Leap Year 2012 - marriage proposal by the Ladies

So, ladies, have you been waiting for your shy bloke or boi to 'pop the question' so you can say yes?

But sadly, the question hasn't been forthcoming from your desired partner?


Well, 2012 is a Leap Year and that means, we ladies may, without appearing forward or indelicate, 'pop the question' to our desired bachelor instead!

The tradition of marriage proposals by women to their beloved in a leap year, comes from a number of folk beliefs.

Saint Bridget was said to complain to Saint Patrick that men took way too long to propose, he replied, well let women have the the leap year to propose to the men.

In English law, February 29th was not a real day in law, therefore old traditions, such as women being unable to propose could be put aside and women could, and did, propose to their desired partner.

In Scottish law, in 1288, women were supposed to have been given the right to propose in a leap year. If the gentleman declined, he had to pay forfeit with a kiss, or a pair of gloves or a silk dress.

I was taught by my mother that I could propose in a leap year and if the gentleman was so rude as to refuse, he had to buy me a pair of white gloves as an 'I'm sorry'.

However, in Greece, marriage in a leap year is considered unlucky!

Do your family have leap year traditions, if so, share in the comments box below.

Valentine's Day, do you celebrate it?

Mummy Mojo's Hearts and Flowers String Bunting

For this was on seynt Volantynys day
Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make.

["For this was Saint Valentine's Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate."]

Geoffrey Chaucer, Parlement of Foules (1382)


Valentine's Day, do you celebrate it, or do you hate it, think its commercially crass and should be ignored?

I fall somewhere between the two.

I think a day to celebrate love is a good thing, love after all, is one of the things that makes the world go round. However, you don't have to buy into the consumerism that builds to a frenetic crescendo as we come closer to February 14th.

Don't buy into the expense and hype of the day. Keep it simple. Do something special for your beloved that doesn't cost the earth, both financially and ecologically.

I will be telling my beloved wife that I love her, that she makes my heart sing, that the last 16 years have been full of joy and that I am fllled with delight to be sharing my life with her. I will then give her a massive hug and kiss and we'll share a box of chocolates that I will buy from a local chocolate maker and a bottle of local, organic sparkling wine aka Champagne.

 Keep your Valentine's Day, simply, special and local.