“Every hundred feet the world changes”

I will be traveling to the united arab emirates in the end of this week!

Finally I can get away from this coldness. (And use all my savings)

I promise to keep you updated. Remember to follow me on instagram for more pictures! 

x Dora

Taking it easy / Our living room

Well, what can I say. Here is the room, where we sit down after work and relax watching television. And as you can't see television anywhere, it is inside the black cabinet you'll see in the last picture. It's hidden there! As you open the doors, you can watch television. When you're ready, just hide it again by closing doors. Perfection.

 I think the pictures will tell you more than my words. So search through our living room!

Flowerbag from / H&M home

These birds (wall stickers) were the first thing I bought here. They're my favourite. Birds from / LightInTheBox

I like the sofa being very wide. There fits 5 people at the time, so if we have quests, we can gather around the living room table. It was also very important to me that it is a corner sofa, because that way it marks out when the living room starts. 

His guitar has it's own place. Though I have noticed that somehow it never ends up at its own place after he has played it… Very weird. 

 As you may recognize, there's the bedroom wallpaper. So there is no wall between living room and the bedroom - only this massive cabinet. During summer it's a bit difficult having no wall, because it is very hard to get a dark bedroom in the evening. Also, you can't watch television if your other half is already sleeping. Because we have no walls. So whatever you do, you will be heard. 

That little ram sheep is one of my favourites. I got it as a heritage from my grandfather. I remember sitting on it and 'riding' it as a child and I have many good memories from it, so I was happy to have it. It is finnish design and made by Aarikka.  

This little fellow also likes our living room. 

(Mostly) During summer we get to enjoy beautiful sunset straight to our living room. 

What do you think? Looking comfy? 

I really like our living room and I'm happy how I managed to decor it. It's open, bright, and I managed to 'separate' it from the apartment as it's own room quite well. It's clearly a living room. Please have a seat. 

x Dora

Liebster award! Get to know me better

Yes, I got nominated! This award is created to discover new blogs, with not so many readers. I got nominated by Jasmin, who is writing Little things with Jassy - Thank you!

Rules

1. Post 11 random facts about yourself.

2. Answer the eleven questions by the person who nominated you.

3. Nominate bloggers with less than 200 followers to do the same

and

4. Let the bloggers you have nominated know, that they're nominated. 

11 random facts about me

1. My eyes have yellow in them. And I've always hated it. 

2. I hate doing dishes. I just hate. That's why I'm so lucky we have a dishwasher!

3. I used to live in Germany. We moved back to Finland when I turned 3 years old. 

4. Everyone in my family speaks fluent germany, except I. Yes, I am frustrated. Sometimes I suddenly understand a word or another when someone speaks - but I can't answer. I only know few sentences and you don't really make a conversation out of them. 

5. This is weird, but every single time I go to Germany - no matter where, Cologne, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Ahrensburg.. - I get this ''I'm home'' -feeling. Every time. And I don't even speak the language. Way to go!

6. I am super travelsick. I get travel sing swinging, and when sitting on a bike when someone else is biking. Not to forget cars, trams, trains, buses, subways, airplanes.. and so on. And boats are the worst. This sucks. Nothing really helps me, and I get reeeeaaaallyyy sick. So if you're traveling with me, I'm pretty much such a pain in the ass. 

7. On my normal workdays I need to wake up 4.20am. Yes, I get early off from work. Yes, it's tiring. No, you don't actually get used to it. Yes, it's quite easy for me. No, I don't like it. Yes, I'm very efficient between 6-8am. 

8. I'd like to wear a dress and heels everyday, have nice dinners and look pretty. You know like the duchess of cambridge? On the other hand, it would be though very tiring. But at the moment I have too many dresses and not enough events. 

9. I don't drink cider, beer, or long drinks. I don't like them. 

10. I hate bubbles. For the first time I could actually swallow soda when I was 13 or something? It's still very difficult for me, so I never buy lemonade, or drinks with bubbles. It kind of burns my throat and tongue and I can't handle it! Nowadays I sometimes drink flavored soda water. Little by little.

