Saattaa

The month of May, or Saattaa in Finnish, has begun.

May 1 is May Day or Vappu (vup-poo) in Finland, a national holiday marking the end of winter and spring renewal.

Vappu festivities in Finland started in upper-class families in the 1700s. At that time people celebrated the day by going horseback riding to enjoy the greenery of spring, and held parties at home with friends and family. Later Vappu became the celebration of the workers, or Labor Day. Today, many celebrants are students happy to be graduating or at the end of the school year.

At the cabins, May is my working month when deep cleaning and renovations take place in preparation for guests to arrive. I have always loved the change of seasons and what each brings.

This year the Kaksi (No. 2) cabin is getting a new bathroom. Maintaining the integrity and charm of the original cabins is important to me when making renovations. Every log is handled with care and the tiniest detail is thought through to upgrade the space to make it more beautiful and functional, while being careful that the changes blend with the original cabin aesthetics.

It is worth the effort.

Happy spring to all!