The First Day of May

Muguet or Lily-of-the-Valley

It wouldn't be May without these sweet scented tiny white bells.

It's a tradition in France and here in Switzerland,
as well as some other European countries
to offer a small bouquet of Muguet on the first of May.

I even have an embroidered tablecloth with these tiny flowers
and it always adorns my small round table during the whole of this month!

It all fits together so well.

A May Day tradition dating back to 1561. The first of May in France is a holiday
to celebrate Labour Day.
It carries an even older tradition.
Today families all around France get up early in the morning and go into the woods
to pick the flowers and offer the little bouquets
to loved ones and friends.

Since I live in the town, it's not easy to go into the woods to hunt these flowers.
Luckily all the florists here sell pretty bouquets
wrapped in a decorated paper
and with the inscription:
'Je porte bonheur'
(I bring good luck)

I hope the Muguet in my blog entry today will bring you good luck too!

If you would like to read a story about Lily of the Valley, click on the link below:


***


Something spring-like and colourful on my crochet hook 
is making me happy.
Little Daisy Granny Squares.
They are quite irresistible to make.
I wonder what they will become?


18 comments

  1. Happy May Day to you!! Thank you for the lovely flowers and wishes for good luck. Here in Amercia May Day used to be celebrated by picking flowers and dancing around the May Pole. In fact, I've never danced around a May Pole! I don't think most people in America even realize it's May Day. It's long been forgotton as a holiday time. So sad!

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    1. Thank you, Cathy! When I was growing up in England, there was dancing round the Maypole too, but I've never done it either and don't know if it's still done in England! I love traditions. In France it's a National holiday today, but not here in Switzerland.

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  2. I adore Lily of the Valley. My mother used to grow it in the garden of my childhood home and the scent always reminds me of that time. Your granny squares look fabulous, I think I might make some more and turn them into a new blanket pattern...

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    1. I adore Lily of the Valley too. It reminds me of my dad's garden and it's also my birth month flower!
      Those Daisy granny squares are gorgeous, aren't they? I added a couple of more colours to your original ones. I wasn't sure about the silver, but now I see it, I love it, especially with the Pomegranate red! I'm using Stylecraft Special DK as I have a huge quantity!

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  3. Such lovely little flowers. I wonder if they would grow in my woods. I am guessing they would. The question is, will the deer gobble them up before they bloom? They leave daffodils alone. Lovely photos, table cloth and squares, all full of the spirit of beauty and May.

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    1. I think these sweet little flowers would probably love growing in your woods. You should try! I just researched to see if deer eat Lily of the Valley! Apparently they don't as they're poisonous!
      Thank you for your visit, Tammie Lee!

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  4. Lovely photos of one of my favorite flowers, Sandra! When I see Lily of the Valley I always think of my mom. Her birthday is May 14th (she'll be 92!!) and I always used to make a chocolate cake and decorate the top with Lily of the Valley and tiny violets :) Such nice memories!

    Your crocheted squares are so pretty--I look forward to seeing what they will become! I hope you have a delightful month of May--it really is such a beautiful time of year, isn't it?

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    1. One of my favourite flowers, with peonies, for this lovely month of May. How lovely that these little flowers make you think of your mum. I almost share a birthday with her as mine is on May 15th! Well done for reaching 92 this month! Your decorated cake sounds wonderful!
      Yes, I'm enjoying some new crochet projects because I just love playing with colour and design!

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  5. I am growing Lily of the Valley outside my living room window. Love the pictures of your flowers. ADORE the crochet you've been making.

    Happy Spring/Summer!

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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    1. Thank you for your always cheerful comments, Sarn! How wonderful to have Lily of the Valley growing just in front of your living room! Glad you like the new daisy squares!

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  6. My gran had soap and a bedlinen spray that smelled like lily of the valley and I've always loved the smell. Haven't come across either for ages...

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    1. It's a lovely sweet, fresh smelling scent, isn't it? I use soap and Eau de toilette during the month of May!

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  7. Happy belated May Day, Sandra! And Easter.... And Valentine’s Day.... Seems I’ve missed several of your lovely posts. I’ve been catching up today, and every one has been a feast for the eyes and heart. You have such a beautiful way of seeing the world around you.
    As with other commenters here, Lily of the Valley reminds me of my mom, who tended a patch of it outside our backdoor when I was growing up. Mine didn’t bloom much this year for some reason, but I just came home from the garden center today with lavender, pink coneflowers, calibrachoa, yellow bidens, sunflower seeds, and a native wildflower seed mix for my own small patch. I can’t wait for everything to flower!

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    1. So nice to have you visit, Susan! Thank you for catching up on my recent posts. It's amazing how Lily of the Valley has reminded others of past souvenirs, often with their mothers.
      How exciting to bring all those lovely flowering plants and seeds back home to plant in your garden! I'll be doing that soon too this month! Such a beautiful time of the year!

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  8. Gorgeous shots of these fragrant bells.

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    1. Thanks, Fi. I love the month of May because of its flowers!

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  9. Another beautiful post. Happy belated May Day sweet friend.

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    1. Thank you, Connie! The flowers that bloom in the month of May are very special!

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