Metsänneito

I designed and knit this beautiful set of woollen socks and knitted gloves. It is called Metsänneito which translates to Maiden Of The Forest. It is a challenging design and I am not sure yet what I will do with the pattern. I used Novita yarns. I'd like to publish it in some form some day so no more details available now. I can tell this set was designed and made for YoungLady for the Yule 2025 and she absolutely loves it!

Anniversary

This January we (I & Him) celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. We had our small party for family and friends 27.12.2025. Exactly on the date when the storm Hannes hit also Lapland. I didn't mind. I love arctic storms. But, the weather was too dangerous (=slippery) to drive so some dear persons needed to cancell their arrival due the weather and long distance. 

We booked the local Fishing Club's hut by the bay. In the place we like to spend our free time every now and then. 

The hut is made by local Timapuu. We are going to have one in our garden. We had to put it forward to the summer 2026 because we were not able to finish all the ground work last summer for it. 

It has a proper cooking facilities. It was great to be able to test it all before we'll get one in our garden. This one is for about 30 persons. Ours will be smaller, because we don't need that big and it will be easier to keep it warm for fewer people.

The Fishing Club had decorated it by wood work...

... ermine trophy...

... and marten trophy.

Outside they had placed a small Christams tree and wooden elves.

The hut is placed on a beautiful place where you can also go fishing; no matter if it is summer or winter... or what ever season.

The hut is open only on demand so you need to book it to get in; unless they have arranged some special open air occasions.

TheFiddlerOnTheRoof

On my birthday in November 2025 I went to see the musical The Fiddler On The Roof at Rovaniemi theater with Him. It is one of my favorite musicals. 

I was a bit curious to see how they had directed the Cossacks' Dance at the play at these days of the crisis. For the 1st time I saw it to be done very threatening and aggressive with a dark and gloomy spirit. It really was the great choice from the director to show it in that way. None clapped or cheered, for the 1st time ever in this play I saw it.

In December I went back to Rovaniemi theater to see Vesisaaren Alma. It is a play that tells the story of the famous painter Reidar Särestöniemi's mom. Very interesting indeed. 

I do love theater!

GrandHotelTornio

I do work hard like most of us. Sometimes you can enjoy the special moments at your work. This year it was our turn to arrange the annual Polar Night Conference at Tornio Community College. We had the conference and the dinner party at Grand Hotel Mustaparta Tornio. They had set it all so pretty for our guests.

The building where the Grand Hotel locates has a rich and colorful history connected to the local history. Some people who have done their high school at the building find it a bit confusing to see it as a great beautiful hotel! I have never spent the night there but can warmly recommend their restaurant Mustaparta also for the special diets. They do have the professional aspect and touch for you special diet needs.

Epale

In early December 2025 I traveled to Helsinki with my co-worker. We traveled by a day train to Helsinki and back up to the north by the night train. These beautiful lights you can find at Helsinki Railway Station. I have never got lost at Helsinki Railway Station so I am sure no other will!

It was a business journey to the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI). Despite I still miss my old students at my old working place, I do have received so many wonderful new students and I love my new working place where I started as a full time coordinating teacher of arts and crafts at spring 2023. At my new job I really feel I do can give it all I can and learn more. I feel I am respected and valued by the organization and coworkers. One of the great things the new job at Tornio Community College has provided is the international aspect of the education. It is all new and challenging to me but I am allowed to learn it. 

We received the Erasmus+ accreditation right in 2023. Epale is part of Erasmus. In December we celebrated Epale's 10th birthday. Epale's one purpose is to help the Erasmus+ organisations to find each other easier. 

But it was not just cake and coffee. We had a very great and informative education about Epale and Erasmus+. It really was worth of travelling such a long way to get there and meet other colleagues in Finland!