Country Kitchen:
May Day Memories
By Mary Emma Allen
We celebrated May Day in my childhood with May baskets made for family
members and friends. When Mother was a teacher in a one-room school house
before her marriage, she enjoyed making with her students the baskets of
May. They also took walks to find wild flowers for filling the baskets.
Then she passed along this tradition to her children.
Even in Sunday School, we sometimes made May baskets, usually to take
home as gifts for our parents. These were created from strips of colored
paper, woven together for the basket. Then they were glued to stay in
place. We'd draw and color paper flowers and attach them to the basket
Mother found small baskets which we filled with wild flowers if any were
blooming. If not, we'd make paper ones. These decorated the table on May
1. If Grandmother was staying with us, we made a basket for her.
Other May Day Celebrations
In some countries and parts of the United States, the May pole is a
tradition. Streamers are attached to a pole similar to a flag pole. Then
girls in swirling dresses dance around this pole.
Hanging baskets of flowers on doors of friends the night before May Day
has been the custom in many areas. These baskets would be of many colors
and sizes. Today they may be taken to friends and family in nursing
homes, along with goodies to eat.
May Day Treats
Mother made cookies for May Day, either to put into our baskets, or
simply to have as a treat when we came home from school. I don't recall
that there were any special ones associated with this occasion, just
cookies that tasted delicious to hungry children. If Mother had time, she
might decorate them for the occasion. Or as we children got older, we
helped bake and decorate.
Search through your cookbooks for new cookie recipes to make, or try some
that are favorites with your family. Decorate the table with a pretty
cloth or placemats and napkins. Nowadays, there are colorful paper plates
and cups one might use for the meal on May Day.
APPLESAUCE COOKIES are an old-fashioned type to try.
Mix together 1/2 cup shortening, 1 beaten egg, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup
applesauce with 1 teaspoon baking soda mixed into it.
Sift together 2 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/2
teaspoon cinnamon. Mix dry and creamed ingredients together.
Add 1 cup raisins or chocolate bits. Or use 1/2 cup raisins and 1/2 cup
chocolate bits.
Drop onto greased cookie sheets with teaspoon. Bake at 375 degrees F. for
15 to 20 minutes until done.
PEANUT BUTTER KRISPIES are favorites with youngsters. Cook 3/4 cup corn
syrup and 3/4 white sugar in a pan over medium heat until bubbles. Add
3/4 cup chunky peanut butter and stir until melted.
Pour over 4 1/2 cups krispy rice cereal. Spread into a buttered 9 x
13-inch pan. Drip melted chocolate over the top. Cut when cool.
(C) 2003 Mary Emma Allen
About the Author
Mary Emma Allen has been writing her "Cooking Column" for newspapers
and online publications for 30 years and
has compiled a family cookbook. She’s currently compiling a
cookbook/story book,
"Tales From a Country Kitchen." Visit her web site for more cooking
articles. Contact her at me.allen@juno.com
