Sinikka Suuntala
@sinikkas.bsky.social
I realize I haven’t been posting here in ages, but life (and the world) has been quite stressful. Luckily, I have the whole of next week off from work, so I get to de-stress in the woods if I feel like it.
(No, we still aren’t raking the forests here in Finland, no matter what the POTUS claimed.)
(No, we still aren’t raking the forests here in Finland, no matter what the POTUS claimed.)
October 12, 2025 at 8:42 AM
I realize I haven’t been posting here in ages, but life (and the world) has been quite stressful. Luckily, I have the whole of next week off from work, so I get to de-stress in the woods if I feel like it.
(No, we still aren’t raking the forests here in Finland, no matter what the POTUS claimed.)
(No, we still aren’t raking the forests here in Finland, no matter what the POTUS claimed.)
Even the longest of summer holidays must come to an end one day, and such was the case for me today. It was lovely to see my colleagues and admire the newly furnished teachers’ lounge and have a delicious lunch.
August 5, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Even the longest of summer holidays must come to an end one day, and such was the case for me today. It was lovely to see my colleagues and admire the newly furnished teachers’ lounge and have a delicious lunch.
The temperature is finally down enough for me to head for the forest in the daytime, looking for these. Luckily it’s a good year for mushrooms.
August 1, 2025 at 3:20 PM
The temperature is finally down enough for me to head for the forest in the daytime, looking for these. Luckily it’s a good year for mushrooms.
The joy of simple things in life is something to hold onto when the world is full of pain and suffering. Today’s lunch consists of food either picked or grown by me - chanterelles and potatoes sautéed in some butter and seasoned with Himalayan salt, dried porcini mushrooms and lovage.
July 28, 2025 at 10:33 AM
The joy of simple things in life is something to hold onto when the world is full of pain and suffering. Today’s lunch consists of food either picked or grown by me - chanterelles and potatoes sautéed in some butter and seasoned with Himalayan salt, dried porcini mushrooms and lovage.
Life is good when you find chanterelles in the middle of your walk in the forest 💛🧡
July 26, 2025 at 5:53 AM
Life is good when you find chanterelles in the middle of your walk in the forest 💛🧡
We’re spending a week in southern Lapland and reindeer are everywhere. Here’s a young one who was taking a nap in the shade, and didn’t like us interfering with its sleep schedule.
July 11, 2025 at 5:12 PM
We’re spending a week in southern Lapland and reindeer are everywhere. Here’s a young one who was taking a nap in the shade, and didn’t like us interfering with its sleep schedule.
Celebrated the beginning of our holiday this morning by adding a piece of pastry to my breakfast. The strawberry slices looked like angel wings (at least to my viewing pleasure) - what do you think?
July 3, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Celebrated the beginning of our holiday this morning by adding a piece of pastry to my breakfast. The strawberry slices looked like angel wings (at least to my viewing pleasure) - what do you think?
Celebrating the first day of holiday for my partner. Now we’re all on holiday together as a family. Hoping for better weather for the month of July, as it’s been cold and rainy almost all of June.
June 30, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Celebrating the first day of holiday for my partner. Now we’re all on holiday together as a family. Hoping for better weather for the month of July, as it’s been cold and rainy almost all of June.
As the puppy was looking a little ragged, it was time to strip its overcoat off and give room for new growth. It’s been raining here for far too many days now, so some indoor activity was definitely needed. Can’t wait for the rains to dry up so we can go see if the mushroom season hasn’t begun yet.
June 25, 2025 at 1:22 PM
As the puppy was looking a little ragged, it was time to strip its overcoat off and give room for new growth. It’s been raining here for far too many days now, so some indoor activity was definitely needed. Can’t wait for the rains to dry up so we can go see if the mushroom season hasn’t begun yet.
It’s the Midsummer weekend here in Finland, and part of the tradition is to gather seven different types of wildflowers and put them under your pillow for the (nightless) night, in order to dream about your future spouse. As I am already married, I only took pictures of some. Happy Midsummer!
June 20, 2025 at 4:07 PM
It’s the Midsummer weekend here in Finland, and part of the tradition is to gather seven different types of wildflowers and put them under your pillow for the (nightless) night, in order to dream about your future spouse. As I am already married, I only took pictures of some. Happy Midsummer!
I had my dinner out on the deck today, as it’s been a fairly hot day. The puppy wanted what was on my plate, as you can see. She’s trying to hypnotize me, for sure.
June 16, 2025 at 2:56 PM
I had my dinner out on the deck today, as it’s been a fairly hot day. The puppy wanted what was on my plate, as you can see. She’s trying to hypnotize me, for sure.
Had dinner at a restaurant today with my son, and treated him to an ice cream as dessert. Can’t fathom how children can save room for dessert so easily!
June 13, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Had dinner at a restaurant today with my son, and treated him to an ice cream as dessert. Can’t fathom how children can save room for dessert so easily!
Had a bad night, thanks to yesterday’s long nap, so I am having my favorite breakfast of rice porridge with strawberries and a big mug of coffee. The latter must be my only one for today so that tonight will be better in terms of sleep. It’s still raining. Nature will be thankful for that.
June 12, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Had a bad night, thanks to yesterday’s long nap, so I am having my favorite breakfast of rice porridge with strawberries and a big mug of coffee. The latter must be my only one for today so that tonight will be better in terms of sleep. It’s still raining. Nature will be thankful for that.
