Fun-Filled February... a Month of Holidays!

For many Americans, THE holiday season focuses on those holidays which occur in November/December.  But the month of February holds its own in the holiday category as well.  Little or large celebrations… all are welcome diversions during a month that often brings us gray skies and frigid temperatures!

Early in the month (FEB 2) many celebrate Ground Hog Day… a single day when a small furry creature is honored by many and is expected to accurately forecast the onset of springtime weather.   By mid-February in 2024, there are several additional holidays vying for attention; some holidays have religious or political associations, but all have earned their special place on our calendars!

For the football-loving audiences out there, Super Bowl Sunday (FEB 11) is a genuine holiday; it signals the conclusion of the 2023-24 professional football season and for many, is a terrific excuse to cook and consume massive quantities of high-calorie foods and beverages for gatherings of family and friends.

Just one day later, we honor the birthday of former President Abraham Lincoln (FEB 12) followed by renowned activist Susan B. Anthony’s birthday (FEB 15.)   Presidents’ Day (FEB 19) is another holiday in USA which is celebrated by many with a Monday off work since it is a Federal and WI State holiday.

Valentine’s Day (FEB 14) is celebrated with love by many sweethearts, couples and even young children who may learn from teachers how to cut out a heart shape from red construction paper!   

This day is often celebrated with giving flowers and plants, chocolates and heart-shaped cookies—as well as greeting cards— all in an effort to remind those special people in our lives how much we care! This year, Ash Wednesday also falls on FEB 14, which officially begins the Season of Lent in Christian communities and churches throughout the world. 

Just ONE DAY prior to Ash Wednesday is known by various names: Shrove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras Day and in Brazil, “Carnaval do Rio de Janeiro.”   This holiday is celebrated in many countries—each having their own traditions— and in 2024 these celebrations will occur on FEB 13.  Shrove Tuesday often represented a day of indulgence for many Christians, who then “gave up” certain favorite foods during the Lenten season.  Some may still practice this rite of sacrifice even in modern times.

    As a Horticulturist, I would like 

    ANY DAY in FEBRUARY to be designated as 

    BUY-YOURSELF-A-PLANT-DAY!  

(…not a real holiday—I just made this up!) Visit your fave florist or floral department at the grocery store; buy yourself (or a friend) a pretty flowering plant or bouquet…just to bring a smile!

For more holiday info, visit website: timeanddate.com/holidays/us/2024 

M. Lynn Schmid, Master Gardener 
A.A.S. Landscape/Horticulture/Arboriculture

Savoring the Season of Winter

We've entered a new month of WINTER here in Southeast Wisconsin.  

While some may lament over cold or snowy days in February, I have learned to savor the season by incorporating pleasant activities into each day.  Some may call these “micro-practices” since they aren’t large events, but these tiny activities could become the highlights of your days and keep your spirits up, even when skies are gray.  I’ll share a brief activity list, and you can add to this list to make it your own:

Even those with limited culinary skills can likely cook a pot of spicy chili or a hearty chowder for a lunch-time entrée.  Use a favorite family recipe or check online to find a chowder or chili that appeals to you; add a variety of legumes for color, flavor and fiber.

Take a winter walk (alone or with children/grandchildren/neighbors’ kids) and search for wildlife along your route.  Even during cold weather, you might observe various bird species, squirrels and other critters along the way.  Kids can count how many of each they encounter on your route (observing a barking dog in your neighborhood can be included in their animal count, unless you’re a purist and only wish to count wildlife!)

A calming indoor activity could involve planting bulbs like Amaryllis or Caladium.  The Caladium can be planted in lightweight pots and later in spring, can be added to an outdoor SHADY container plant grouping.  The Amaryllis need approx six weeks from planting bulb in pot till bloom time; should be blooming indoors by mid-March if you plant this week.  NOTE:  Amaryllis bulbs are capable of producing 4 – 6 blooms atop a thick green stalk; the plant in bloom can be top heavy, so suggest a heavy clay or ceramic pot for each bulb.  Don’t put more than one bulb per pot since the blooms will crowd each other which detracts from their beauty. 

Another indoor activity involves baking cookies… always a pleasure during wintry weather!  Bake a batch of SNOWBALL COOKIES using either your favorite shortbread or pecan finger cookie dough; use cookie scoop (2 tsp. size) to portion cookies and roll each into one-inch diameter ball of dough.  Place on cookie sheets and bake. Pour one cup POWDERED or ICING SUGAR into bowl.   After cookies are baked, remove from oven and immediately roll in powdered sugar to complete the look of snowballs.  Arrange on platter and enjoy. (DISCLAIMER: this author does NOT condone any food fights using snowball cookies!)

Final suggestion for today’s blog: observe or photograph the morning sunrise! During February, sunrise occurs after 7AM and from our location, appears over Lake Michigan. The Lake often provides condensation and cloud formations to make sunrise unique… enjoy some brief moments of tranquility, while admiring the morning sunlight!

M. Lynn Schmid, Master Gardener
A.A.S. Landscape/Horticulture/Arboriculture