In the 19th and 20th centuries, the first of May centered around honoring friendship. A Maypole, like the one above, illustrated the companionship between men and women. Men would cut down a tree for the pole and women would decorate it to be the center of the Spring festival. Friends would gather together around the Maypole and celebrate as they welcomed Spring.
Historically, friends were also celebrated with May Day baskets. May Day baskets were filled with fresh flowers, candies, sweet notes, and other treats. Traditionally, the basket giver would deliver the basket, knock on the door, and scamper away before the recipient answered.
Spring time and friendship have more in common than you think. They are both something not to be forced but occur naturally, and when they do, it is a lovely experience. Like a garden, a relationship takes time. Cultivating a garden requires constant attention, patience, and happiness.
We love the sentiment of these forgotten traditions. The simple joy of a festival or a basket is as sweet as the freshness of the Spring season. We wish that May Day would come more often. It can sometimes be easy to get caught up in the busyness of life, so the gentle reminder of Spring encourages us to slow down and reach out to those we care about.
If you want your friendships to blossom like a garden, invite a friend out for coffee, host a wine and cheese night, write a note of encouragement, start a bookclub, or offer to make dinner for a neighbor. These small acts are ways to cultivate those important relationships. Everyone loves when they are intentionally pursued.
With May Day just a few weeks away, we want to remind you that simple gestures go a long way with friends. Showing kindness does not have to be expensive or elaborate, and sometimes, the simpler the gesture, the greater the impact.
Banana Bread by Alicia Gutierrez
This banana bread is the perfect treat to make into individual loaves to be added to your own May Day baskets. Baked goods always let people know how much you care!
Ingredients:
1/2 C. Butter, melted
3 Very Ripe Bananas, mashed with a fork
2 Eggs
1/2 C. Plain or Vanilla Yogurt
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
2 C. Flour
1 C. Sugar
1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. Salt
Nuts or Chocolate Chips (optional)
Directions: Preheat oven to 350° and prepare two loaf pans. Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside. Beat butter, bananas, eggs, and yogurt together. Add vanilla and beat again. Add combined dry ingredients, and nuts and chocolate chips, and beat until just blended. Pour into two prepared loaf pans, filled 3/4 full and bake for 45-60 minutes depending on your oven.
Found in our cookbook, One-Hundred Sweets by Wren & Willow
Wren & Willow is full of people ready to help make a client's dream a reality. One of our Interior Designers, Hannah Schmidt, lives in Tacoma with her two-year-old daughter, Taylor. However, Hannah has not always called the Pacific Northwest home. She was born in Nicosia, Cyprus and was raised as a missionary kid. She grew up traveling to places like Amsterdam, Switzerland, and Reunion Island, just off the coast of Madagascar. Hannah has always loved creating, and traveling has helped keep her inspired. When she began studying design, she felt everything began to fit into place. She loves that her passion to create beauty is now her job. The joy Hannah finds in her work is something she hopes to pass down to her daughter.
Hannah and Taylor at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.
To learn more about Hannah, click here.
Allow us to play the Easter Bunny this year with this bountiful Easter basket. You won't need to hunt to find lots of goodies in this month's giveaway. This cute basket is sure to make some-bunny very hoppy!
This giveaway has now ended. Subscribe to our newsletter to be updated on future giveaways.
Photos by: Nathaniel Gutierrez, eph.tuckdb.org & thegraphicsfairy.com
