In the local woods and gardens the Candlemas bells, more commonly known as snowdrops, are starting to flower bringing hope that spring is not far away.   
They normally start flowering around Candlemas  (February 2nd)  and a time when candles were blessed often with snowdrops being scattered on the church floor. They were regarded as symbols of hope and rebirth and are associated with many legends, one of which says that when Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden  Eve was about to give up hope that the cold winters would never end.  An angel appeared and transformed some of the snowflakes into snowdrop flowers showing that the winters do eventually give way to the spring.