We’re settling into the long Easter break, and it looks like we’re going to get lucky on the weather this year.  As the whole break is five days long and since we don’t have a summer allotment or seaside cottage to open up, we’ll be in the area, which is having me think about various things we can do out and about that will help us enjoy whatever we can get of the early springtime sun.  All the of the seasonal things to do in Copenhagen aren’t quite open but a good number of them open up or have special events for Easter break – like the Frilandsmuseet in Lyngby.The Frilandsmuseet, or Open Air Museum, is just outside of town (and not too far from us) and is mainly a collection of different types of Danish houses from different time periods, with a few windmills throw in for spice.  We go relatively often during the summer  (when these photos are from) and Christmastime so we’ll be eager to see our favorites over this Easter break. But the real winner here is the sheer amount of vast outdoor space with trails and paths that let your little ones run wild – the houses are just mostly historical artifacts for you to admire on the horizon as you try and figure out where your children ran off to before you could tell them to slow down.There are a few animals about, and sometimes people milling around in historical costumes for various talks or demonstrations as well.  From what I can tell in google translate, they’ll also be operating the kitchen to demonstrate historical Danish foods associated with the holiday  – as usual, Danes have a specific dish to go with everything!Carriage rides look like they’ll be open and typically, the ponies should be out as well – the website mentions a bit of a scavenger hunt but just a heads up,  in our experience, these are typically Danish only so bring your dictionary! The museum is open this Thursday through Monday and then again after May 1, so this is a chance to get a bit of a jump start some fresh air and an opportunity to convince yourself that spring is just around the corner!

Now what kind of blog would this be if we didn’t have at least one set of photos from apple picking in the fall? Exactly.  Especially since apples are a real thing here in Denmark, and they’re delicious. No joke.

Last year, we came across the Frydenlund Frugtplantage via a recommendation at the embassy, and made a day of scooping up all the last apples and pears on the last open weekend.  This year, we got a little more organized and have actually already been twice.  Because there are multiple varieties at Frydenlund, they open different rows throughout the picking season, so we’ve been able to same even more varieties.

Just like last year, it’s easy to get carried away with the picking but kilos upon kilos of apples seem to go fast at our house.  We chop them up for snacks for my daughter in her forest school packs, I made a pretty smashing apple rum cake, and now this year, we used a lot for batches of homemade apple and pear sauces for our newest family addition to just started solid foods not too long ago.

The frugtplantage is of course beautiful in the sunshine, but don’t abandon picking just because there are a few clouds above or a few rain drops coming down.  In fact, it’s when the colors are even more gorgeous, so don’t forget your camera.  And don’t forget a picnic either.  There’s a lovely little area of picnic tables where you can whip together a little feast of your own – and if the temperatures still continue like this, don’t forget a thermos of something that will warm you up.

Frydenlunds is open through October 18th this year so be sure to head out this next weekend to stock up on what’s left of this fall’s crop.