Hello lovely month of May!
(I think May is my second favourite month, after September, but who’s counting).
The month comes with two powerful scent memories for me, from two sides of my life.
First is the powerfully evocative scent of may blossom (hawthorn) and cow parsley together in the sunshine.
(photo by sixxsix)
For me it evokes my childhood, the British countryside and the coming of summer, but perhaps the same species bloom together elsewhere around the world and it means just as much in other places.
The other scent of May for me is strongly associated with France. Muguet (lily of the valley) is traditionally associated with the 1st of May, when it is given as a good luck token. I love that that this tradition hasn’t become globalised, and has stayed a very French symbol of spring.
(photo from www.dieupentale.com)
Of course our woods here are full of bluebells instead, but I might start planting muguet on the sly…
I had to include this link to a lovely free pattern for crochet lily of the valley!
Of course they don’t have the wonderful scent, but this would make a lovely brooch – I must make some in time for next year!
(photo and pattern from Lionbrand)
Meanwhile, once I stop daydreaming, the new month brings with it the more tangible pleasure of fresh new planner sheets…
So, come on May! My Tax Return is done, my stock-take is done, and I have lots of ideas!