It’s been raining all day here, and I’ve been tired. Ended up reading the whole book and taking a long nap. The puppy was happy to press up against me, as she dislikes the rain.
The book was witty & surprisingly relevant for these days, mentioning both Trump and Putin during the years 2020-2022.
The book was witty & surprisingly relevant for these days, mentioning both Trump and Putin during the years 2020-2022.
June 11, 2025 at 6:07 PM
It’s been raining all day here, and I’ve been tired. Ended up reading the whole book and taking a long nap. The puppy was happy to press up against me, as she dislikes the rain.
The book was witty & surprisingly relevant for these days, mentioning both Trump and Putin during the years 2020-2022.
The book was witty & surprisingly relevant for these days, mentioning both Trump and Putin during the years 2020-2022.
It’s the second week of the summer holiday, and I have been rewatching The Handmaid’s Tale, much to the dismay of my puppy.
June 10, 2025 at 5:10 PM
It’s the second week of the summer holiday, and I have been rewatching The Handmaid’s Tale, much to the dismay of my puppy.
The apple tree didn’t really bloom this year, but the crabapple bush decided to flower for the first time since it was planted years ago.
June 4, 2025 at 1:53 PM
The apple tree didn’t really bloom this year, but the crabapple bush decided to flower for the first time since it was planted years ago.
Decided to buy these (and five more) when I saw them at the garden center today, as we have a stretch of our lot that doesn’t have a hedge and it sorely needs one. I guess there is some planting in store for the next few days. Well, after I am finished with my work for the school year.
June 2, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Decided to buy these (and five more) when I saw them at the garden center today, as we have a stretch of our lot that doesn’t have a hedge and it sorely needs one. I guess there is some planting in store for the next few days. Well, after I am finished with my work for the school year.
Having been planted three years ago, this bush is finally starting to flower this spring. I guess some things take more time.
May 29, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Having been planted three years ago, this bush is finally starting to flower this spring. I guess some things take more time.
I’m working at home today, and making lunch with fresh asparagus from my garden. Some tomatoes and feta, herbs and oil on tops and in the oven they go. Cookies some whole grain pasta to go with it. I think the asparagus makes all the difference here!
May 27, 2025 at 7:56 AM
I’m working at home today, and making lunch with fresh asparagus from my garden. Some tomatoes and feta, herbs and oil on tops and in the oven they go. Cookies some whole grain pasta to go with it. I think the asparagus makes all the difference here!
Connections
Puzzle #715
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🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟪🟪🟪🟪
Today’s Connections was easy - didn’t get a result yesterday. 😅
Puzzle #715
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟪🟪🟪🟪
Today’s Connections was easy - didn’t get a result yesterday. 😅
May 26, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Connections
Puzzle #715
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟪🟪🟪🟪
Today’s Connections was easy - didn’t get a result yesterday. 😅
Puzzle #715
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟪🟪🟪🟪
Today’s Connections was easy - didn’t get a result yesterday. 😅
Filing in for a coworker today, monitoring an exam. (It’s a closed environment digital exam but I’m making sure nobody tries to cheat.)
Admiring the mural, just like every time I see it (as this is not my classroom). I think it’s brilliant, especially because of the quote.
Admiring the mural, just like every time I see it (as this is not my classroom). I think it’s brilliant, especially because of the quote.
May 22, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Filing in for a coworker today, monitoring an exam. (It’s a closed environment digital exam but I’m making sure nobody tries to cheat.)
Admiring the mural, just like every time I see it (as this is not my classroom). I think it’s brilliant, especially because of the quote.
Admiring the mural, just like every time I see it (as this is not my classroom). I think it’s brilliant, especially because of the quote.
Today’s workday started with extremely yummy cheesecake and a cup of fresh coffee. A very suitable way to end the teaching days for this school year. The rest of these remaining two weeks are spent either giving exams, grading them or giving feedback on their writing skills. Ready for summer!
May 20, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Today’s workday started with extremely yummy cheesecake and a cup of fresh coffee. A very suitable way to end the teaching days for this school year. The rest of these remaining two weeks are spent either giving exams, grading them or giving feedback on their writing skills. Ready for summer!
It’s finally spring weather here and things are either budding or flowering in the garden, thanks to yesterday’s rains and the warmer temperatures. Hoping for some kind of harvest from the fruit trees. (The pink one is just for decoration.)
May 18, 2025 at 1:18 PM
It’s finally spring weather here and things are either budding or flowering in the garden, thanks to yesterday’s rains and the warmer temperatures. Hoping for some kind of harvest from the fruit trees. (The pink one is just for decoration.)
Enjoying a free Monday morning in the terrace with the puppy. Leftover Mother’s Day cake is quite a sweet start to the day. (The summer holiday is three weeks away, so I’m getting a refresher course on unhurried mornings.) Life is good!
May 12, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Enjoying a free Monday morning in the terrace with the puppy. Leftover Mother’s Day cake is quite a sweet start to the day. (The summer holiday is three weeks away, so I’m getting a refresher course on unhurried mornings.) Life is good!
It looks like my new rhubarb survived the winter under a big bucket. I didn’t get around to planting it last summer or fall, so I should do something about it now. This and a lot of other gardening should start taking place these next weeks. The weather is still cold but today it’s at least sunny.
May 10, 2025 at 8:35 AM
It looks like my new rhubarb survived the winter under a big bucket. I didn’t get around to planting it last summer or fall, so I should do something about it now. This and a lot of other gardening should start taking place these next weeks. The weather is still cold but today it’s at least sunny.