here I am again. this time it’s still green and pretty. I have been going for runs in the mornings when I wake up at some ungodly hour and I have enjoyed running on the ridge, in the forest and along the lakeside. pretty views, the prettiest place to run. I forget how humid it can be and I am generally dripping wet before I even get to sweating. smelling the autumn rot of numerous apple trees. love it.

we spent last weekend on the island. I haven’t been there in years since the hotel has taken up all our time. and I’ve pretty much only been here in the winter time since the summer I spent in finland when we first opened our hotel. I guess I could say it’s the truest home I know. I grew up on that island and it’s always held a very special place in my heart. I went to the point of the island and sat on what I have always called my rock. I spent hours there as a teenager, pondering about my life. finding intermittent peace during my stormy years. silence. just the water and the forest. my rubber boots. so many memories.

we heated the sauna in the evenings, as we always would. me and my little sister dive bombed off the dock into the brisk lake from the sauna. the heat from a wood burning stove is hard to beat. I can’t wait to share the sauna experience with James. bathing in the in the light of one storm lanter outside the window, mixing hot and cold water from the basin to find the right temperature and dumping scoops of water on yourself. I love every aspect about it and it’s one thing I miss terribly about finland. always. I love a good löyly and I love the steam from the stove so hot it burns my finger nails. that’s always been my measurement of a good löyly. everyone enjoys their saunas differently, I have always been more the abrupt sort, throwing water on the stove one scoop after another until I can feel the burn. aahhhh! ..and then having to jump in the lake to cool off and do it all over again. I love it!

me, mom, and my sisters spent the afternoons picking hordes of chanterells and blueberries. it’s fall here. i can feel it in the wind, the somber rainy nights and the rotting forests. I embrace every minute of it. I didn’t take the canoe out cause no one took care of the paddles. all I found was a rotting pile of wood that resembled the remnants of paddles and oars. I think the canoe is probably growing moss. oh well.

picked up a car off the hotel lot to drive around for a bit. I think it’s a ’73 (give or take) 142 navy blue volvo. hah! fun. I think I like it a lot. no power steering, old enough it has a choke, and all the lights and wipers are little pull tabs like in a bug. but runs like a champ and started right up. so much fun!

Minka and I made plans to go to porvoo tomorrow. I’m excited to check out the old town, I’ve heard so much about it. this saturday mom, Noona and I are heading to Paris. I want to visit Versailles, haven’t been there since I was a kiddo. perhaps the Louvre.

I love coming here for a while and working here. hanging out with family and friends. actually having some time to be a part of their daily lives. god, how I’ve missed it for all the years I’ve been gone. I am thankful for my life that I can do this now. I am thankful for my amazing boyfriend who supports my decisions and my travel plans. first man to ever really do so and not whine about it. I am thankful I have this amazing family. a home to come to. some really wonderful and genuine friends!