Sue's purchases and travels

North East. I'm in Lancaster PA visiting my parents and have spotted lots of crocus in bloom. It brought to mind a wonderful house in Wayne PA (where Peter and I first lived as Newlyweds). The front lawn was a wide expanse into which they had planted purple crocus to spell "Wow Spring!" which is exactly what I would say every year when I saw it. I'd like to try it on my own front lawn but fear that long before I would see growth spelling"wow spring" the deer would see green and think "wow dinner!" and all of my hard work would be gone in a quick evening snack. Oh well...I guess I will just enjoy my memory! Happy Spring everyone!

While we are busy hanging plastic eggs in trees to celebrate Easter the Swedes are attaching colorful feathers to trees and branches OR purchasing them ready made from local florists such as the one shown here. I took this photo in early Feburary when I was shopping for Swedish Antiques and Gustavian furniture in Sodertalje a suburb of Stockholm.

Swedes who are lucky enough to have single homes with bushes out front will attach the feathers themselves. (I sell wired feathers in Klaradal for anyone who would like to duplicate this Swedish Easter tradition) Most restaurants, shops, even car rental businesses at the airport will have feathers out front joyously announing the coming of spring. Can you blame them? This was one of the mildest winters on record but it was still dark and for a country that enjoys the midnight sun in Summer the prevailing darkness of winter can seem endless.

The Swedes also have an unusual Easter tradition called the Easter witch. Children will dress in old clothes with kerchiefs on their heads, dirtied faces and collect treats from neighbors...ideally in a copper tea kettle. We have, at Klaradal, cardboard Swedish Easter witches to hang in windows as well as darling paper garlands of chicks and roosters. All celebrate the joy of Easter and the coming spring. So....Glad Pask (Happy Easter) and Happy Spring to all!