A week ago we went to a great event with other Dutch, or former Dutch people, in the Atlanta area. We enjoyed some yummy Indonesian food at the home of the Club's President and his gracious wife. That was 30 of us with perfect sunny weather for enjoying a chat on the deck.
Of course I did not drive the 3 hours back home all the way from Marietta!
So we stayed at Hyatt Place Atlanta Perimeter Center, behind the Costco store for making our rounds in the morning.
Great for living here in the USA as stores are open on Sundays as well!
So when we came to Trader Joe's I grabbed these lovely fresh Stock flowers and added also Baby's Breath as a filler. There were no two nosegays of the white stock...
Matthiola Incana or Stock flower. Violier in Dutch...
Oh, how I LOVE their fragrance and so does Pieter.
As a teen, he used to grow them in his Dad's greenhouse for use for the yearly Catholic Sacraments Procession in Groessen, The Netherlands.
They still keep that annual tradition alive, since the 16th Century!
Back then, all the little girls walking in the Blessed Sacrament Procession, outfitted in their white First Communion dresses, got each an armful of Stock flowers to take home after it was over.
Such a Procession was not for First Communion but it was custom then, for wearing the white dresses. I've done so too!
Thousands of Stock Flowers were brought into the Church.
Creating an almost overwhelming heavenly fragrance...
As much as both of us love this, to some people it was too much.
Potted red Geraniums were lined up alongside the entire Procession Route.
A kind of flag pole, with white/yellow pennant and a small rack holding 3 pots with red geraniums...
Quite a sight!
Wish there were still photos...
They stopped along the route through the fields.
There was a special made rest altar, full with flowers and there the Monstrance that got carried by the Priest under a Canopy, would be placed down for prayers.
During the Procession they also sang.
Fond memories about growing up in The Netherlands and both LOVING these White Stock flowers!
Here they reside in our veranda.
Do you also love those fragrant White (or other color) Stock?
Historical tradition from 1520 - 1600 - the above is translated by an app in a 'funny' English but you get the info. Pieter's home town belonged to Germany till 1816, just like my Province of Limburg...
Photo shows the white communion dresses I mentioned above... They were worn during this Blessed Sacrament Procession.
A tradition, still being observed in Pieter's home town!
Thanks for your visit and comment.
Have a great weekend!
Related links:
Processie Groessen 2007 YouTube video from Pieter's birth place where the Blessed Sacrament Procession still is being done annually!
