In English:
Last summer I visited on my friend summerhouse which he has been made during last two summers. Visit with me there, so You got idea how our summer cottages are looking like on closer inspection.
If You have any questions about my photos, then You get the name of photo, by moving mouse pointer over the photo.
En español:
El verano pasado me visitó en la casa de verano de mi amigo, que ha hecho durante dos veranos. Visite Usted conmigo allí, así que usted tiene la idea de cómo nuestras casas de verano estan de un examen más detallado.
Si usted tiene algunas preguntas acerca de mis fotos, entonces para obtener el nombre de la foto, mueva el puntero del ratón sobre la foto.
En francais:
L’été dernier, j’ai visité la maison d’été de mon ami dont il a été fait pendant deux étés. Visitez avec moi là, donc t’as la idée de la façon dont nos chalets d’été sont sur une inspection plus minutieuse.
Si vous avez des questions sur mes photos, pour obtenir le nom de la photo, déplacez le pointeur de la souris sur la photo.
This nice carved fellow invites You for visit
Seen from the main village road
General view when approaching my friend’s log cabin. All is not yet finished
Main house and Little princess’ (my friends granddaughter) own cabin
Little princess’ (my friends granddaughter) own cabin
General view of the house
Storage depot
Lovely stone
Storage depot
Little princess’ (my friends granddaughter) own cabin
Little princess’ own cabin
Little princess sleeps here
Mosquito net helps little princess to sleep well
Cradle
Little princess’ slide
View to the lake
Hot water boiler
Every man must have own bear
Bear watches that you do not drown while swimming
My friend – master of house. It is not cold, even though he has his hands in pockets. Finnish habit
Interior view of barbeque hut
Interior view of barbeque hut
I love those natural rocks
Let’s go to swim
Quay is a great place to relax or to fish or just angle. Hmm, after Sauna to swim. Great
Autumnal lake of my friend
Autumnal lake of my friend
View from the lakeside
Barbeque hut
The master of the house loves stones for environment decoration
The master of the house loves stones for environment decoration
On the right side there is barbeque hut
Summer cottage seen from the lakeside
Garden gnome
Lady of the house loves decorative objects
Weather vane
Lady of the house loves decorative objects
Lady of the house loves decorative objects
Bootjack, arrache-chaussures, tire-bottes,
Porch, terrace
Ring the bell when you arrive
Rocking chair of the master of the house in living room
General view of living room
Dining corner
Living room
Part of living room
Hearts made by my friend
Made by my friend
Bed room in the second floor
My friend made this ceiling lamp
My friend made this candlestick
Hired vacation cottage 2009 / Cabaña de verano alquilada 2009/ Cabane de l’été louée 2009
Travels in Finland and abroad 
I am so jealous, this is beautiful. I want one. NOW.
Seriously, this is really fantastic. The views are amazing. One day I’d like to have such a serene place to go. The grand daughter is a very, very lucky girl.
Comment by e1aine — May 18, 2012 @ 10:46 |
Hello E1aine.
Such a nice and positive comment. Thank You. I am very glad that You like my friends’ summer cottage. I agree with You that the “little princess is lucky indeed”. Next time when I see him, I’ll tell to him.
Have a lovely day!
Comment by Sartenada — May 18, 2012 @ 10:52 |
What a beautiful escape that would make from hectic life! Beautiful!
Vanessa in Oklahoma, USA
Comment by pineneedles4 — May 18, 2012 @ 12:41 |
Hi Vanessa.
That’s right. To get this kind of summer house has been my dream, but always dreams are not coming true and in this case because our plans have been changed. Thank You for Your visit and leaving Your comment.
Happy Friday!
Comment by Sartenada — May 18, 2012 @ 12:59 |
What beautiful cottages. I wish I had one. And the area is so serene. Hopefully someday I can have a summer cottage. I like the sound of that.
