Valentine House, Candlemas & Groundhog Day

We are now into the shortest month of the year, the month when thoughts often turn to love, yes this is another Valentine Post but only so I can show you my Valentine House with the lattice windows and Heart details....

Handpainted Valentine House

Hearts & Flowers on a House

There are other significant events that happen in February, one celebration is Candlemas.  

A Snowdrop ACEO from my Etsy Shop

Candlemas is a Christian feast celebrated on February 2nd. Sometimes it's known as the Feast of the Presentation. Snowdrops (galanthus nivalis) are known as Candlemas Bells because they often bloom in February.

You can read more about the  Candlemas Feast here.

February 2nd is also the date Groundhog Day is celebrated. According to folklore, a Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap because he believes the winter will continue but if the day is cloudy he remains outside, as the weather is going to be moderate. There is an interesting Groundhog Day Article Here 

Have you ever seen the Bill Murray Groundhog Day Movie ? It's a great 'curl up on the sofa with a duvet' movie.

I came across some poems that covers both these events...

In Scotland, the verse:

If Candle-mas Day is bright and clear,
There'll be two winters in the year.

Or an alternative Scottish rhyme:

If Candlemas day be dry and fair,
The half o' winter to come and mair,
If Candlemas day be wet and foul,
The half of winter's gone at Yule.

An English verse:

If Candle mas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again.

A European verse:

For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day,
So far will the snow swirl until the May.

So are we going to get a 'second winter' or is spring on it's way? What do you think?

I'm linking this post to Handmade Monday
 

Jan x