High Five for Friday

After skipping one time last week, I'm again posting my favorite five things from the past week. As mentioned before, this marvelous idea is from Lauren @ From My Grey Desk and I'm linking up with her.

1. Evankeliumijuhla

This annual Christian summer fest held last weekend is a summer tradition for us. A long-standing for my husband, and I've attended since 2006 with one exception. Evankeliumijuhla is Finnish and means Gospel fest. It's always wonderful to get together with thousands of people to listen to the word of God and meet up with friends. This year we were in Turku.

2. A visit from a dear friend

Picture from here

I had a friend visiting me this friend, my very best girl friend. We used to live in the same place for a long while. We got to know in high school and went to the same university afterwards as well. But since then we've lived in different parts of Finland and haven't seen each other so often. But like the quote says, you don't always see good friends, but you know they are there and that's the case with my dear friend as well. It was amazing to have her visit us and we managed to have a lot of fun during those couple of days. Lovely memories!

3. 4th of July picnic

I used the American Independence Day as a reason to go on at least one picnic this summer. I was so excited to wear red, white and blue for the occasion! The day turned out wonderful and I am really thinking about turning it into a tradition :)

4. Summer weather

I know it isn't a lot compared to some places, but these couple of days with around 24 C = mid-70 F degrees have been a welcome chance to a somewhat mild and rainy June.

5. Local landscape

Originally from Northern Ostrobothnia region, hills used to be a rare sight. Now living in Pirkanmaa, I take pleasure in visiting some of these landscape viewing towers in this area. Having that friend over also encouraged us to take her to a couple of them. It was wonderful standing up there marveling over God's creation.

4th of July

Taken in WA in 2010

I'm not an American, but for a long while I have wanted to be in the USA during 4th of July to take in the fun associated with that holiday. No, it didn't happen this year, but I decided to celebrate it nevertheless. I wanted to bring out the red, white and blue as well as stars and stripes in my outfit and picnic decorations.

All set and ready to go! Wearing my wanted-to-be Socialite Skirt.

I know many Americans go on picnics on the Independence Day and so I hosted one yesterday. A friend hinted me a beautiful spot by the lake and that's where we set up our camp for the evening. The weather was gorgeous! The sun was shining the whole time and it finally felt like summer after a mild June.

I made some food to serve (I made the mudcake and the focaccias) and then some of my guests brought food with them as well. Everything was yummy!

I went for the first swim this summer, it was so refreshing. Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves and we had a nice time. Sooner than it seemed possible it was time to pack our stuff and head home after a wonderful summer evening with friends.

I was well satisfied with how everything went and plan to hopefully make a tradition out of my little 4th of July picnic!

The happy host