Here is a look at the Liturgical Tree right now. Its Easter buds are almost all opened to leaves, and a little blue bird has perched herself in the branches to remind us that May is Mary's month.
Our Easter butterfly left us on Ascension and we began to build a nest for his successor. We have added a brown twig and a bit of wool each day this week.
Pentecost Plans:
Our dove will appear in our nest and our tree will hold sixteen pink blossoms (one for each of the seven gifts and nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.)
I am basing my menu on ideas on these ideas shared by my favorite ladies.
We are having a grilled meat assortment (whatever is on sale!) and watching those tongues of fire as we grill!
Red salad: red potatoes, red cabbage, red onion, and spicy mayo. It'll match the red shirts we'll all wear to Mass.
Fruits of the Spirit salad: I usually just find nine different fruits that will work, cut them up with some pound cake cubed up and then serve it with a little whipped cream on top.
In the evening will have Pentecost Sundaes (a tradition that was born last week when on the spur of the moment I brainstormed an Ascension Sundae--crushed Oreos on the bottom to represent the earth, heavenly hash ice cream, a cloud of whipped cream, and a Golden Oreo on top to represent Jesus' crown of victory). Pentecost Sundaes will have vanilla ice cream, strawberry syrup, a whipped cream cloud, nut sprinkles (some people in the crowd thought the apostles were just that!), and strawberry (looks like a tongue of fire) dipped in melted Dove chocolate.
As we move into Ordinary Time, the sun in the corner of our Liturgical tree will begin to move across the frame to note the changing season. Green grass will grow on the ground, representing the color of the season, and each of those pink buds wills open into a pink and white apple blossom.
As each flower opens, we will discuss one of the gifts or fruits of the Spirit and how it is present in our lives.
If we do one each week, it will take us to September, perfect timing for our blossoms to bear that favorite Fall fruit--apples. More on that later!
Have a happy Mother's day everyone!