 It seems safe to say that spring has found us in Seattle. We didn't have much of a winter which is nice in contrast to the winter I survived last year in Sofia. Seattle had a single bout of snow but it hardly stuck around--one Saturday night there was snow and by Sunday evening it was gone.

March brought rain and sunshine, a combo which plants, trees and flowers love. The whole city is verdant.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/13150178714/" title="Martenitsa Seattle by karolinka.sofia, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2299/13150178714_07e315af32_z.jpg" width="100%"  alt="Martenitsa Seattle"></a>
This means that last weekend I was able to hang one of my martenitsi in a blooming tree by my bus stop. I smelled the tree before I really saw it.

Then I proceeded to take lots of pictures of it with my smart phone. It was rather hard to capture because the wind was blowing it around. I nearly missed by bus in the process.

Every morning this week in the semi-darkness (Thanks, Day Light Savings?!), I've looked for my martenitsa hanging there in the tree. I like knowing that it's there. I like keeping an eye on it.

It's my own little celebration of spring and it reminds me of my life in Bulgaria.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/13149762594/" title="Seattle and my Martenitsa by karolinka.sofia, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2797/13149762594_469eb9e1db.jpg" width="100%" alt="Seattle and my Martenitsa"></a>
I am trying to be more mindful of these little details.

The weather hasn't quite been nice enough to sit outside and have a beer but I am waiting for it. One day, sooner than later, I hope. Maybe then I'll hang up my other martenitsa of Peugeot and Penda.