IN SHADOWS OF TREES

Under tree shadows, on forest paths, on city streets with Canadian jugglers, swimming and reading.

Helmenkantaja by Marja-Leena Mikkola is a sweet but adventurous story about a girl and her journey under summery shiny waters. Cover illustration by me, design by Päivi Puustinen, published by Otava in Finnish. So grateful to illustrate this cover for my own childhood favourite author.

Tickling sun beams!

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Heippa!

"Klassikko tekijän suloinen mutta jännittävä saturomaani ammentaa taitavasti vanhasta suomalaisesta tarinaperinteestä.

Eräänä aamuna Reetta näkee kesäpaikan rannassa suuren pyrstön välähdyksen vedessä. Hän saa viimein varmistuksen sille minkä on aavistanut aina: veden pinnan alla on kokonainen toinen todellisuus salaisuuksineen, aarteineen ja vaaroineen.

Veden väki on ahdingossa. Joku on vienyt Veden emännän kauniin pienokaisen. Reetan on aika täyttää oma osuutensa ikivanhasta ennustuksesta."  Otava

Oman lapsuudensuosikkini Marja-Leena Mikkolan Helmenkantaja-kirja kuvittamallani kannella on ilmestynyt! Design: Päivi Puustinen, julkaisija: Otava.

Leppoisia hellepäiviä!

BEFORE THE GREEN

The coldness of the first spring swim, the warmth of the first spring summerhouse sauna. Before the green arrives, the colours of yellows and browns are so warm. When the snow really did not arrive, the whiteness of birch trees has been even more dear.

Congratulations to Annabanana, number 21 of the comments, she won the small give-away! Thank you so much dear all of you for playing along, your comments were so sweet! This fifth year that started, surely will bring some exiting news and tummy tickling. Happy that you are with me!

Yesterday the warmest day with short sleeves and small train trips. The setting sun behind balcony windows with fully blooming grape hyacinth scents.

Have a beautiful week!

FRIDAY MELODIES

Under paintings hide another paintings.

The morning when the lake had frozen so quick that the waves were still visible. The Moon on the sky. The pink moment in the morning, the blue moment in the evening. Today it is raining and the waves in the lake are alive again.

The polar summer flora, Mountain Avens.

Happy weekend melodies!

GOLDEN, SILVER

Everything has been golden lately. Raking yellow leaves at the summerhouse.

Night storm and sound of waves rising the stones. Morning so calm, like mirror the lake. Hello clouds!

Scent of fire and chimneys with smoke. Squirrel on the roof. Swans in the sky and swimming in the lake.

Frost layers. Swimming under a starry sky in the evening. Running back to the warmth of sauna.

Patchwork of trees.

In different patterns. 

Ant paths, pulling frozen mushrooms from soft moss pillows.

Gold on silver layer.

Bagfuls of gold.

Today everything turned to silver. Floating gentle snow. Then real snowing. A light cover of snow here and there. 

Hello winter!

SUMMER CONTINUED

Little travels with dear friends in the North Sea. Sunny, golden sparkles everywhere. Underwater carpets with gentle waves.

Peeking welcomers, white peaks.

Jules, a rescue seal welcoming on the shore. Almost as relaxed as a bit Northern cousin.

A bird island, a lighthouse island. A sunny island. A bunny island.

Golden towers, warm sea breaths.

Miniature forests.

And how it would look like when the sun sets and the storm starts. Fog signals on each end of the island.

Two lighthouses blinking. Messages through storms and darkness.

Still summer, though most of the birds had gone. A few swimmers, shags. A few swallows. Mostly silent.

Meadow island. Sea scents.

And a fresh water loch with a view. Golden glimmering everywhere.

Today the autumn arrived. Soft long sleeves, pitch black starry skies. Swimming in a lake watching the Milky Way. Happy September!

SKIING PATHS

Around fields and through forests. On a frozen lake. The place where the first Coltsfoot would appear. Someone who had send pine seeds by wind to the skiing path. Someone who had done other kind of paths by jumping. Over little hills and down again.

A little weekend trip by train to the East with blue sky.

Today on my way back home, a blackbird was singing in a forest.

Happy April, happy spring!

PINE NEEDLES, HAPPY 2013

Blue skies, star lights, dreamy clouds, peeking golden sun. 

Smiles, warmth, hugs, and happiness to your New Year!

Happy January!

GONE ROWING AND BICYCLING

Oh, those rattling yellow leaves of aspen. Swimming under a starry night at a summerhouse. A lonely swan flying.  Sounds of firewood. A blueberry pie. 

Sunny autumn greetings!

FROM LAKE TO LAKE

From strawberry bushes to blueberry bushes. To raspberry bushes. Drying leaves for tea. Own onions, herbs. Freezer filled also with mushrooms. Always in between a morning or an evening swim. Small trips by boat or a kayak. A water bird diving under while paddling. This morning a rooster sang the morning melodies from the other side of the lake. Hello August!

P.s. Dear L, was so lovely to meet you & have that warm promenade. Hopefully soon again!