In the "Lifestyle Suggestions" section, MOOMIN SHOP ONLINE staff will suggest lifestyles that incorporate recommended Moomin items.
When April arrives, signs of spring gradually begin to appear in the Nordic country of Finland.
After a long winter, the soft sunlight envelops the forest and the trees begin to bud.
Pulling out a light coat from the back of the closet, or opening up a window that was closed during the winter to let some air in. Little things like that can make you feel lighter and brighter.
In Moomin Valley, some friends start to move with the arrival of spring.
Snufkin returns from his wanderings, and the residents of Moomin House, who had been hibernating, wake up and begin preparing for spring.
I can almost picture young leaves sprouting in the forest and the Moomins feeling happy as the days get longer.
When I think of Moomin Valley, the spring weather makes me want to go for a walk or a picnic.
As I enjoy spring, I naturally think of the Finnish spring festival, Vappu.
This holiday, which falls on May 1st and coincides with Japan's Golden Week, is not only May Day, but also a lively festival celebrating the arrival of spring.
Colourful balloons and ribbons fill the streets of Finland, and people are in a festive mood all day long as they enjoy picnics with friends and family or take part in events in town squares.
Students wearing the white hats they receive at graduation gather in squares and parks, creating a unique scene at Vappu. It's like the friends of Moomin Valley are excited about the arrival of spring.
The spring flavor that is essential to this vap is the traditional Finnish sparkling drink "Sima." It is a slightly sweet carbonated drink made from fermented lemon and sugar, and is characterized by its refreshing acidity, slightly carbonated, fizzy mouthfeel, and unique flavor.
If you want to easily enjoy the refreshing taste of Shima at home, my recommendation is this lovely lemonade in a heart-warming yellow can.
Simply dissolve the individually wrapped sticks in water to easily enjoy the refreshing sourness and sweetness of lemon, making it perfect for when you want to enjoy a vapour. If you add sliced fresh lemons, it will look even more refreshing, which is recommended.
It's perfect for spring weather and makes a great picnic companion. I enjoy it with sandwiches and fruit and feel like I'm having a nice time in a Finnish park.
The blue lemonade is a refreshing drink with its eye-catching clear blue color.
It's an unusual colour that's perfect for special occasions, so when I have guests over to my house I like to pretend to be Moominmamma, who loves to entertain, and serve them blue lemonade with all my heart.
This also comes in an individually wrapped stick so you can easily enjoy it one cup at a time. Although it is different from Shima's golden color, the blue color is like a spring sky and is very beautiful, and just having it on the table will lift your spirits.
This lemon tea, with its cute Little My packaging, is an authentic instant tea that perfectly blends the aroma of black tea with the acidity of lemon.
The key point is that you can freely adjust the amounts to make it as strong as you like.
We also recommend mixing it with carbonated water to make a refreshing lemon sparkling tea.
It's wonderful to listen to the sound of the bubbles popping and be reminded of the lively festivals in Finland.
Little My never sits still, even during tea time. She throws sugar cubes into the teacup and interferes in the conversations of the Moomins. The appeal of this lemon tea is that you can enjoy arranging it freely, just like Little My.
All of the drinks introduced here are easy to prepare.
With the arrival of spring, you may feel overwhelmed by your new environment and busy schedule. Before you know it, you may feel like you're losing track of yourself.
But just taking a moment to stop and grab your favorite drink can make you feel a little better.
In "Moomin Valley's Summer Festival," Moominhouse is submerged in a flood, and the Moomin family is forced to move into a suspicious house that has washed up on them.
In the midst of all this, Moominmamma poured tea into everyone's teacups, helping to calm them down. Once you have a drink and take a breather, you'll strangely feel calmer.
Free and easy like Little My, yet gentle like Moominmamma.
Why not take a moment to celebrate the start of a new season while enjoying the taste of Finnish spring?
※source:
"Summer Festival in Moomin Valley" Moomin Complete Works [New Edition]
Written and illustrated by Tove Jansson, translated by Ryuichi Shimomura, published by Kodansha
