Saint Barbara Branches

I love Advent.  Besides the beautiful weather (you have to admit that 6" of fresh, fluffy snow is beautiful,) but it is mostly because of the many fun little traditions -- as well as more somber ones -- my family has during this month-long period of preparation.  I hope to be able post about each, but I know the end of the semester will be hectic, so I make no guarantees.
In the next week there are three "major" advent feasts for my family: The feast of St. Barbara today, Dec. 4th,  the feast of St. Nicholas on Monday, Dec. 6th, and the feast of the Immaculate Conception on Wednesday, Dec. 8th.
The story of St. Barbara is like a fairy tale.  Her father locked her in a tower to protect her from the outside world, especially the numerous unsavory suitors attracted by her great beauty.  Unknown to her father, Barbara converted to Christianity and consecrated herself to God as a virgin.  Long story short, her father found out about her conversion when Barbara ordered a third window constructed in honor of the Blessed Trinity. He ordered her death, and struck the killing blow himself.  He was struck by lightning and killed for his evil deed.  Legend has it that Saint Barbara had a twig from a cherry tree that she watered while locked up in her tower.  The twig bloomed, cheering her lonely quarters.  Another legend says that the twig was caught in her gown and bloomed when she died. And so came the tradition of cutting cherry branches on St. Barbara's feast day of December 4th.  Apple and plum also work, and I've heard that lilac does as well.  The simple way to do it is to cut the branches, then recut the ends under running water, either at an angle or with a slit up the stem a couple of inches.  Keep the branches in clean water and they will bloom by Christmas.  They say that whoever's branch has the most blossoms on it by Christmas is Mary's favorite.  Another traditions says that if the unmarried maidens cut a branch and their branch blooms on Christmas Eve, the girl will be married the following year.  My sisters and I will be trying that this year- I'll let you know how it goes!
If you want a more specific way of cutting and forcing the branches, click here.