Right next door to Mikko’s cottage was his twin sister Anna-Maija and her husband’s cottage … we trekked over for a delicious Juhannus luncheon complete with fresh home baked bread!  How Anna-Maija managed this is beyond me! … Margaret, Anna-Maija and I had gone grocery shopping in nearby Joensuu early that morning for the Juhannus dinner that evening at Mikko’s .. she rushed back saying “come for lunch in an hour or so” …. the woman is a whirlwind of activity, rivalling my friend Linda in that and in her culinary abilities!! Tasty lunch indeed, of a chicken stew, rice, salad, and fresh rye bread!!

Sharing some pictures of the historic ‘savu sauna’ where my father and various members of that generation were born …. It gets fired up every now and again and certainly for Juhannus …. there was amazing energy in that sauna and how thrilled I was to have Margaret and Aliana in there with me along with all the other ladies. Sarah and Jen joined us later in Mikko’s sauna…..