Comment by TBM — May 18, 2012 @ 13:55 |
Hello TBM.
Thank You. This represents quite typical summer cottage, so it is not a luxury one. Some people from abroad have bought their own summer cottages from Finland and so it was here too. My friend told to me that the next summer cottage neighbor is a German lady who stays weeks in her own cottage. I hope that You’ll get some day Your own summer cottage.
Have a lovely day!
Comment by Sartenada — May 18, 2012 @ 14:26 |
The natural setting there was gorgeous. All the buildings were so beautifully constructed and were so charming; the decorative touches of the lady of the house were delightful. And I must say that your friend’s carpentry and metal working skills were very impressive. Last but not least, the princess is one lucky little girl. 🙂
Comment by Deb Platt — May 18, 2012 @ 14:13 |
Hi Deb.
I have admired my friend’s skills too. He was working at some the engineering factory, from which his skills seem to originate from. Thank You for all those kind words You said in Your comment.
Have a wonderful day!
Comment by Sartenada — May 18, 2012 @ 14:32 |
I sighed when I saw the pics. This is my dream place to spend a weekend or something. I heard the prices are quite expensive so I might go there later 😛
The house being by the lakeside makes it even more awesome. Where exactly was this? And if i may ask, do you know how much these summer cottages cost if one wants to rent them for the weekend or so? 🙂
Comment by Melody of the Soul — May 18, 2012 @ 15:17 |
Hello Melody of the Soul.
Thank You for Your comment. Well, prices. All depends from the size of cottage and where it is situated. Prices vary much. Also is it peak season or not, determine the price heavily.
I have a link in this post to that summer cottage which we rented in 2009. It is called Mäntyranta and its weekly price is varies for summer 2012 between 450-700 Euros. I searched from Internet in English and did find cheap weekly price starting from 300 Euros. Anyway, check my post after photos and then You can get a better idea from these rentable summer cottages.
Have a wonderful day!
Comment by Sartenada — May 18, 2012 @ 15:39 |
Thank you so much! I will check out the link 🙂
Comment by Melody of the Soul — May 18, 2012 @ 15:44 |
Matti, the cottage and its surroundings are positively enchanting!
I really enjoyed the lighthearted decor, too.
You and your lovely Anja must’ve been in Hog’s Heaven. What a charming visit y’all must’ve had!
Comment by Deli Lanoux, Ed.D. — May 18, 2012 @ 15:33 |
Hi Deli.
I am very glad that You like my friend’s summer cottage. He is ordinary man who loves his family very much. Thank You for Your comment.
Have a nice week-end!
Comment by Sartenada — May 18, 2012 @ 15:45 |
What a wonderful place for a holiday. I really like the way the cabin blends with environment. The boulders and rocks are beautiful. I also think it is neat that the ‘princess’ has her own cabin. Your friend is very talented, building the cabin and making the light fixtures and decorations.
Comment by seniorhiker — May 18, 2012 @ 15:50 |
Hi George.
How glad I am when reading Your comment. Thank You very much. I wish a very happy week-end to You and Yours!
Comment by Sartenada — May 18, 2012 @ 15:54 |
beautiful scenes by the lake remind me of cottage country in northern Ontario in Canada where I spent alot of time as I was growing up.Always loved climbing over the rocks and sunning myself on them.And enjoyed the beautiful cabins-lucky princess!
Comment by janechese — May 18, 2012 @ 17:12 |
Hello Janechese.
To me it is always interesting to read that there are similar region on the other side the Atlantic. Thank You leaving Your comment.
Happy Saturday!
Comment by Sartenada — May 19, 2012 @ 07:45 |
I love the woodwork, especially on the inside. And those rocks! What a job to place them. It’s more work than gardening. Very charming place.
Comment by wordsfromanneli — May 18, 2012 @ 17:23 |
Hi Anneli.
You are right. It must have been indeed great job to place them. He bought these round stones from a nearby sandpit. Thank You for Your comment.
