The Finnish Sun . . .

Harri arose early to get a double batch of rice puuro (porridge) simmering, so we could fuel ourselves for a walk and have enough left over to make Karelia once we returned. 

Because the Finnish weather forecast predicted sun, Harri suggested we head out for one of their favorite family walks.  We discovered the Finnish sun is a slight variation from a what we expect as sun in the US.  While there was in fact sun visible in the sky somewhere, it wasn't over us.  We felt like Eeyore being followed around by rain/slush clouds as we hike.

Despite the rain, it was another beautiful hike.  Helsinki has more forest in the City limits than any other city we have ever seen.  The granite rocks and boulders were spectacular and Mom wanted to bring them all home and have them made into countertops, the rain actually brought out all the colors and patterns. 

As we've walked through the forests here fairy tales continue to pop into our minds.  We think of Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Hansel and Gretel wandering through the forest looking for berries.  Everywhere you turn there are lingonberry bushes and wild blueberry vines, which are called billberry here, not to be confused with the farm grown blueberries we think of.

At the end of the walk we tested our strength at a Finnish work out station that included monkey bars and lifting logs that have fallen over in the forest.

After the hike we learned how to make Karelia! It's a rye flour based savory pastry filled with porridge.  We got slightly better with the technique with practice.

The finished product