A Wonderful Bealtaine to You All! :)

{royalty free photo}

May-day, season surpassing! Splendid is color then. Blackbirds sing a full lay, if there be a slender shaft of day.The dust-colored cuckoo calls aloud:

Welcome, splendid summer! The bitterness of bad weather is past, the boughs of the wood are a thicket.

Summer cuts the river down, the swift herd of horses seeks the pool, the long hair of the heather is outspread, the soft white bog-down grows.

Panic startles the heart of the deer, the smooth sea runs apace-season when ocean sinks asleep-blossom covers the world.

Bees with puny strength carry a goodly burden, the harvest of blossoms; up the mountain-side kine take with them mud, the ant makes a rich meal.

The harp of the forest sounds music, the sail gathers-perfect peace. Color has settled on every height, haze on the lake of full waters.

The corncrake, a strenuous bard, discourses; the lofty virgin waterfall sings a welcome to the warm pool; the talk of the rushes is come.

Light swallows dart aloft, loud melody reaches round the hill, the soft rich mast buds, the stuttering quagmire rehearses.

The peat-bog is as the raven’s coat, the loud cuckoo bids welcome, the speckled fish leaps, strong is the bound of the swift warrior.

Man flourishes, the maiden buds in her fair strong pride; perfect each forest from top to ground, perfect each great stately plain.

Delightful is the season’s splendor, rough winter has gone, white is every fruitful wood, a joyous peace in summer.

A flock of birds settles in the midst of meadows; the green field rustles, wherein is a brawling white stream.

A wild longing is on you to race horses, the ranked host is ranged around:

A bright shaft has been shot into the land, so that the water-flag is gold beneath it.

A timorous tiny persistent little fellow sings at the top of his voice, the lark sings clear tidings: surpassing May-day of delicate colors!

~ The Boyish Exploits of Finn

We hope that you all have a splendid Bealtaine, May Day, Walpurgisnacht, Roodmas, or plain old Happy May! :)

Here is an adorable old maypole photo for you all to use in your crafts & some music to tap your feet to:

Sláinte!

Aymi & Laurel

Luverly of the Week: Marsh Marigold by Mark Robinson

photo by Mark Robinson

If Bealtaine were a flower, it would probably be a Marsh Marigold. {A wortcunning post on this to come, eventually.;)}

Sláinte!

Laurel

A Couple More Recipes....

...to help you use up last year's storage crops.

Potato Bannock
{from One Potato, Two Potato by Janet Reeves}

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp salt {I used sea salt}
2 tbsp baking powder
4 tbsp sugar {this stuff worked fine for me}
2 tbsp shortening or lard {I used butter}
3/4 cup mashed potato
1 cup cold potato water or cold water {I would go w/ the tatter water}

Preheat oven to 450 F. Sift flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles course meal. Stir in potato. Add cold water and mix with a fork. Knead gently 8 or 10 times {I like 9 for "superstitious" reasons ;)} on a lightly floured board. Use extra flour if necessary. Pat into an oval shape about 3/4 of an inch thick. Score with a sharp knife. Bake for 20 minutes or until bannock sounds hallow when tapped. Serve with butter, and jam or molasses. {It tastes pretty darn good plain served with the recipe below!}
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Bay Borscht
{from Natural Foods Cookbook by Jean Hewitt}

2 tbsp oil {I used butter}
3 large onions, chopped
3 beets, peeled and grated
2 beets, peeled and cubed
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 medium-sized head red cabbage, shredded
2 quarts vegetable broth or beef broth
2 cups chopped skinned fresh or canned tomatoes
1/2 tspn dill seeds, freshly ground
2 bay leaves, crumbled
1 tbsp soy flour {I used rye}
3 tbsp brewer's yeast
1 tspn sea salt
sour cream or plain yogurt

Heat oil in a large kettle and saute the onions, beets, carrot, potatoes, and cabbage, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.
Add broth, cover and simmer until vegetables are crisp-tender.
Combine tomatoes, dill seeds, bay leaves, flour, brewer's yeast, and salt and add to kettle. Cook for 10 minutes.
Serve topped with sour cream or plain yogurt. Yields 6 to 8 servings.
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Sláinte!

Laurel

Gaelic Pretties, Ribbon and All!

While on one of my thrift store adventures yesterday, I found three book wrapped in a ribbon. I couldn't help but feel someone had left me a present given what the books were about...

Songs of the Gael by Lachlan MacBean, Songs of the Gael by Patrick Watson, and The Poem-Book of the Gael by Eleanor Hull.

All for a big 3 bucks. But you can read them online for free by clicking the links.

Sláinte!

Laurel

A Little Tardy...

...but Spring is actually showing her pretty face now! I have proof:







:D

Sláinte!

Laurel