Chim-chiminy

"Chim chiminy
Chim chiminy
Chim chim cher-ee!
A sweep is as lucky
As lucky can be" *

This little fella was given to me at the New Year's party by a German friend who had brought one back for everyone from her Christmas visit to relatives.

According to German tradition, meeting a chimney sweep - called a Schornsteinfeger or Schlotfeger - on New Year's Day meant good luck for the entire year. Add in the "4-leaf clover" in the pot (which I believe is an oxalis? - I'm not good on plants) and the poisonous, not to mention hallucinogenic, red and white mushroom, Amanita muscaria (or "gluckpilz" - "lucky mushroom" - in German) and I should be in for a great year!

Here's to good luck in 2014 for everyone!


* Chim-Chim Cher-ee
From "Mary Poppins"
Composed by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman