vihannes- ja hedelmäpussit - produce bags

Working with an idea picked up from Michele at A House Called Nut, Hanna made some reusable produce bags out of super-light fabric. Some have been given as gifts to friends, the rest have stayed with us in an attempt to reduce our plastic bag usage.

Baby food by Alvar Aalto

Alvar Aalto was a Finnish architect and designer. While he did have his moments of genius, he was far from faultlessness. Anyone who has had to sit through a two hour lecture in one of his torture chamber lecture halls in the C Building of the University of Jyväskylä campus will know what I am talking about. Could one possibly design a more uncomfortable chair?

Don't even get me started on the 100% dysfunctional men's rooms in the same building. Makes me wonder if Aalto was so perfect that he never had to take a crap because I can guarantee that even Mr. Perfect Architect himself couldn't figure out how to use one of those cramped facilities with dignity. And do the sinks really have to be at the height of ones knees?

Don't get me wrong. His buildings look great from the outside and his design items often unite form and function quite satisfactorily. One of his iconic designs was the Aalto (Savoy) vase.

Using the official Aalto vase ice tray as a mold, Hanna froze several baby-sized portions of carrot puree for Reino to enjoy as he is now learning to eat solid foods. Now here is some design we can enjoy even after it has been melted down in the microwave!


carrot puree by Alvar Aalto

Keski-Suomen viides vuodenaika - The fifth season of Central Finland

A little more than a week ago, my adopted hometown looked like this:



There was plenty of snow and the temperatures were comfortably below freezing. The air was crisp and dry. Humidity was virtually nonexistent.

My friends and I discussed how great it would be if the weather would remain as such. After having spent several winters here however, I realized that this was not to be the case. I knew for sure that soon the dreaded fifth season would be upon us.




The fifth season has no name. It is the time of year that comes between fall and winter. Some years the fifth season can last from the end of November to well beyond Christmas.



The fifth season is characterized by lack of sunlight, abundance of rain, and an ever-present dampness that chills to the bone.



There are many ways to cope with the fifth season. Some indulge in hot beverages, with or without a bit of alcohol. A weekly trip to the local swimming hall has been known to help. Sauna offers a temporary respite from the cold.



A side note: Would the reader who sent me an email the other day please send it again? Thanks to my magnificent IT skills I managed to delete it before I was able to read the whole message.