National Cherry Blossom Festival

We haven't had a travel focused blog in a while, so I wanted to share one of my favorite springtime trips. Nothing says spring to me like the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC. We have been several times during the 5 years we have lived in Viginia and it has been breath taking each times For our family, the Cherry Blossom Festival is usually a REALLY long day trip. We leave early in the morning, driving to the furthest south point on the DC Metro line, and return home after bedtime with kids sleeping in the car. If you want a more relaxed trip, or are coming from further afield, there is certainly enough to do and see to make it a weekend trip. I love taking this trip because there is something for everyone. You can enjoy the the beauty of the blossoms, or delve more deeply into history or science- depending on your personality. And for the shoppers, there are plenty of souvenirs to be had. 

The first 3,000 of these beautiful Japanese Cherry Trees were planted in 1912,  a gift from the mayor of Tokyo to celebrate the friendship between two nations. First Lady Helen Taft and Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese Ambassador, planted the first tree. This cemented a connection between the two countries that has lasted over 100 years, and has weathered some very trying times. In 1915 the US returned the gesture, with a gift of Flowering Dogwoods - a favorite tree across southern climates. The original trees were planted around the Tidal Basin, with an additional 3800 gifted in 1965.  In 2012, additional trees were planted, expanding into the area around the Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial. 

We were not able to make the trip this year, due to to the combination of an early spring break and wonky weather patterns. The trees were primed for an early peak bloom, due to an especially warm February, but they were then stalled by snow and freezing temperatures last week (when we were on break). Unfortunately no one can predict entirely how this will effect blossoming, but those in the know (horticulturalists) believe that the majority of he blooms were past their critical period, and they expect peak bloom to be sometime in the next week and a half. So if you don't have weekend plans, or are lucky enough to have Spring Break next week (it's much less crowded during the week), head to DC and enjoy! 

When you arrive- we take the subway into the National Mall / Smithsonian area- head first to the large white tents along the Tidal Basin. Here you can gather information, watch performances and speak with members of the National Parks Service that oversee the festival. For our children, one if the highlights of the Festival is the opportunity to earn a special cherry blossom park ranger badge.  If you complete the ranger badge workbook, you will have seek most of the monuments on the Mall, and all of the peak cherry blossom areas. It includes a chance to learn about the history and science of the trees, as well as stretch your creative skills via art and poetry in the Japanese Haiku style. 

We normally pack lunch in a backpack so that we can spend the day in theTidal Badin area. When you have finished your time with the blossoms, DC has restaurants sure to please any palate and budget category. 

For more information, check the Official National Cherry Blossom website!

Holiday Greenery - Where It All Began

It's that time of year - the post Thanksgiving decorating binge! Our decorations are decidedly Christmas, but most likely the process is much the same if you are decorating for Hanukkah, or generic "holidays". Pull out all the boxes, look through the items that bring memories of special times and family members that have passed, decide where to put things and see if you "need" anything new.  As I (Stacy) was reflecting on our (MANY) boxes of decor, looking at some vintage ornaments that haven't been on display since pre-kids, I began to think about how all of this decorating got started. Is it an "American" thing, did our forbearers bring things from Europe when they emigrated, and is any of this related to the Christian Christmas we celebrate? Being the history nerd I am, I of course started googling... in the pre internet ages I would have lived at the library I'm sure!

After reading a variety of sources- books, websites, articles and the like - I came to the general conclusion that's there's nothing new under the sun. Most of our Christmas decorating originated in Northern Europe, where they were borrowed and adapted from the Druids and other pagan groups that resided in the area. As Christianity spread, local converts wants to keep some of their festive traditions - so they assigned Christian meanings to them. For example, holly and ivy were used to celebrate the winter solstice - they were believed to ward off evil spirits and promote new growth. In Christian cultures the Holly has been said to represent the crown of thorns worn by Christ on the cross, while the Ivy (growing only with a support structure) reminds people to cling to God for support.

Window wreaths

Wreaths have been used since ancient Roman times to celebrate victory - in wars and in sport. They were both worn on the head of the victor and hung as decoration by the victorious side in a conflict. This tradition was adapted to represent Christ's victory over death and sin.  Wreaths of many styles are now commonly found hanging throughout homes at the holidays.

Mistletoe on the other hand, draws its story from ancient Norse mythology where it became associated with romance. In England it was traditional to bring mistletoe into the house to ward off evil spirits. As the Norse stories of romance spread, the strict English social customs were relaxed to allow the servants "a kiss under the mistletoe" as long as the berries lasted... 

Tree Lighting at The Jefferson Hotel, Richmond VA

The Christmas tree itself seems to have the most history/legend surrounding it.  From ancient times, the evergreen symbolized life in midwinter. Romans decorated their houses with evergreen branches to celebrate the New Year, and pagans of Northern Europe brought cut evergreens into their houses. Early Christians were vehemently against such practices. It seems as though, by the time Germanic areas were converted to Christianity, missionaries began trying to convert pagan traditions as well.   Some stories credit German reformer Martin Luther with originating  the Christmas tree as we know it, while others tie it to "paradise trees" in medieval morality plays. What seems more certain is that the tradition was brought to the US by early German immigrants. The first family Christmas tree in Williamsburg, VA was introduced by a German scholar boarding with a local judge in 1842. They did not have access to European style ornaments, so they decorated with paper ornaments and nuts.  The family trees eventually expanded to the idea of a community tree in the early 20th Century - this tradition continues today with elaborate tree lighting celebration.

Whichever of these holiday traditions you embrace....

Happy Decorating!
-Stacy & Christine