Pussy Willow Legend . . .

The first Spring blooms in our garden are that of the Pussy Willow. This year we had the time to cut them nice and early while the catkins were still tiny. Three hours later, I had filled two urns with clusters of furry catkins, created a wreath for both garden gates and still had a potting table filled to the brim.

I carried an armload inside (wedding bouquet style) ;-) and started decorating .  The tallest branches went into one of our antique crocks that sits by the fireplace and the shorter ones I turned into our Easter themed "kitchen tree". Little tiny eggs I painted last year and attached twine to were hung here and there. The eggs are so tiny that in order to paint them I had to rest them in the cap from the acrylic paint.

flowers

bumble bees

nests and eggs

snowdrops

and of course. . .  a bunny - paying homage to my  Cinders.

I love folk lore and recently read a Pussy Willow legend I had never heard before but one I will share with my grandsons when I give them their little pussy willow bundles.  

It goes like this ...

Pussy Willow

According to an old Polish legend, a mother cat was crying at the bank of a river in which her young kittens were drowning. They had fallen into the river while playing and chasing butterflies.

The Willows at the rivers edged longed to help them, so they swept their long graceful branches into the water.  The kittens gripped the branches tightly and were safely brought to shore.

Each springtime since, goes the legend, the Willow branches sprout tiny fur-like buds at their tips where the kittens once clung. 

Now that I have read the legend, I will have to paint a little kitten egg to add to the Easter tree :-D

Happy Tuesday

deb xo