Springtime (and I) have returned!

Sorry for the long delay. I've been mentally absent for a while. Perhaps it was the long Swedish winter, perhaps it was all the flus/head colds/Noro-virus episodes we had, perhaps it was my long-awaited enrollment into the Swedish for Immigrants language class. In any case, the past months have been interesting and pre-occupying. But here I am. I survived my first Nordic winter and am now enjoying spring.

Winter did arrive right on cue, first snow of the season was on December 1st and ended just as punctually with the last snow on March 29. And within a few weeks of that final snowfall the transition to spring was complete. So neat and prompt, like the Swedes.

Testing the ice on our neighborhood pond. March 30

Ice fishing. March 30

First blooms in our backyard! April 17

Crocuses popping up everywhere! Then the daffodils and tulips followed.

Had to limit Ruby's flower gathering in Stadsparken, Lund. April 20 

Loving the spring sunshine. April 20

Höst/Autumn

As if on cue, autumn creeped up on Skåne beginning in late September, and within a few weeks the weather was that much more blustery, gray and wet. 

I've pretty much lived my life in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a few Southern California interludes. Now here in Sweden and experiencing this different clime, I've been captivated by the dramatic seasonal change - the softening of the light (the sun is traveling pretty low now), the glorious colors in the foilage, and the noticeable chill in the air.

For Ruby - she was particularly enthused about jumping into and running willy-nilly in the mounds of crisp, yellowing leaves that the wind piled up around Staffanstorp.

Ruby in her grandfather's garden. On this particular day, Ruby and I
ran back and forth through the house to confirm that on one side it
was raining, and on the other side - not raining! Then we got
completely distracted by the appearance of the double rainbow.

Vårtid/Springtime

We were lucky enough, a few weeks into our stay, to experience a  little heatwave. I'm talking mid to high 70's (it's all relative, you know), with lots of bright sunshine, lasting about a week. And the change was dramatic - the clothing layers came off, kids were playing in the fountains, everything seemed "sunny" and enthusiastic. But more or less, most of our days since arriving have been cooler, windier, and often overcast with drizzle or sporadic downpours. So I can appreciate and revel with the Swedes in their sheer enjoyment of the sun and warmth. 

The California Bay Area spring (and I have debated this with several East Coast natives and Roger: San Francisco does have seasons, albeit more nuanced) is much less distinct and less dramatic than here in Sweden. So as a SF native, what is really notable for me is the springtime lushness of the foilage - shoots popping up, blossoms opening, fields ripening. I am loving and savoring all the vibrant colors and fresh smells.

Kungsparken in Malmö

Tulips are in abundance here, and in so many varieties! 
(Makes me wonder what Holland looks like in the spring.)

Casino Cosmopol in Malmö

These reminded me of Diane Arbus' "Identical Twins."

Downtown Lund

Stadsparken in Lund

Purples and blues in Landskrona

Not sure ... but it seemed like an organized tree-climbing session 
in Malmö's Kungsparken.

Homage to Lee Friedlander

Peonies the size of Ruby's face!

Sunny weather brings out the sunny
disposition in everyone.