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Post by geordy on May 1, 2008 8:15:44 GMT -5
Are there bunches of Lilies of the valley all over Paris today?  I decided to participate in that tradition a few years back here in NYC! This was when I was still at my old, better paying job..Thank goodness... a bunch of the little"white coral bells upon a slender stalk"cost an arm and a leg here! They were always in our yard growing up so I had no idea! I wa going to get two bunches until I heard the price! Alas the "Korean grocers" do not carry them |
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Post by janinparis on May 1, 2008 8:18:51 GMT -5
There are indeed. I am about to go and buy some.
Virtual muguets to everyone.
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Post by cigalechanta on May 1, 2008 11:04:31 GMT -5
Thanks Jan. I never see them for sale here WAAaaaa! I read that on May Ist many picnic in the Place des Vosges
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Post by Laidback on May 1, 2008 11:25:10 GMT -5
Ms. L. was given a little bunch of Muguets as we left the Brasserie Wepler after lunch today. Mimi the weather is much more conducive to brasseries than picnics today. Yesterday there was hail!
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Post by geordy on May 1, 2008 11:55:35 GMT -5
How nice! Whatever the weather I wish I were there!  How was lunch? Had a decent(for not being on the Mediterranean!) bouillabaisse there a few years back...and of course oysters! |
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Post by Laidback on May 1, 2008 12:09:21 GMT -5
Lunch was very pleasant, just what you expect from an old line brasserie; I had a dozen Fines Claires # 2 for dessert!
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Post by janinparis on May 1, 2008 12:24:20 GMT -5
You're making nice Paris memories, laidback. You're right about the weather, although at least it's pretty.
Mimi, as I mentioned on my blog, I tried to grow it once in Washington, with little success, so I am impressed that my daughter has it in her yard in Richmond. She tells me (modestly) that it came with the house. I think I would be happy in a house that had muguet, violets and lilacs in the garden.
I just bought my muguet a couple of hours ago, and it's sitting next to my computer and smells so good! The flowers here are wonderful, and they are one of the few pleasures that is still affordable.
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Post by cigalechanta on May 1, 2008 13:31:46 GMT -5
When I was a chiild the florist would post signs, The Violets are here, but now I never see them in shops.
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Post by Laura NY (aoi33) on May 1, 2008 15:54:19 GMT -5
My lilies of the valley have not yet shown themselves, but we had so many violets last weekend I was able to pick enough to make candied violets, violet sugar and some violet syrup! The candied violets were such a hit, I may pick more this weekend.
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Post by cigalechanta on May 1, 2008 16:17:30 GMT -5
aoi, I would buy the candied violets but have not seen them for a few years. They were packaged in a pretty roung box in a violet print.
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Post by framboiseetrose on May 1, 2008 18:42:13 GMT -5
Mimi and aoi - I don't have the patience to ake candied violets but I bought a jar at G. Detou last November and I ration them so they can last until teh next trip!
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Post by geordy on May 3, 2008 8:02:20 GMT -5
aoi33....so where is your weekend retreat?? I don't think you are picking violets and lilies in Manhattan??  Unless you have a garden....I have a friend on the Upper Westside with a nice garden..her boyfriend owns the townhouse and they have the "parlor" floor(1st) with the "backyard". The apartment behind me has our building"s. I have a stroll to Central or Carl Schurz park! |
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grndma
Full Member
55 days to go, (7 weeks 5days 1hours 240minutes on 21st may 2008 08.05hrs)
Posts: 181
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Post by grndma on May 4, 2008 3:30:05 GMT -5
???Can someone explain the significance of these lilies of the valley on 1st May? Thanks.
Denise
love from England
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Post by janinparis on May 4, 2008 13:54:54 GMT -5
Denise,
The idea of the muguet as a good luck charm dates from the Celts. It is a symbol of renewal, blooming in the spring. The custom of giving muguet dates from the French Renaissance and Charles IX. There is all sorts of info regarding the mythology and symbolism.
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on May 4, 2008 15:03:35 GMT -5
Wow, this thread brings back some memories! When I was young (maybe 14) someone gave me "Muguet des Bois" toilet water as a gift - but I didn't like it because the scent reminded me of lime jello salad, the kind people make with shredded carrots or cottage cheese or whatever added! (I'm sure it wasn't a high end example of that type of perfume, but I've never forgotten thinking that I really did not want to go around smelling like jello salad.  ) |
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Post by Jody on May 4, 2008 15:36:40 GMT -5
Becky, I think we all must have received Muguet de Bois as a gift in the "olden days"! I know I did! I don't recall the lime jello smell though], I always stayed away from "congealed salads", even the name turns my stomach!
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on May 4, 2008 15:40:14 GMT -5
LOL, darcy - I didn't say I liked (much less ate) it  , just that that's how the perfume smelled to me . . . . Do you suppose people do still make/eat it? |
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Post by Truffaut on May 4, 2008 20:15:48 GMT -5
Isn't there a tradition that the commoners were allowed only on May 1 to venture into the royal parks (Fontainebleau, Vincennes, etc.) to collect the flowers?
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grndma
Full Member
55 days to go, (7 weeks 5days 1hours 240minutes on 21st may 2008 08.05hrs)
Posts: 181
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Post by grndma on May 5, 2008 3:56:16 GMT -5
:)Hello janinparis,thanks for the explanation. I don't think I've met you before, Nice to see you on this forum. How I envy you living in Paris!!!! Denise love from england  (kisses on both cheeks the french way)
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)
, just that that's how the perfume smelled to me . . . . Do you suppose people do still make/eat it?
Let the riot begin! LOL - 
hahahha