Have a lovely day!
Comment by Sartenada — May 19, 2012 @ 07:49 |
This is the perfect cabin. I want one just like it 🙂
Comment by Northern Narratives — May 18, 2012 @ 22:16 |
Hello Northern Narratives.
Thank You for Your kind words.
Happy week-end!
Comment by Sartenada — May 19, 2012 @ 07:50 |
How beautiful! Your friend is a wonderful craftsman and artist. I love the attention to detail with the wood in the cabins. The metal work he does is beautiful. What a wonderful place to spend some time…..
Comment by Heart To Harp — May 19, 2012 @ 02:26 |
Hello Janet.
I am happy that You like this summer cabin of my friend and find his craftsmanship great. Thank You commenting.
Have a wonderful week-end!
Comment by Sartenada — May 19, 2012 @ 07:54 |
A piece of property on the lake with those cottages here would be quite, quite expensive. but what a beautiful place to recuperate your thoughts and energy.
Comment by kareninhonolulu — May 19, 2012 @ 02:54 |
Hi Karen.
I believe You. Well, the situation is a little bit same in Finland, there are many factors that determine the rate.
Some examples. Is there a summer cottage meant and equipped for year round use. What kind of equipment there is. Its regional location. This one is situated in the Eastern part of Finland and it means cheaper prices. If it would be on so called lake district in the Southern region, then its price could be twice. Of course the size has meaning to the price. Then there is material. Most expensive summer cottages are made from round logs – expensive. Finally the price for the land. Lower prices are on countryside where the cities are “faraway”. In this case to the nearest town the distance is about 30 kilometers / 18.6 miles.
Around my friends summer cottages there are opportunities to pick up a variety of berries in autumn and mushrooms around the summer. Berries and mushrooms can be frozen for winter use and thus to get strength and vitamins for long winter.
Thank You for Your visit and comment.
Happy Saturday!
Comment by Sartenada — May 19, 2012 @ 08:19 |
That was most enjoyable!
Comment by Roberta — May 19, 2012 @ 05:06 |
Hello Roberta.
I am very glad for Your visit and comment. Thank You.
Happy Saturday!
Comment by Sartenada — May 19, 2012 @ 08:20 |
What a beautiful cottage and cabin and in such a wonderful setting! I immediately fell in love with the wood on the interior! What beautiful design and workmanship! It would indeed be a relaxing place!
Comment by montucky — May 19, 2012 @ 05:49 |
Hi Terry.
Relaxing is important in our hectic days. For this reason, hundreds of thousands of Finns own your own hideaway. Thank You for Your kind comment.
Happy week-end to You and Yours!
Comment by Sartenada — May 19, 2012 @ 08:24 |
Lovely cottage – beautiful setting. Your friend has wonderful workmanship! I love the idea of the BBQ hut! 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Comment by basildonkitchens — May 19, 2012 @ 12:46 |
Hello Basildonkitchens.
Thank You. This kind of BBQ huts are now very popular in Finland.
Happy Saturday!
Comment by Sartenada — May 19, 2012 @ 13:08 |
These huts are so cute… A wonderful place for a vacation ! Great series Matti. Have a lovely weekend 🙂
Comment by Tamara — May 19, 2012 @ 17:01 |
Hi Tamara.
It was so nice to read that You like this hideaway of my frond. Thank You.
Happy Sunday!
Comment by Sartenada — May 20, 2012 @ 07:24 |
Matti, I am on the next plane over there!!!! What a wonderful place. Your friend’s granddaughter is a seriously lucky little girl! The entire place is simply beautiful. It puts our little summer house in the garden to shame!
Wishing you a happy week.
Comment by Janice — May 21, 2012 @ 20:01 |
Hi Janice.
Oh, thank You for Your so nice comment. Sometimes I have been thinking that “rock garden” can be gorgeous too. When remembering that all is not yet ready, I just wonder what kind of “Rock garden” the lady of the house will create.
