Island life

I wasn´t planning on taking a trip back home to Scandinavia this summer but then it became a spontaneous trip after all. Sometimes things change quickly in life.

I have arrived in Finland and at our family cottage and the weather couln´t be any better. I enjoy getting to spend alot of time outdoors and by the water every day. It´s so relaxing to sit on the docks reading a book with the wind in my hair.

We have a large garden at the cottage which is fenced off to keep all the deers and other animals away. I love having the forest near by and being able to just walk out the door and take a hike every morning before breakfast.

I also love eating dinner outside when the weather allows it and enjoying fresh vegetables and berries from the garden.

At the cottage I don´t need a perfume, instead I use this organic body lotion that smells like a tropical vacation.

 

Although I usually try to stick to organic treats that rule does not apply when I´m back home in Finland. I want to enjoy all the treats that I only have available once a year, all the cookies and desserts that are finnish and remind me of my carefree childhood.

Our family cottage is more than 100 hundred years old and there is so many happy memories in this place. It´s the number one place in the world where I feel relaxed, peaceful and at home. It´s my oasis where I can always find opportunities for rest.

When following your passion gets hard

I love how modern technology gives us so many new opportunities. It´s great that you can Skype with your family members even if they are on the opposite side of the world. Today it was convinient for me to be able to visit church online since it's Sunday and I´m at the cottage. This morning I listened to the latest sermon online from our home church in Toronto called Elevation Church. The sermon is described like this on Elevation Church´s webbpage:

"No one said pursuing our calling would be easy. But what happens when the opportunity we’ve been chasing doesn’t turn out the way we planned? And how do we keep pushing when it feels like we're failing?"

A Slow Saturday

After spending most of my summer in the city I have enjoyed being able to spend this Saturday at the cottage. It has been a very relaxing slow day. Today was the first time this summer that I spent a full day outdoors. I enjoyed walking around our large garden at the cottage, laying in the hammock and going swimming.

I spent the evening sitting on the docks reading a new book by Judah Smith called "Life is ____ ." The weather was wondeful today and spending so much time in nature got me very relaxed. The combination of the sun, the sea and the garden makes me feel so free and joyful. I can feel both my body and soul getting charged up with new energy on a day like this. Slow days are exactly what I need to get ready for an exciting but intense fall.

 

Reading the book "Life is ____ ." was so exciting, the book motivates me to live life in a new way. Each chapter is so uplifting and funny.

The day ended with a beautiful sunset at the cottage. I can´t believe that I get to live like this, on days like these it´s easy to be thankful. I´m thinking that heaven must look something like this.

Cottage Style in the city

I celebrated my birthday a few weeks ago and was very happy to get some new home decor accessories for a birthday present. Our kitchen is now decorated in cottage style which makes me feel a lot like I'm at the cottage even when I'm in the city. It's nice to be able to bring a summer feel into a city home.