A Spruce-Induced Spark: Our Whimsical Journey to an Enchanted Finnish Farmstead

Well, well, well, what a jolly adventure this turned out to be! Picture this, dear reader: there I was, minding my own business, when suddenly I found myself absolutely smitten with a charming old farmstead by the shores of Lake Pyyvesi. Now, let me tell you, it wasn’t your average holiday cottage search – oh no, this was something altogether more magical.

As we rolled up to the property on a lovely spring day around May Day, I was instantly captivated. The farmyard was sheltered by ancient trees, their gnarled branches reaching out like welcoming arms. A quaint country lane, lined with sturdy birches, led down to the sparkling waters of Lake Saimaa. And the wildlife! Oh, you wouldn’t believe it – hundreds of frogs croaking away, tiny lizards sunbathing on rocks, and a veritable orchestra of birds serenading us from the treetops. I even spotted a cheeky wood hare hopping about!

The Good Old Spruce Tree

But the pièce de résistance, my friends, was this magnificent old spruce tree. Standing tall and proud for over a century, it exuded an air of mystery that I simply couldn’t resist. As I pressed my cheek against its rough bark, I felt a connection – a surge of energy, if you will. It was as if the tree was speaking to me, calming my mind and opening my heart. In that moment, as a tear trickled down my cheek, I knew I’d found my spiritual home.

Now, you might think that was that – decision made, property bought, happily ever after. But oh no, it’s never that simple, is it? As soon as we were back in the car, my rational mind kicked in. “Sari, you daft mare,” it scolded, “this place is far too much work. It’s not for you. Don’t be ridiculous!”

You see, the farmhouse itself was a bit worse for wear – roof partially caved in, no electricity or water, and enough junk lying about to fill a small museum. The barn had been partly renovated, and a couple of outbuildings were almost fit for habitation, but still… it was a mammoth task.

Sense or Sensiblity?

So, there I was, torn between my head and my heart. Should I listen to reason or follow my emotions? And what about that pesky thing called intuition?

In the end, we decided to put in a cheeky lowball offer, fully expecting it to be rejected. And rejected it was! I was oddly disappointed, thinking, “Hang on a minute, wasn’t this supposed to be our place?”

But fate, dear reader, had other plans. A few days later, the estate agent rang – the original buyer had pulled out. Were we still interested?

My mind was in turmoil. “No, Sari, don’t do it,” my inner voice pleaded. And yet, I found myself saying, “Yes, absolutely!”

The Adventure Begins

So here we are, proud owners of a delightfully dilapidated farmstead, complete with its very own guardian spruce tree. It’s going to be a labour of love, no doubt about it, but I can already envision the drum-making workshops and summer events we’ll host here.

Who knows what adventures await us in this enchanted corner of Finland? One thing’s for certain – it’s going to be a wild ride, and I can’t wait to share it with you all. So, pop the kettle on, and let’s raise a cuppa to new beginnings and following your heart.

Cheers, loves!