YuleTide2025

For us YuleTide starts from the 6th of December. Traditionally it lasts longer than a month. Modern society forces us follow the modern rhythm but my body, mind and soul are still in the YuleTide mood. In 2025 we plant 2 baby spruces and hope they will survive over the arctic winter in my garden. These spruces are a gift to our very local nature in my little village where lately people have cut down old spruces.

This year my wish for SantaClaus was "I wish to get nothing because I already have so much". But SantaClaus' little helpers had noticed I kind of freezing in our family bed of big and small people over the holidays because someone always steals my part of the blanket. That's why few nights before Christmas I found on my spot of the family bed this Kronborg of Denmark pack. I must confess despite I wished just nothing, I have been so happy for this spare blanket. Since that I have not woke up in the middle of the night in our family bed to wear another pullover, woollen pants and fur slippers on, when little people have stolen my part of the blanket while the bedroom temperature has fallen to +18 Celsius degree during the night.💝

Again we had the real tree in our library. This year (again) we bought it from a friend whose family sells local Christmas trees in Kemi town center. Traditionally the Christmas tree is for children and it's their duty to decorate it. Adults are not allowed to change any place of a single decoration. Adults put on the star and the lights but everything else is for the children. I know many people would be a bit upset about this, but it is part of our Sámi tradition.

I have saved all the Christmas decoration for my whole adulthood life. That's why I have also Christmas tree decorations suitable for small people use. In that way adults don't need to stress out when the small people fuss around the tree with thrill & joy!

For us YuleTide season is traditionally a season to rest, have peaceful moments with your love ones, share also your wealth with the others. Of course, the nature cycle element and sun - moon - polar nights etc. are there, but also deep in there the fundamental constitutional idea is actually to help also the others to survive over the arctic winter.

In this picture you can see some of the cards received in YuleTide 2025. Greetings and good wishes from family and friends, near and far, warm my heart more that anything else. This year I have reduced the number of shared Christmas cards and have shared the ones only with the ones who remember me back. I still share 40 cards but the number will reduce in 2026 because I see it has come the time to hold tighter on the ones who care you back -in everything.

My children have the annual YudeTide tradition with my parents-in-law to make the gingerbread house. Always before they've done it by themselves from the very begin to the end. This year parents-in-law bought the gingerbread house DIY packs from Lidl to try it out. They made two times at one stand -the 1st and the last. It was so bad that even magpies and cows refused to eat it!!! I really can't recommend it despite I never tasted it because it was not gluten free. I was told, only the sweets very tasty, but you really can buy them also without the gingerbread house kit.

But, it was an adventure and worth of testing. Like the whole year 2025, despite it ended with diseases in the family with small and big people and finally myself too. Also, during the past 1½ I have broken 3, can you image -3!!!- kitchen machinery: 1 freezer, 1 fridge and 1 dish washing machine!!! Why they all get broken at the same time even you didn't buy them at the same time. Well, we very lucky, only the break of the freezer caused us huge damages by spoiling huge pile of our traditional life style food (which our insurance company has refunded us). With the dish washing machine we avoided the water damage only just in the very moment before it happened. I really have been happy with the local POWER Kemi house appliance store. They have a really good service. Remember always be at home when you have your dish washing and laundry washing machines on. You never know what happens and they are connected to the water pipes!

Tomorrow is Heikki's Day and I wish you warm moments. Tomorrow we'll arrive into the middle winter.

TheChristmasCarol

In December the 17th we had a hard frost. We -I and YoungLady- needed to get ready for a drive through the arctic to Rovaniemi theater. It meant we needed to take enough extra clothes just in case if for a reason or another we end up standing in the woods and unable to continue our journey.

I had booked the tickets for the famous and classic Charles Dickens' The Christmas Carol couple of months ago. 

