The Life and Travels of Mrs Suvi

If we were having coffee, I’d ask you to sit on the balcony with me. It’s heartbreaking to say it out loud but summer is ending and we have to make the most of these sunny days. Maybe we should have an ice latte or perhaps ice lemon tea this time?

Friday was a sad day at the office as one of our lovely colleagues left for new pastures. She baked the most divine mudcake for us decorated with berries and macarons. We will miss her baking for one but most importantly her sparkling personality which trickled goodness all around – like a magical fairy I suppose!

After our little going away party, I really needed a pick me up so I decided on a whim to pop into the Ateneum Art Museum. Finally I got to see the exhibit Stories of Finnish Art. I may be biased but I have a great love for our classics.

This here, in the middle, is one of my favourites – Queen Blanka (1877) by Albert Edefelt. I have loved this piece since I discovered it on a univeristy trip to the Ateneum. I was studying to be a kindergarten teacher, so naturally we were concentrating on art which featured topics children could relate to. This painting is based on a poem by Zacharias Topelius. The queen is singing a song to her son Haakon about his future fiancee Margareta whilst bouncing him on her knee. Haakon has no idea about such things – his mother is the most important woman in his life. See how the queen is also the most important for the artist and observer – you cannot even see Haakon’s face but the queen in her white dress stands out very clearly! My Finnish readers may remember the poem: “Aja, aja, aja, Blankan ratsastaja. Minne matkall’ lienen? Minne pojan vienen? Sinne missä tiedän, morsiammen pienen. Mikä nimi armaan? Margareta varmaan.”

I also had a peek at American painter Alice Neel’s work but I have to admit it’s not for me. I like art that makes me feel good. Neel’s work makes me feel uncomfortable and freaked out. But art is supposed to touch you, so even if it causes negative feelings, it’s success wouldn’t you say? It’s an interesting exhibit nevertheless, and it’s great to have her work on show in Ateneum, otherwise I’d never have seen it.

I am on a mission to find good Chinese in food in Helsinki. In Finland Chinese food is in my experience never authentic. It’s quite sad as there are so many Chinese restaurants in Helsinki and even in little towns all over the country. If you have any ideas, let me know. Last week I tried Restaurant China and this time I got take away from Golden Leaf but it did not impress. It was bland unfortunately and the meat was too chewy.

Hubby and I had a nice sailing weekend – we sailed to Käärmesaari which means Snake Island. I think I saw one snake but I’m not sure as it was dark. I’d rather not think about snakes at all thank you very much. I went swimming – here’s a photo as proof, haha. The water was 19 degrees celcius, way too cold to be comfortable. I don’t think I will be swimming in the sea again this year unless it’s in some tropical paradise.

Our daughter turned 20 years old on Tuesday but we celebrated on Monday, as she had other plans for her actual birthday. It’s quite incredible that it’s been 20 years since she was born. I don’t really understand where all the years have gone by, wasn’t it just a while ago when she was in a stroller? I’m so proud to be her mommy!

On Tuesday I managed to talk a friend of mine, Katri, for a movie date. We went to see The Man Who Knew Infinity. Have you seen it yet? I loved the movie! I thought it was so interesting as it was based in Cambridge where I’d just been this year. It also helps that I love dry English humor. I didn’t understand anything about the mathematics but I think Katri had some flashbacks of calculating proofs for her university studies, LOL. The movie was filmed in Trinity college as seen below.

As we met after work, we were quite hungry once the movie ended. As both of us had buses leaving from Kamppi, it was easiest to go to 6k. I tried Mad Wok’s twice cooked pork (which this too was too chewy!) and Katri had the pulled oat reiska from Fat Tomato.

On Wednesday I had a lovely afternoon with the very same colleague we said goodbye to on Friday – Laura. We had a date at the Contemporary Art Museum Kiasma. I haven’t been there since 2011 when the museum showcased African contemporary art. The main reason I wanted to go was to have a look at Korean Choi Jeong Hwa’s Happy Together installations. And boy were they cool! You still have till the 18th of September to catch the exhibit.

After going through the whole museum we went to sit on Kiasma’s terrace for a bite and a long chat. I can recommend their salmon quiche for sure!

On Thursday I went swimming at the outdoor swimming pool in Leppävaara and concretely felt summer leaving us. The sun was still shining at 8 pm but the light is now different, it has the promise of Fall. On the way home Alphaville’s Forever Young came on the radio. Do you know this song? Look it up – that’s melancholy for you.

How are you? Join the coffee share community at Diana’s blog with your own post or drop me a line in the comments below! If you like linkups and challenges, you’re welcome to check out my Saturday Statues challenge and join in!

xx