The Reading Challenge 2026 - Part 5

 In September-October I've read novel and science book. 

Victoria Hislop's One August Night (in Finnish, mine) tells the story that was not told in her 1st book The Island. It is the story we all want to hear, because we are curious and can't just let the things to be. She wrote this book years and many books after The Island. It is more about noisy continental Greece than the island(s). If you liked her other book, this is a good choice for you.

Petri Halinen's Lapin arkeologia (in Finnish, mine) translates to Lapland's Archaeology. Unfortunately it is available only in Finnish. It tells the history of Lapland from the archaeology point of the view. Very interesting and educative. 

Hanne Andreassen Hjelmås & Torunn Steinsland's Knitting from Astrid Lindgren's world (in Finnish, library item). You know I read also craft books. I mean really read-read. I crashed at this super cute knitting book at the local library when I went to fetch something else there. Anyone who loves Astrid Lindgren's world and desires to knit should see this. Some of the designs include a link to tutorial video. The instructions are easy and understandable. This book brought me back to my long nights at the local library as a kid where I just sat and read by the shelve where Astrid's books were placed.

HealthyTea

Last week I juiced the last berries of the season. I make berry soup of it. And it is part of my daily diet. I must admit that this mixed berries soup was incredibly good. Buck thorns created interesting but great taste with the cherries to it all.

In the woods I have picked up juniper berries. Did you know that it takes 2-3 years of juniper berries to get matured? That's a long time. At first they look green but when they turn black they are ready. I crushed some juniper berries.

I mixed it with dried rose petals, dried meadowsweet leaves and blossoms, lady's mantle leaves and common yarrow blossoms. All from my award winning arctic garden.

 

I added good quality plain black tea. Now we have a great and healthy mix for the autumn and winter! Notice this mix is not for pregnant ladies.

CraftsGoingOn

I have always crafts going on. At the moment I am up to few sewing projects but also this my own design GrannySquareBlanket for Lappala.

Also, I am up to this my own design Fair Isle knitted vest for myself. I am slowly getting there. Only few more rows to knit and neaten all the loose ends.

Finally, I have made juice from the last berries of the autumn season. Here are crops from my arctic garden: buck thorn, cherry, red currants and saskatoon. It is very exciting that we have also old kitchen garden at Lappala where it all is falling to winter season. Can't wait the spring to start to breathe it alive and update it.

1stSnow

 

We had the autumn break at Lappala where the 1st snow fell down 14.10.2026. It all is starting to get ready for the winter season.

We visited also Suomu playground. Suomu is not anything new in Lapland. It is not a mass tourism attraction. You may not have heard about it before my blog posts. But it has been there for decades. It is silent and sleepy, favored by locals and other persons who prefer outdoor sport activities instead of night clubs and shopping centers on their holidays. When you look at the play ground you can see the old ideology of Suomu reflecting there. There are mainly activities that encourage children and adults play together and practice their physical skills especially in balance and climbing.

It is not marked as adult activity park but the equipment are strong enough for teens and adults too. The whole family can play together there. It does a good for adults mental health to play together with the children. Not to mention how great it is for the kids mental health. 

By the playground there is kota where you can put up a fire to warm up and cook. Remember the good local manners and provide a room to the other people. Don't forget, when its getting full, the one who arrived 1st is the one who leaves 1st. These are public places and for the common good. Private sessions are not allowed.

You can find info about the routes here and there. If you go alone, remember, this is not where you practice, it is what for you practice.

Let the reindeer herd free and without the distribution. Always keep your dogs chained. That is one thing that makes sure you are welcome to the winter wonderland by the locals.

InTheForest

Today we were in the Forest. The hunting season is on, but this time were were in the woods without the dogs. Well, He kept His eyes open for the birds, of course. But we were there to make the photos for my upcoming book. 

We managed to shoot the photos I wanted. It was a beautiful frosty autumn day. It was +4 C but the ground, even the surface of the swamp, was frozen. Past few days it has been blowing creepy cold from the North. That's where the winter arrives. Be ready to get your sweaters ready! 

Tomorrow I will start to work with the pics we made...

PS. All the mittens I made in 2023 are in use and very warm. I wear woollen gloves under mine.