Spring. The time of rebirth, regrowth, sunshine and flowers. Resurrection, perfect love and reunions.
The Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ is the most important act of love in the history of humankind. The Creator, the only true god in history; He died for His people, not the other way around. May His holy name be praised.
As the major holy day, now holiday, over the centuries, people have added accompaniments, traditions and activities to bring families closer and make memories.
Speaking of Easter decor, the crummy economy is always on parents’ minds. Here’s a suggestion; make a couple of trips to a favorite charity thrift store, Deseret Industries is my go-to. Treasure hunting there yielded this gorgeous hurricane lamp for $3, a Fitz and Floyd candy dish for $1 and a brand new hula skirt ($2), which I cut up to make straw. Look around and see what you can repurpose and use for decorations to save your precious $ this year.
On a sad note; this spring I am boycotting Hershey’s Candy company. They hired a faux woman to introduce their “Her” bar on International Women’s Day, I was very unhappy with decision. Women haven’t had this much trouble getting jobs as women since the theater in 16th Century Puritan England, where they too, hired boys for women’s roles. My first cousin, many times removed, William Shakespeare, would understand this throw-back dilemma. Men need to stay in their own lane.
So no Hershey’s for us this year.
I promised friends I would post some alternative choices for Easter baskets and parties; here are a few ideas to add to your celebration.
Lindt is a go-to at our house, from bunnies, to truffles and assorted treats, even bugs and bees, you can plan for a win with Lindt. They’re very big in Europe.
Speaking of Europe my German-speaking husband who lived there for 3 years came back to the U.S. with a taste for German and Swiss chocolates. Ritter Sports candy bars, available in the candy section of most grocery stores are his favorite.
My friend and co-Grandma Sarah Nash suggested See’s Candies. YES. All of the deliciousness of handmade chocolate in a myriad of flavors. A trip to See’s is de’rigueur. When my sister, brother and I were young, the Easter Bunny used to bring panoramic eggs from See’s.
Here’s a link with the recipe:
Wait, there’s more!
Get a bit creative and you might find some new favorites!
You might like to find some of these in your Easter baskets: Jordan almonds, gumballs, Luna bars, Jelly Bellies, M&Ms, Bonne Mamman jams and lemon curd, trail mix, goldfish crackers, mixed nuts, fresh berries, homemade sugar cookies, Easter books, crayons, and mini-sketchbooks.
Unreal(R) coconut bars, Limoncello almonds, Bequet caramels with Celtic sea salt, SweetTart Mini Chewys mini bunny waffle irons, jewelry, old-style Easter figures, mini games, card games, travel games.
A spring scarf, tiny lotions, little framed pictures, greeting cards, handmade pompom bunnies and chicks, new napkins, candles, fresh flowers, things that make your heart happy.
The economy may be in bad shape but Washington’s agenda can’t stop you from making an affordable, fun and festive Easter for your family.
Here are a few ideas.
Plan a tea party, nibble sandwiches, dye eggs and hunt for candy-filled ones.
Just for you: a reduced fat , to-die-for carrot cake recipe:
Carrot Cake Lite
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9” x 13” pan with non-stick vegetable coating, set aside.
1 ½ C. sugar (less if you choose)
2 C. flour
1 C. liquid egg substitute or 4 eggs
1 ¼ C. unsweetened applesauce
¼ C. canola oil
2 TBSP. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1 TBSP. vanilla extract
4 C. grated carrots (about 8 medium)
1 C. chopped nuts
2/3 can crushed pineapple, (drained well) – optional
In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients except carrots, nuts and pineapple. Mix well. Fold in carrots, nuts and pineapple (if desired). Pour batter into prepared pan and bake about 45 min. or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Makes 15 servings.
Cream Cheese Frosting
Cream together:
8 oz. light cream cheese
4 oz. butter
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 box (1 lb.) powdered sugar
Add:
1 C. shredded coconut
½ C. chopped nuts
Spread over cooled cake. Refrigerate.
Make a pennant with scrapbook papers.
A simplified account of Christ’s atonement is told in these Easter Miracle Eggs. Each egg contains a scripture and tiny object that represents part of the Easter story. After the eggs are gathered, open them in order and read each little scripture.
All you need are a dozen plastic eggs and a few items to tuck inside. Number the end of the eggs 1 -12 with a permanent marker. The objects inside the eggs are:
1. a small cup (check craft stores for a small unfinished wood thimble)
2. 3 dimes
3. 2 – 3″ of twine
4. a chunk of soap
5. A tiny red robe shape cut out of felt
6. wooden or heavy paper cross
7. dice
8. 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ square of white fabric, torn almost in half
9. a 1 1/2″ x 11/2″ square of white fabric
10. a small rock
11. a few whole cloves and a bay leaf
12. This egg will remain empty
Print the following text, cut into strips and place inside the corresponding numbered egg.You can copy and print the scriptures below by highlighting them, pressing control and “c” on a p.c., or the control icon and “c” on a mac. Then open a new word document and paste in the text with control and “v”.
Tell the story about the sacrament of the Last Supper and Christ’s night in Gethsemane, how he paid the price for all of mankind’s sins; that they might be able to return to heaven and live with the Father. The following scripture verses are taken from the New Testament in the Holy Bible.
1. “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.” (Luke 22:42 – 43)
2. Zechariah, a prophet of the Old Testament foretold that Christ would be ransomed or betrayed for thirty pieces of silver. “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. ” (Matthew 26: 14 – 15)
3. “When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. (Matthew 27: 1 -2)
4. “When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. (Matthew 27: 24)
5. “And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had plaited a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.” (Matthew 27: 28 – 30)
6. “And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.” (Matthew 27: 31 – 32.)
7. “And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.” (Matthew 27: 35)
8. “Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.” (Matthew 27: 50, 51, 54)
9. “When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathæa, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple:He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth” (Matthew 27; 58 – 60)
10. “And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.” (Matthew 27: 60, 65, 66)
11. “And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow…And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. (Mark 16: 1, Matthew 28: 2 – 5)
12. “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead” Matthew 28: 6 – 7)
I hope you feel the love of our Savior as you celebrate Him this Easter. And have fun with your little bunnies!
If you want more beautiful images, visit my Pinterest Easter board and sign up as a follower!
A whiteboard drawing from an online art lesson with my grandchildren – love!