Celebrating May

Happy May Day all! Among the many ideas that spring to mind when thinking of England are the numerous celebratory traditions, one of them being young ones dancing around the maypole wearing pretty flowers in their hair - usually within the backdrop of a picturesque village :o)

I want to say that perhaps I have been watching too many movies - but I haven't. Today in modern England May Day is still marked and celebrated with a Bank Holiday (this coming Monday) and various celebrations which all include maypole dancing, Punch and Judy shows and host of other traditional lovelies.

As we move into May, we move into late spring - summer is creeping ever closer. Finally the leaves on the trees are beginning to green up the landscape, favourite spring flowers are fading but the promise of summer flowers are on the horizon. Things are speeding up in the garden and the air is full of busy creatures raising their young. There is much to love about May.

Folklaw

May's Full Moon: Flower Moon (14th)

Gemstone: Emerald 

Flower: Lily of the Valley or Hawthorn

Traditional Rhyme

In the merry month of May

When the green leaves begin to spring,

Little lambs do skip like faeries,

Birds to couple, build and sing.

Faith :: Liturgical Year

Ascension Day -29th

Life in May

Bluebell walk - 4th

Early May Bank Holiday - 5th

Mothers Day - 11th

My Birthday - 14th

Spring Bank Holiday - 26th

Half term break - 26th - 30th

Nature and Garden

Bluebells 

Lilacs

fledglings

fading spring bulbs

herbaceous boarders grow in leaps and bounds

Frequent lawn cutting

Wild flowers in bloom

Late frosts - be careful!

Keep weeds under control

Lift and divide overcrowded clumps of daffodil bulbs

start planting favourite summer flowering plants.

Look out for Elderflower!

In the Kitchen

With Elderflower season coming up I think it is time to finish up the last of my elderflower cordial from last summer. Here are a few things that look appealing.

Boozy Berry and Elderflower Trifle

Pink Lady Apple and Elderflower Jellies

Elderflower and Lime cheesecake

Create

String wild daisy's together

Do some nature weaving

Make a butterfly feeder

Pick a pretty posy

Well there we are. As I sit typing out this post it is a cold, wet, misty day outside. All these creating and kitchen ideas seem to remind me of summer - a complete contrast to what's happening outside my window! Perhaps it is day's like these that help us appreciate the sunny warm ones all the more when they arrive ;o)

Enjoy the rest of your May Day all...