Tags
baking, christmas, christmas cheer, cooking, family, food, Ireland, January 6th, kids, motherhood, nollaig, Nollaig na mBan, parenting
What did I do for Nollaig na mBan? I’ve been sorting, storing, baking, washing. cleaning, writing, eating and drinking.
First thing this morning I put away the Christmas decorations – all now stored in the attic for next year. Three weeks ago I had two young willing helpers and a cat and dog running around for good measure as the house was being decorated. Funnily enough, today there was nobody in sight to help me put everything back in the attic. For the record, I think the tree fought back as I tried to get it into it’s box, I have the scratches to prove it.
My Nollaig na mBan
I took extra care with the crib made by one of my daughters in school. Made from a cardboard box, it comes complete with shepherds who don’t stand up unless propped, and even then they are not keen on standing. I think they may have had a little too much Christmas cheer!
After the decorations were stored away, I did some baking using (award-winning) sausage meat from our local butcher. It was only when the pastry was made that I realised I had loaned my rolling-pin to a friend in late December and have not yet got it back. So I had to improvise and roll out the pastry using a wine bottle. We now have mini pies (alcohol free) for school lunches for the coming week.
After that I managed to fit in laundry, roast dinner, and some floor washing for good measure. My work is now done.
And this is January 6th, known in Ireland as Nollaig na mBan (Women’s Christmas). A day when women are supposed to have the day off to recover from Christmas and have their own girlie day with friends. I didn’t quite get my day’s schedule right, did I?
My nod to Nollaig na mBan is this little glass of red wine I am now enjoying on the sofa. Cheers and Happy New Year!
Note: Nollaig na mBan is pronounced: Null-ig na mon
What does that translate to?
Are you sure you are not making that up?
“Nollaig” is “Christmas”
“na mBan” means “of the women”
Nope. Not making it up!! Its official. We get a day off.
Cool. I hope you enjoyed your holiday/day off.
Ha ha! Sounds very similar to my day! Happy New Year to you and yours.
Yep. I’d guess most of us ended up with the same kind of day!!
Ellie–take tomorrow off then–
Thanks. You are too kind!
Have a few more glasses, Ellie! Nollaig na mBan always reminds me of the famous poem of the same name- ‘Bhí fuinneamh sa stoirm a d’éalaigh aréir…’, so full of force and portent, as though all human energy and determined life is concentrated in the women’s Christmas after the meekness of everyone else’s.
So true. And I will have that extra glass. Thanks for the suggestion!!
I think there should be various “na mBan” days throughout the year. After all, it’s generally not just Christmas that we need to recover from, right?
That is so so true!!
Hope you enjoyed your Nollaig na mBan, Ellie!
I did. That glass of wine went down really well!
I’d heard of Nollaig na mBan, I’m not Irish but that is one tradition I’d be only to happy to honour
Hope you enjoyed your well earned glass of wine and very best wishes for a very happy 2013 to you and your family xxx