It indeed was a great show and we enjoyed a lot. We happened to be there with the school kid audience. At one point I laughed aloud a lot. That made the little heads to turn towards me and whisper "that adult laughed" spread among the audience. It caused a bit confusing imperceptible points of the little fingers and nods of the heads towards me. I didn't mind nor care about it. But what happened on the break was that I was given room in the toilet queue and space in the crowds when walking. No kid pushed me or ran against me. They looked at me curious and respectful. THAT made me think what's wrong with us adults??!! Is it so rare the kids to see us laugh happy and funny laughter that it is something remarkable?! I do laugh and have never ever paid attention on it that do the adults laugh or not. After paying attention on this for several weeks now I can say adults usually don't laugh! 

Just for your own sake, try to laugh more on 2025! It makes good to your mental health. Even it would be a fake laughter! Love you!

Nuutinpäivä

Today is "nuutinpäivä". It is the original and traditional time of the year to enclose the Yuletide feast. Well, to start to enclose it. After "nuutinpäivä", when all the  food and drink was collected by Nuuttipukki, it all was taken to one place to arrange the last feast for the whole village. To eat and drink it all away... to get people back to work at the farms in agriculture. Traditionally in my Sámi culture there was not much to do outside at the time when the world is at is darkest and coldest, so the Yuletide continued even longer and slowly slide from the MidWinterFeast to WinterMarkets at Feabruary.

I have been up to Yuletide for over a month now. At work we had a lot of fun arranging ThePorridgeParty for our teachers. We have 4 floors and not the elevator. The kitchens locates on the floors -1 and 3. That means a lot of exercise when cooking the porridge and decorating the building. 

Notice my craft glasses. They are big enough to see clear to the past, present and future! I bought them a year ago and simply love them!

I have been at the work for a week now, but my heart desires one more week for the Yuletide until it is the 19th of January. What happens then? You will hear all about it then!

The Christmast tree is at its best when the children have decorated it and are allowed to play by it and the decorations. In my Forest Sámi culture Christmas tree has a special meaning my grandpa and grandma transferred to us. Grandpa always brought the tree for us children. Usually the tree and sweets were the only gifts we received from him. But that was what we expected the most. Sometimes he took few of us to get the tree with him, depending on it from where he was going to get it. If it was somewhere near and we could go by foot, all the kids were following him. I was usually the last one in the line, because I was the smallest and the others had to walk first to make the path in the snow form bigger and better for me not to get drown into it. That also meant I was the last one when going back. In that way it was in my responsibility to pick up if anything had dropped down into the snow. 

In those moments we learnt that in every tree lives "haltia". It means a person like a spirit or gnome. Literally "haltia" translates also to "the occupier". And that is what the sprites are. They possess the tree. It is their home. You need to ask if you can cut a tree down. It includes a lot of walking in the woods to see which one you can cut down. And when you are going to cut it, you need to knock or kick the tree to warn about the sprite to make sure the one collects its items and moves away before you take down its home. 

So, to us the Christmas tree was -and still is- a gift from the woods, given permission to it by the sprites. And brought into the house for the children to play and enjoy. To bring in the spirit of the forest.

This Yuletide has included the traditional gingerbread cottage making with the kids and the parents-in-law. 

It has included Yule-spirit visits to the love ones and some extra charity too. We do charity all around the year, but traditionally we make something extra when landing to the Yuletide. Also that is the Sámi tradition I have learnt. We need to look after everyone. If we all take one whom we can take care of we all have much easier MidWinterSeason. Traditionally this time of the year has been hard and challenging in the arctic climate. In my ForestSámi culture you never leave the weak ones, or the ones in the need of help, alone.

This Yuletide has included a lot of wonderful moments and shared wealth. The wealth is not only or always the money. It can be something immaterial. What ever it is, it is up to physical and mental well being.

This Yuletide included also a visit to the hospital where I needed Xrays after falling down with the dog sled in a speed on hard and icy route. No fractures and after two weeks it seems to be quite fine again. But oh boy it was a hit!

