en konstig vinter

The translation of the title is "a strange winter" and yes, even for a newbie to Sweden like myself, I realize the oddness of seeing a snowdrop flower in January instead of in late March! I have heard of how much anticipation and longing there is here for the first sign of spring, and I was looking forward to experiencing this deprivation of life in winter followed by the glorious renewal of it in spring. Yet yesterday as I biked to pick up Alexander I spotted this beautiful white flower poking out of the ground, a lovely sight, but at the same time I want more snow and I hope we have a good month or so more of winter before the flowers bloom. It's funny how many times i've had such cravings here for blooming things, fresh smells, green lanscapes. Yet when it's not the right time, it feels like cheating.

I spent a truly wonderful 3 weeks of christmas holidays at home in SC with my family; cooking food with mom (winter recipes from our favorite seasonal cookbook! and collards from the garden!), walking with Caroline, playing monopoly with my brothers, dancing my feet off with Calvin, visiting grandparents and friends, soaking in the sun, running in shorts, and feeling a little culture shock at the bigness of the USA, the unappeal of having to drive everywhere, and yet immensly enjoying speaking English with everyone around me and appreciating the easygoing, kind personality of so many Americans. I have been back for a few weeks now. Nick Elliot, a friend of mine and "brother" to Erik was here when i arrived, and it was fun to spend a week with him. He has been to Sweden several times now and feels at home with Erik's family. It's been back to work for me for the most part here. Alexander is as cute as ever (i can't even describe how great it felt when he first saw me when i arrived back here on the buss....his face lit up and he couldn't contain screaming out my name and climbing up the buss steps in unabandoned desperation). He is talking more as each day passes and always teaching me something new. We (the family i live with) and I are moving soon to a beautiful old house across town which has been in the renovating process for several months now. It was a lot of work, but the house looks beautiful, a great blend of new and old design, and we all can't wait to be there! So I do a little packing every day and little by little things are moving out.

When I was home my best friend Cate and I made a "Spring Renewal" list as we considered heading back abroad (she to Madrid) and the changes we hoped to make in our lives. On both of our lists was learning to play an instrument, and I am (sort of) in the process of finding a fiddle and someone to teach me to play it. I also hope to do some extra babysitting this spring, join an international bible study, and improve my Swedish either through a course or more self-discipline! Also on the list was traveling.... Scandinavia is all so close, so Erik and I hope to visit Helsinki, take a train across Norway, and head north in Sweden where the landscape is quite different from here. Of course my #1 excitement these days is anticipating Mom and Becca's visit here on March 7th! I have refrained from making extremely detailed lists yet...like what to cook them for dinner all 10 nights they are here, but I can't wait to plan plan plan and get that lovely looking-forward-to-something-so-good feeling in me.

Hmm...i've been knitting some lately, nearly done with Alexander's sweater and 1/3 done with a blue cardigan for myself. I got some wonderful books for Christmas that I am enjoying....I've finished Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver and i highly recommend it to anyone, especially if you're interested in eating local food and growing a garden!! I will try to write more frequently and I hope all of you readers are doing well! i send love to all of you.