Blessed Lammas

With the heat that Summer brought to so many of us this year, I am happy to celebrate Lammas today.  It is with Lammas that we start to usher in the Autumn or harvest time of the year and slowly say our goodbyes to Summer. 

Slowly we will begin to see our days grow shorter which in turn will allow us to cool a bit more in the dark hours. Flowers and some garden plants will get a bit of a reprieve from the heat and possibly produce a bit of a second harvest if some are lucky.

To many today will be a day when they are in their kitchen baking a fresh loaf of bread to help them celebrate Lammas.  Any bread recipe can be altered to suit, simply by adding cornmeal.   Below is a recipe I often use.

Lammas Bread

1 cup cornmeal

4 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup honey

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cream of tarter

4 Tablespoons Butter

2 cups Buttermilk

Sift together the dry ingredients. Make a hole in the center of the dry mix and dice in the butter.  Pour in the buttermilk.  Mix together until a soft dough is achieved.  Turn onto a floured board and knead gently until combined.  Place on a floured bake sheet and score the top if desired.  Bake at 425 for 30 minutes.  Turn off the oven and leave in the oven for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.  Enjoy…

Here is wishing all of you a blessed and joyous Lammas.  May each of you begin to enjoy a bountiful harvest as well as the cooling that Autumn brings.

 

Blessings

Mother Moon

Lammas Night

Lammas Night

by Robert Burns

It was on Lammas night,

When corn rigs are bonie,

Beneath the moon’s unclouded light,

I held away to Annie;

The time flew by, wi tentless heed,

Till ‘tween the late and early;

Wi’ sma’ persuasion she agreed

To see me thro’ the barley.

The sky was blue, the wind was still,

The moon was shining clearly;

I set her down, wi’ right good will,

Amang the rings of ‘barley

I ken’t her heart was a’ my ain;

I lov’d her most sincerely;

I kissed her owre and owre again,

Among the rig o’ barley

I locked her in my fond embrace;

Her heart was beating rarely;

My blessings on that happy place,

Amang the rigs o’ barley.

But by the moon and stars so bright,

That shone that hour so clearly!

She ay shall bless that happy night,

Among the rigs o’ barley.

I hae been blithe wi’ Comrades dear;

I hae been merry drinking;

I hae been joyful’ gath’rin gear;

I hae been happy tinking;

But a’ the pleasures e’er I saw,

Tho three times doubl’d fairley

That happy night was worth them a’

Among the rig’s o’barley

Corn rigs, an’ barley rigs,

An’ corn rigs are bonie;

I’ll ne’er forget that happy night,

Among the rigs wi’ Annie.

This poem above always makes me think of the of the song "Fields of Barley" by Sting.  A beautiful song and fitting for this Lammas day so.....

Feast to your hearts content… Sing dance and be by all means merry. Light your Fire and make your corn dollies. For it is Blessed Lammas Day.

Blessed Lammas - Feasting on The First Fruits

This weekend many will celebrate the first harvest of Lammas. It is a time when the miracle of the seed taking on life and coming to fruition and giving forth its gift is celebrated by many. Although I was not lucky enough to cultivate my own garden this year, I hope that my intended efforts for later this fall to prepare for one next year will come to pass. There is  great joy in digging in the earth and feeling the soil fall between your fingers. To move it aside and place a tiny seed under the earth’s blanket and later see it emerge, reaching towards the sun and life. Later as time passes, and the seed gains strength and size it flowers and eventually develops its fruit to give forth as a gift for allowing it the cycle of life. Possibly it is a gift to have the love of gardening. If that be so then I am glad and quite thankful that this gift has been bestowed to me.

This Lammas I intend to make me a simple meal as I will spend it alone. I intend to spend the day at the farmers market relishing the fresh fruits and vegetables that seem to be everywhere at this time. My menu for later of course will be as fresh and from the garden as I can make it A Barley and fresh mushroom soup to start off with as I truly love fresh mushrooms. Of course I will have to prepare some fresh bread as bread is prevelant on Lammas . I have not decided if I will make a herbed flat bread or a simple corn bread. Whichever I decide to do, I am sure it will be tasty.

My main course will be a collection of grilled squash, corn, sweet potatoes and peaches. I intend to make it a meatless meal enjoying the many treats that this time of year and the many fresh gardens have to offer.

I wish you and yours a very blessed Lammas and hope that your harvest in whatever form is fruitful and bountiful. Blessings.

August Eve

This weekend August 1st, many will celebrate August Eve also known the festivals of the breads. The alter will be decorated with husks of corn and other grains, vegetables, and fruits. It is a time where rites of protection and hope are done for the upcoming harvest. Foods such as barley cakes, wild berries, and fresh vegetables will be served. In keeping with this theme, this week's recipe is one of my favorites. A simple yet delicious corn bread.

2 cups flour - unbleached
2 cups cornmeal
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 heaping Tablespoons sugar
4 large eggs
2 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup of real butter (melted & cooled)

Preheat the oven to 350 (175 C). In small bowl, mix together flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and sugar and set aside. In large bowl beat eggs. Whisk, buttermilk and melted butter into the eggs. Add the flour mixture slowly to the egg mixture, blending until combined. Pour mixture into lightly greased pan and bake for 45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove from pan and cool on wire rack until ready to serve.

Since we are on the brink of the harvest season, buttermilk and fresh butter are used to please the faery folk who are said to be very active during the harvest seasons and believed by some to help tend our earlier plantings. Remember to break a piece off as an offering. Enjoy

Blessings