One of the best gifts you can give to your dogs is to train them so well that they are safe to run free there where it is allowed. They say you can't let the sled dogs run free. That is true. But if you train them extremely well, it is possible. Extremely well means they need to come back every time when you ask and they never run far. Pii is a sled dog (Alaskan malamute) but also a hunting dog. In hunting she needs to be set free. Both Nuka and Pii hunt with humans, not alone. They know it is easier to hunt together with humans, so they don't try to do it alone. If the human doesn't follow they return and leave the game.

Notice: In Finland you are allowed to set your dog free only in hunting in your hunting region in hunting action. Not in any other case. If you set your dog free in the villages and cities the dog needs to be "immediately chained" when the situation demands or someone asks. Dogs running free do more damage in the nature than wolves ever in this country.

Hope you all had a wonderful Yuletide and a great start of 2025!!!!

MerryYuletide

Starlight

For Christmas 2023 I designed and made this starlight window decoration. I needed three things for it: metallic star frame, star-shaped led-lights and beaded decorative band. Total cost of the complete star was about 6€ because during the years I've bought the materials on sale. I saved at least 20€ to do it myself and using bargains for it.

LastChristmas

My old green house has had lived again through one more happy, peaceful and traditional Yule season. I've received these beautiful houses as a gift from special people in past few years. They have led-candles inside so we don't need to worry for the fire when keeping them on my desk.

Well, if you ask me, I would like to keep on living my Yule time according to my Sámi tradition all the way to the moment when the bear turns to the other side when sleeping in its winter nest and hibernate. On that moment the winter's neck is broken which means one half is behind and the other half to go. If you need a date for that, as we need dates in the modern society, that's 19.1. And because modern society keeps on running I need to return back to life from my beloved Yule. That happens on the next bank day after Epiphany (6.1.) which is tomorrow. Oh no!

Landing on Yule season was extra exciting this year because on the begin of December the whole village, actually the whole cape & bay suffered from main drain break. That meant we had no running water for about 9 hours. That was not a problem. The problem arrived when they got it running. We needed to boil our water for 4 days. That was not a problem either. But what was running was sandy. That was a problem. That's why we took snow from the garden - it's sand-free- and boiled it until the sand stop running in the pipes. 

We used iron stove to melt the snow. It is not very energy efficient because then the heat goes to the snow instead of warming up the house so much. Still, it is more efficient to do it on wooden stove that by the electricity. Especially when talking about sustainability.

No matter what, our kitchen is always open, especially over Yule time. There's table for six -no, seven- always free. More seats and tables are available if needed. Instead of traditional "all-inclusive buffet" where all the foods and goods are set on the table and kept there over the holidays for everyone to eat and drink as much as desired, we provide "all-inclusive buffet" with self service. That means it all is place in the fridge & pantry and you help yourself out. Just for the hygiene reasons.

Also this year our Christmas menu meat was self hunt game. This year it was smoked roe deer hind leg. Only once we have bought ham because we had a bad hunting season on one autumn and didn't got enough for the Yule fest menu. It is interesting that traditionally we don't actually hunt. We "ask for" the game. Literally. We use the word "pyytää" (="ask for") instead of "metsästää" (=hunt). We ask for it from the god and the spirits of the forest; from the rulers of the woods. And we thank them for it by some rituals. 

This year my parents-in-law made two gingerbread houses with my kids. The small one is for my grandchild.

The bigger one with the horses is for YoungLady. It is a lovely tradition she always looks forward to do with her grandparents.

My own gluten free gingerbreads wish you all "pyere joulak" (= Merry Christmas) in my Sámi language. They were so tasty and desired that I hardly managed to take a picture of the final ones left in the jar!

Yule time has pass by in winter wonderland with arctic weather. Despite of the frost we outdoor daily. This pic was taken after 45 min walk in -24C. No, it is not cold. But just put me in +24C, then you see me crying and complaining like a baby.  Because it's too hot, far too hot for me! 

