Thursday, February 2, 2012

Candlemas!




   Anything for a party! Right? That's what I say. And  that's what I'm doing, having a party. Even though I am not Catholic, it should not stop me from celebrating one of there holidays. One thing I do know is,I love cake and having people in to eat it . So having a party today, the day of Candlemas, is a very good thing.
      The old saying is, eating cake the day of la'Chandeleur will bring a year of happiness. It is traditional to eat cake in parts of Europe to celebrate the Candlemas. Each family member prepares and cooks a cake while holding a coin in one hand. This is believed to assure wealth and happiness until the next Candlemas celebration.
   Candlemas  is a Christian Holiday celebrated annually on Feb.2nd. It celebrates three occasions,according to Christian belief. The presentation of the Child Jesus. Jesus first entry into the temple and the Virgin Mary's purification.(mostly in the Catholic church.) Candle lite during Candlemas also symbolize, Jesus,  as the Light of the World. The snow drop flower is often called the Candlemas Bells, because they often bloom early in the year. It is sometimes believed that bringing these flowers into your home.purify the house.
   February 2nd is Candlemas Day. Also referred to as-"Fete de' la' Lumier" - " Cake Day." Another one of those pagan winter celebrations with similarities to Ground Hog Day.On this day, winter ends or strengthens.
 



   Ground Hog Day, is a holiday celebrated on Feb.2nd in the United States and Canada. According to Folklore if it is cloudy when the ground hog emerges from its burrow, on this day, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter is over. If it is sunny, the ground hog will see it's shadow and retreat back into it's burrow and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks. Early American references to ground hog day can be found in a diary entry, date Feb.4th ,1841, by a Berks County Penn.storekeeper, James Morris.
   The 2nd day of February was called Candlemas- the day on which, according to the Germans, the ground hog peeps out of his winter quarters and does his thing.And in Scotland the tradition may derive from an English poem.
    As the light grows longer
    The cold grows stronger
    If Candlemas be fair and bright
    Winter will have another fight
    If Candlemas be cloud and rain
    Winter will be gone and not come again
    A farmer should on Candlemas Day
    Have half  his corn and half his hay
   On Candlemas Day if thorns hang a drop
    You can be sure of a good pea crop.

   Some say that Ground Hog predictions are 75 to 90 percent right. Well, the ground hog was sure to see his shadow here today. It is bright and sunny. I am paying him no attention, I am moving forward with the hope of an early spring.



   Because of the reference of eating cake,  Queen Marie Antoinette also comes to mind. Let them eat cake, is the traditional translation of the French phrase."Qu' ils mangent de la brioche." This phrase was supposedly spoken by the young Queen to the peasants when they were hungry and crying, we have no bread. This was the reason for the end of the reign of Louis XVI. There is no real proof that the Queen ever said this, but for some reason, it has traveled down through time. And the whole Royal family lost there heads.
    French tradition  says it is also a day to do a lot of fortune telling. It was customary to hide a gold coin in one cake. Who ever gets the slice of cake with the gold coin, will have good fortune throughout the year. All this made me notice a pattern. Food and fortune telling, sounds good to me. Can you see I like Cake. I have engaged a fortune teller. The famous, Ms, Susie. She will be on hand and for a few coins will read your palms, cards or do a trance. I have called her on may occasions when I needed to make a major decision. She is good, I stand behind her. I would never want to stand in front of her.



   I have cakes, champaign and  gold wrapped candy coins. It will be a fun evening and you all are invited. Just drop by, I will leave the lights on and Sissy Dog will  be there to great everyone with a jump and a kiss. Oh yes, did I mention, it will all be in Candle Light.
   Have a great Ground Hog-Candlemas Day, where ever you are and what ever the Ground Hog did.It's never to late to make a cake and call your friends.

26 comments:

Akissfromthepast said...

this remind me about my dream- having a partys whit lois XIV and marie antoinette! ooo they had a blast! its my passion to read about those times :)

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

Oh how fun it would be to stop by your place today to celebrate!
I guess mine will be a little debbie valentine snack cake!

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Oh Richard, I wish you were so close to me so I can visit and have cake at your gorgeous palace! Yes, I'll make a hearts cake for my next table and invite you over. Love,
FABBY

Barbara F. said...

