In the "Lifestyle Suggestions" section, MOOMIN SHOP ONLINE staff will suggest lifestyles that incorporate recommended Moomin items.
The new year has begun, the New Year mood has worn off, and everyday life has returned to normal. It's still cold out, so I feel a bit envious of the Moomin family who are in the middle of hibernation, but I hope that at least we can spend our days off snug and warm at home.
In Finland, where winters are long and harsh, did you know that there is a culture called "ompeluseura" that has been around for over 100 years, where people enjoy knitting, sewing and chatting while drinking coffee?
During the cold, dark winter months, we spend more time indoors and miss the sun, which can make us feel depressed. However, relaxing, doing some handicrafts, drinking coffee, and chatting with friends can help brighten your mood.
In the Moomin stories, we often see scenes of people doing handicrafts. For example, in the novel "Moominvalley's Summer Festival," little Hemul, who is a ward attendant, says, "Knitting always calms me down," and in the novel "Moominpappa's Memories," the ghost can be seen knitting neck warmers and socks, and embroidering handle covers for handbags. It's wonderful and inspiring to see Moomin depicted as something that they enjoy making on a daily basis and that calms the mind.
Although I had always dreamed of enjoying crafts like the Moomins, I was clumsy and had never been able to give it a try. Then, one day, a friend gave me a craft kit as a birthday present.
This yarn paper embroidery kit contains almost everything you need, except for scissors. I'm touched by the kindness of my friend who gifted me this set, which allows even beginners to get started right away.
Since it was such a good opportunity, I wanted to enjoy "On Perseura" with a friend, so I prepared my favorite coffee and invited him over to my house.
Coffee, an essential part of "Omperseura", is a favourite drink of the Finnish people. In Finland, coffee breaks are a worker's right, as mandated by law, and coffee consumption is among the highest in the world.
The Moomin family also drinks coffee in various situations, such as when eating, when they are happy, when they are taking a break, etc. In the novel "Moominvalley's Summer Festival," there is a memorable scene in which Moominpappa worries about coffee even in a difficult situation, saying, "By the way, we don't have any morning coffee," even when their house is submerged by flooding.
Coffee is an essential ingredient in both Finland and the world of Moomin, and I love it too, drinking it every morning. I have many favorites, but the coffee I brought for my friend this time was from "CAFE@HOME," where you can enjoy a Moomin blend. The blends are inspired by the lifestyles and personalities of Moomin, Little My and Snufkin; the Moomin blend is called "Family Gathering Coffee", the Little My blend is called "Bright and Cheerful Coffee" and the Snufkin blend is called "Traveller's Wandering Coffee".
My friend and I discussed which one to drink, what the aroma and taste would be like, and how it matched my image of the Moomins perfectly. The conversation grew so lively that we couldn't stop talking even before the coffee had even been made.
After wondering which one to choose, we decided to have Little My's "Bright and Cheerful Coffee" together this time.
The description of the blend reads, "Little My is always honest, makes her own decisions, and moves forward. She says that she never gets sad. She also has a kind side, and we created this blend with the image of the always honest Little My in mind, so that you can enjoy a chat with your loved ones. This coffee has a gentle texture and a clean, refreshing taste." It's perfect for drinking with friends.
"CAFE@HOME" coffee is packed in a vacuum-sealed bag with just enough grounds for one cup, so the moment you open it, a wonderful aroma fills the room. Because the coffee is kept fresh, it tastes just like it was freshly ground, which is irresistible.
With a cup of delicious coffee in hand, we immediately started making our "Yarn Paper Embroidery Kit". We brought our own craft items, but a friend also came over with a kit from the same series. It's fun to make whatever we want, but it's also exciting to enjoy the same production process, just like a workshop.
What I like about this kit is that the card has pre-punched holes and printed guide lines. It was very easy to follow and I was able to make a beautiful flower shape. I feel like I've suddenly become more skilled, and I'm very happy.
Even though we were busy chatting and drinking coffee, we followed the guide and finished in about four hours (the usual time frame for a kit is two to three hours). The kit includes a frame, so you can display it right away.
I worked hard on cleaning over the New Year holidays, so I'm happy to have some new decor. I'm going to put it up in my room right away.
It's nice to go to a stylish cafe with family and friends and enjoy chatting, or to enjoy crafting by yourself, but spending time chatting with friends while enjoying crafts in a warm house with the aroma of coffee in the air warmed both my body and my heart. There are many other types of Moomin craft kits that are easy for beginners to start, so I would like to enjoy them casually with my favorite coffee again.
Why not spend some warm, relaxing time at home with your loved ones during the cold season?
