Eleven white cedars

Next, we wanted to plant a row of smaller white cedars (Thuja occidentals) to give our terrace a bit of privacy. So Pekka drove to Puutarhatukku to pick up the white cedars. The day was beautiful, and the garden view - motivating.

Arriving to Puutarhatukku

We decided to plant 11 white cedars to form a green wall to the right of the terrace.

Ready to plant

And just like that, they were up. The cedars now rise approximately to 1.1 meters, and are expected to grow maybe 15 cm each year.

Lined up

It is fantastic to witness the changes on the backyard. The project has been ongoing for a year, and now things have really speeded up. We are crossing our fingers that perhaps towards the end of this summer, we can finally sit down, relax, and enjoy a cold bear - at our new terrace!

Overview from the back

Moving white cedars

In addition to the terrace, backyard is another key item on our (endless) to-do list for this summer. We have been going back and forth what to do with it, whether just to tear everything away and start from the scratch or try to work what has been planted already and see what we can make of it. Slowly, we have been leaning towards the latter. Some twenty years ago someone had really put some thought into it, and it would be shame to destroy everything.

At the same time, our friends Maija and Jouni are doing some major work on their yard. When Jouni mentioned they are going to get rid of three white cedars, Pekka got an idea. Those beautiful white cedars, instead of getting burned away in sauna, should move to our backyard! And very soon, Jouni found himself helping Pekka to dig the trees out of ground.

Digging around a cedar

Little assistant observing

First, Pekka and Jouni planned to keep the root ball intact to ensure successful transfer. However, weighing over 200 kg it was just way too heavy to be moved, so they needed to cut it a bit. And a bit more.

Ready to go!

Gone with manpower

Finally, after hours of intense digging, sweating and inevitable swearing, the white cedars were all packed up and ready to start their journey.

Three white cedars on the road

And then the digging, sweating and swearing continued. After eight hours, the white cedar #1 was up, located next to the stairs Pekka has been building. Interestingly, it seemed so much bigger on our yard than in its original place raising to the level of the atrium railing. But it was beautiful. The other two white cedars needed to wait a bit. Enough is enough for one day.

Cedar #1

Cedar #1

Slate terrace

Last year when we kicked off the terrace project in July, Sofi announced that next summer, she would like to host her fourth birthday party out on the backyard terrace. Foolishly, we promised: "Oh yes, darling, what a great idea - we can definitely do that!" So when winter yielded Pekka kicked off the final stages of the terrace project - seaming, sanding and protecting. And finalising the stairs. What better activity to take on when you have all that free time while on parental leave. Yeah, right.

Cleaning the in between spaces for concrete

But there are the moments when the baby is sleeping. And then there are late nights. And weekends. So one stone after another, Pekka has been working around the slates. Just like for the slate floor downstairs, he used similarly stained concrete to seam the slates outside (1.6% titanium oxide). The more area gets covered, the better it looks.

The first corner - checked.

So after a long and silent winter, be prepared to terrace posts (and others) to come! We are back on track, and if not ready for the celebration in early June, August is quite realistic. Perhaps this summer, we can finally start enjoying our lovely little yard...

One lazy dachshund - checked.

MCM auction at Helander

Heads up if you happen to be in Helsinki this weekend! Helander Auction House will host an MCM auction on Sunday, April 10th.

Of course we went through the list right away when it was published. There are quite a few interesting items to be auctioned, and here are some of our picks. Rather focused on glass- and tableware his time - no wonder, many of them are made by the Finnish masters, Tapio Wirkkala, Kaj Franck and Alvar Aalto.

So, here is what we chose:

948. Juice set by Saara Hopea
The beautiful set consists of 8 drinking glasses and a pitcher placed in a willow basket with a rattan-woven handle. It was designed by a Finnish designer Saara Hopea and manufactured by Nuutajärvi glass factory in 1952, and was in production in 1952 - 1968. The drinking glasses won a silver medal in Milano Triennale 1954.

996. Signed vase by Alvar Aalto
A legendary Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto and his wife Aino Aalto designed the Savoy vase (also known as Aalto vase) as a part of a competition for Iittala in 1936. It has been in production since 1937 (this ruby red vase to be auctioned was made in 1991), and the same year it was also displayed in the Paris World Fair. Originally, Savoy vase was part of the interior design of Savoy Restaurant in Helsinki, which was also designed by Aalto.

1065. Wall mirror by Alvar Aalto
Alvar Aalto designed the 192A mirror (120 cm x 50 cm) in 1939, and it is currently manufactured by Artek. The mirror frame of this particular piece is made of birch. We lack a full size mirror in upstairs, which is far from ideal and the 192A mirror would be the perfect size for the hallway in upstairs. But is birch too light, should we search for one made of teak instead?