11. I'm a morning person - yet my morning does not start until I get a cup of good coffee. 

Answers to Jassy's questions

1.Why do you blog?  I started a blog to have a place where to throw rest of the pictures that don't go on facebook and on instagram. Soon I realized, I liked to take photos actually for the blog. Writing has always been nice, and I like to plan and make collages, so that's why I kept blogging. Now I do it, cause I like to share my photos and it's a way to for me to express myself. 

2.What is the greatest obstacle you've had to overcome in your life?  Long story short,  I'd say it was my whole exchange year. It really didn't go as planned. I had very hard time, too many sad days and in the end no one supporting me. It was time when I had to be very alone, survive alone and I was still just a child. Not to make anyone involved in my exchange to feel bad - I of course did have good days too. 

3.Who do you love the most? My family. Dad, mom, my brother and my sister, and her baby. My boyfriend is now part of my family too. 

4.What do you want to be when you ''grow up''? An opera singer. And a mom. 

5.Who've had the best influence in you? I don't know. I've learned a lot from both of my parents. 

6.Have you done anything bad as a child? A lot of probably. Haha! I remember cutting my friend's hair and lying that she fell and the hair fell off. Very believable.

7.How many children would you like to have in the future? Four. 

8.What is your favourite animal? I guess a dog. But I love so many animals!

9.What is your favourite high street fashion store? I have no idea. Never though about this! I don't really look the brand, if I like the shirt, it doesn't really matter what brand it is. 

10. What are your favourite shoes?

Bought these this summer! Used them everyday. My favourite shoes from this summer! But well, I have a lot of shoes, and it's pretty hard to say which are my favourite… 

11. How do you define love? I think the word family defines love quite well. My family makes me feel loved. They have taught me what love is. Now as I think my boyfriend as part of my family too, and me and him as our own family, I think nothing defines love better than our life together.

My questions to the next blogger: 
1. Missä haluaisit asua tulevaisuudessa?
2. Mitä vaatekappaleen merkitystä et ole ikinä ymmärtänyt? 
3. Jos saisit lähteä juuri nyt minne päin maailmaa vaan, minne menisit?
4. Miksi aloitit blogin pitämisen?
5. Keitä perheeseesi kuuluu?
6. Lempivuodenaika?
7. Mitä haluat joululahjaksi?
8. Mitä ruokaa et voi sietää?
9. Kerro kolme asiaa, jotka ovat sinulle todella tärkeitä.
10. Lempipaikkasi?
11. Jos sinun ei tarvitsisi käydä töissä, minkälaisen päiväohjelman haluaisit laatia itsellesi? 

Haastan Jonspan! eli Just flow of my life -blogin pitäjän :-) heheee! 

x Dora 

Setting the table is half of dinner

Meille on tärkeää kotona, että syödään yhdessä aina kun pystytään. Ja nimenomaan keittiön pöydän äärellä (eikä esim. television). Pöytä katetaan nätisti ja huolella myös arkisin, ja valmisruokapaketteja ei meidän jääkaapista oikeastaan löydä. Tykätään molemmat laittaa ruokaa ja kokeilla uusia reseptejä, vaikka yleensä mies onkin maailman onnellisin juuri silloin kun olen tehnyt ihan tavallista kotiruokaa, vaikkapa makaroonilaatikkoa.
 Serviettejä ei laiteta vain juhlahetkiin, ja pöydästä ei nousta (poikkeushetkiä lukuunottamatta) ennenkuin molemmat ovat syöneet. On ihanaa istua alas, jutella rauhassa kaikesta mieleentulevasta - minulle yhteinen ruokailuhetki pöydän ääressä on yhdessäoloa parhaimmillaan. Se on sellainen yhdessä rauhoittumisen hetki.
 Kun laitetaan yhdessä ruokaa, mietitään yhdessä, ja syödään rauhassa niin silloin tulee myös syötyä. Yksin saattoi helposti jättää lounaan väliin, kun ei vaivautunut vain itselleen ruokaa laittamaan. Kiireessä nappasi vain jotain mukaan, eikä päivässä ollut edes yhteisen ruokahetken vertaa rauhoittumista ja nimenomaan sitä, että istuu alas. Olin myös usein tosi nälkäinen, koska ei ehtinyt syödä rauhassa.
 Pöydässä ei lueta lehtiä (myönnän kyllä että poikkeuksena tähän on tosin iltapalat/aamiaiset joilla joskus saan Helsingin Sanomat käteeni) tai pyöritä internetin ihmeellisessä maailmassa. Aamuisin tapahtuva puhelimen pakkoselaaminenkin pyritään toteuttamaan jo sängyssä ennen nousua, eikä kesken yhteisen aamiaisen. Tästä tosin joskus lipsutaan. Mutta vain, jos molemmilla on puhelin.

