Halfway to Spring

February 2nd marked the halfway point between winter and spring. Whether or not the groundhog saw his shadow, we still have six weeks of winter left. In France and in our home, the day is celebrated with crepes and candles and cidre. I like the idea of a special day to eat crepes in candlelight, particularly since we are in a rather drab season.

Where we live, we miss the typical signs of winter--we don't get snow, at least a few flowers are in bloom at any given time, and the ducks in our neighborhood lagoon are still quacking away rather than going south. Instead, our winters are marked by fewer stands at the farmers market, no avocados, and dark and chilly evenings. Our son has also noticed that the fat spider who lived on our front porch through fall has quietly disappeared, web and all. Every evening we check the mail, and he points up at her now empty corner.

With winter half over, our Chandeleur celebration reminds us to appreciate what is special about the remaining season. It is a cozy time, when we can light fires in the chimney, cuddle under layers of blankets, and look at the stars and moon before it is even bedtime. It also reminds us to look for signs of spring. We can walk home from my son's school in the evening before the sun sets. Our pear tree has one branch in bloom. At the farmers market, the flower stand has made a return with butter-yellow tulips and fuchsia anemones. Suddenly, a drab season has become more interesting.

Traditions Made New Every Year

Every year for the past seven years we have had a king cake party, where we serve a galette des rois. The big almond-filled pastry is served in France at the beginning of January, and whoever bites into a piece with the ceramic "bean" (usually a porcelain tile) gets to wear the crown. Of course, ours is Berkeleyized, with homemade galettes--one was vegan of course--and gaudily decorated crowns. It is a fun way to incorporate a French tradition into our lives while visiting with friends who have usually been away for the holidays.

Seven years ago, none of our friends had children. Now we are hosting parties with almost ten children all under the age of five. I think it is common for people to experience an epiphany when they see their house full of kids and think, "Wow, my life has officially changed. My parties are now menageries." We went through only one bottle of wine for a house full of people. People actually drank the juice. There were kids playing puzzles in the living room, others playing on the mini-piano in the dining room, another riding a rocking horse. Our son wandered from room to room, smiling and waving his hand around. He had an air about him that exuded, "Welcome to my castle. Feel free to touch things."

Our son only had a nibble of the galette, but he loved the social aspect of the party. Even though he's recovering from being cranky sick all week, he kept it together and was meltdown free. It reminded me that as we share this tradition with our son, we are also teaching him about hosting people in his space, sharing his things, and being socially pleasant even when he is not in a good mood. And so our tradition will continue, menagerie and all.