Happy Tuesday!
Comment by Sartenada — May 22, 2012 @ 05:57 |
Hello, Matti! Congratulations, you received The Versatile Blogger Award. Here is the link to my blog, please take a look: http://wordsfromanneli.wordpress.com/
Comment by wordsfromanneli — May 23, 2012 @ 06:30 |
Hello Anneli.
Congratulations of Versatile Blogger Award to You. You deserve it.
Thank You also very much nominating me to get Versatile Blogger Award. It is a great surprise to me and I am very glad.
Happy blogging!
Comment by Sartenada — May 23, 2012 @ 13:13 |
What a beautiful summer cottage in an absolutely gorgeous setting. You must tell me about the barbeque hut. I’ve never heard of such a thing.
Comment by Minnesota Prairie Roots — May 24, 2012 @ 23:16 |
Hi Audrey.
I am glad that You made a question. I “illuminate” how our grills / barbeques have developed during years. First there was so called “ball grill or charcoal grill”. It was very basic and small and it used charcoals or briquettes. Slowly came huge gas grills which were huge and let us say “full kitchen”. When living in a country where summer is short, usage time was short. Then some companies started to build BBQ huts. One example is that of my friend, which I met by chance at my country side place today. These huts are practical, because one can grill late in the autumn. It is warm and no mosquitoes.
Before commercialization of these BBQ huts some people built them by themselves. One nice example of this made is one made by the village artist Matti Ahonen. He built himself his house and this hut / gazebo.
Here is my post in which I presented his wood works and also two photos from his hut / gazebo. He was not professional, but pure amateur, but skillful.
Village artist and his wooden works
It is a nice post, believe me and there is something new to You and that You’ll find in three last photos.
Happy Friday!
Comment by Sartenada — May 25, 2012 @ 16:52 |
Beautiful surroundings, your friends picked a really nice location. It makes me want to have a bbq, relax by the water and maybe go for a swim if the water is warm enough.
Comment by corinneviking — May 27, 2012 @ 10:03 |
Bonjour Corinne.
Merci de m’avoir fait un commentaire.
Thank You making a comment.
Well, at this level where the BBQ cottage is and noticing the size of the lake, then the temperature might be at midsummer between 20 – 25 Celsius. All depends of course from the number of the sunny days.
Je te souhaite une agréable journée!
Have a lovely day!
Comment by Sartenada — May 28, 2012 @ 06:52 |
Hi Sartena,
I might need a few more years training for that swim then. I can’t really take the cold yet!
Comment by corinneviking — May 29, 2012 @ 22:08 |
Bonjour Corinne.
I understand You very well, because I do not love cold water.
Perhaps it is why the Finns have own sauna. Sauna gives warm. If You do not know what Sauna is, then look at my post:
Finnish Sauna
Belle journée!
Comment by Sartenada — May 30, 2012 @ 10:09 |
I wish to be there someday!!! It’s an amazing place! wonderful for taking some pictures! 😀
Comment by Olga Muñoz Soto — May 29, 2012 @ 12:34 |
Hola Olga.
Someday, You’ll see our lakes and summer cottages; so I suppose. Thank You for Your comment.
Abrazos.
Comment by Sartenada — May 29, 2012 @ 13:55 |
Your pictures are outstanding! I liked 3, 20 and 23 just to name a few of them – what a beautiful summer cottage.
Comment by luchaniktravel — June 1, 2012 @ 06:17 |
Hello Luchaniktravel.
I am glad that You enjoyed my photos. Thank You for Your visit and comment.
Happy Friday!
Comment by Sartenada — June 1, 2012 @ 06:37 |
Happy Friday to you too, and have a wonderful weekend!
