Thank you! I loved reading this! I remember our first Halloween when we were living in Ireland. We were the only family in our neighborhood with a Jack O Lantern carved from a pumpkin! However, it did prompt my neighbor across the street to carve Swedes to put in her window! My boys went with my friend and her children to the village Bonfire and later they did some trick or treating. My boys came home with a huge bag of peanuts ( monkey nuts) and fresh fruits! Seems we were also the only neighbors handing out sweets to the trick or treaters which explained why we ran out of candy so early! Lol!
I loved your story! Thank you for sharing your Halloweeen memories. Isn't it interesting how the traditions have a different emphasis in different places but still with the same basic instincts to celebrate/propitiate the unseen presences at this time of year?
It truly is interesting! Celebrations of the different holidays in Ireland definitely have a different take from celebrating these same holidays in the US. It’s interesting what traditions our ancestors brought with them and how we celebrate them today especially if one lives in the US! We are such a blend of cultures and traditions here as our ancestors came to America from so many different countries. Here in Texas we will be not only celebrating Halloween but also the Day of the Dead afterwards.
Oh yes it's that melting pot of different traditions that must make celebrations in the US so varied and interesting. I knew that New Orleans was a centre for Day of the Dead traditions but wasn't aware that the same was true in Texas. Fascinating!
In Mexico people have picnics in the cemeteries and create alters to honor their loved ones who have passed on during Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead. With Texas being so close to Mexico these traditions have found their way here as well. It isn’t unusual to see people with their faces painted to resemble skulls and sugar skulls are made to be enjoyed by children. Some are very elaborate and beautiful! Death isn’t viewed as something scary or gruesome. It’s believed that our loved ones, including loved pets are still very present and close to us.
I love your vivid description! I was aware of the Mexican Dia de las Muetos traditions, in fact we referenced them in the Samhain walk, but what I hadn’t realised was that Texas lay so close to Mexico. It all fits in now! The idea of sugar skulls is somehow very appealing, though I couldn’t tell you why … have you ever eaten one?
Beautiful Imogen. The last quote and the photo of you and Trevor made me well up. I did not know about the origins of the three triangles cut into the pumpkin for the nose and eyes. I assumed it was the easiest shape to manage. So enlightening!
The soup sounds delicious and I will definitely try it. Soup season is long! Traditionally in our family, I have made Three Sisters Soup on Halloween, another delicious recipe I’d be happy to share
Thank you Elizabeth for your lovely words, and yes please, I would love to know your recipe for Three Sisters Soup - as you know I love a good soup recipe and this sounds most intriguing. I didn't know that folklore about the apertures either - it may be an old Yorkshire thing and now forgotten or it may be more general, I have no idea. But in any case I think it's interesting.
Just reading this now to be inspired by the approaching Hallowtide. It reminds me of ‘bonfire’ nights here in Australia (I think in celebration of the Queens birthday holiday here). We had fireworks, and hot chocolate and toffee apples. It isn’t celebrated much now, unless in a huge public gathering as in some parts, fireworks were deemed illegal to purchase. Quite sad really. I’m sure somewhere in Australia’s mixed up celebration there is a link back to the ancestors of their birth place.
A little late in reading this interesting post, I really enjoyed it, especially all the information about the shapes carved into a pumpkin or turnip. I also loved the idea of burying the turnip and how a pumpkin puts a different slant on the festival by not being a root vegetable. I can’t imagine carving out a turnip with it involving the potential for carnage for the carver - maybe it added to the gore of Halloween!! As a lover of soup; thank you for the recipe. I shall definitely try it out.
Thank you! I loved reading this! I remember our first Halloween when we were living in Ireland. We were the only family in our neighborhood with a Jack O Lantern carved from a pumpkin! However, it did prompt my neighbor across the street to carve Swedes to put in her window! My boys went with my friend and her children to the village Bonfire and later they did some trick or treating. My boys came home with a huge bag of peanuts ( monkey nuts) and fresh fruits! Seems we were also the only neighbors handing out sweets to the trick or treaters which explained why we ran out of candy so early! Lol!
I loved your story! Thank you for sharing your Halloweeen memories. Isn't it interesting how the traditions have a different emphasis in different places but still with the same basic instincts to celebrate/propitiate the unseen presences at this time of year?
It truly is interesting! Celebrations of the different holidays in Ireland definitely have a different take from celebrating these same holidays in the US. It’s interesting what traditions our ancestors brought with them and how we celebrate them today especially if one lives in the US! We are such a blend of cultures and traditions here as our ancestors came to America from so many different countries. Here in Texas we will be not only celebrating Halloween but also the Day of the Dead afterwards.
Oh yes it's that melting pot of different traditions that must make celebrations in the US so varied and interesting. I knew that New Orleans was a centre for Day of the Dead traditions but wasn't aware that the same was true in Texas. Fascinating!
In Mexico people have picnics in the cemeteries and create alters to honor their loved ones who have passed on during Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead. With Texas being so close to Mexico these traditions have found their way here as well. It isn’t unusual to see people with their faces painted to resemble skulls and sugar skulls are made to be enjoyed by children. Some are very elaborate and beautiful! Death isn’t viewed as something scary or gruesome. It’s believed that our loved ones, including loved pets are still very present and close to us.
I love your vivid description! I was aware of the Mexican Dia de las Muetos traditions, in fact we referenced them in the Samhain walk, but what I hadn’t realised was that Texas lay so close to Mexico. It all fits in now! The idea of sugar skulls is somehow very appealing, though I couldn’t tell you why … have you ever eaten one?
Lol! No, I haven’t. Something about ALL that sugar! It’s a fun holiday though!😊
Beautiful Imogen. The last quote and the photo of you and Trevor made me well up. I did not know about the origins of the three triangles cut into the pumpkin for the nose and eyes. I assumed it was the easiest shape to manage. So enlightening!
The soup sounds delicious and I will definitely try it. Soup season is long! Traditionally in our family, I have made Three Sisters Soup on Halloween, another delicious recipe I’d be happy to share
Thank you Elizabeth for your lovely words, and yes please, I would love to know your recipe for Three Sisters Soup - as you know I love a good soup recipe and this sounds most intriguing. I didn't know that folklore about the apertures either - it may be an old Yorkshire thing and now forgotten or it may be more general, I have no idea. But in any case I think it's interesting.
Absolutely beautiful, Imogen X
Thank you Stacia - that's very kind. It was lovely to bump into you yesterday and reminisce! X
Just reading this now to be inspired by the approaching Hallowtide. It reminds me of ‘bonfire’ nights here in Australia (I think in celebration of the Queens birthday holiday here). We had fireworks, and hot chocolate and toffee apples. It isn’t celebrated much now, unless in a huge public gathering as in some parts, fireworks were deemed illegal to purchase. Quite sad really. I’m sure somewhere in Australia’s mixed up celebration there is a link back to the ancestors of their birth place.
A little late in reading this interesting post, I really enjoyed it, especially all the information about the shapes carved into a pumpkin or turnip. I also loved the idea of burying the turnip and how a pumpkin puts a different slant on the festival by not being a root vegetable. I can’t imagine carving out a turnip with it involving the potential for carnage for the carver - maybe it added to the gore of Halloween!! As a lover of soup; thank you for the recipe. I shall definitely try it out.