A Taxi Plate and a Cookie Cutter

One thing that is unique about Jyv�skyl�, is a dish from practically any grill, called a "Taxi Plate".  You cannot get these anywhere else in Finland!

A Taxi Plate can vary in style but the point is to have a lot of food for a cheap price.  This idea was developed for taxi drivers (I am assuming) who probably worked some really long hours - and were starving.

This is from a Grill in JKL but not downtown...I forget the name of it - sorry.

The one at Grilli 21, offers a monster-sized Taxi Plate...and it has French fries, sausage pieces, a hamburger patty, condiments and an egg.  I am very tempted to try one of these some time! (The above is my friend's lunch not from Grilli 21 but another grill we stopped at).

Oh and in case you're wondering - this is what Finland is shaped like.  Like a  milk-maiden (the upper hand being in the upper left hand corner)....and yes, this is my friend's cookie cutter.

Update: September 6, 2011 -
I have been advised by some Finnish friends that there is a 50 km radius around Jyv�skyl� that calls the above platter a "Taxi plate".  But if you are anywhere else in Finland - it's known as sausages and potatoes...

A Dry Toilet

While at our friend's cottage (see previous post), I went to use the bathroom and had no idea how to flush the toilet.
There wasn't a handle anywhere to be seen on the toilet!

And yes, there was running water and electricity in the cottage....not all Finnish cottages have those splurges however!

You have to sit on the toilet (men) because it opens the blue panel where the compost-able items go.

It's a dry toilet because it does not use water for flushing.  Very eco-friendly!

I stepped on the seat a bit to open the blue panel (a bit) so you can see where the toilet paper and feces go.  It just breaks down into compost.  And no, it wasn't very smelly at all! (Unlike a porta-potty/Johnny-on-the-spot).

S��ksm�ki and Sauna!

We just got back today from S��ksm�ki (well-known for it's folklore and folk music), we were at a friend's cottage and I took some photos to share with you!

At a nearby animal farm...

At a lake

This photo was not edited at all - but I want to show you the "Traditional Finnish Country Side".  It's beautiful!

Inside of a Finnish sauna

A wood stove heats the rocks and you splash water on them to increase the steam (and the heat).  This is called a "Smiley Face stove"...do you see the smiley face?

Bunches of birch branches...I thought it was a decoration.

I have NEVER done the birch-branches-slap-yourself thing before and couldn't stop laughing at the idea of it.

Okay, let me rewind.  Two of my friends and I went into the sauna and I didn't even notice the "bucket of leaves" until one friend Miira said, "Oh! Have you been using the birches?"

The hostess, Teija, says, "Oh not really but Mikko has been....would you like to?"

Miira's excited and I have no idea what's going on.  I thought it was a decoration of sorts.

So they look at me and asked if I've ever used birch branches before in the sauna.

I must've had a stunned "WTF" look on my face because they laughed and said, "Now you get to try the 'Ultimate Finnish Sauna Experience'"....

Uh oh.

We go in there and arrange ourselves and Miira dips the bound birch branches into the bucket of water and starts slapping herself with them.  My jaw is hanging to the floor and I'm confused.

Then they explained that the slapping motion onto the skin encourages and increases blood circulation, the birch oil soothes and conditions your skin - and in general - it feels great and smells good.

Uh - okay.

Then Teija suggested she "toast" the branches a bit...(My instant thought was: "CRAP - it's going to get really smokey in here if they catch on fire and what does she mean?")

So Teija took the branches, soaked them in the bucket and held it over the stove of rocks for a minute, rotating them like a marshmallow on a stick.  (I personally couldn't feel the difference - but they could).

So this heats the water drops a bit and the leaves make a splendid crinkling sound while "toasting"...then it's back to SLAP SLAP SLAP!

A Finnish Joke!

I don't know many - at least not that many in English - okay.  I admit it.  This is the ONLY Finnish joke I know!
My husband told me it this morning:

A father and his two sons are driving along a road and one son spots a hare jumping across the road and says, "A hare!"
Five minutes later, as they continue to drive, the brother says, "No it was a deer!"
Five minutes later, as they continue to drive, the father says, "Will you two stop fighting?!"