Comment by luchaniktravel — June 1, 2012 @ 07:02 |
C’est un vrai petit paradis ! Comme tout est beau, paysage, chalet, équipement. J’imagine les belles vacances ou même la vie dans un tel environnement. J’adore votre mode de vie.Merci pour ces belles photos si détaillées et bien composées.
Comment by isathreadsoflife — July 13, 2012 @ 21:34 |
Salut Isa.
Je vais dire, quand en voyant mon ami la prochaine fois, que tu as aimée son chalet d’été! Merci beaucoup.
Bonne journée à toi.
Comment by Sartenada — July 16, 2012 @ 06:49 |
Es un sitio encantador, con unas vistas bellísimas, mis hijos disfrutarían allí mucho, aunque son mayores 13 y 15 les encanta el campo, la naturaleza, ¡ojalá pudiese llevarlos a ver estas maravillas!, besos
Comment by ManoliRizoFotografia — July 25, 2012 @ 19:09 |
Hola Manoli.
Estoy muy feliz de tu comentario agradable. Muchas gracias.
El viernes, tercer de agosto, publicaré un nuevo mesaje en mi blogs.
¡Que tengas un dia maravilloso! Abrazos y besitos.
Comment by Sartenada — July 28, 2012 @ 08:13 |
What a wonderful retreat! The BBQ hut is a new concept for me.
Comment by ruthincolorado — April 2, 2013 @ 17:40 |
Hi Ruth.
BBQ huts are everywhere nowadays. Small history in Finland: first there where small hardwood pellet grills, electric and propane gas grills and now finally BBQ huts.
Have a lovely day!
Comment by Sartenada — April 3, 2013 @ 14:12 |
I came here looking for ideas for my mountain cabin by Lake Gregory in California, USA. Yes we do have lakes, snowy winters and bears up in the mountains of San Bernardino, but Europeans are much more experienced in making it homey. I loved the interior and the BBQ hut and will try to build one. Thanks a lot for detailed pictures and inspiration. Your setting is unsurpassable ! Ross.
Comment by Ross — July 17, 2014 @ 00:05 |
Hello Ross.
Thank You leaving Your comment. Well, in Finland on the region (Lakeland) where I live there are about 10000 summer cottages. In my post:
Rock paintings,
You can see many models.
Have a nice day!
Comment by Sartenada — July 17, 2014 @ 07:14 |
Hei Matti, I recently discovered your photo blog and am so impressed with all your different and unique posts. This is my first comment for you and – as everyone else has said – what a wonderful cabin and property. The one thing I missed seeing however is the sauna for the cabin – there certainly must be one too, is there not? I am 4th generation Amerikkalainen-Suomalainen and have many Finnish relatives in “the old country”. We have visited Suomi twice now, and one of my cousins in Patana, near Veteli in Ostrabothnia, has built a BBQ hut that looks very much like the one your friend made, and he designed and made it by himself as well. I love Finnish crafts and craftsmanship and thank you so much for all the wonderful photos that you take and share. I have your blog posted now to our family Facebook page, so that all our Finnish relatives can better see their country too. BTW I’m trying to learn Finnish at my late age (67), but it’s slow going but very enjoyable.
Kittos paljon, Rich Mattson, Juneau Alaska
Comment by Rich Mattson — January 15, 2016 @ 00:11 |
Hello Rich.
Thank you very much for Your interesting comment. I am glad that people having Finnish background have found my blog. The aim of my blog is to present my country the wide rand of interesting things from my country. All these by themes having plenty of photos.
I could not present my friend’s Sauna, because it was autumn and was already full loaded with summer fitments for the winter. I have excellent Sauna post and here is link to it:
Finnish Sauna.
I searched my photo archives to find if I photos from Patana, but could not find. I have photos from Veteli, which is very near to it. I have very special photos, which presents unique Poor-Man Statues in the world around in Finland. The next link shows four churches inside / outside and among them there is the Church of Veteli:
Poor-man statues.
