Sunday, May 1, 2011

Happy May Day!

Once the coveted gift of a secret admirer, May baskets seem to have gone out of style. Alas, we live in a harried time and a pretty basket of flowers found on our doorstep would indeed be a surprise. In a less stressful era, weaving tiny baskets and gathering mosses to line them were another sure sign of spring. Forget-me-knots, violets, primroses and pretty little wild flowers nestled in the moss were a sentimental offering.* This sweet bouquet of fragrant lilacs tucked inside a delicately hand stitched cone was a gift from a friend. It welcomes spring and announces the first of May. It is a simple pleasure.

*from Mrs. Reppert's TwelveMonth Herbal, 1996, Remembrance Press

2 comments:

Time Traveling in Costume said...

I remember doing those a few years ago, and thought of doing it this year but got busy and never did. But I know my neighbor enjoys the explosion of roses in my garden right outside her front door.
I hope it was a Happy May Day for you too.
Val

Angela McRae said...

How pretty! I keep meaning to surprise friends with these baskets but each year May seems to sneak up on me!