Although May Day is not celebrated as a holiday in the US and Canada, did you know it is one of the biggest bank holidays elsewhere in the world?  Conjuring up images of maypoles and folk dances, the holiday was originally a pagan celebration called Beltane and was meant to mark the coming of summer & fertility.  It was an important festival in the Celtic calendar while a similar celebration called “Floralia” was marked on the Roman calendar.  The tradition of “May baskets”, small baskets of candy and/or flowers, usually left anonymously on neighbor’s doorsteps is gradually becoming a lost tradition.

May Day is also observed as “Labor Day” or “International Workers’ Day” in many countries, and organized street demonstrations and marches by working people and their labor unions are common.

Whether you’re marching or dancing this May 1st, check out the newest  spring and summer fabric lines from your favorite quilting fabric manufacurers & designers; Moda, Hoffman, Robert Kaufman, Kaffe Fassett, Amy Butler, and Michael Miller and all the other fabulous new talent being introduced this season.

As May 5th approaches, celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the world’s easiest Margarita.  Use the best tequila you can afford!

Ingredients:

• 12 ouncesfrozen limeade concentrate (1 can)
• 12 ounces tequila (1 can)
• 4 ouncestriple sec (1/3 of a can)
• 36 ounceswater (3 cans)
• 2 sliced limes

Directions:

1.  For Margaritas on the Rocks: Combine all ingredients together in a large pitcher, and stir well.

2.  Or for frozen: omit limes, combine in a large plastic container and freeze.  These make perfect slushy margaritas.

3.  Just let it sit out for a few minutes before serving & scoop into glasses.

And while you’re sipping your Margaritas, consider a quick trip to Mexico in September.  The first week in September visit Mexico City for the Quilt Expo. Built on the ruins of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, Mexico City offers contemporary city life with historic preservation. World-class museums, restaurants and parks co-exist with the remains of several cultures. The nightlife, the shopping and the history make it an addition to my list of 100 places to go before I die.

Then visit the Expo Patchwork & Quilting in Puebla 2013 September 26-29, 2013.  Just 75 miles southeast of Mexico City, Puebla is  a World Heritage City called, “The Shrine of America” because of its architectral beauty.  According to legend, it was created by angels to be enjoyed by mortals.

Remember to click on the “Travelers” tab above to find quilt shows, guilds & fabric stores wherever your globe-trotting takes you.  We do our best to keep the info updated and current.  If you know of anything to be included, let us know.  Thanks!