Good conversation kept going, even though we got into a rather fiery one about what’s happening in the world, but we remained polite, respecting each other’s viewpoints while passionately expressing our own. Ultimately, we thought about the issue the same way but approached it from different angles, and this diversity of thought only deepened our connection, allowing us to appreciate the complexities of our discussions.
Starters: Burrata cheese, marinated tomatoes, Marcona almonds, and fresh basil and Creamy chanterelle soup with allspice cream and thyme
Mains: Grilled pepper steak with garlic–blue cheese gratinated potatoes, tomato–onion salad and creamy pepper sauce
Desert: French lemon meringue tart with vanilla tuile
A beautifully plated French lemon meringue tart adorned with delicate tuile, garnished with fresh flowers and herbs.
Starters or to share: King prawn pan with pilpil parmesan butter, rucola, and bread and Mains: Grilled beef tenderloin with fried king prawns in jalapeno sauce and grilled sweet potato
I was going to bed a bit earlier than my husband, as I had had enough crime for the day while he continued watching Law and Order. After a long day, I felt tired. I had closed the door to our bedroom at our summer home, seeking quiet from the sound of the TV. However, Tinka, our mischievous cat, seemed determined to disrupt my plans; she has an uncanny knack for opening doors and an unmistakable dislike for anything that blocks her pathway. The moment she managed to nudge the door open, a soft glow of light poured in, casting gentle shadows across the room. In that serene moment, I picked up my phone and captured this shot. I have to say, the camera phone takes really nice nighttime images, making even the dimmest light appear vibrant and full of life. The interplay of shadows and lightshowed me of the peaceful and warm atmosphere of our home, and I couldn’t help but feel grateful for these little moments of joy that come unexpectedly.
A serene nighttime scene in a cozy bedroom, illuminated by soft light casting gentle shadows.
Yesterday – finally we hanged some seasonal lights to our backyard to brighten the dark nights. Tinka enjoy the sight too 🙂 Two of them are from my bedroom and other through the window in my living room.
These are not the best shots I’ve taken with my mobile, but I had fun experimenting with light settings. The last set is taken from inside a cozy cafe, looking out through the window— searching for funny reflections that add an interesting twist to the ordinary scene. It’s amusing to notice how, in some of the pictures, there are lots of people appearing without heads. These unusual captures reminding me of the joy that comes from simply observing the world around me while sipping on a warm cup of coffee.
I have mostly used my phone to take photos lately as it is always available and convenient to carry around. On Thursday evening at 9 PM, I captured some beautiful moments while we left home to drive to our summer house, eagerly anticipating the relaxing weekend ahead. Our goal was to arrive there that night so we would be refreshed and ready to start our workday early on Friday. By planning this, we aimed to sidestep the afternoon traffic, which often adds unnecessary time to our trip. The other photo was taken at 10:40 PM, just as we arrived, with the warm glow of the house welcoming us.
I have to say mobile is not the best to take moon shots, but I had to try. Here are the results; I edited them in LR – not classic. I have the mobile version on my phone, which is quite handy for quick access and sharing. When I first looked at the moon through my mobile lens, it looked so huge and captivating, almost as if it were within reach. The smoke trailing from a plane nearby created an interesting contrast, and the street lamp at the end of the road nicely framed the scene, making a beautiful leading line that draws the eye toward the celestial body. It reminded me that sometimes unexpected beauty can be captured in the simplest moments.
This is when we reached the countryside, and the field was blanketed in a delicate mist that swirled gently around us, creating an ethereal atmosphere. The moon cast its soft glow upon the landscape, illuminating the field with a silvery light that made everything appear almost magical; plus, the car lights enhanced the scene by bringing out the subtle details in the corner of my photo, creating a perfect backdrop for the moment. I just rolled down the window and seized the opportunity to capture this sight with my camera.
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.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography 