Although I shouldn't be surprised (after all, it is still technically winter until after the spring equinox), I am nevertheless more than slightly dismayed that I continue looking out onto a christmas card scene when it it almost Easter. A friend in Adelaide asked me if I actually ever get sick of the snow. I told her that I still have a childish, somewhat romantic fascination with snow, but it has an expiry date each year, right about (looks quickly at her watch) NOW! It's March, already. I need regular sunshine, warmth, to be able to go outside with less than six layers of clothes on and to actually SEE the footpath.

But that won't be happening anytime soon according to the forecasters.

Still, while it is rather comical to be placing pots of daffodils in the windowsill when it's resembling the north pole out there, other signs that Easter is soon upon us abound. Signs like these:



Yes, I know there is not a sign of a witch anywhere in the Easter traditions in Australia, so I was rather bemused myself when I first arrived. There were no stacks of chocolate eggs, chocolate bunnies, hot cross buns etc, but there were a lot of birch twigs with dyed feathers attached and witches everywhere. Apparently, it was thought that witches were particularly active at this time of year, culminating in them all flying off to Blåkulla for a meeting. Every year, children dress as "easter witches" and on Skärtorsdag (Maundy Thursday), they go from house to house carrying small baskets or copper kettles, giving out small handmade Easter cards. In return, we give them some lollies. I think it's rather sweet. They are dressed more like the witch you see in the picture, rather than the Halloween type of stereotyped witch.

As it is approaching spring, the other themes are based around new life with chicks featuring quite a lot. I really liked this simple display in one of our local shops:



I think the chickens look so plump and friendly and there is a lovely simplicity about the display that seems a little more fitting than the gaudy array of coloured foil eggs I'm used to seeing. No children, there are NO chocolate eggs here, unless you order them from places like The English Shop. My eyes, however were immediately drawn to this little mouse in her gorgeous orange outfit.



I really, really covet her and have been dropping not so subtle hints about it to my largely clueless husband. I'm hoping for a nice "surprise" on Easter Sunday, though I suspect the only way Molly (see, she already has a name!) is going to join our family is if I go there and buy her myself. But we'll see if he takes a hint or not.

With the days at least being lighter, we've been able to get out on some longer walks, which has been really good for Lars-Göran as he was sick in bed with a nasty flu last week. With blue skies and a few fluffy clouds, even Princess Lambi decided to make an effort to walk herself.



See how crazy it is? You have to wear six layers, scarves, hats, gloves AND sunnies! What a contradiction. Still, I did enjoy feeling that warmth on my face and if you found just the right spot, out of the wind, you could close your eyes, turn your face towards the sun and really believe the spring was here.

Then it was off to the main fishing pier to feed the ducks who stay all winter rather than fly south to somewhere warmer. I feel so sorry for them, though I think they are pretty well looked after by the people here in Nynäshamn.



You can't see her in this picture, but just outside of camera range is my desperate dog whining and begging for food and looking at me with eyes full of hurt because I'm dispensing food to other animals apart from here. I actually had to give her several crusts to shut her up and she gobbled them up like they were a gourmet meal and charming everyone who saw her. What a con artist!