1075. Kartio drinking glasses by Kaj Franck
Kaj Franck designed the stackable Kartio glass for Iittala in 1958. Franck, who was Iittala's head designer for several years was interested in creating objects for daily use shedding all decorations and aiming for durability and functionality. This set of six coloured drinking glasses is auctioned with their original container.

1242. Glassware byt Tapio Wirkkala
The design of Ultima Thule glassware was inspired by the Northern winter and ice. Tapio Wirkkala, another one world recognized Finnish designer is one of our favourites as is comes to glassware. So as year 2015 marked 100 years since Tapio Wirkkala's birth, it was only appropriate to use an Ultima Thule serving platter as a font in Eino's (who was born in 2015) christening. The set to be auctioned includes 16 different pieces.

1508. Tea and coffee set (Arabia)
Arabia's Kosmos series was named after the decoration designed by Gunvor Olin-Grönqvist and applied on Ulla Procopé's model S tableware. Kosmos was in production between 1962 - 1976. We really like the colour palette of Kosmos - very strong and modest at the same time. The set to be auctioned includes 23 pieces.  

 So, let's see what happens on Sunday...perhaps we'll see you there!

(All photos from the auction catalog) 

A few shots of coffee

Last December, a Finnish coffee company Paulig did a photoshoot for one of their key brands, Presidentti, in our home. It was a busy but surprisingly smooth day, and we thought it would be nice to share a few photos taken during the day with you. Some of them professional ones by photographer Rami Hanafi for Paulig and others perhaps a bit less professional, behind the scenes shots - often featured by a dachshund.

Morning coffee (photo provided by Paulig)

Urho overseeing artistic details

As Minna and Eino stayed home for the day they of course tried to stay out of everyone's way as much as possible. Urho, of course, had a very different approach. The more "on the way" the better. The photo above is just one example of many situations.

December in Finland is dark and depressing. But if your theme is "morning coffee", sunlight is a must. Before we knew it, the atrium terrace hosted quite an extensive lighting set up, which created a perfect illusion of a morning sun. And the best thing was it lasted the entire day.

Beautiful morning sun lighting a coffee moment (photo provided by Paulig)

Sun-supporting set up at the atrium terrace

The coffee smelled great, team seemed to work very seamlessly and efficiently together. During the day Urho managed to melt many hearts, and even made his way in some of the photos.

Wonder who is found in the far end of the sofa? (photo provided by Paulig)

Yes, who else?

So, last but not least: Silja & Anneli Maatraiva from Summerhill, photographer Rami Hanafi and Mikko Poutanen from Paulig and the rest of the team - thank you for the sun, lunch and great company!! It is always a pleasure to see professionals at work. And we like the pictures a lot - you can almost smell and taste good coffee in them!

A sausage under the coffee table

Arena creamer and sugar bowl

Oops, she did it again.

Two years in a row Minna's cousin Anu has nailed it with our Christmas surprise. Our Arena tableware was complemented by a creamer and a sugar bowl, two beautiful essentials. Thank you Anu, you are so very thoughtful!

Arena reflections

Despite of the silence in the blog, we haven't thrown in the towel, quite the contrary. The darkness of the Finnish winter is just not a great time to take neat pictures. The guest room is 99% finished and received preliminary approvals. The test users have risen some minor missing points, such as a door, functional lighting and door handles in cupboards. But overall, the experiences have been positive. More about that soon.

Sofi's room has also been updated a bit. More wall art, say the least. We may just be raising a picasso.

Urho's Holidays

So how were my Holidays? Of course you all are eager to hear about it!

First, it has to be stated. I had only minor successes with the divine Ibérico Bellota. Not even nearly enough to be happy. So let's not rub it in any more than necessary.

Thus, to other topics. Snow finally covered the ground and messed up my exercise routine. Or have you ever tried walking in snow so deep that it reaches the family jewels? Exactly, I didn't think so. In addition, what is it with these clothes? Can't blame me for being a bit annoyed!

Urho's winter attire

Fortunately it is warm and relaxing inside. The only added distraction was the fact that the smaller one of the little humans have started moving. He tries climbing on things, the Paolo Piva table being a favourite target at the moment. And the interest on Yours Truly is growing. They are training him, but those humans are such slow learners. Very different from us dachshunds.

"Just watch him fall soon!"

I also went ice fishing. It was quite cool, to have an eye to eye with a zander. They took the fish fillets home - taped on the roof-rack of the car! Simply, once again the human mind works the strangest ways!

Sniffing the fish

Couple of fillets attached to the roof-rack

Just that I don't give a wrong impression - most of the time I spent relaxing in bed, under as many blankets as possible. One could tell everyone were on a Holiday mood: it was much easier than usually for me to sneak in their bed and to stay there.

Aaah, the bliss of long, undistracted naps. The second best thing in the world, after that Ibérico Bellota of course.

Airing the brain