This is January ...

I am not writing this to rub it in to all the Midwesterners that just received a dumping of snow and have now officially begun the dreaded winter season.

I am writing this to share the wonderful day I had today celebrating the birth of Spring here in London.  Yes, Spring.  Though there is a bite in the air and the threat of frost is still real, indeed the cherry blossoms have begun to bloom and the bulbs are already at half height hinting at the Daffodil season just around the corner.

And the sun has been shining ...  I was told last winter was "the snowiest ever" and "dreadfully cold".  Thus far into this year I have to say it has been quite pleasant comparatively.  London remains green in winter-time and flowers still bloom.

This weekend, brunchers dined outdoors and picnic tables at pubs were full of locals drinking pints and toking cigarettes.  As I was promised before moving here, "It really never gets so cold that you can't sit outside here in London."

When living in Chicago I always said, "wouldn't it be great if we could just skip January and February and go straight from Christmas to March?".  Guess what ... I found a place where that actually happens ... March just lasts four months.  A trade I am happy to make.

So, I spent the afternoon raking the leaves into bags, revealing the bulbs growing underneath.  Made a trip to the garden centre to purchase some more sprouting bulbs to fill the pots and enjoyed the renewing feeling that only Spring cleaning provides.  Oh happy day.