Autumn Updates and Fresh Beginnings + VIDEO

I’m not quite sure whether to title this “autumn,” “winter,” or something in between. That’s the thing about the changing seasons—you can’t always keep up with them. But perhaps that’s not the point. After all, we’re the ones who came up with the terms, and nature doesn’t always shift accordingly.

So, we find ourselves somewhere between autumn and winter. The first snow fell about five days ago, but over the weekend, rain washed most of it away.

It’s a shame because that first snow brings a magical stillness, light, and peace to everything around.

You might also notice that you’re on my revamped website. This project has taken quite some time, as my previous site had accumulated so many photos and texts that there wasn’t enough room left—whether physically or digitally!

Transferring hundreds of blog posts and countless thousands of photos over here was a process. You may also spot that all blog posts, both old and new, are now in English. My sister and I spent weeks translating the old entries with the help of AI (amazing, isn’t it?), which has taken up most of my time lately.

But here we are, on the renewed site. I’m thrilled that you’ve found your way here! :)

Alongside the new website, the print shop has also had a makeover! I’m particularly excited about this, as the previous print shop was a bit homemade and, understandably, perhaps a little dubious. But now! Now we’re on a whole new level.

With the revamped print shop, pricing has been updated, you can choose the size of the photo you want, and you can even have it shipped to any corner of the world. Incredible! I’ve also added some completely new photos to the shop, so take a look—you might find a little piece of northern nature for yourself. By ordering, you’re supporting my work here in this small northern village and helping to keep my small business going.

Here are a few highlights from the print shop. You can explore the full collection here.

This early winter has been surprisingly full. It’s not so much that I’ve felt rushed, but as soon as one task is finished, another is already waiting in line.

Winterizing the garden was put on hold when the first snow arrived. Luckily, the snow melted, so we managed to empty the garden beds, mow the lawn, and clean up the greenhouse—all in one day, ready for spring.

Otherwise, early winter has been spent keeping the house warm and watching the weather shift. Many evenings, a cold north wind has swept the sky clear, bringing a starry expanse from horizon to horizon and stunning northern lights at night. A few of these auroras have been so bright and beautiful that it’s hard to believe my own eyes.

In the photo below, I eventually gave in to the cold north wind and spent the rest of the evening reading in bed, wrapped in blankets.

Knitting and baking remain a part of nearly every day. Often in the morning, as I light the fire in the wood oven, I stay close by, watching it catch and adding wood while sitting in the rocking chair. The crackling fire and the steady rhythm of knitting create a wonderfully meditative state. It’s during these moments that I often come up with ideas for the day’s tasks or organize the tangled thoughts in my mind. Knitting is truly an excellent way to calm down and feel grounded.

I still bake sourdough bread at least once a week. It’s become such a routine that I hardly even notice it. Buying bread from the store now feels almost absurd, knowing how relatively easy it is to make at home.

In addition to bread, I’ve started making sourdough granola weekly. We have it every morning with blueberries and milk. I actually developed the recipe myself (which is rare for me), so maybe one day I’ll share it with you all.

For bread this year, I’ve set a playful, stress-free goal to learn how to decorate it with forest-themed designs. Traditional sourdough is often decorated with wheat stalks, but since we live in an area where almost no grains grow (except barley), that feels a bit odd. We’re surrounded by forests and snow, so it would be nice to reflect that in the bread decorations as well.

Before the first snow, the mornings were breathtakingly beautiful. Cold nights would give way to sunny mornings, with frost freezing everything, and the sun bringing it all to life with the sparkle of thousands of diamonds—just like a fairy tale. On many such mornings, I’ve simply wandered around the nearby fields, marveling at the glittering beauty. It leaves me speechless.

Amid the website chaos, I also published a new video. I’ll add it below if you haven’t had a chance to watch it yet. It’s about the simplicity of life and the importance of silence—the very things that keep me here. In the heart of a small wilderness village, surrounded by all this quiet.

It’s wonderful to be writing updates again and sharing photos with you. It’s still the easiest way for me to gather my thoughts and share them.

I’m glad you’re here. <3

♥ Sanna