My Blog

 Today is May Day. Did you celebrate by taking May baskets around to all your friends? Your answer probably depends on where in the U.S. you live.  I'm in Iowa-Cedar Rapids to be exact. I grew up here and May Day was a huge deal for me growing up. I actually have many wonderful childhood memories of May Day and I am so glad I get to pass on that joy to my children. There was much squealing to be heard this afternoon as kids tried to "catch" their friends as they tried to sneak to sneak to each other's door. (I don't think they totally understand that, if caught, they are to be kissed.) J

After I was married, my husband and I moved to Detroit and then to Cincinnati. I taught in both communities and I always had my students take May baskets to the other teachers in the building. Each teacher's reaction to receiving a May basket depended on where they grew up. Some squealed with delight at the act of receiving a token from their childhood memories. Others came to my room and asked me what in the world a May basket was.

Whether or not you celebrate May Day where you live, I do have to say, that as I was filling the May Baskets for my kids to deliver today, I realized that May Day Baskets are a naturally gluten-free treat. How often does that happen? I can't think of another holiday that is so 100% gluten-free. In my children's baskets today, we had popcorn, gummi bears, suckers, gum, Starbursts, more popcorn, Skittles, licorice and the list goes on. How fun! (And easy for me to steal treats from my kids.)

So you may have missed your opportunity for this year's May Day, but mark your calendar now for next year. You will bring smiles to faces, bring back happy childhood memories to many and share yummy gluten-free treats with your friends-naturally.