The fur around the hood of my new winter jacket (down) is recycled wild fox. You see it looks different than industrially grown. Take a look at FurHood-tutorial and Recycled FurHood to see the difference of wild and farmed fur. They both are fox despite of the different shade. Wild fur is not so homogenous and not so thick. This fox actually was hit by a car for about 25 years ago and the driver brought it to my father-in-law to be used for something. Part of the fox has been in my husbands winter overall hood until now when I moved it to my new down jacket. I bought a new jacket last spring but it turn out unpractical in outdoor use, it's pattern is awful and I feel like being strangled when going for a proper winter outdoor activity in it! I still have it but use it when I am just being a lady-like. :)

Autumn 2023 and winter 2023-2024 has been cold. Not extraordinary cold but constant cold. The snow arrived on 10.10. and didn't melt away even for a day. Past week it has been around -30. Before that around -20C. In a week I've seen two earth cracks. They are like mini earth quakes caused by the frozen and freezing ground. You don't see them so often.

Anyway, in this blog post you have seen even 3 pics of me and that is as rare as the winter earth cracks! Here I am with Nuka and Pii after today's walk in the woods. Notice the pullover under the jacket. I dyed the yarn and my mother-in-law knit the pullover for me as a birthday gift in November. 

I usually don't chat this long nor mention the statistics or explain anything. But now, bringing you with me to 2024 I'd like to tell that this year I will turn to 50 years and I love it! 

I also would like to tell that after I started this blog exactly 13 years ago I've written 1 316 posts for you. We have had 148 124 views in the blog which means for 148 124 times you or someone else have seen the blog. So, even you might feel you are alone, you are not, we are here together and I love you all! 

Also, in 13 years I've never participated any single Blogtober. And I won't. Why? Why not if I keep on blogging and you keep on reading? Simply because October is a very bad month to make such a commitment to post daily. Like is August, September, Novemebr and December. I do have shared two Advent Calendars with you (2011 and 2022) but just two. They all are bad months for such a commitment because our traditional life style demands so much time and attention for growing, gathering and hunting our own food. We are working those months like every modern person does to get money what you need in modern society. But the free time is full of actions the traditional life style demands.

Still, I keep on behaving and being nice and hope you do too because...

..."joulupukki" is coming again this year. Traditionally to us Santa Claus is not St. Nicholas. He is "joulupukki" which literally means "yule buck" and traditionally he is not any kind of nice man -opposite. But I must confess during getting older he has calm down and behaves well instead of wiping and stealing children.

Yule 2022

Past years have been hard. I wish it would have been just covid, but so much more have happened. Most of the happenings have been unexpected and unwanted. I am, like you are, just a human. Still, there has been blinks of the sunshine and starlight, the moments I will cherish in my heart for the rest of my life. 

I always would love to continue Yuletide all the way 'til the 13th of January, like it used to be on the old times. Unfortunately it is not possible as the world in this modern society wakes up and work is calling. This last official week I have been enjoying about the Yuletide on my own, only the animals here with me. This is it what I really have been longing for but also needed for recovery, rehabilitation and charging my batteries. To be empowered for the 2023.

On the begin of 2022 I decided to bring the culture back into my life. Covid took it away from me. In 2022 I was able to reach my aim. It was not difficult as even one participation on any cultural activity outside the house would be more than I had on 2021! The 2022 was full of cultural connected actions. I am very happy about it all that 2022 brought me in the cultural field.

This year, 2023, I want to bring the art, crafts and textile art back into my life. Lot of lonely hours in my ateljé are hopefully expected, put into operation and accomplished. Hopefully, somewhere in the future you will see new OnTour to happen. When? No date for that. We'll see. But all you need to know is that I have already started to work for it all on 2022 (designing). This year I will start the practical work for it. Somewhere in the future there will be an art exhibition, hopefully a tour. 