Richard I so do wish I could come by for a visit. Two, no three, of my favorite things: candlelight, cake and fortunetellers. Now I need to go get some cake. xo

Love Of Quilts said...

Wishing you a fabulous party...sorry I won't be there this year. I have already had my cake for today it was a chocolate muffin.Trish

Curtains in My Tree said...

You talk about me always being busy you & Sissy are always having company. I just love your small town of Clarksville
Sure wish I could stop by for some champagne & cake

The ground hog sees his shadow every year always 6 more weeks. Anyway this year we have had such a great winter here in Missouri

Unknown said...

It sounds like a great excuse to eat CAKE!!! I love cake! Have a grand party! XO Cindy

we three dogs and me said...

Very interesting. I have never heard of Candlemas.If you noticed I forgot to put the candles in my candle holders oops. you are so far away so get to see your beautiful tables and home in my old recliner. More more.

lvroftiques said...

Richard that's one party I wish I could attend! Cake and champagne with you would be divine!
Poor Marie...that she said "Let them eat cake" when her people were hungry was a nasty rumor started probably by a jealous court member...and it's stuck to this very day! I feel so badly for her!
I hope y'all have a great time by candlelight....How romantic! I'm sure there won't be a lovelier sight in Missouri....(((HUGS))) and loves to you and Sissy girl Vanna

Deb @ Lavender Garden Cottage said...

Cake day? I am in!!!

Anonymous said...

Dear Richard
Happy Candlemas and Groundhog's Day! Cake and champagne? I'll be there ~ oh and I'd love to have my fortune read!

Anonymous said...

I forgot to say give Sissy Dog a big hug for me!

Olive said...

I imagine you really know how to throw a fabulous party. Have fun!

Deanna said...

Hi Richard and a very happy cake day to you plus groundhog day. Do you suppose somewhere on the planet someone fixes ground hog cake? grins. Not sure it would taste very good.

Candlemas is a holiday that I have never celebrated, but it sounds like a winner to me. I'd like to start eating cake on Feb. 2nd and find a gold coin! That would be ideal.

Thank you for the kind words about hubby's biopsy. He did well during the procedure and now we just wait to see what the results are.

Have a pleasant day and God bless,
d

Charlotte Wilson said...

On Candlemas Day, our throats are blessed by the priest. He holds 2 candles at angles in front of the throat. I think I remember St. Blaise being part of this.

marie Antoinette, from what i read awhile back, was ignorant of the peasants starving. She was not around them to see their true plight. thus, she said in true ignorance..."Well, let them eat cake."

♥Charlotte

Charlotte Wilson said...

http://fisheaters.com/customstimeafterepiphany4.html

Here is the site for ST. Blaise.

Linda McMullan said...

Oh Richard! How I do wish I could eat cake and drink champagne with you at your party!! Your posts ALWAYS brighten my day...and I always learn something new. I didn't know where "Let them eat cake" came from, and now I do.

Happy Candlemas, and please give Sissy Dog a hug for me.

Anyes K. Busby - Studio Vignette Fine Art said...

How decadent Richard! Love, love love it.
Anyes
XX

Dreamgoddess said...

Richard, I'm so there for your party...well, at least in spirit! Hope your celebration is a great one.

I would love to see a post on your Vienna art plates! Right now, I only have the four that I pictured on my blog, but I'm always on the lookout for more of them.

Sissysmom said...

Any excuse to eat cake and drink champagne works for me!

Just be sure to have a doggie cake and a non-alcoholic beverage for Sissy Dog!!

Michele

Tallulah's Antique Closet said...

Hi Richard, I am a bit sad that Winter is going to last a bit longer. Lol I was or am so eager to see our roses and hydregas bloom once again. Thanks for stopping by today and say hola to Sissy dog. Have a great weekend....Julian

Babs said...

Oh, I wish I had celebrated Candlemas instead of watching the groundhog. Cake and champagne is much nicer. Thanks for sharing all the great info on Candlemas.

xinex said...

I sure would love to join you eat that scrumptious cake but I can't cause I am babysitting 3 newborns:-)...Christine

xinex said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Alison @ The Polohouse said...

Wish I could have stopped by!
Sounds fantastic!

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

I love this post. I knew about Candlemas but not about some of the other things you pointed out. I hope your party was wonderful...I'm sure it was. Give the pooch a pat for me.