A carved Pumpkin? Or a Jack O'Lantern?

If I'm honest before our children arrived Halloween as an adult meant as soon as we got home from work we freshened up and went back out again to avoid answering "Trick-or-Treaters"! .... hanging head in shame! When our son arrived this all changed and I suppose it reignited our love of Halloween and its traditions! 

So today I'd like you to meet our turnip! Yes a turnip! My husband came home from the shops yesterday with additional pumpkins and a turnip! If there is one thing I love about my husband is his knowledge of many thing and seemingly a turnip is a tradition for Halloween in Ireland! 

So to reel it back a little where did it all begin? Within Irish folklore, a man called Jack O’Lantern was sentenced to roam the earth for eternity. According to legend a man called Stingy Jack asked the devil for a drink and he managed to convince the devil to change into a coin to pay for these drinks. Jack wanted to keep the coin so he kept it in his pocket beside a small silver cross to stop the devil from changing back. 

http://gardenofeaden.blogspot.ie/2009/01/history-of-jack-o-lantern-halloween.html

After some time, Jack decided he'd set the devil free but only if he agreed not to bother him for a year and that he wouldn't take his soul when he died.  The year passed and and Jack somehow once again manged to trick the devil. He convinced him to climb a tree to get him a piece of fruit. While the devil was in the tree Jack carved a cross in the trunk so he couldn’t come down unless he swore not to bother him for another ten years.

When Jack passed away, God would not let him enter the gates of heaven nor did the devil allow him to enter into hell. Instead Jack was sent into the eternal night carrying a burning coal inside a carved out turnip which would light his way as he roamed the earth. Stingy Jack became known as “Jack of the Lantern,” which became “Jack O’Lantern.”

From this legend people in both Ireland and Scotland began to create their own versions of their "Jack O'Lanterns". These were carved out of turnips, beets, and potatoes and placed outside their homes to scare Stingy Jack and any other roaming spirits. When this became a Halloween tradition, the lanterns were used as as guides for people dressed in costume on Samhain (Oct 31 – Nov 1) . Samhain is a traditional Gaelic version of Halloween. This is seen as a night when the divide between the living and the dead is very thin. The Samhain festival marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, the “darker half” of the year.

http://www.jattdisite.com/scraps/samhain/

When the Irish and Scots emigrated to America they brought with them their traditions and Jack O'Lantern was one of them.They felt that pumpkins which are native to America were perfect fruits for carving and since they have become a big part within Halloween traditions. 

The original turnip carvings were quite grotesque and if you check here you will get an idea of some of the varieties created! 

This 19th Century Jack O'Lantern which was made with a turnip is on display Museum of Country Life in Castlebar, Co. Mayo

So as the people don't think we have totally lost it, lol! Here are some of our pumpkins that my husband drilled ...... no carving in our house! 

Data was researched from Irish Central and 

Easter Crafts and Bonnets!

So everywhere we've looked the last few weeks has all been about Easter and now it is only days away! There's lots of chocolate, spring colours and even more chocolate! 

With my son now getting older (he's 4 in July) and having his little sister (she's 14 months) I thought some Easter fun was in order! So on Monday as a distraction while their dad is away for a few days for work I thought we'd pop into Tesco Naas for some Easter creative fun! 

As I strolled the isles making my way to way to where I knew the crafts were, I was amazed at how big the selection was since I last picked up some pieces! Tesco's Go Create range is fantastic and also at brilliant prices. They seem to cater for all ages which is great! 

As I searched through the selection I was a little disappointed at the lack of Easter related crafts and then I recalled that they've a festive / seasonal isle! So, off we went with the trolley and my two "driving" it as they sat in it! 

When I reached the isle I was delighted at the selection so much so I stupidly forgot to take some pictures to show you! 

There were bunny's, chicks, ribbons and hats along with some additional crafts for bonnets and baskets and much more! I wanted everything but I held back and got what I felt was needed and some extras!!

So here's some of what we picked up. Everything ranged from €1.50 to €2.75 so great prices. 

So, when we got home and I settled my daughter for her nap, myself and my son got started on making some decorations for the Easter bunny! 

The first was the "Easter Bunny, Stop Here" sign. This was only €2.75 which I thought was great value for the content and sturdiness of it. 

The final piece with a lovely glittery egg that came in a pack that we decorated! 

The next item to tackle was the Easter Bonnet! I loved the hats they had available to decorate so was looking forward to making these with my son. 

Great precision in placing the glue on! 

A brief History!

After my post Mother Sunday "Clucks and Downs" where I shared some history about Mothers Day, it got me thinking about the history of the Easter Bonnet, so with a quick search, here's what I found! 

According to Hats and Veils and DGreetings.com the history of the Easter bonnet goes back further than we make think. Seemingly, they go back further than Easter itself! the first bonnets were usually a circle of leaves and flowers that symbolized the beginning of Spring and the cycle of the seasons. Easter then which is a Christian holiday celebrates new life and rebirth with pure and new clothing. 

As time progressed the “Sunday of Joy,” was born which was the first Easter after the end of the Civil War. On this day, mothers and daughters were allowed to come out of mourning and wear pastel colors and incorporate spring flowers! 

The Easter parade began then in the 1870's in New York. At the parade Church goers would carry their Easter flowers from St. Thomas Church to St. Luke's Church. The social elite would attend these services and join the parade giving onlookers and themselves a look at their Easter hats and bonnets!

I must say on reading the history of the Easter bonnet, I found it quite interesting  and pleased too! When we chose our date to get married we chose Spring. For us Spring was and is a time of new beginnings and an Easter bonnet seems a perfect way to celebrate these new beginnings!

So here's my sons creation to show off and celebrate the new beginnings Easter will bring this year. 

My daughters bonnet, is a "Work in Progress". While I had it completed, as all 14 month olds do, she pulled everything off! So, I think it will be a needle and thread needed to hold everything in place! 

Follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to see the final result of her bonnet and also to see what other Easter decorations we've created!  

What are your Easter treats?! Do you make a bonnet? I'd love to hear what you do to celebrate Easter if you do at all?