Are you there spring?

It's me, Mireille "haven't felt my toes since January" Seguin.

I don't think that would fit on the cover of a Judy Blume novel.

This picture was taken the day after returning from -15˚C Finland. It felt like heaven. What you don't see is that literally every bench, chair, step, and most of the ground are filled with people basking in the glorious sun. When it comes around, the Swedes know how to enjoy it. It was likely only about 10˚ but it sure felt like a tropical vacation to me.

And then winter came back and kicked me in the face. Spring came around for just long enough to remember what it felt like to be warm and then winter decided it wasn't quite through with me yet.

Above photos from the Royal Danish Ballet in Copenhagen where I saw La Bayadere a few weeks ago. I'm not sure which was more beautiful: the actual ballet or the theatre it was in. 

Weather this week has been very spring-like... but it is not going to deceive me this time! I'm on to its tricks and am not hanging up the parka... just yet. 

Oh and Happy National Våffeldagen (Waffle Day)! Time for Canada to step up the holidays. 

Next post: Spur of the moment Italy! 

Lights, ahoy!

Figured I wouldn't bury the lead and just come right out and say I SAW THE NORTHERN LIGHTS!!! 

Yep, the trip up north did not disappoint as these beauties put on a little show for us not one but two of the nights we were there! This picture absolutely does not do justice to what was taking place in the sky above us and if I were the Aurora Borealis I would actually be offended that I'm sharing this sub-par representation. If I were the Aurora Borealis I would untag myself on facebook in this picture.

Contributing factors to the less than stellar quality of pictures:
1) Too mesmerized looking at the sky to look down at my camera for more than 2.5 seconds
2) Too cold to remove gloves for more than 3.8 seconds without possibility of amputation.
3) Using a camera bag/glove/snow mound contraption instead of a real tripod (I am my father's daughter).

The second highlight of the trip (a distant, far far away in another galaxy second) was just the sheer amount of SUN! When we arrived in Rovaniemi fresh faced and bright eyed after a 13 hour overnight bus ride we were not expecting to be greeted by such blinding sunlight-- but it was probably the only thing keeping us going!

 The fishing town of Bugøynes, Norway. Population: 200. Latitude: 70˚N

Husky puppies. That is all. 

Helsinki cathedral

Next stop: Amsterdam! Planning is fully underway for an Easter trip to the Netherlands to visit Amsterdam and take in my life's share of beautiful flowers (I am my mother's daughter.)

Bonus picture of the day- spelling words the Finnish way: just add a few more vowels! I'm thinking of making the name change permanent.

Next time on Mireille's Sporadically Updated Blog (working title): Has Spring finally come in Lund or will Winter strike back with full force? Stay tuned....