They're All Turning 50!
When I chose this particular year to spend in Finland, one reason was the many major birthdays, special people in my life have in 2008. First my mom turned 80 in January, my sister-in-law, Leena, celebrated her 50th in March, my dear friend, Sirpa, hers on our shared birthday, May 4th, and my little brother, Antti-Jussi his on June 1st. Turning fifty has always been a reason for a major celebration in Finland. There used to be an almost formulaic way to celebrate this important event, but this is, after all 2008 – and people are becoming more and more individualistic. Thus, the ways to celebrate are many. All three of the 50th birthday celebrations this spring have been quite different.
LEENA
Leena turned 50 on March 11. We received a beautiful, handmade invitation in late February. The party took place in an old, intimate restaurant, Wellamo, (http://www.wellamo.fi/) in the Katajanokka district of Helsinki, right behind the Finnish Orthodox Uspensk Cathedral. Forty-four lucky invitees, family and friends, filled every chair in the small space. There were toasts and a delicious menu with drinks to match as well as a touching speech by Risto, Leena's husband, my brother.
When I chose this particular year to spend in Finland, one reason was the many major birthdays, special people in my life have in 2008. First my mom turned 80 in January, my sister-in-law, Leena, celebrated her 50th in March, my dear friend, Sirpa, hers on our shared birthday, May 4th, and my little brother, Antti-Jussi his on June 1st. Turning fifty has always been a reason for a major celebration in Finland. There used to be an almost formulaic way to celebrate this important event, but this is, after all 2008 – and people are becoming more and more individualistic. Thus, the ways to celebrate are many. All three of the 50th birthday celebrations this spring have been quite different.
LEENA
Leena turned 50 on March 11. We received a beautiful, handmade invitation in late February. The party took place in an old, intimate restaurant, Wellamo, (http://www.wellamo.fi/) in the Katajanokka district of Helsinki, right behind the Finnish Orthodox Uspensk Cathedral. Forty-four lucky invitees, family and friends, filled every chair in the small space. There were toasts and a delicious menu with drinks to match as well as a touching speech by Risto, Leena's husband, my brother.
WINES
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut Champagne
Pilsner Urquell / Bon Aqua
Marques De Riscal Rueda 2006
Prince Hubert de Polignac XO Cognac / Campari Cordial
MENU
Kylmäsavuporonpaistia ja sienisalaattia
aistettua siikaa, parsaa ja pinaattiperunaduchesse
Vadelmajäädyke
Kahvi / Tee
Lauantaina 15. maaliskuuta 2008
Galleria-Ravintola Wellamo, Helsinki
Speech by husband, Risto
Having a good time, getting to know new people
Wellamo has wonderful, intimate atmosphere
After dinner, a bus took us to Puistola, Risto and Leena's home to continue the celebration with a cake, drinks, more food, and a guitar-playing musician who led us in singing. Naturally, Leena received lots of flowers, cards and presents. It was a beautiful party – perfectly suited for the wonderful birthday girl! Congratulations, Leena, my wonderful sister-in-law !
SIRPA
. . . with her favorite flowers, lilies-of the-valley
On May 4th, Sirpa Y. – a dear friend since the early 80's in Berkeley – had her turn in turning 50. A regular globetrotter, she decided to travel with her daughters to Switzerland for her birthday. I caught her on a brunch cruise on the Lake Ägeri when calling to sing Happy Birthday. Later, the daughters, Laura and Kirsti, and godson, our Rafael, prepared a fancy, five-course dinner for Sirpa's large immediate family. Unfortunately, it was scheduled for the same day as the next party, my brother's. So, Rafu and I cooked a sushi lunch for Sirpa, Laura and Kirsti to celebrate on May 18, a day before Rafael's 16th birthday. It was a joyous, comfortable occasion with good food and nice wine to match, with a special dessert of glög-sorbet prepared by Kirsti, the designated dessert chef. Happy, happy birthday, Sirpa, my dear friend!
. . . sushi . . . and . . .
