Holy Saturday and Easter Table

I can't believe how slow I am at getting these Easter posts up and running. Well really we have had a few extra events this week and planning for Kynan to leave well today to go back to Uni. But I think the main issue is I just run out of energy.

Anyway our tradition for Holy Saturday is to always make caterpillars to put into paper bags, like Jesus into the tomb. These are then put into the baskets and then in the morning the caterpillars have transformed into butterflies.

So each Holy Saturday we sit down together and make our Caterpillars. This year we made them from tissue paper although some insisted on  pipe-cleaners and then we put them in the paper bags.

Stephen making his twisted tissue paper caterpillar, his skill was a little rusty.

Into the cocoon you go..............

All the caterpillars are ready for the great  resurrection theme on Easter Day

Myffy putting hers into her basket. This was actually quite late on Holy Saturday night...hence the bedraggled and tired looking 6 year old.

The other tradition we have is the making of Resurrection Cookies as a family. This is usually the last thing we do with the little ones before bed and every year I think we need to start earlier as they really do get quite excited and worked up.

Resurrection Cookies Recipe~

I cup whole pecans ( we have made these with other nuts, but again year will use chocolate chips because we aren't that fond of the nuts)
1 tsp vinegar, plus some for your children to taste
3 egg whites
pinch salt, plus some for your children to taste
1 cup sugar, plus some for your children to taste

Tools: rolling pin or wooden spoon, plastic baggie with a zipper-lock, scotch tape, Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. (this in important - don't wait until you are halfway done with the recipe!) Place pecans in the plastic baggie and let children beat them with a rolling pin or wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3: "And they came to him, and said: Hail, king of the Jews; and they gave him blows."

Let each child smell and taste some vinegar. Put vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30. "Afterwards, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said: I thirst. Now there was a vessel set there full of vinegar. And they, putting a sponge full of vinegar and hyssop, put it to his mouth. Jesus therefore, when he had taken the vinegar, said: It is consummated. And bowing his head, he gave up the ghost."

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11 "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I am come that they may have life, and may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep."

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it as you put the tsp. salt into the bowl and explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27 "And there followed him a great multitude of people, and of women, who bewailed and lamented him."

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18, " And then come, and accuse me, saith the Lord: if your sins be as scarlet, they shall be made as white as snow: and if they be red as crimson, they shall be white as wool."

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add the sugar to the egg whites, and give some for your children to taste. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 33:9 (34:8 in Bibles with Masoretic numbering) and John 3:16. "O taste, and see that the Lord is sweet: blessed is the man that hopeth in him... ...For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting."

Then read John 3:1-3, "And there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night, and said to him: Rabbi, we know that thou art come a teacher from God; for no man can do these signs which thou dost, unless God be with him." Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet (do not use a baking stone!). Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

Read Mathew 27:57-60 "And when it was evening, there came a certain rich man of Arimathea, named Joseph, who also himself was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate, and asked the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded that the body should be delivered. And Joseph taking the body, wrapped it up in a clean linen cloth. And laid it in his own new monument, which he had hewed out in a rock. And he rolled a great stone to the door of the monument, and went his way."

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.
Read Matthew 27:65-66 "Pilate saith to them: You have a guard; go, guard it as you know. And they departing, made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting guards."

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.

Read John 16:20-22 "Amen, amen I say to you, that you shall lament and weep, but the world shall rejoice; and you shall be made sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman, when she is in labour, hath sorrow, because her hour is come; but when she hath brought forth the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. So also you now indeed have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice; and your joy no man shall take from you."

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matthew 28:1-9 "And in the end of the sabbath, when it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalen and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre. And behold there was a great earthquake. For an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and coming, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. And his countenance was as lightning, and his raiment as snow. And for fear of him, the guards were struck with terror, and became as dead men. And the angel answering, said to the women: Fear not you; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he is risen, as he said. Come, and see the place where the Lord was laid. And going quickly, tell ye his disciples that he is risen: and behold he will go before you into Galilee; there you shall see him. Lo, I have foretold it to you. And they went out quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy, running to tell his disciples. And behold Jesus met them, saying: All hail. But they came up and took hold of his feet, and adored him."

CHRISTUS RESURREXIT! HE HAS RISEN!

We have finally come to the end of the Easter Countdown and all our caterpillars are in place.

Our Lenten Tree has become an Easter Egg tree

These are the little bunnies I have been working on all Lent. Frankly if Eden hadn't helped me I wouldn't have finished them. Thank goodness for helpful elder girls especially.

