May Day...
As a child I remember May Day celebrations, Maypoles, flowers, and candy!
We lived in a great neighborhood where we would exchange handmade baskets filled with flowers.
Each year mom would get out the construction paper and show us how to fashion a cornucopia type vase from a sheet of paper and we would cut color coordinating strips for handles.
Some years, if strawberries were in season, we would save the little green plastic baskets and attach pipe cleaners for handles and that became our May Day flower basket.
Most years the tulips, daffodils, and iris' were in bloom.
Sometimes we had lilacs and peonies as well.
And some years, If there was a late frost, flowers were scarce and we filled the baskets with homemade cookies or treats.
It was a challenge to drop off the May baskets, ring the bell, and escape the large porch, and make it out of sight without getting caught.
My brother was much faster than me, but he was far from delicate with the May Basket.
I remember him dumping a basket on the porch spilling flowers everywhere. After that, I was in charge of setting the baskets down and he was in charge of ringing the bell and leaping off the porch and running down the street.
Years later,
while living in Nebraska where the winters last longer and spring arrives later,
May Day baskets consisted of paper cups filled with candy, and the treats were no longer homemade.
My kids enjoyed May Day just as much as I did as a child,
but somehow the spirit of the holiday was less exciting for me.
We were talking and reminiscing yesterday, the eve of May Day, about all best baskets, special treats, and favorite neighbors we've had throughout the years.
Here in Salem we have some great neighbors.
The kids and I all agreed...
it is time to resurrect the best aspects of May Day,
homemade baskets,
flowers,
and homemade treats.
And after that... I think a Barbeque and perhaps some homemade ice cream will be on the menu.
What a perfect way to begin the month of May!
Oh yeah, and the guys will be brewing up another batch of beer!
Whether you have memories of May Day celebrations or not,
I wish you a great May Day filled with sun, fun, good food, and great family & friends.
As a child I remember May Day celebrations, Maypoles, flowers, and candy!
We lived in a great neighborhood where we would exchange handmade baskets filled with flowers.
Each year mom would get out the construction paper and show us how to fashion a cornucopia type vase from a sheet of paper and we would cut color coordinating strips for handles.
Some years, if strawberries were in season, we would save the little green plastic baskets and attach pipe cleaners for handles and that became our May Day flower basket.
Most years the tulips, daffodils, and iris' were in bloom.
Sometimes we had lilacs and peonies as well.
And some years, If there was a late frost, flowers were scarce and we filled the baskets with homemade cookies or treats.
It was a challenge to drop off the May baskets, ring the bell, and escape the large porch, and make it out of sight without getting caught.
My brother was much faster than me, but he was far from delicate with the May Basket.
I remember him dumping a basket on the porch spilling flowers everywhere. After that, I was in charge of setting the baskets down and he was in charge of ringing the bell and leaping off the porch and running down the street.
Years later,
while living in Nebraska where the winters last longer and spring arrives later,
May Day baskets consisted of paper cups filled with candy, and the treats were no longer homemade.
My kids enjoyed May Day just as much as I did as a child,
but somehow the spirit of the holiday was less exciting for me.
We were talking and reminiscing yesterday, the eve of May Day, about all best baskets, special treats, and favorite neighbors we've had throughout the years.
Here in Salem we have some great neighbors.
The kids and I all agreed...
it is time to resurrect the best aspects of May Day,
homemade baskets,
flowers,
and homemade treats.
And after that... I think a Barbeque and perhaps some homemade ice cream will be on the menu.
What a perfect way to begin the month of May!
Oh yeah, and the guys will be brewing up another batch of beer!
Whether you have memories of May Day celebrations or not,
I wish you a great May Day filled with sun, fun, good food, and great family & friends.
I was thinking about May Day yesterday too. Of course, it was as I was going to bed so too late to get baskets ready for the neighbors. I'll be adding it to my calendar for next year. It is a great tradition and I'd love for Ellary to experience it too. Of course, it's 40 degrees and breezy here...which would have made a little shot of spring even better!
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