(Carrot friends from our first crop of carrots from our garden)
When I mentioned the other day that I was considering changing the name of Carrots for Michaelmas so that my blog would be easier to spell and find, many of you said, “no no no!” (If you think I should change it, I’d like to hear your feedback, too! So, do let me know in the comments.) Anyhow, I’m glad you don’t think I should change the name, partly because it would be a HUGE headache, but also because I’m quite fond of the title. And some of you asked, what’s the story with the name Carrots for Michaelmas? So, here ‘tis:
Almost 4 years ago when we started learning more about the liturgical year, we wanted to be intentional about observing the various seasons of feasts and fasts in the Christian calendar. I ordered a copy of The Catholic Home (which I highly recommend) to learn more about the traditions of observing holy time and the very first feast we celebrated was Michaelmas, the Feast of St. Michael and the Archangels. We shared a meal of roast chicken and blackberry cobbler with friends, and, of course, carrots. We were about to start our RCIA classes, Benjamin was crawling, and Michaelmas was our first attempt to bring holy time into our home.
“Michaelmas” always reminds me of Mrs. Jennings from Sense and Sensibility and feels like such a Jane Austeny word to this anglophile.
“If I don’t have the two of you married by Michaelmas, it will not be my fault!”
As for the “Carrots” part, we’re nutty urban farmers with 15 backyard chickens and a sprawling frontyard vegetable garden, so the whole farm-to-table (or yard-to-table in our case) theme is present, too. And, of course, Carrots reminds me of the Anne-girl and my love for red hair she inspired.
So, there you have it: literature, food, and faith. Carrots for Michaelmas. Thanks for being a part of it : )
(image source: austenefforts.blogspot.com)
Love your blog name even more now! I am a cradle Catholic and I had never heard the feast day of St. Michael said like this…neither had my mom or sister! So thank you so much for making me google and dig a little deeper into my Faith. AND for the book suggestion! You are making my book list rather long 😉 If only I could read faster!
Since I am not Catholic and less familiar with the word, I think what I have wondered the most is….is this pronounced like Michael – Mass or like Nickel (with an M) – Mass?
Rhymes with Nickel! And the last syllable sounds like: “mus” like the end of “Christmas.”
I always think of Mrs. Jennings when I read the title too!! I have a small (really) obsession with Sense and Sensibility.
It’s pronounced with a short i like nickle.
I always hesitate to offer an opinion [!], so I thought it best to wait until your younger friends commented on this. As for me, I LOVE the blog name and I hope you do not change it. I also love the story behind the name.
P. S. This Anglophile says that you need a capital “A.”
I found your blog via Pinterest and your post about 10 books to read to your daughter (couldn’t agree more about “that horrid girl from Twilight”-ha!), and I have to say the title of your blog intrigued me. As a post Vatican II cradle Catholic, I had sadly never heard of Michaelmas. After a quick google search, I discovered something new about my faith, and I have been a subscriber since. I say don’t change a thing!
Thanks for the feedback, Mary! I don’t think the title is going anywhere 🙂
I also like the name. Yes, simple is nice when you’re passing the name of the blog on orally, but I figure if a person has any desire to find the site and basic googling skills, they’ll get around any obstacle the unusual word might pose.
I just re-watched S&S this past weekend (I basically have that film memorized) and I thought of you when that scene with Mrs. Jennings came up! 🙂
Also – what cool carrots in that pic!!
I really enjoy your blog! Authentic people make me smile (:
Thank you, Amy 🙂
Well I’ve always known that day as my dad’s birthday and my parents’ wedding anniversary. Later understood to be the Feast of the Archangels. If you were going to celebrate it, you should have angel food cake. After a Google search though, now I know that finding twisted carrots for Michaelmas is a sign of good luck and fertility, so there you go, Mrs. Number-3-on-the-way! I love learning new dimensions of things!
Haha! How funny! I didn’t know that, either.
It is nice to read the comments and see why readers like the name of your blog. For myself, if I were a young Catholic mom blogging on the topics that you are, I would name my blog Revival of Virtue, or Virtuous Discoveries, or something like that. But then how would you work in all the cool carrot pics? 😉
Lovely name ideas!
I love the name of your blog and I am so glad to have found you. I came by way of Rosie’s blog (Rosie’s Ramblings).
Saint Michael the Archangel protect us in battle…
I think I will be visiting often!
~Laura
P.S. I love Mrs. Jennings and The Catholic Home!
I’m so glad you stopped by, Laura! 🙂
I got a link to your site a couple of months ago about the 10 books that must be read to your daughter. I’ve been trying to catch up reading the different post on your site. I’m a die hard fan of Anne. I’ve seen all of her movies multiple of times and I am trying to finish the whole series of books. I even donated money to our local PBS when I was in college just to get the book and movie series. $250 was a lot for a freshman in college. So many of the other books you recommended I agree with so much. This will hopefully get me in the gear to start reading more myself. I’m a 6th grade math teacher and have an almost 7 year old 1st grader and 2 1/2 year old. Being a working mom is so hard and I yearn to be able to do more with my kids. We are doing the best we can. I take advantage of the moments I do get with them. Thanks for all your inspirational post. Have a great weekend. Hopefully date night was great.
It’s hard for me to find time to read and I’m only working part-time outside the home! So good for you for getting motivated to read more. Motherhood and teaching math isn’t for the faint of heart! The year and a half I spent working full-time after Benjamin was born was by far the hardest time in my life so I’m always a little bit in awe of working moms. Date night was lovely:) Thanks, Maria.
For me I love the name of your blog. I love the names you give many things; for example, the title of some of your articles. They intrigue me and inspire me to look further into the education of the subject. I vote…please don’t change it! For those of us that are looking for more education in different ways on different subjects, I think you picked the perfect name. I fairly sure I told you in my response to your post on “Non-New Years Resolutions” (sorry, that’s not the correct title) that one of my aspirations for 2013 is to begin my own blog. Finding the correct name for what I am trying to accomplish has been my greatest road block so far. What is in a name? I have found this particular subject means a lot to me. However, I think I’m a little biased because I truly feel you have the greatest blog/page out there. It really covers all of my interests and needs for me personally and all things I am attempting to merge into my life. I really read everything you post and find myself reflecting on your words and the words of your readers responses through out the day. And a big plus…you are always open to everyone’s “two sense worth”, it makes it feel like home when I get to your page.
Thank you so much, Tracy! The title not going anywhere after hearing how much my sweet readers like it. Keepin’ it! 🙂
I knew it had Anne of Green Gables origins! And how beautiful about the carrot friends.
The name has always intrigued me, and sometimes I think it has me returning to your site! What I mean is, I am not always sure what I will end up reading, but the name gets me every time. Hee hee. Anyway, I really appreciate your site. I am nearing 40 with an 18-month-old, and I like to hear what you and your family are doing. I’m not Catholic, but I appreciate the faith and traditions in a deep way. So what a perfect site for me to visit!
Thank you, Sarah! That’s so kind! Sounds like your little one is just a tad younger than my Lucy. I LOVE 18 months! Such a great age 🙂