Is it Valentine’s Day?

For a tradition that began in England, you might be surprised at what Valentine’s Day is actually like here. Suffice it to say, it is not a holiday greatly promoted by stores to boost consumer spending like it is in America. (Read: No cute little heart tea towels or fun, decorative red and pink dishes that you suddenly think you can’t live without while on a quick trip to Target for printer paper.) 

We weren’t sure what to expect in the schools but we wanted to carry on with the celebration of a day for which my daughter says she waits all year. (I think Valentine’s Day to her is right on par with Christmas). Truly, what is not to love about a day that is commemorated with chocolate, candy and cute little cards? It’s not a far stretch to understand why she loves it so much. In her last American school, she would come staggering home under the weight of all the sugar-laden goodies she received from other students. Also, not to be forgotten, are all of the craft activities involving hearts, her favorite shape, or the exciting classroom parties.

With this in mind, several weeks ago, each of my children picked out their own boxes of traditional American valentines to give to their friends at school. We spent time addressing each one and attaching the prerequisite lollipop. The kids could hardly wait to give them away. 

Today was the day. The children raced downstairs to be greeted with their annual delivery of See’s candies from their grandmother who never fails to make sure we all feel properly loved on Valentine’s Day. My mom also sends me my own heart-shaped box of See’s nuts and chews, God bless her, which I always look forward to no matter where I am in the “battle against the bulge.” It’s like a free, calories don’t count kind of day. 

My youngest went off to preschool clutching his bag of valentines in his chubby, tight fisted hand. When I picked him up this afternoon, he was happily carrying a heart shaped card he’d made for his family, along with a sugar cookie that I was told I had to split with his daddy, sister, dog and cat. (Hmmmm...)  It was very sweet and he was being peppered with thank you’s from the other children for their valentines. 

My daughter’s day was a bit different.  It was a school day like any other except at the end, the teacher helped her hand out each valentine to her classmates. They all sat looking at her in excitement as these lollipops were given to them. The smile on my daughter’s face was precious. Her teacher also seemed to appreciate the opportunity that was presented to share with the class how holidays are celebrated in different ways in other countries. 

I talked to several English parents today who hadn’t realized it was Valentine’s Day. It’s just not a huge occasion here. One mum said that an American walked by her today and said, “Happy Valentine’s Day!” She was actually surprised to be greeted like the day was particularly special. I think the general consensus is that Americans take holidays and make them into huge events which usually involves having to spend money. I can’t decide if it was refreshing this year to not be pushed towards the usual holiday consumerism or if it’s a bit sad that more is not made of this sweet (figuratively and literally)  and fun day. Some of my favorite keepsakes are the valentine’s cards my kids have made for me over the years. 

 So... While the children came home without the usual mountains of candy or celebrating the day with classroom parties,  it was a lovely day. My children were able to show their friends our  Valentine’s Day tradition and take joy in the spirit of giving, a lesson all parents want their children to learn but can sometimes be tough to teach. 

And tonight I served dinner on those fun, Target valentine plates...just because it’s fun. 

Market Day

I’ll admit that I am fascinated by life in centuries past. How people lived, the way they governed themselves, how they dressed, their cultural traditions and how they viewed religion are all of interest to me. I love walking down ancient streets and imagining all those who came before me. What did they look like? What did they eat? What were their biggest concerns of that time? 

Today I walked past an old coaching inn. It’s been there since the 14th century, a sort of modern day rest stop for carriages traveling through the area. Travelers could stretch their legs, eat, drink and even find overnight accommodation while allowing their horses time to rest. It’s reputed to be haunted by the spirit of a former owner who committed suicide by jumping to his death from one of the upstairs windows. Creepy? Yes. But also interesting. Think of all the people who for centuries have dined at this establishment. Queen Elizabeth I had Mary, Queen of Scots imprisoned and executed not far from here at Fotheringhay Castle. I imagine that one of the Queen’s trusted servants came through here worrying about the fate of his mistress. Or maybe some loyal friends gathered around a table and plotted how they could possibly free her, or even get her a letter without it being intercepted. Walking in the presence of so much history and tradition is endlessly fascinating to me. 

