Not the kind of winter we're used to

It's been a lot warmer this winter than it usually is. I know there have been other winters with not a lot of snow, but I don't think the temperature has been quite as high as this year. We've also had several storms this season. Definitely more than before. Our green house has almost blown away. I guess we'd better look for a new one soon. The snowman lay down on the grass, right into a puddle, as a protest.










We've had some snow in January, but it just came and went. When I was out taking pictures of the snow this day, it felt like spring in the air - the intensity of the sun, the puddles and the melting snow.








But this was up til the 20th of January. For a couple of days now we have snow on the ground. The only question is how long it will last.

The first snow

The first snow swept down on us with gusty winds. Lots of cars ended up in ditches, as they didn't have their winter tires on. In Stockholm buses blocked the entrances as they couldn't get up any hills because of slippery roads. But the next day the world was beautifully white and still and the sun was out. It won't last, but I hope for more in December, at least!

When someone dies

Just as the first snow came along with hard winds, I travelled out to the Stockholm archipelago to empty the summer cottage of a great aunt who passed away this summer. It's both sad and fascinating to go through what's left of a life. We all say that we will leave less behind for our relatives to sort out after us, but I guess that's easier said than done. In the end we become a bunch of garbage bags waiting to be thrown away on the waste dump.

Strange autumn weather

There is something strange going on in nature right now. It's very warm to be the middle of October here in Sweden. This tussilago farfara is a typical spring flower that I found growing in our garden yesterday. Looking at our flower beds you would never guess it's this late in the year. What's happening???

Traffic jams

What I dislike even more are traffic jams. I don't understand all those people sitting in them day out and day in. There must be better things to do in life!

Dull chores

Am I the only one getting a pile of linen waiting for me to iron them? It's not one of my favourite chores, but as I'm at it, I can enjoy seeing the wrinkles disappear. And it is lovely to put ones head on an ironed pillow case.

Once upon a time...

...there was a funny clock! We couldn't believe our eyes as we sat at a restaurant and saw this clock moving in the wrong direction. Now, I wonder, does this mean you get younger every second it moves? They say you can't step back in time, but I'm no longer too sure about that. Are you?

Strange happenings

This unusually warm weather makes strange things happen in the nature, Like this rhododendron I saw in Karlstad - it was flowering as if it was springtime. I wonder what will happen when spring comes for real!

Happy birthday!

Today it is my husband's birthday. So what's so special about that, you might think? Well, it's the 26th September and as he came home today the thermometer showed 26.9 degrees C. That's not too usual where we live. I went out in the garden and picked these flowers as well. A lovely day!

View from the train

When I think of the county Värmland, I always imagine it to be full of trees. From the train I had some lovely views over big fields. It's nice to be surprised from time to time! :)

At the university in Karlstad

I'm a couple days late with this, but I'm now on my university course in Karlstad. This is the first computer I've seen. The weather is fine, the discussions are interesting and I think we'll try out several new things this coming year concerning weblogs, wikis, podcasts and webmagazines in teaching.

Preparing for winter

The leaf of a blue anemone has turned into a lovely deep red colour. Soon it'll be covered in snow and not seen until early spring again.

Temptation

Here I am - ready with a picture - and then the uploading function doesn't work!!!
I will write down my thoughts and try to add my picture tomorrow. (The morning after - and it worked!!!)

As I said in my presentation, I'm trying to lose some weight. I've cut down on sugar, as I'm a sugarholic. I've lost 4.5 kilos (9.9 lbs) in a month - which I'm proud of - but I still long for some sweet things. Not so much candies as a sweet dessert or a good cake. Dark chocolate (minimum 72% chocolate) is allowed, but sometimes that isn't sweet enough.

Today I fell for these pieces of 72% chocolate covered strawberries. I didn't buy that many, but boy, did they dissappear quickly! They were soooo good! But I'd better not make a habit out of buying them if I want to loose some more kilos (pounds), which I do.

And by the way, I didn't eat them all - my mother-in-law had a couple of them!

Election Day!

Election Day! I had to drive for about 20 km there and back on a narrow winding road in order to get to the school which was my voting station. I didn't mind too much as the sun was out and the sceneries were beautiful. It was harder for me to make the final decison on how to vote. The right wing (four parties) has joined in a colaboration. I'm not sure what policy will come out of that and for how long they can stay tuned. A lot of people are fed up with our prime minister (social democrat), as he seems to be a bully. There's too little talk of what they will do after the election and too much quarreling between them on how things have been done earlier, much earlier and ages ago. Well, I voted and now TV is filled with talk about the Election. The voting stations closed at 8 pm, so they are now counting votes. I guess the outcome can be pretty close, but they think the right wing will win this year. That'll mean a change in politics.

The first frost

This morning when I woke up there was frost on the ground. The first this season. My husband, who was up really early, had to scrape the windows of the car. I guess this means autumn is closer than just around the corner!

Election Day soon

I wonder what they are staring at. Is it perhaps a magpie parliament?! I hope they know better than I do which party to vote for. This Sunday is Election Day, but I'm still at a loss. I do think we need a new prime minister, but I don't like the politic message from the right wing. Even less the future of a four party coalition. So I'm going to have a lot to consider the next few days.

Never too old to learn

This is the reason why I finally have started two blogs - a university course on publisistic tools in education. Today I got this book, which I have to start reading this weekend, as we're off to a meeting in Karlstad next weekend. The studies are not full time and we will mainly meet over the net - very appropriate for this course.

Indian summer?

It's the middle of September, but tha days are still warm and sunny. At night the temp falls and the dew sets on the grass. There are still buds on the roses but at the same time leaves are changing colours and start to fall off the trees. So I have mixed feelings - wanting to hold on to summer but also longing for autumn colours.

Magic light

The light from the setting sun can bring out patterns and shades you've never seen before. From an ordinary rather dull green, to these very contrasting greens. I hope you can see what it is!?