I am glad also that You have visited in Finland and thus know how it today. In case of any question, I am ready to answer to You. You are young boy 🙂 compared with me, because I am four years older.
All the best to You and Yours. Matti.
Comment by Sartenada — January 15, 2016 @ 11:13 |
Thanks – I am very excited to continue looking at your photos and corresponding with you about them. Thanks for the two links – my brother has a wood-burning sauna at his place in Juneau, but unfortunately I don’t get over to use it much – I really like the way yours was made. It sounds like that you have moved from that house and now have another sauna that is electric instead. Well, better to have electric rather than no sauna at all! most of my suomalaiset cousins have electric ones too in their houses. Thanks also for the poor-man statutes link that you shared. One of my cousins took my family to the Veteli church and somewhere I have photos like you with my wife and I next to the Veteli poor-man. We didn’t know the purpose of the statue (my cousin didn’t explain), so now I do. You also took some great photos of the interior of that church – very beautiful indeed. I’m glad also that you showed the war memorial statue, as we also have family buried there – mainly Taipales and Ojalas. BTW, I also saw your link on the Taipale ship canal at Varkaus – how did it get the name Taipale? I remember that Taipale was also a very famous spot and battle on the Mannerheim Line in the Winter War, but it looks to me that Varkaus and the canal are very far away from there. Our family name is Taipale, so this is of great interest to me. Thanks again for all your quick responses to everyone who comments in your blogs. I try to read them all. You are a very interesting and informative person. We hope to visit Suomi again in a few years and also see other family members in Mikkeli, so maybe then we can meet. Best regards, Rich Mattson
Comment by Rich Mattson — January 16, 2016 @ 00:04 |
Hi Rich.
Thank you. I am happy that You have visited Veteli church and now know the great history of our unique Poor-Man Statues. The name Taipale means trip, journey, and passage. I found one interesting page telling about the name Taipale:
Name – Taipale.
I let Google translate it to English from Finnish. Maybe it has some interest to You. Next autumn we’ll move to Helsinki. We are born there and now when getting older it is time to return to our “roots”.
In Finland we have famous singer Reijo Taiplae, tango singer who has presented one of our most popular tango called Satumaa = Fairyland.
Reijo Taipale sings Fairyland.
This version is old and original.
Best regards. Matti.
Comment by Sartenada — January 16, 2016 @ 10:39 |
Very interesting – thanks
Comment by Rich Mattson — January 19, 2016 @ 23:01 |
So beautiful and in gorgeous surroundings. I’m guessing when you say it’s not cold, that is by Finnish standards. I notice your friend is still wearing long sleeves, which for me would mean it’s chilly. What is the water temperature of the lake? I think I would probably not go swimming. It would be too cold for me.
Comment by the eternal traveller — March 31, 2016 @ 22:19 |
Hello Carol.
Thank You for Your kind comment. Well, the water temperature varies on which area (north south) man lives, the size of lakes and of course the number of sunny days. Normally water temperature starts to cool in August. Normally temperatures vary from 23ºC / 73.4ºF to 27ºC / 80.6ºF. You have to remember that every summer cottage has its own Sauna! If You someday visit Sauna, then here are my instructions how to:
Finnish Sauna.
Have a great day!
Comment by Sartenada — April 1, 2016 @ 07:44 |
That’s warmer than I would have expected.
Comment by the eternal traveller — April 1, 2016 @ 12:16 |
Beautiful and nice pictures of the cottage, both inside the cabin and the surroundings. There is also thought of the children to make their stay enjoyable with toys etc … 🙂 The barbecue hut is also very nice. Thnaks for sharing! 🙂
Have a nice sunday, Heidi
Comment by mariposa — June 3, 2018 @ 13:18 |
Hello Heidi.
I am glad that You loved this post. Summer is important to us. Here is my newest post:
Two lock Canals
Have a wonderful day!
Comment by Sartenada — June 5, 2018 @ 07:55 |