By Candlemas, February 2 (the feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple), the worst of winter is past. The days are lengthening. The "lengthen season" - the original meaning of Lent - comes soon. The world aches for springtime. Forty days ago, on Christmas Day, a light was kindled. On Epiphany this light rose to twinkle from the stars. And this starlight is placed in our arms.
The feast of the Presentation comes midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. I wasn't too quick to say farewell to our nutcracker mantle since the lights sparkle and shine and make each day cozy and bright. It will reluctantly be dismantled after the Presentation on February 2. Just in time for Saint Valentine's Day, our wedding anniversary.
To compliment the wintry colors on the nutcracker mantle, I laid out seed catalogs to remind me that spring is just around the corner. Even though we have had a very mild (and very different) winter, I long for spring and the lengthening of the days.
I am joining Seasonal Sundays and Mosaic Monday. Thank you for stopping by! If you leave a comment, I will know you were here and would love to stop by for a visit.
Debbie
I love this time of year. The sky is such a vivid blue and the seed and garden catalogs arrive!!!! Wonderful nutcrackers.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my blog! I don't blame you for leaving your nutcrackers on display, very nice! How romantic that your anniversary is Feb. 14th!
ReplyDeleteI'm following you now on your blog & Pinterest.
Smiles,
Carol
Such great facts - so interesting. Wonderful to have yo be a part of Seasonal Sundays.
ReplyDelete- The Tablescaper
I loved this post and was delighted to see your festive mantle was left in place until February 2. What a wonderful seasonal Sunday post!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty mosaic. So colorful to see on a cold winter's day, Debbie! Your mantel looks beautiful with the nutcrackers.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the history lesson! Never too old to learn. I was just thinking the other day about all the seed catalogs that you probably have...lol
ReplyDeleteHi lovely lady.
ReplyDeleteYour Mosaic is Beautiful and I also love your history lesson sweet lady.!!I was so happy for your visiting my 2011 Valentine's Day Tablescapes thanks so much. Im putting my new Valentine's Day table on today some time.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful day.
XXOO Diane
Fun information! And I am dreaming of Springg and pouring over all the gorgeous seed catalogs daily!
ReplyDeleteWe've had a pretty mild winter so far also. I say so far because you never know what the next month or so can bring! I love browsing through those seed catalogs. There is hope!
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie, very interesting post. I am enjoying winter for the first time in years, since it is such a mild one in comparison to how it really is in this part of the country. Last year was brutal. I think you chose the most romantic day for your wedding. xo
ReplyDeleteYes, hurry up spring. I will be over the moon at the first sign. Enjoy your week:)
ReplyDeleteDebbie,
ReplyDeleteHi! Love your post. I hope spring hurries up to! Pat
I learned lots about Candlemas - and it seems the longing for spring is pretty much everywhere!
ReplyDeleteI hope it is true, that the worst of winter has passed! I worry about Feb. !
ReplyDeleteAnd on Feb 3rd is the feast of St. Blase. The candles are placed next to the throat and you get blessed, hoping throat ailments will not plaque you. I remember going for this blessing the day after Candlemas, or as it used to be called the Presentation of Mary.
QVC had great plants the other day, I was so tempted!
Pretty mosaic, Debbie!
Hi Debbie~ I'd be reluctant to take your nutcrackers down too :) What a cheery collage with your seed catalogs! We've had a mild winter too, with the trees starting to bud and daffodils already out of the ground. I'd prefer to get my winter out of the way so we don't have a killing frost or icy surprise in March :)
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