Cherry Blossom Picnic

This weekend saw our annual much-anticipated family celebration of spring, adopted from our soul- heartland Kyoto, Japan: o-hanami, the cherry blossom picnic. We have really made it our own at this stage - we are now on our third one.

We require a sunny day with a soft spring breeze and the snowy blossoms in their fullest glory. A picnic rug. Fushi - as in fake sushi - as in marshmallow rice crispie buns rolled around jelly snakes to look like sushi.

And spring tea. This is my favourite ceremonial part. I gather all the fresh spring flowers and herbs to create an energising tissane. This year we had:

Dandelion for energy
Daisy for innocence
Lemon balm for calm
Red raspberry leaf for strong wombs, crucibles of creativity
Sweet cicily for natural sweetness
Violets, cherry blossom and primroses for beauty and love.

It looked beautiful... and tasted... odd!

And of course we sang the Sakura song.... making up the words for the middle bit that we can never remember!

And our family dressed in their own unique styles for the occasion!

Happy Spring to you!