Snow Candles on Candlemas

I'm bringing this post forward from last year as our acknowledgment of Candlemas Day this year is going to be limited. I do know, however, that we are not close to 1/2 way through our wood, we're 1/2 way through our oil, and 100% through our frozen blueberries, applesauce, strawberries, and squash :(. We need twice as much put away!




A farmer should on Candlemas Day have half his corn and half his hay.











Old New England farmers also say that you should have used about half your wood...and half your candles. We've gone through about half our wood and about 60% of our oil.

In honor of being half-way through winter, we made snow candles yesterday. First we melted paraffin in a can in our "candle pot." We wanted bright candles so used paraffin and old crayons rather than beeswax.

While the wax was melting, we tied wicking to an old paintbrush.


We dipped the wick in the wax to stiffen it and then dug some little holes in the snow. Make sure the hole isn't too deep--Lous' blue candle failed because her wick didn't reach the bottom.

Then we quickly poured the wax into the hole.


Every candle will be different. Some, due to their shape, will need to be "floating candles." It was pretty cold out yesterday, so we didn't get a lot of crystally blobs on the exterior, but on a warmish day they will look different.


Here's a little more weather-lore--

If Candlemas Day is bright and clear
there'll be two winters in the year.

If Candlemas Day be fair and bright Winter will have another fight.
If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain, Winter won't come again.

When the cat lies in the sun in February
She will creep behind the stove in March.

Of all the months of the year
Curse a fair February.

If it thunders in February, it will frost in April.

If February give much snow,
A fine summer it doth foreshow.

We are due for a huge snowstorm, so perhaps a fine summer in in the works!