There is a tradition in England that is still carried on today. It’s called Market Day. Do those words bring any images to mind? Does your imagination, like mine, conjure up images of wooden carts, cobblestone streets and costermongers hawking their wares? 

Our local market day is a weekly event held in the center of the village. Once a month there is an additional market day, held on a Saturday, and is usually bigger and a bit more diverse than what is usually offered weekly.  Farmers and local tradespeople come from all around to sell their wares, in a tradition possibly as old as England itself. 

What do I love about it? I love buying bread from the baker who kneaded it, choosing cheeses and meats from local farmers, and picking up a bouquet of daffodils from a nearby horticulturist. I enjoy talking to these people and asking questions or getting recommendations. Most of all, I love being outside in the fresh air and taking the time to walk to each stall, taking in the scents and sights of all that is offered. 

The very first stall is a jewelry seller with all kinds of trinkets. The stall next to it is always taken by the man who sells sweets (or candy as we call it in America). He reminds me of a young Dick Van Dyke or maybe even the sweet shop owner in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I keep waiting for him to burst into song about the deliciousness of his sweets. :)

Further down is a fish vendor and then a man with baskets of all shapes and sizes. Next is the baker, with fresh loaves of bread, scones, and iced cakes for sale. They use different terminology here for the bread and I’m still trying to learn all of the names. Seeded, wholemeal, Sally Lunn, bap, blob, stotty, teacake, cob, and nudger to name just a few. None of these have preservatives so they need to be eaten within a few days. 

On a side note, eating something without preservatives is a sad rarity for us as Americans. We’re enjoying the healthy aspects of fresh food here but need to re-learn how to shop. Instead of stocking up our pantry with bulk groceries from Costco, I now buy only what I know we’ll eat within a few days, a week at most. Otherwise it is a surety that it will spoil and need to be thrown out. 

Off on a tangent...Back to the vendors! My favorite vendor is next to the baker. Cheese! Amazing cheese. Kraft can’t hold a candle to cheese here in England. Cheddar cheese especially tastes almost decadent and has become, I’m afraid to say, a slight addiction in our house. There is an endless variety of cheeses. You can walk into the cheese stall and taste all they have to offer. It’s incredible and almost like sampling wines. Yet, unlike wine tasting, you can bring your children with you and not worry about getting tipsy for the drive home. 

Want some? Visit www.lincolnshirepoachercheese.com

The market has other assorted vendors, some you might not expect.  There are the costermongers (an antiquated term for those who sell fruits and vegetables from a cart), plants and cut flowers, pet supplies for everything from a hamster to a horse, wrapping paper and gift cards, watches and clocks, clothes, antiques, and even what I like to think of as an eclectic convenience shop stall. It sells everything from light bulbs to orthopedic inserts for your shoes. 

Beautiful Brussel sprouts

Villagers spend the morning wandering through the market, some ending up at one of several coffee and tea shops. Many women bring their own bags or baskets to carry their purchases. It’s also the ideal time to visit the butcher or the green grocer (a shop that sells fruits and vegetables not to be confused with costermongers who do not sell from a shop). 

With all that I had to choose from at this morning’s market, I am ashamed to say that I walked away with only three things: gravy bones for our dog, lightbulbs, and three bottles of Italian wine. I didn’t have the time to shop as I’d like to with my youngest child in tow. But I did end up with the wine, so I think I can still count it as a successful day. 

A little slice of life in a somewhat rural pocket of England...


Links to some of my favorite market vendors:


Peter's Eden. Handmade jams, chutneys and cordials. www.peterseden.co.uk


Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese.  www.lincolnshirepoachercheese.com


Benson's Totally Fruity Juice. www.bensonsapplejuice.co.uk