For us, it is important that we eat together at home whenever we can. And specifically around the kitchen table (instead of eating in front of television for example). Table will be set nicely and carefully also on weekdays, and those ready-to-eat food packages do not have place in our fridge. We both like cooking and trying new recipes, though generally I always have the happiest man in the world when I've done something very common home-cooked food, for example macaroni and mince in the oven (it's food around here with a finnish name - kind of like macaroni and cheese, but then again, not). 
  Napkins are not placed only for special moments, and we don't get up from the table (except some moments) before both have eaten. It is wonderful to sit down, chat in peace 
about everything that comes into your mind - for me, a dinner together around the kitchen table, just has that something. It is such a calming moment together. 
  When cooking together, figuring out what to eat together, and eating in peace - that is when you also remember to take the time to eat. When alone, I could easily leave out the lunch because I couldn't bother cooking food only for myself. In rush, I just used to grab something, and the day didn't even have that moment to enjoy the food and to sit down for a moment. And I usually found myself hungry.
  Our dining moments do not include magazines (I do admit that the exception to this is, however, evening snacks / breakfasts when I sometimes get Helsinki news magazine in my hands) or wondering around the magnificent world of Internet. In the morning, the i-have-to-go-through-my-phone is located to the bed before the getting up, and not among the breakfast. But I admit, it does not always happen. But only if we both have our phones on the table, it is allowed to do so. 

Mausteinen porkkana-omenakeitto/ Spicy carrot-apple soup

Tämä keitto oli todellinen lämmike syysiltaan. Mausteisuutta oli minun makuuni ehkä jopa hiukan liikaa, mutta tämä onneksi laantui hyvin raejuustolla ja turkkilaisella jogurtilla. Keiton resepti löytyi pienestä Helsingin Sanomien 'herkutellaan!' vihkosesta, jonka sain, kun tilasin Helsingin sanomat (vihdoin!) itselleni. 

 Keitto oli todella yksinkertainen ja helppo valmistaa. Se koostui pääasiassa porkkanoista ja omenoista, minkä lisäksi siihen tuli valkosipulia, tuoretta inkivääriä, turkkilaista jogurttia, sekä erinäisiä mausteita mm. muskottipähkinää ja cayennepippuria. Rinnalle teimme tomaatti-mozzarella lautasen, ja pilkoimme patonkia. Keitto oli yllättävän täyttävää hyvässä mielessä (varsinkin raejuuston kera) ja sillä olisi pärjännyt ilman lisukkeitakin!

This soup will definitely keep you warm on a cold September evening (well, in finland where the weather is already cold as). The spiciness was maybe even a little too much for my taste, but this fortunately could be 'saved' well with some cottage cheese and Turkish yoghurt. The soup recipe was found in a small booklet I got when I (finally) ordered the Helsinki news magazine for myself.

  The soup was really simple and easy to prepare. It was mostly just carrots and apples, but also some garlic, fresh ginger, Turkish yogurt, as well as various spices mm. nutmeg and cayenne pepper. Alongside, we made tomato and mozzarella dish, and chopped baguette. The soup was surprisingly satisfying (especially with cottage) and it would have been enough without them too.

