Oops—there went the summer.

Well, not all of it, not yet… but we’re definitely on the far side of it now.

Summers never feel particularly long up here in the North—because, well, they aren’t. But mostly, I think, because they’re so full.
When the snow finally melts and the ground stays bare for just those few fleeting months, that’s our chance to do all the things. Or rather, the things we choose to fill our hands and days with. There’s the house to tend to, the garden to plant, the greenhouse to ready. The yard calls for cleaning and coaxing into some kind of order (we’re still uncovering hidden corners—and even old belongings—from the former owners). Late summer brings berry picking and jam jars lined up on shelves. And somewhere in between, we have to squeeze in the all-important summer wanders and little adventures.

Oh, and that elusive thing called rest. That too.

This summer had a little extra sparkle to it: we hosted a wedding.

It was small and simple—handmade, heartfelt, and grounded in the most homely, earthy way.
The planning quietly swallowed up much of our summer days. And while it was a whole lot of work, it was so much fun—to my own surprise, I truly loved every moment of it.

Everything was handmade—
the food, the tables, the flowers, the setting, the service. We didn’t want a professional photographer. The celebration took place right here at home, in the garden, a laid-back gathering under open skies. As night fell, we slipped into the sauna, guests stayed over, and in the morning we shared a brunch made from the evening’s leftovers, gathered around in sleepy happiness.

Nearly everyone who came helped make the day possible:
our neighbors caught a bucket of whitefish for the feast (thank you, P & A!), our families baked and conjured up the most incredible food and cakes—complete with all the frills. Two teenage girls from the village helped serve and tidy (thank you, E & A!). Chairs were borrowed from nearly every house in town. A nearby island neighbor lent us their cottage for the night (thank you, L!). Friends warmed the sauna and others, somehow, arranged a stunningly beautiful morning brunch.

The whole day shimmered with a quiet, shared magic—a deep sense of togetherness and so many kind souls, it left us humbled and full of awe.

Dear friends and beloved people had traveled from the far corners of the country to be here. Neighbors from our little village came to celebrate us. It was a day overflowing with love, closeness, and something you could only call warmth of spirit.

And warmth was needed—
because despite this current heatwave, on the morning of the wedding the thermometer read just three degrees above freezing (that’s about 37°F).

So I laid out every wool sweater and blanket I could find in the house, and they were quickly scooped up. A few guests snuck off now and then to warm up in the greenhouse.
We may have forgotten to mention to everyone that the entire celebration would be outdoors… no matter the weather. Oops.

After the wedding, we set off on a journey to a dream destination of mine—one I’ve been quietly longing for over many years.

I share more from the wedding and our travels in my latest video.
As for the trip itself, I think it deserves a post of its own—there’s so much I’d like to tell you: little details, tips, and plenty of photos.

I know we’re supposed to soak up the summer heat while it lasts,
but I can’t help it—my heart is already drifting toward the cool hush of autumn evenings.
And yes, I’ve even caught myself daydreaming about skiing, in the middle of all this sun.

Wishing you a beautiful beginning to the tail end of summer.

So happy to have you here. ❤️

🖤 Sanna