Spring is here (possibley)

Last week was below zero F, and today was 62. T was amazed "and I went outside today to play, and I didn't wear a coat, gloves, scarf, hat OR snow-pants!!!!!". Straight after school we went to the park to play - a first for this year. We might well get more snow, but today at least I dreamt of outdoor cafes and even managed to shift three bags of leaves (deeply regretting allowing the snow to cover my laziness in November).

This weekend was the chocolate festival - which, as my Swiss friend here says "Isn't quite Swiss chocolate, hein?", but there was lots of selection, and stuff to try - lovely chilli and dark chocolate, and a rather perplexing mango and white chocolate. The people who go every year had it sussed, and took their own Tupperware containers for the samples.

Blessed as I am with a child who can do without chocolate, there was extra for us, and there is still quite a lot left in the fridge (I'll make it clear, in case you think the sugar rush went to my head, and I was kicking people out of the way, it's actually a bit pricey to get in, and the ticket is clipped each time you get a sample, so that you can't lift loads and then decide to sell the proceeds on eBay afterwards).

Tomorrow T has to wear green. Of course she does...Slainte!

Holy Relics

It can be so easy to offend. Unlike Back Home, here people are genuinely religious and fervently patriotic. Both quite admirable traits. Although I cannot quite get my head around a chocolate crucifix for Easter. The company who makes it are called "Abdullah".

Nevertheless, I was slightly wrong-footed when, at T's "How to be a Princess" Tea-Party ("Come and learn good manners, and wear a pretty dress!") at the local Community Centre, the lady leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially to the girls "You know, we are ALL princesses in God's eyes". Which may be perfectly true, of course, but sort of unexpected, and a little bit creepy in a "don't forget your balloon and Gideon's on the way out" sort-of way.

She got to wear her favourite frock and be with her current best mate though, and was hoping it was going to be a weekly course.