From Our Family Book of Days by Kathleen Finley (Wipf & Stock):
In February we dare to think about spring. The dark, quiet work of winter is almost over; it is time to prepare ourselves for the profusion of colors and scents that come with spring. The word "February" means "purification" and so this month we begin to look forward to Lent and the opportunity to purify ourselves in Easter hope.
Lent usually begins during this month and is preceded in many locales by a time of feasting and carnival. Carnival comes from the Latin Carne, which literally means"farewell, meat" because in the strict medieval fasts, no meat was eaten during Lent. The day before Ash Wednesday is known as Mardi Gras in French, or Fat Tuesday, in English. This tradition stems from the old custom of using up all traces of fat, dairy products and eggs before Lent, customarily on pancakes or doughnuts eaten on this day.
This is one of the best wedding or baptism gifts you will ever find, and a resource that families of all kinds will treasure for years. To learn more about this terrific book, or to purchase a copy, click here: Family Book of Days