Varustautukaa villapaidoin ja -sukin, nyt se talvi tulee. Viime yön yöpakkasten jälkeen tämä keitto olisi tehnyt tosi hyvää! Pysykäähän lämpiminä, ja jos syysflunssa vaanii, niin tämän keiton caynnepippurin pitäisi kyllä karkottaa kaikki hiipivät syysflunssan oireet (ainakin hetkeksi). Uskaltakaa kokata, ja nauttikaa hyvästä ruuasta! 

If you're feeling that a flu is coming to you - all the cayenne in this soup should definitely help! (At least for a moment). If this inspired you, I can only wish happy cooking to you all! 

x Dora

Autumn inspiration

Autumn inspires me. Here's some of my favourite picks for autumn. I'd love to see these on my balcony. Light some candles, cuddle up with a blanket and have a cup of tea. Anything better? 

// this picture is from pinterest.

I'm really interested in interior right now. When I've got to decor our home, I've only started to get more interested! I love to plan what color goes with another and where could I put this and this furniture. I love little candles and basic colours, and I'm very precise that there's nothing extra in our decor. Anywhere. I like everything clean and simple, spiced up with little things. 

Maybe I need to start an interior blog? I'll write you soon a post about my newest little things at home! Stay tuned. And warm.

x Dora

“There is always music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it.”

I had one work-free weekend. Finally. It is amazing how breathing gets suddenly so much easier and I feel every muscle in my body relaxing when I get to the countryside where our cottage is. When I smell the fresh air, breath in the pure air in the woods and hear the sound of the rapid I instantly feel better. For a while I forget all the stress I have and I can concentrate on myself, how I feel and what do I need. 

 I ran to light all the candles everywhere and to taste an apple right from the trees on our yard. I told myself I wasn't allowed to do anything stressful at all for these tree days, to sleep as much as possible and to enjoy long walks in the forest. Worked very well. (Okay I admit I stressed a little bit but that's me - when I have no stress I am stressing why I have no stress…) I always get inspired at our cottage so here is a lot of pictures I took. Sweater weather is here!

Mulla oli ihana työvapaa pitkä viikonloppu. Hengittäminen on niin hurjasti helpompaa kun pääsee mökille, keho rentoutuu, huolet unohtuu ja stressi katoaa hetkeksi mökillä. Syksyn tuoksu ilmassa, puhdas ilma metsässä ja kaikki se happi, kosken kohina mökin vieressä. Pystyn taas keskittymään siihen, miltä musta tuntuu juuri nyt ja mitä tarvitsen. Juoksin sytyttelemään kaikki mahdolliset kynttilät, nappasin omenoita pihapuista… Kielsin itseltäni kaiken stressaamisen 3 päiväksi ja kaiken ylimääräisen tekemisen. Totesin, että nyt on parasta vaan nukkua ja levätä niin paljon kun mahdollista ja nauttia pitkistä kävelylenkeistä syksyisessä metsässä. Todettu toimivaksi. (Toki täytyy myöntää, että hiukan stressasin. Minä kun jos en stressaa, niin stressaan sitten sitä miksi en stressaa.) Inspiroidun joka kerta mökillä, joten tässäpä teille sadepäivän (jäätävän kylmän sellaisen) iloksi liuta kuvia. Villasukat, villapaidat, missä ootte? 

Pitäkää huoli itsestänne ja kaikista teitä lähellä. Kohta on jo talvi. Nauttikaa syksystä, ja kaikesta kauneudesta mitä se meille tarjoaa. Olkaa ulkona ja tuoksutelkaa kirpeää syyssäätä. Mikä kaikista tärkeintä, antakaa itsellenne aikaa.

Remember to take care of yourselves. And take care of everyone close to you. Winter is coming soon. So enjoy this autumn, all the beautiful colors of it that the earth is showing to us, enjoy every moment, stay outside for a while, breath and give yourself time!  

x Dora