New start

Before we can start a new year we need to celebrate Christmas 2020. This year our tree decoration was paid a special attention to. Pii doesn't care much about the tree... but she cares quite much about the cat who loves to hide and play under the Christmas tree. That's why He tied up the tree by a metallic wire to the hook that He fastened into the ceiling. So far the tree is still up... despite few "oops-moments".

For many of us, the year 2020 has been quite different compared to 2019.  Perhaps you thought after 2019 that life can't get worse. But it did.

I have noticed many people post on social media -year after year- how the past year was challenging than ever. On social media people post pics and stories about a good life all year around but at the end of the year it is fashionable to write how hard it all has been. 

My intention is not to criticize or look down. No, not at all. My intention is to pay attention on mental health. If you need to look back, don't count how hard this and that was. Tell yourself how strong you were and got over this and that. It is positive thinking. 

If not never before, the year 2020 has shown us who our true friends are. It doesn't matter are they close or far, how old or young they are. 2020 proved us whom we can count on. Grab on that, hold on and make a new start. Step by step walk through 2021 even it would feel frightening because we don't know yet what's coming.

This Christmas 2020 Pii was happy to work for Santa Claus. She was allowed to pull the sled to bring gifts to grandparents. And she was extremely happy when realized grandma had something in return; a bag full of dog food! Giving and sharing is always worth of the trouble.

 

Landing to Yule

 

Enjoying tea from the Advent Calendar a faraway friend sent for me. These moments are so delightful and cherished, not to mention very important ones to give some time for me to relax and write a small poem for you and me.

In the spirit of the Nutcracker

Do you remember BraveGuard I stitched in March according to Lisa Reakes' cross stitch design? Now I've designed and sew a wall hanging which BraveGuard decorates. It is designed in the spirit of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.
 

Dressing Off Christmas

 

I've had this beautiful golden-red winter decoration light for years. Unfortunately it doesn't work anymore.

Instead of throwing it immediately away I took a closer look at it. It is made of two different items: the light and the decoration. Which are twined together and I was able to took the decoration off.

I have also one very old winter light which is quite simple. I decided to combine this to the decoration taken off from the light that didn't work anymore.

Despite I suddenly had many meters of light chain and decoration chain it was not difficult at all and I didn't need to do anything that has something to do with electric work.

It turn out very pretty. I put it into the box to wait for Yuletide 2020. And the broken light chain is ready to be taken to the recycling center. 

LeavingYuleBehind

Christmas 2018 included many surprises. This time only sweet and happy. All the love ones near & far reached MySoul by their physical or emotional presence. It is very important to care for your love ones but also the ones you don't know. Again I wish you MerryChristmas! for every single day of this year despite it is not always Christmas.

Nuka knows already what it all is about. She too loves Xmas despite She fears a bit Santa. Perhaps She knows He knows She is not so nice always.... Well, She indeed is a very well behaving dog and stole only one pizza on 2018...

I got many gifts this year so I guess I have been very nice for the whole year. BUT most of all was the one DearMrN did for me with His 8yr old patience. He did for Me a gym bag at school's craft classes which He had embroidered all by HimSelf! I won't use this as a gym bag because I want it to last forever so I will carry MyPajama in it when ever where ever I will travel in the future.

Thanks to SantaClaus I have already started MyReadingChallenge2019 with a very extremely fascinating story...

In YuleTide I love the peace, quiet and family time. I love all the decoration and delicate. I love MyNewBoots too. They are felt boots (valenki) with modern touch. Since childhood I have not had them but now I do. They are so warm, soft, light and easy to walk on MyLongWalks with Nuka.

Unfortunately ToDay we must leave YuleTide behind and welcome MidWinterSeason. Poor Cat doesn't like about the idea at all. She is grumpy and sulks about it. We all feel for Her and can truly understand HerEmotions about it. BUT we must remember: if it would always be Christmas we would get use to it and it would not feel the same anymore.