sunnuntai 29. marraskuuta 2015

Beginning of the Christmas Season

Christmas tree from a shop


Winter has arrived and Christmas time is knocking to our doors. This time I enjoy the most of the year. I have always loved winter time, its darkness, snow and cold fresh air. Winter wonderland, to what I am used to is unfortunately nowadays not very easy to find.
I remember as a child we usually had white and cold Christmas and on Christmas Eve when we woke up and looked out of the window in the morning, all we could see was covered ín white, snow.
Here in Malta it is different. Sun, open sea, plus degrees, green landscape, flowers and palm trees. 
Finnish Mulled Wine

In Finland we have special warm spicy drink called glögi (= in enlish Mulled Wine) which brings the Christmas feeling. Here in Malta it is not very easy to find it and I like the non alcoholic version. So then the best thing is to do it myself. In this drink I used many different spices such as cinnamon, clover and ginger. Those are mixed with cranberry and blackcurrant juices and some water, added some orange skin and juice. 
With this drink my Christmas time starts!

Beautiful lantern






Beautiful Poinsettia, traditional Christmas flower all over the world. It belongs to Euphorbiaceae plant family and as well as many other Euphorbia species it grows in Maltese landscape. It is a shrub or a small tree and can grow to over 4 meters high.



In my childhood presents and Advent calendars have been big part always. Cheap or expensive or handmade, all of them have been appreciated. We have usually had chocolate calendars but sometimes even beautiful self made ones with small pockets.

This year I have two calendars, one which I self made and one my mum gave me. She had wrapped all 24 items to presents. What a wonderful gift! Now I can not wait to open them, shame it is only one in a day :)


Advent calendar


Lights and Candles



Lights and Candles create really nice atmosphere especially if the candles are scented ones. Candle lanterns are also great way to decorate. They come in many various colours and styles.

Cinnamon and blueberry pancakes



This years Christmas colour palette




Christmas crib is important part of Christmas decorating every year.


Outdoor Christmas lights

Here is how I like to start my Christmas. Lighting up the house with light and candles. Simmering some glögi and next baking gingerbread. Also Christmas tree is still missing, decorations are ready, so hopefully we will soon get tree as well. 

Peaceful first Advent Sunday!

Annastiina









torstai 19. marraskuuta 2015

Wedding Fair



Every November yearly Wedding Fair Is held at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre in Ta' Qali. Me and mum paid a visit there. I am a lover of everything pretty so what a better place to go than a fair like this!

This fair was built of beautiful decorations, tasty food and many inspirational features for weddings. I got inspired by a few great photographers. How big difference can a real artist do to photos instead of awkward posing, capturing all the emotions and small acts of love in between.
Artist is always an artist.
Second inspirational thing for me was food. It's amazing how few ingredients in a small portion can offer such a great flavorful and tasty combinations.

Let's start this post with the food.



Next few comparisons between Finnish and Maltese weddings.Usually traditional Maltese wedding is standing up reception with finger food when finish traditional wedding is seated buffet dinner. I personally prefer reception type weddings where atmosphere is more relaxed. In my opinion in both countries menu is the heart of a succesful party.

In a reception food items are brought one at the time on trays, usually including cold and hot savoury items and later on sweet treats. In addition one can choose to have different type of food table as extra for example barbecue pasta or antipasti table.

All kind of small appetizers, finger food, pizza and sweet items were on show to be tasted.




What a wedding would be without sweet treats. Candy bar, popcorn table, macaroons, cake pops and cup cakes, gateaux cakes and wedding cakes. There are endless options of sweets and candy to choose from.

Deco. Flowers, fabrics, lights and candles all if different shades of colors. Romantic style or modern vibes, endless opportunities to decorate a hall, garden or a beach.

Also at the fair we got to see some great suits and dresses. Pretty cool limousine stole the show at the wedding car section. Would not mind a ride like that from the church to the reception!

Cocktail bars, different kind of drinks and punches were on the show as well. Drinks can be chosen made from fresh or organic ingredients, syrups or just usual spirits. Also available were different kind of wines from red to sparkling.


Not forgetting guest souvenirs, invites and flower decor this fair was full of interesting things. My ultimate favorite thing was photobooth. There guests can dress up some funny items and take photos memories for themselves and the couple getting married. Such a fun way to keep all the memories.

This fair was full of interesting stands and all things beautiful. It also offered great tips for couples planning a wedding. A real pleasure to visit. Thank you for this experience.

We are starting to get closer to the end of the week, enjoy your weekends all!

Annastiina

maanantai 2. marraskuuta 2015

All Things Pretty


All Things Pretty

Motivational Monday

"Life is beautiful."


"There's so many beautiful reasons to be happy."



"Trust that everything happens for a reason, even when you're not wise enough to see it."
-Oprah Winfrey



"Make today beautiful."



Happiness. Joy. Beauty. Laughter. Moment. Bliss. Memories.
Experience. Live. Enjoy. Feel. Smile. Love.
Fun. Cheerful. Beautiful.



"Sometimes you have to go through hard times to realize how strong you are."

"Just believe in your dreams."



"Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections."
-Gerard Way

"Happiness is a journey not a destination."



"Change your thoughts and you change your world."

"Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself."
-Coco Chanel



"Enjoy the little things."

"Be Happy. Be Bright. Be You."


Beautiful beginning of the week. 


Love,

Annastiina


lauantai 24. lokakuuta 2015

Rainy day

Two days ago, to be exact Thursday afternoon a storm hit Malta. It did not last for very long but it was quite a strong one in some areas.

In the area i was in earlier in the afternoon it started with some rain but quickly after stopped. Later on followed the surprise. I was in the kitchen cooking dinner when started hearing sounds like someone was throwing stones to windows. I wondered what was going on and ran next to the door which leads to our backyard.

// Tämän viikon torstaina pieni myrsky iski Maltalle. Niinkuin tavallista täällä etelässä,  myrsky ei ollut pitkäkestoinen mutta joillain alueilla voimakas.

Alku iltapäivästä  saimme nauttia pienestä sateesta joka kuitenkin loppui lyhyeen, mutta yllätys seurasi myöhemmin. Olin töiden jälkeen hellan ääressä valmistelemassa päivällistä, kun alkoi kuulua voimakasta ääntä. Ihankuin joku heittelisi pieniä kiviä ikkunaan, kiirehdin takaovelle katsomaan.//


At this point I started to see some hail (round pieces of ice) storming down from the sky. In Malta it is not unusual to see hail during the autumn - winter time.

//Lasisen takaoven läpi näin kuinka taivaalta rakeita alkoi sataa lujaa vauhtia. Syys ja talvi aikaan on tavallista että täällä Etelässäkin saamme nauttia raekuuroista.//


It continued pouring rain and hail at the same time and suddenly our whole small yard was covered in ice!

//Raekuuro yltyi ja voimistui ja hetken päästä huomasin kuinka koko pieni pihamme oli jään peitossa!//


I opened the door a little just to see 15cm layer of pure ice covering the entire yard floor. I have seen alot of ice and snow in finland but this amount of hail I have never seen in one place, especially in a southern Europe country where temperature will not go below 0°C. The temperature was around 22°C at this time and still late in the evening we could see small iceberg on the yard.

//Raotin takaovea hieman vain nähdäkseni että siellä oli koko pihan peittävä 15cm jääkerros. Suomessa on tavallista nähdä lunta ja jäätä mutta näin paljoa rakeita en ole täällä ennen nähnyt, varsinkaan maassa jossa lämpötila ei laske alle nollan kylmimpänä aikanakaan. Tämän tapahtuessa lämpötila oli noin 22°C. Vielä myöhemmin illalla pihassa oli pieni jäävuori näkyvissä.//


We have some planters with perennial plants and seasonal flowers in them. Perennials got damaged only by the speed and strength of the hail which broke some branches but all the seasonal flowers were frozen. Apart from few plant losses nothing bigger damage was done to us but a storekeeper next to us had his last year's model of Renault seriously damaged by the hail. It's roof, front part and windscreen were literally full of hit marks..

// Pihallamme on muutamia kukkaruukkuja joissa on moni- ja yksivuotisia kasveja. Monivuotiset kärsivät vain hieman vahinkoja mutta kaikki yksivuotiset kukat jäätyivät rakeiden alle. Pieniä kasvi vahinkoja luukuunottamatta omaisuutemme säilyi vahingoitta.  Toisin kävi läheisen kaupan omistajan autolle joka oli viime vuoden mallin Renault, jonka katto, konepelli ja tuulilasi kärsivät mittavat vahingot. Rakeet olivat jättäneet jälkensä pahat lommot joka puolelle autoa..//


Here is a photo of the weather prior to hail storm. Even though being a little scary and loss of few plants it was a great experience! And it almost felt like being back in my northern home when I could walk in the cold ice and do "snowballs". It was like having one of the winter days from the north was here in the south.

//Yllä kuva otettu ennen myrskyä, jolloin ilma oli tavallista lämpimämpi. Myrskyn ja raekuuron jälkeen tuntui kuin olisi ollut Suomessa talvisena päivänä. Mukava kokemus saada vähän "lunta" tänne eteläänkin, vaikka vain illaksi.

Thank you for tuning in!
I would like to hear from you by comment.

Kiitos että tulit lukemaan!
Kuulisin mielelläni kommenttejasi.

See you soon again,
Pikaisiin Kuulemisiin,

Annastiina


maanantai 5. lokakuuta 2015

Fancy Monday


Monday, the greatest day of the week. not. For someone sometimes even hearing or thinking a word Monday sounds painful especially after a relaxing weekend. I am one of those. Who wouldn't like to stay in bed for just a little bit longer?
Actually it doesn't have to go this way always. Today I got inspired to turn my Monday upside down. It does not need a lot of work to make your Monday just a little bit better and more enjoyable. It only requires some attitude adjusting, positive way of thinking and something you enjoy.

Here is how I turned my Monday blues to Fancy Monday. Good food, beautiful decorations, candles and good company. This time my inspiration was my dear friend. Thanks to Saara, who visited us for her holiday. Below Birthday dinner my way. Colours, ambience and good food. Fill up your day with everything that brings you happiness.




















Enjoy your Monday evening  and
Have a nice week!

Thank you for reading,

 Annastiina