I did a thing! I've published my first long-form article on Nostr 💪 Right on time for Jobtober, here's an article I wrote for Bitvocation with an inside view of the POW Lab. A must-read for any Bitcoiner who is considering making Bitcoin their career! #Jobtober View article →

GM, Nostr! Funny story, at Friday's gig, I asked a friend in the audience to video my full performance but he fumbled it and it didn't record. Luckily, I found someone else who got a few clips. The perfectionist in me did not want to post this, but now is the time to overcome my fears. I was a bit tense and nervous with all those lights and eyes on me. Actually, I was very honoured to be invited to sing. I first came to the Irish Festival of Oulu in 2017. I had just moved to Finland and didn't know a soul, so I travelled up all by myself. The Irish music scene in Finland is small and niche, but today it feels like my family and my home. I have made so many amazing friends, and standing on this stage represents to me just how far I've come. #musicstr

It feels so good to be home! And enjoy a proper cup of tea 🍵 (it's not easy travelling in a coffee country) 😂 I got back just in time to take my son to his first gymnastics class. It seems perfect for him because it's basically what he's already doing on the furniture at home, but with the correct equipment 🤸‍♂️ I'm also loving the Donegal wool socks I got as a souvenir 🐏

I don't normally post about shows I have been to because it's something that has to be experienced, but last night was something extra special. What I love about festivals is that there's always something unexpected, and this time, it was female vocal ensemble Systir. At the start of their act, they walked out into the auditorium of the concert hall and surrounded the audience on all sides. They opened with Hildegard von Bingen's Spiritus Sanctus, followed by this piece. Then they went into the Skye Boat Song, and I couldn't hold it together, I was WEEPING. I have never heard such an beautiful sound on earth. Luckily I am a mother and always have tissues on me. 😅 #musicstr

GM! ☕️ Today I'm on the first train out of Oulu. Yesterday, while waiting for my fiddle workshop to start, I went for a walk and didn't finish the route that I planned because there were too many beautiful things to photograph. I always think water brings a life-giving energy to a place, and Oulu has no shortage of it. It's right on the Gulf of Both in and streams and rivers flow all through the city. Little white bridges everywhere look like something out of a fairy tale. Thank you Oulu for another wonderful festival weekend. Until next time 👋

At sound check waiting to check vocals. How good are my guys? 😍 #musicstr

Made it onto the train and can finally relax. Will arrive just in time to dump my bag at the hotel and go straight to sound check for this evening. Looking forward to being back in Oulu after three years 😄

GM ☕️ I was supposed to be on my way to Oulu right now but my first train was late and the driver of the second train closed the door in my face and drove off, now I'm now stuck in Vantaa for two hours, waiting for the next one 😂 Got a blueberry muffin so I can at least sit and work in a café

It's super beautiful out there today ☀️✨️ First blue skies in weeks, but temperature down to 3°C, now that we are without our cosy blanket of clouds

GM! ☕️ Husband starting new job today. I'm excited because I also get to share his job benefit of a discount at one of the major Finnish supermarkets. Onwards and upwards 😎

Husband and I were supposed to have a date today, but a package arrived with our new kitchen extractor fan and our "date" turned into a 3-hour intelligence test/team building exercise. "Easy installation" my ass 😂

GM! This morning, I biked down to the lake. It was just a regular grey day, the coldest morning of the autumn yet. 🍂☁️ As I was cycling down the waterfront, I was stopped in my tracks by the sight of a large waterbird with pure white feathers taking flight and flying gracefully away across the water. At first, I thought it was a heron, but herons are usually grey, so I looked it up and recognised it as a great egret. This was surprising and very lucky because they are quite rare here in Finland. Egrets symbolise wisdom, grace and divine guidance during times of uncertainty and transition. How blessed that it crossed my path today 🙏 [Photo not mine]

I was reading with my 3yo and he couldn't remember what the queen bee is called, so he said "princess bee". 👸🐝 My favourite thing about this age is that we finally get to understand how he sees the world, and sometimes it's absolutely adorable 🥹

Now how's this for a gig location?

Friday afternoon. These are the most simple but precious moments 💖