a day trip to estonia

A souvenir from Tallinn, a trip out of Helsinki, last month. A summer recipe, Marzipan Cake with Strawberries & Cream from 'Estonian foodie' Nami-Nami!

sweet pea

June has been a busy month with much growth involved in my garden and at work. Yesterday my first sweet pea blossom revealed itself next to my clematis flower.

Today between the rain storms the vivid pink bloom has opened more and since yesterday another bud has gained some colour. I am hoping the sweet pea flowers will take to the trellis and cover it with multi coloured flowers.

An appropriately named unusual recipe, Sweet Pea Cake with Mascarpone Cream from Italian Cooking & Living.

I am enjoying Jen's new lets travel to... feature. Brings back memories of discovering Bergen at the end of a trip exploring Norway, beginning in Oslo. Finland now feels ages ago. When I returned my friend at work gave me an article reviewing the Nordic Bakery in Soho Square, London. I have yet to get there, must make time to sample the rye bread and try their other bakes.

finland post

A visual correspondence of my impressions of Finland. A trip to Moomin valley exhibition, Tampere. Such a treat, a second dose of fresh Spring and small wonders of nature.

Tampere to Helsinki by train.

Helsinki; an exciting, peaceful city with much to explore.

Impressive architecture on arrival at the train station. Plenty to admire at the Arabia shop and one of the many Marimekko's in Helsinki.

Wandered around to find the Ivana Helsinki shop in the Design District. The shop currently decorated with graphic moth illustrations and suspended fabric butterflies.

Helsinki harbour market, so much to see; fresh pea pods by the cup, Sea buckthorn berry jam, a man carving tiny bears from chunks of wood, lily of the valley by the bunch, wooden spoons, many types of fresh fish, rye bread rings. Little gingham printed stools and tables from which to watch the world go by.

Many Russian influences in the city and we travelled to Tallinn, Estonia for a day by boat. A packed four days of inspiration.

Finnish crêpes.

listen

More avian inspiration. Mumm-ra, 'She's Got You High' single artwork. I can not find out who created the artwork, but I love it! Great web site with more illustration.



















New Magnolia print by sugarloop. Wonderful.

Pumpkin pasta with rosemary. Not seasonal, but a favourite.

flying

Swallow necklace Tatty Devine.

Yesterday I saw the first swift this year, flying high over my street. A lovely sight. Natural patterns that are in a delicate balance. Roll on summer for swifts and swallows.


















Swallow & Horse Reversible Wooden Heart Necklace by Frozen Peas.

















Migration of geese - birds with royalty by little by jenny

Brown sugar & hazelnut meringues.

Green action: Ask your MP to support a strong Climate Bill, Care of our Environment and Human Footprint Calculator.

good food

For the love of lunch in Spring. Today I read about flavour, new to Soho. I need to go there and sample the menu. This made me think about my appreciation for good food in London.

A lunch favourite is Eat., especially for the new Spring menu. Stars so far in my tasting experience are two new soups; Cuban Black Bean and Sweet Potato Mascarpone Chilli, wonderfully different. That's not mentioning the pies! I discovered from a ricepaper label under a pie that pie minister supply Eat. with their delicious pies. I originally discovered pie minister at Borough Market.

Recently discovered Leon has a tasty seasonal menu, yet to get there for lunch. Mildreds is an old favourite for dinner after work, the best sweet potato chunky chips.

Enough of my extravagances, and back to sandwich making for me.

A further foodie find is Les Recettes d'Orangette, a great resource from the wonderful Orangette.

bounty

A bountiful parcel with body + soul magazine from Jen, many thanks.

Traded for June's Elle Decoration, cover featuring a piece by Karin Eriksson.






















Lovely, dark & deep opens at doe today, wish I could get to San Francisco. Yesterdays's 3191 post is wonderful, the travelling deer and mav's bread and jam reminds me of simply breakfast's new header.

Mav's new photo & print project features this beauty. Pure indulgence; dark, decadent and delicious!













More beauty in the work of Gentl & Hyers, photographers for the cover of body + soul this month. Their on-line portfolio is superb. Spot another piece by Karin Eriksson!






Steamed Artichokes in honour of Spring. Enjoy the weekend.