Midsummer 2015

Helsinki, 14 degrees



And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.

Without a doubt, this has been the greenest week of this year in Helsinki! It's difficult to describe the floral glory we are experiencing right now here up in the north. I counted, and on our backyard I can find more than 20 different wild growing flowers, and that is merely next to our house. No wonder then that when I've been out for walks, I've seen hundreds of different flowers. As one-third of Helsinki consists out of green areas, I feel like I'm walking with a constant floral scent in my nose. This is one part of what I like to call Midsummer magic. You might remember that I spent Midsummer two years ago in Estonia with friends, and last year in the archipelago of Sipoo, about one hour away from Helsinki. My obsession with floral crowns during Midsummer has also been introduced on the blog. 

Tämä viikko on ehdottomasti ollut tämän vuoden vihreisin! Itse olen monta kertaa huomannut ihastelevani luonnon vihreyttä. Takapihaltamme löytyy kymmeniä eri kukkalajeja ja kun käy kävelyllä, törmää Helsingissäkin satoihin eri kukkiin. Siksi mielestäni koko Helsingillä on ihana kukkaistuoksu tällä hetkellä! Tämä, jos jokin, on osa juhannustaikaa. Pari vuotta sitten vietin juhannuksen Virossa kavereiden kanssa, ja viime vuonna olin Sipoon saaristossa. Blogissani on myös vuosien varrella tullut esiin, miten paljon pidän juhannuskukkaseppeleistä.

This year, my inspiration for Midsummer got its start from this stunning bouquet I found at Stockmann. The variation of daisies (maybe somebody can tell me what it is called?) reminded me of small suns, as their yellow part in the middle were so big, so I immediately knew that yellow would function as my inspiration color this year. When I found a maxi dress in the color, the thing was settled. After all, I find it quite suitable since Midsummer is when we celebrate the longest daylight of about 19 hours!

Tänä vuonna sain teemaväri-inspiraation tästä upeasta kukkakimpusta. Päivänkakkaratyyppiset kukat isoine keskipisteineen muistuttivat minua pienoisauringoista. Kun löysin keltaisen maksimekon, tiesin että keltainen toimisi tämän juhannuksen päävärinä. Mielestäni auringon merkitys on muutenkin aika olennainen juhannuksen aikaan, eikö vain?

Many magical beliefs have traditionally been linked to midsummer night, the shortest night of the year. Many of these beliefs were connected with fortune, happiness, love, marriage and relationships or predicting of the future. For instance, various herbs and medicinal plants picked on midsummer night, before the morning dew had fallen, were thought to be at the peak of their power. The dew formed on midsummer night, however, was believed to have healing powers. Read more about Finnish Midsummer beliefs here

Olen aina ollut innoissani juhannustaioista! Mitä mieltä olet itse niistä?

For me, no Midsummer is the same without new potatoes, Atlantic herring, barbecued meat and vegetables, salmon, berries and ice cream! I also enjoy watching bonfires and reflecting both on the past and the future. Finally, reading Moomin books is one of my favorite summer hobbies, and since there is one specialized on Midsummer madness, it has become my favorite during this celebration. If you know some Swedish, please listen to Tove Jansson as she reads her Moomin book named "Farlig Midsommar" (Midsommar Madness in English). You can sense the Midsummer magic from her reading!

Omasta mielestäni, juhannus ei ole juhannus ilman uusia perunoita, silliä, grilliruokaa, lohta, marjoja ja jäätelöä! Kokko on myös tärkeä perinne minulle, koska se saa minut pohtimaan sekä mennyttä että tulevaa aikaa. Muumikirjat ovat minulle erittäin rakkaita ja itse luen aina, ainakin osittain, Tove Janssonin Vaarallista juhannusta juhannusaikaan. Jos ymmärrät ruotsia, suosittelenkin että kuuntelisit itse kirjailijaa kun hän lukee kirjan kappaleita täältä. Kirja takaa juhannustunnelman!

Source
Source
floral crown H&M maxi dress VILA

How do you celebrate summer? Any specific traditions? Summer treats? Happy Midsummer!

Miten itse vietät juhannusta? Mitkä ovat sinun juhannusperinteesi ja -herkkusi? Hyvää juhannusta?


What's your opinion?

  1. Oh how wonderful! It is amazing that you are so in touch with the beauty of this time of year. That flower crown is absolutely gorgeous :)
    the-creationofbeauty.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you Shannon, I really appreciate your kind words!

      xxx
      E

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  2. Happy Midsummer, dear E.! You look lovely with the flower crown and the beautiful yellow dress! And 20 different wild growing flowers in your yard? Wow, so nice! Also 19 hour-daylight, I think it;s great! I am kind of superstitious, so I would agree that plants that were picked on the midsummer night before dew were good and healing :) I am so glad that you are enjoying the start of summer!
    DenisesPlanet.com

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    1. Thank you D.! I'm happy that you enjoy this time of year as much as I do!

      xxx
      E

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  3. Excellent photo, such solar!

    With love, Nastya Deutsch ❤
    http://nastyadeutsch.blogspot.ru/2015/06/swimming-season-is-open_21.html

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  4. you look beautiful and love the setting of the table and the flowers!!
    Have a lovely week
    Stay in touch
    xoxo

    P.s New post in my blog

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for your kind words Antee!

      xxx
      E

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