Things That Say Spring In Montréal To Me

It's a guinea pig in glasses kind of day boys & girls.

I have been meaning to do a list post for the past week but kept putting it off in favour of the detox challenge posts. Then I went out for my walk this morning & realized I was feeling happy about the first signs of spring. That got me to thinking about the list I had wanted to post & I decided, why not put it up later in the day today? 

So, here is a list with some visual's, that say Montréal in the spring to moi.

1) One cannot discuss this city without stating the obvious about cycles of totally unpredictable weather we are always faced with. At first it's depressing because we are so wanting winter to cease, then we realize it's only a few more up's & down's until the real warm weather arrives. That's when it becomes a battle of the wills, hearty Montréaler vs The Now Much Less Scary Elements. We win this round Mr. On the way out Winter! Plus we are given a short grace period to get those outfits we wear, a bit less snug. That brings me to numéro deux.

2) We are realizing that those late night poutine runs, in their varying forms of fatty, morsels of deliciousness; have been less than kind to the waist line. Eek! This is when we figure out that it's time to hit the gym; especially the January warriors who picked up the battle of the bulge sword, only to put it back down in favour of more maple laced treats. Aah...maple.

This brings me to numéro trois. ( PS. You might run into GSP at your local buff bar, and no, that body did not happen in the amount of time you have left before summer arrives-sorry.)

3) It's Cabane à Sucre time here in Québec & we are snorting at the maple trough of golden joy! Maple everything abounds & people are planning sugar shack getaways as we speak, read? Whatevah. 

If you are here, you know what I mean & are eagerly awaiting your turn to twist your Popsicle stick and grab your tire sur la neige. Yum scrum! I always liked walking around the tapped tree's and watching the men who worked in the cabin boil the sap. Tree's bring me to my numéro quatre.

All the dog Wood & buds are peeking out and that means the Terrasse's will open, so we shall be in brunch heaven while watching Montréal smiles greet the sun. That brings me to numéro cinq. 

5) Brunch, brunch, brunch, brunch, brunch! Montréal is big on brunch, as well as donuts-which sometimes are used as an excuse to meet for brunch, & pastries which are on offer at brunch. In the spring though, brunch slowly starts moving from indoor winter sanctuary, to outside open spaces; to enjoy warmer breezes, people walking by & food being snagged by the occasional gull. This brings me to numéro six. 

6) Few things signal that winter is over much more than seagulls returning, birds pooping on statues, les nids de poule aka pot holes, & freaking out seeing a seagull try to eat one of the myriad of cigarette butts chucked on the street & sidewalks. For shame smoker's, for shame! And stick to the French fries & bread Mr. Gull, you'll live longer. Speaking of birds, numéro sept is in order.

7) We have had some spectacular spring sunrises and the noisy birds are back to wake you up, whether you want them to or not they will get you up & at em'. That's perfect for numéro huit.

8) Spring signals Market season being upon us once more & when you wake early on a Saturday morning, you may decide to take a leisurely stroll to see if the market booths have opened to the great outdoors. This brings me to numéro neuf on my spring things fling but first...

Expect to see this on your walk, surprises when old buildings you took for granted just appear all boarded up. It sparks up a bit of sad nostalgia which you distract yourself with by noticing all the à louer signs. These you can't help but count until something else catches your eye, like university students dressing down, you might even be surprised by one or two being in shorts as they pray for tree's with green leaves to grace their campus once more.

Sometimes you might be surprised by who you meet on the way to your destination...

Surprises that are a small whoa la, initially, but then give way to, meh. That's Montréal for yah.

Right, back to numéro neuf.

9) Montréal, land of squirrels who are not shy to chatter at you, as a reminder that they would like to be fed. Seeing a man on a bench with a squirrel on his shoulder does not surprise as much as the following pic, although both put a smile on your face.

Les magasins avec les portes ouvert?! Stores with open fronts and doors are like an invitation with a warm hug that you only remember receiving in the spring & summer. It's a blissful reminder that winter has finally given way and soon...

Well, that brings me to numéro dix. 

10) We are all anticipating sharing ice-cream on a bench, summer weather blazing as we admire tree lined street's in full bloom, and no more heavy coats or winter gear. Be patient my lovelie's, soon we go from Spring's humble beginning's, to summer's bounty!

See you soon or as we French like to say, à bientôt!