. . . the sushi sirpas
Yrjönmäki family dinner party
ANTTI-JUSSI
On May 31, I emptied and cleaned the new apartment as we were to become 'homeless' the next day, June first, which was also my brother's 50th. After leaving the place spotless Finnish style = literally spotless, with the help of three women friends and two 1-year-old girls, I drove five hours to Paltamo. On Sunday, June 1, the first relatives arrived around noon. The main celebration was unusual: seurat (= a Christian worship meeting) at church at 5:30 PM, followed by a reception at the Parish Building. It was a wonderful celebration. My brother, Antti-Jussi, opened the meeting with a humorous but very meaningful speech, explaining his choice of hymns. They were all selected because of some special significance, from a seafarer history of our mother's father's family to my parents' favorite hymns. There were four inspiring speeches by four ministers. There was also a collection in lieu of presents. Antti wanted to participate in the 'Give a Different Gift' –program. Various domestic animals worth 700 euros will be provided for African families for food and income.
The parish employees serenading Antti w/a song written by Pastor Turunen
Family congratulating Antti-Jussi
Around 7, we moved to the Parish house for coffee and goodies, including a birthday cake. A musician friend, Juha, performed Christian protest rock songs from the 70's before we all went home.
Juha performing, with Hilla's help
Then Antti and I rode our bikes to Risto & Leena's golf house a few kilometers away to continue the celebration with Risto, Leena, Tiina, and cousin Outi and her husband, Simo. Antti was toasted with fine wine until midnight when the birthday boy and I rode our bikes back to my mom's house in the summer night lightness.
Happy birthday one more time!
A midnight ride back home
What a great day! Onnea Antti-Jussi, my little brother – now you have reached 'a man's age'!
Such wonderful birthday celebrations! Who's next? I'm ready to keep on partying!
SIRPA
. . . with her favorite flowers, lilies-of the-valley
On May 4th, Sirpa Y. – a dear friend since the early 80's in Berkeley – had her turn in turning 50. A regular globetrotter, she decided to travel with her daughters to Switzerland for her birthday. I caught her on a brunch cruise on the Lake Ägeri when calling to sing Happy Birthday. Later, the daughters, Laura and Kirsti, and godson, our Rafael, prepared a fancy, five-course dinner for Sirpa's large immediate family. Unfortunately, it was scheduled for the same day as the next party, my brother's. So, Rafu and I cooked a sushi lunch for Sirpa, Laura and Kirsti to celebrate on May 18, a day before Rafael's 16th birthday. It was a joyous, comfortable occasion with good food and nice wine to match, with a special dessert of glög-sorbet prepared by Kirsti, the designated dessert chef. Happy, happy birthday, Sirpa, my dear friend!
. . . sushi . . . and . . .
. . . the sushi sirpas
Yrjönmäki family dinner party
ANTTI-JUSSI
On May 31, I emptied and cleaned the new apartment as we were to become 'homeless' the next day, June first, which was also my brother's 50th. After leaving the place spotless Finnish style = literally spotless, with the help of three women friends and two 1-year-old girls, I drove five hours to Paltamo. On Sunday, June 1, the first relatives arrived around noon. The main celebration was unusual: seurat (= a Christian worship meeting) at church at 5:30 PM, followed by a reception at the Parish Building. It was a wonderful celebration. My brother, Antti-Jussi, opened the meeting with a humorous but very meaningful speech, explaining his choice of hymns. They were all selected because of some special significance, from a seafarer history of our mother's father's family to my parents' favorite hymns. There were four inspiring speeches by four ministers. There was also a collection in lieu of presents. Antti wanted to participate in the 'Give a Different Gift' –program. Various domestic animals worth 700 euros will be provided for African families for food and income.
The parish employees serenading Antti w/a song written by Pastor Turunen
Family congratulating Antti-Jussi
Around 7, we moved to the Parish house for coffee and goodies, including a birthday cake. A musician friend, Juha, performed Christian protest rock songs from the 70's before we all went home.
Juha performing, with Hilla's help
Then Antti and I rode our bikes to Risto & Leena's golf house a few kilometers away to continue the celebration with Risto, Leena, Tiina, and cousin Outi and her husband, Simo. Antti was toasted with fine wine until midnight when the birthday boy and I rode our bikes back to my mom's house in the summer night lightness.
Happy birthday one more time!
A midnight ride back home
What a great day! Onnea Antti-Jussi, my little brother – now you have reached 'a man's age'!
Such wonderful birthday celebrations! Who's next? I'm ready to keep on partying!
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