March

No matter how much I loved the winter, which was so nice and beautiful, I am so happy the spring is here. Not much snow anymore. The days are longer. I have seen the first spring flowers in bloom.

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Red/White Dahlia

The red/white dahlia has been in bloom already for some time now. The flowers are always in red and white. There may be more or less of the white color but, the red is practically always dominating. Last week I saw one almost only in white. The red/whites are about 8 cm in diameter. The white is much smaller. I think only half the size. But, sooo beautiful, at least in a close up photo.

Pasha & Puzzles

I made my very first Pasha. May also be spelled Paskha and Pascha. It’s a traditional Russian Easter dish made from quark (curd cheese). Also often served in Finland. It was delicious. The recipe I used really was a sugar/fat bomb. Today I found a light version of the pasha. So, if I’m going to make one next Easter it definitely will be a light one.

In the evenings in order to wind down I often listen to music and do free online puzzles. Here are two. The other one, with the basket, I did the night before and the other one, with the colorful wig, I did last night. I think both are 300 pieces. I checked, the basket is 250 pcs. The wig 300.

I hope you all had a nice Easter. The weather here has been great. Warm and sunny. Finally our garden is free from snow. Time for some gardening.

A Day In Tampere (part two)

From the Old Library, Culture House it was a short walk to Vapriikki Museum Centre where the “Marilyn – A Women Behind Her Roles” exhibition is held 8.6.-2.12.2018. The main reason for our visit to Tampere. “The exhibition has over 300 of Marilyn’s personal items on display – including famous garments,shoes, makeup, jewellery, photos” We took a guided, almost one hour, tour. It was interesting and enlightening. After the tour we also visited the Mineral Museum where you can find colorful stones and minerals. At the vintage-market I saw many beautiful things. But, I’m glad i didn’t by anything. I already have too much of stuff at home. Before heading back home we went to an Italian Restaurant, Trattoria Tammerin puisto. My pizza was so delicious.

A Day In Tampere (part one)

Such a beautiful fall day to spend with friends in Tampere. Tampere is situated about 170 km north of Helsinki. We went there by bus. We walked to Kulttuuritalo Laikku (Old Library, Culture House) where we enjoyed a cup of coffee before we visited the three different events held there. The exhibition “Fragile” by Hanna Oinonen, the Contemporary Jewellery KORU6 exhibition and an about 30 minute ethno concert. Performers accordion Viivi Maria Saarenkylä. Hilda Länsman, joiku = montone chant sung by lapps. 

Cream Cheese Cake

In Finland we celebrate Father’s Day always on the second Sunday in November which this year was Sunday 11th. I showed my husband a photo of a cream cheese cake called “Plum Enchantment”. Looks good he said but, wait, here’s the newest issue of the K-Ruoka magazine, doesn’t this cream cheese, chocolate, coffee cake also look delicious. Yes, sure does. Let’s have it for Father’s Day. We then have the Plum Enchantment for Christmas.

Homemade Apple Jam

Not much but, one small jar of apple jam. It’s very sweet. The recipe said apple, sugar and lemon juice. I just don’t know what happened. But, for some reason, when I was to pour the juice into the jam I dropped the cup. Of course, the juice all over on the floor. Luckily my husband has a sweet tooth. He said it’s so yummy. Good, he can have all of it. I will make another batch with lemon.

Green Pea and Avocado Smash

This green pea and avocado smash recipe is from a blog I follow (eatliveescape.com). I made it yesterday. ‘eatliveescape.com’ photos are so much nicer than mine. But, I think my smash probably was as tasty, delisious and healthy. I used ray toasts. And, of course, my husband wanted some meat on his. He got fried bacon.

Here is the recipe from ‘eatliveescape.com’ posting. Thank you for sharing.

“Ingredients

1/2 a ripe avocado (I used one avocado)

1 cup of blanched green peas

1 tablespoon of sour cream

Juice of half a lemon

1 tablespoon of olive oil

Sea salt and cracked pepper

Add all ingredients in to a food processor and blend until smooth. Serve topped on toasted sour dough spread with ricotta and drizzle with extra olive oil and whole green peas. Enjoy!”

Garlic Festival and Chinese Kites

 

The first time the garlic festival in Kerava was held was in 1989. We love garlic and I remember we then decided to go there. Well, for some reason we never went. Not until now. It didn’t differ from other markets like farmers market or herring market, other than there was plenty garlic. We bought a jar of black garlic mayonnaise, garlic ice cream, buckthorn/ginger gel, the Devil’s sauce and some garlic bread. All very delicious and tasty.

In the afternoon we went to an other happening nearby us. The Chinese Kites at Oittaa(Oittans) on the shore of Lake Bodom. There is a nice beach, a camping area, you can play beach volley plus other outdoor activity possibilities and of course also swim. We didn’t see all the kites as we only stayed for a short time. But, I was happy with what I saw as I have not seen that huge kites so high up before.

Stuffed zucchini & apple/rhubarb pie

I cooked the scooped zucchini halves for a few minutes in salted water and let them drain off. Then fried the minced meat, the chopped bacon, onion and the chopped zucchini flesh adding salt, pepper and herbs. I used dried thyme and basil. I filled the “boats” and topped with cheese. Baked them in 200 C for about 30 min. A little less time in the oven would have been fine. But, as my husband said, not bad 😉

For desert apple/rhubarb pie.