Today is Midsummer's Day. I wrote about Tasha Tudor's Midsummer's Eve celebration earlier in the month. Sarah Ban Breathnach wrote about Tasha's festivities also in her book "Simple Abundance," then goes on to tell us how she, herself, celebrates Midsummer's Day. . . .
I wander out into the backyard very early in the morning and pluck a blossom from the garden heavy with dew. With my fingers, I’ll pat the dew upon my face, for legend has it that any woman who washes her face in the dew of Midsummer’s Day will grow more lovely with the passing year. Fairy cakes are made for tea, midsummer’s syllabub (a delightful concoction of cider, lemon, berries, and whipped cream) is prepared for a moonlit picnic, and personal dreams are renewed.
I think it's a lovely idea to find reasons to celebrate the seasons. There was a time when Summer was all about children home for school vacation, finding activities and trips to keep them busy and enrich their young lives. Now Summer is about enjoying my garden. Things are growing and therefore my garden must be tended: weeding, watering, fertilizing, deadheading. But I also take time to just enjoy it. . . . .the fragrance of Lavender as I harvest it. . . .
The sight of daisies and evening primroses rioting together. . . .
Climbing roses creating bowers over my garden path. . . .
Hearing the high-pitched croak of the frog as I startle him back into the pond when I draw too close. . . .
Anne Shirley in "Anne of Avonlea" says it best. . . .
I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens, but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls sipping off a string.
May you find Joy in every day!
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Take Joy!
