Happy Michaelmas!
The feast of Saint Michael and All Angels, also known as Michaelmas, is today, September 29! The reading from Revelation (12:5-12) that is appointed for the day tells of a battle in Heaven between St Michael and the good angels and the dragon and his angels. I found a clever lego reenactment of the story on YouTube that your family might enjoy. Here’s the link:
Historically Michaelmas marks the end of the harvest season and has been accompanied by festive celebrations. The traditional meal for Michaelmas is roasted goose, but since that would be hard to find you might want to have a roasted chicken instead. In the Irish tradition, blackberries are eaten for Michaelmas. Legend says that when Lucifer was expelled from heaven he fell to earth on a blackberry patch and ruined them. As a consequence blackberries eaten after September 29 will not be sweet and tasty. You might want to try a blackberry smoothie or milkshake to celebrate the end of blackberry season. Here’s my recipe:
Blackberry Milkshakes
12oz frozen blackberries
1 cup milk (we use lactose free)
1 cup vanilla ice cream (we use non-dairy ice cream)
1 T honey (or to taste)
Whipped cream to garnish
Place everything in the blender and whirl until smooth. Pour into glasses. Top with whipped cream and serve. Makes 2-4 servings depending on the size.
Happy Michaelmas and happy harvest season!