Dove Dark Chocolate….heavenly! Remember…the proper way to eat this is to let it melt in your mouth, coat your tongue and taste buds, and fill your senses with a taste of the divine. Never…never…NEVER chew it up! All the true goodness escapes that way..and it is gone waaay too fast. Eat it slowly…savoring the chocolaty goodness. If this is not medicinal…nothing is!

Does anyone remember that song from loooooong ago? When I would spend summers in NC as a little girl, I have such vivid memories of my cousin Harry singing this song. He would come in from the field….filthy…leave his work shoes on the porch lined up with all the other work shoes, and go get all spiffed up for a night out. There was 1 bathroom in Aunt Marie’s house…and we had better all be out of the way when Harry came home. All the time he was getting ready, I could hear him singing….loud and proud…”Here’s another Sad’day night and I ain’t got nobody. I got some money ’cause I just got paid. How I wish I had someone to talk to…I’m in an awful way.” * And that must have been all the words he knew because that is all I ever remember hearing…actually every one in the vicinity would hear him. Finally he would come out, his nicely pressed clothes…loafers…and sweater….and smelling
good. Not a care in all the world. I thought he was so cool. But more importantly…HE thought he was cool! Then he would make some funny joke or poke fun at somebody (usually me) or something (all in fun). And off he would go…still singing those same ‘ole 4 lines….as the screen door slammed behind him and he slid under the wheel…and drove out the long dirt driveway, and hit the highway. Aunt Marie would finish up in the kitchen,,,maybe begin preparing for Sunday dinner, and I would sit and watch TV with Uncle Arthur Lee. After she finished, she would bring Uncle Arthur a big slab of cake, and a glass of iced tea. If it wasn’t too late, I could have some too.
There’s was just a little house…with bead board ceilings, that was built many years ago. But, to me, on those evenings, it felt like the grandest place on earth. A place of love and comfort and belonging. A home that felt welcoming when you stepped into the little screen porch…and like a big, warm hug when you stepped into the den. A special place for a ‘city girl’ to make sweet memories to cherish still today.
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* “Another Saturday Night” by Sam Cooke

Just a little week-end humor! How matchy-matchy are you?

The maypole is a tall wooden pole (traditionally of maple, hawthorn or birch), sometimes erected with several long colored ribbons suspended from the top, festooned with flowers, draped in greenery and strapped with large circular wreaths. It is usually a shorter, plainer maypole that people (usually school children) perform dances around, weaving the ribbons in and out to create striking patterns.

This beautiful little flower is know as ‘muguet des bois’ in France…or Lily of the Valley here in the US. May Day is celebrated in France by the giving and receiving of little bouquets or pots of this charming flower. The scent is heavenly! I actually remember having some “perfume” when I was a teenager that was called Muguet. The flowers are said to be the ‘bringers of happiness’ to whomever has them. Sort of a good luck charm. They are also frequently used in wedding flowers also.
Below is a vintage postcard from Paris that celebrates this custom.

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Whether you celebrate it or not…here’s to a HAPPY MAY !!!