(The point of the joke being that Finnish men are very quiet and don't speak much...)
Oh and in case you're wondering - a French Canadian told my husband this joke...who apparently knows many Finns.
And yes, we know MANY Finnish men that are like this!!!

Photos of Asian Food Store Goodies

Chinese Sausage...Thai Style...made in Poland?

Dim Sum

BBQ Pork Buns

Prawn crackers

Inside the bag

Shrimp flavoured crackers....

BBQ Pork marinade

Finally! My husband has returned and I have my camera back!

The Asian Food Store

Oh wow! I'm so excited!

As previously mentioned, my husband Tim, is gone to England for 3 days or so....with the luck he's been having to get there - I can only imagine how long it'll take to get back...(it's been bad luck by the way).
Anyways!  My friend Katri has graciously offered to help me with walking the dogs and V�in� - and I'd probably be hanging off the ceiling had it not been for her help!

Today we opted to go shopping - since it was so hot in my flat and outside - we figured air-conditioned stores were the way to go.
She had mentioned to me that there was an Asian grocery store in one of the K-City Markets.  I had never heard of this before.  And it turns out I've been near this Asian Food Store before!
It's in Sepp�l� (hope I spelled it right) - so it's quite a drive away from my flat - but there are buses...I just need to know which one to take.  (Considering the amount of stuff I bought - I probably shouldn't learn what the bus route is!)

I found:

• Garlic and Black bean sauce
• Small bok-choy (like a leafy lettuce - since K Market didn't have any regular bok-choy)
• Pockey!  Only chocolate and strawberry dipped (but I didn't buy any).
• Rice crackers flavoured with seaweed
• Hoisin sauce
• BBQ pork marinade powder
• Some frozen dim sum
• BBQ Pork steam buns
• Dumplings (But not the wrappers to make my own - that made me kind of sad)
• Pickled radish  (I think this is the right stuff - I'll know once I open it)
• Chinese sausage
• Shrimp chips (shaped like French fries...so good...)
• Shrimp chips/crackers (often eaten with Peking duck I believe)

I think that's everything................hmm.  Anyways, I spent far too much money....my husband will probably have a fit.

However, I figured if I go there once every 2-6 months (the later the more preferred I think by Tim) - it works out to be �ber cheap per month! :-)

It was pretty well stocked - no empty shelves, lots of options in the freezers and fridge....lots of beverage and sauce options...I was impressed!

**Sorry, no photos available as the husband has my camera...remember?**

Happy Canada Day!

Today is the birthday of Canada...my home-country!

It's a big day turning 144 years old you know!

To celebrate Canada Day, everything is closed (some restaurants may be open - but those are few and far between) and if the weather is good - then typically there are barbecues, fairs, picnics, fireworks, family gatherings and visits, parades and of course there's the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo.  It's a large show shown in Halifax for about a week or so, with performances from all over the world!
It is held indoors, in Halifax, Nova Scotia - but they often do a parade on Canada Day!

In Westville, where my husband is from, there's a huge fair, a parade and fireworks!

Oh, but in Ottawa - Canada's Capital - that's where the party is at!
Why?  Because Prince William (The Duke of Cambridge) and his wife, Catherine (Duchess of Cambridge) are visiting Canada on their first North American Tour together!
Here's a video!

Well, this year - I spent Canada Day with my friend (who is Finnish) - as my husband is en route to London for a conference somewhere in England.
We did some knitting/crocheting, some gossiping and I whipped up some Chinese stir-fry...which was really yummy!  Then for dessert - to be a bit more patriotic - I made strawberry/banana short cake with whipped cream (red and white!)....and chocolate covered strawberries too.

I really don't know what Canucks eat on Canada Day....growing up - we never ate anything in particular, like you would eat a ham or turkey for Christmas or Thanksgiving....so I just made whatever I felt like eating and thankfully it worked out :).

Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of our lovely meal - because I gave my camera to my husband to take some photos of his trip...

I hope you all had a wonderful day - Canadian or not!  (Americans have their Independence Day July 4th)