Lá Lúnasa 2011

Ah, finally have some time to write up about my Lúnasa festivities. More than any other festival (save Oíche Shamhna that is), Lúnasa is my most lengthy celebration. I'm a child of autumn and so I bask in all the turn of the season has to offer for as long as I can. Can I just praise the weather a bit here? A couple of days this month have given us a sneak peak at October's glorious weather and I couldn't be happier. We are in such a time now. Hurricane Irene has given us here in the southeast some breezy and extremely less humid air. I am loving it! Even if it's just a tease of autumn. But back to Lúnasa...

Rachel Allen: Bake!

I discovered a new show by accident today while my little sister was watching The Cooking Channel. It's called Rachel Allen: Bake! and stars Irish chef, Rachel Allen (who studied at Ballymaloe Cookery School founded by  Darina Allen [who is, for those who like fun little tidbits, Rachel's mother-in-law]).  I've read a couple of Darina's books and I've found them some of the best places for learning some great Irish recipes so I was really excited to see this show available here in the States.

Rachel's program doesn't always show traditional Irish cooking, but I was lucky to see an episode today featuring traditional soda bread. While recipes on paper are great, nothing beats actually seeing it made. I can follow recipes fairly well, but visuals are always better in my opinion. So, I thought I would mention this in a post in case there is anyone else out there with a fondness for Irish cooking who might be interested in watching it.

To learn more about the show and to see a program schedule, go here.

Busy, busy bee

Got up fairly early this morning since I have a good bit to do. Made Brodick Bannocks for breakfast. This was my first try and while I used white flour instead of brown as that's all I had on hand, they were yummy! Here's a pic (click to enlarge). I was going to make fuarag to go along with it, but I decided to save that for the party tonight since my niece and nephews would probably enjoy it.

I've cleaned the living room, kitchen and the my/guest bathroom so far this morning. Will decorate a bit when gets off work and stops by (ETA: put up a simple centerpiece on the kitchen table). In the meantime, I'm going to go ahead and cook what I can ahead of time (the spice cake) and carve the turnip that I didn't have enough time to do last night. Then it's in full mode Halloween around here. *whew*

It's raining so the bonfire is out the window *sadface* But we'll find something to do indoors.

Oíche Shamhna Shona Dhaoibh!

My Imbolc Observance

Yesterday was spent at Cheaha State Park with the family. Later on that evening, I decided to make some barley bread both for offering and for breakfast on Sunday. It failed horribly, lol. I’m not sure what I did wrong but it came out like a brick, so I wrapped it up to crumble up later and give it to the birds. By the time I was finished with that and did the dishes to be sure the kitchen was clean to receive Bríd, it was really late so I decided to call it a night and get up early Sunday and begin working on another offering.

Before bed, I “lit” the electric candle I have for her, repeating A Brighid, scars os mo chionn / Do bhrat fionn dom anacal* as I lay down to sleep.

I awoke up around 7:30am this morning and did the routine cleaning my face and etcetera. I was up before the rest of the family, so I started the coffee pot and began gathering the ingredients for the tea cake. I made two, one for everyone to eat that morning and one mainly to give an offering from, and whatever was left for the extended family coming over after church.

Once they were off to church, I lit the oil burner and said Ultan’s Hymn to Brigit** [in English since I‘m not sure on Old Irish pronunciation]. I then went outside to gather from fresh juniper and performed the An Liuthail rite. Afterward, I warmed some milk and mixed in some honey, allowing the honey to melt. Once done, I came to the altar in my bedroom and poured it into the offering bowl, saying: Bríd breo bithbbhuan***. I walked outside and found some dandelions in bloom, so I picked those for Her and placed them on the altar as well.

Nothing fancy but very meaningful to me, at least.


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* O Brighid, spread over my head / Your bright mantle to guard me

** Brigit be bithmaith [Brigit everfine lady,]
breo orda oiblech, [golden sparkling flame]
don-fe do'n bithlaith [may she lead us to eternal day,]
in grian tind taidleach [the fiery radiant sun!]

*** Glory everlasting to Brigit the fiery!