Part of the Easter morning breakfast table setting

The  Easter bookcase display

This year our Salt Dough Crown of thorns was not replaced with flowers but little Easter tooth picks, I couldn't find the flowers and at 3am in the morning I wasn't that concerned with looking.

The Liturgical bookcase with all the Easter themes on it.

Our all seasons wreath with Easter egg decorations

The Easter Bags are all filled, trying to divvy up the eggs fairly while keeping the older boys from eating was a little interesting.

Our Seasons Table declaring that "CHRIST IS RISEN ALLELUIA"

These are the little handmade gifts I put into the baskets this year. Everyone gets one the same.
The felt bunny
A fleece butterfly (Autumn's making this year)
A resurrection holy picture
A plastic egg with a small chick and Alleluia printed out on a strip of paper.

A close up of one of the Bunny's

Part of the center piece on the breakfast table.

Our Easter Altar....
A few of our last images are little fuzzy for some reason, sorry!

Well that is what happened on the eve of Easter, we had a very busy evening and I would not have gotten it done as we did if our older girls especially didn't stay up to help me. I so appreciate having them help with these special occasions these days.

I am still back tracking with our Easter/Holy Week posts so please bear with me, as these are a part of our family 'scrapbook' as well.

Have a most blessed and enjoyable Sunday today

Blessings to you and your homes,

Happy Birthday Rogan

Dear Rogan,
Even though we celebrate your birthday a few days early so your brothers can be here for it, we pray you have a wonderful and special day.

You are a most beautiful and gentle natured boy.
A lover of nature that encompasses all animals and yet the small wonders that God has created.

You have grown over this last year, not only in your abilities but also in your walk with God. We pray a special blessings for you this coming year as you walk in light of the Lord.

Enjoy  all this day has to offer you ♥

Lots of love on this special day,

The Gift of Friendship

Today I received in the mail a beautiful package from a very dear friend. Rox has become a wonderful friend I have made through this medium of blogging.

Isn't the gift just so beautiful? The letter was personal  and homely (just what I love) and the aroma from the candles was heavenly as I opened the parcel.  I have them near me know as I type this up, bringing to mind the treasured friendship that has come from Rox and others I now know.


When I started blogging over 2 years ago now, Rox was one of the first people who followed my blog. At that time I was very inexperienced in the ways of computers and all the accompanying gadgetry and not at all sure I had anything to offer in the blogging world.

Through blogging, social networks and email groups and later on Facebook I have come to know some wonderful ladies who I would consider kindred spirits. With a few I have exchanged the old fashioned type letters and gotten to know even better.

I still find it difficult to understand how some people still insist on the fact that due to it's electronic focus that blogging or FB or even social network groups cannot create REAL friendships.

I say this from personal experience....... I believe it can. That some of the dearest friends I have made in my life have been from initial phone friendships and now blogging.

Some of these friends I have met with and some I will never meet in person due to the vast oceans of water that are between us. But I still know that I can rely on these friends to pray for me, encourage me and to just be who they are.... as I am me.

In days gone past many friendships and romances were conducted by 'snail mail' and were true relationships. I just really can't see why the modern system we have can not be viewed as the same.

However, I as a relatively isolated person am VERY, VERY grateful for those wonderful women who have become near and dear to me. I treasure the trust and the gift of friendship that I have with them.

So I would just like to say to anyone else, don't be shy, open up and let others be gifted by who you are and what opportunities you may have to develop true friendships and kindred spirits, perhaps even with people you wouldn't have thought of.

I have never regretted it and I am sure you won't either.

 Blessings to you and your homes,

DRAWING A BLANK

So with the Texas experience behind me, and not much going on around here I am at a temporary loss for material to blog about.

Ever get that way?

I have begun a bit of shopping for the Fall show, and this Saturday I am heading to Lakeland for a market called THE FANCY FLEA so I'll be back with pics of the show and my haul.

Pardon the interruption please...

How to Sew and Attach Welting

Welting is a decorative trim which adds the perfect finishing detail to pillows, cushions, slipcovers and more by accenting the design lines and drawing attention to seam lines. It can be purchased in a variety of colors and sizes but making it yourself is quick and simple.

Supplies
Cording – For this tutorial I used 8/32”
Sewing machine with zipper foot
Matching thread
Scissors
Pins
Needle

Directions
Measure the item around which you will be attaching the welting and add 3 inches. Cut cording to this length. For this tutorial I will be using a 20 x 20 pillow so I cut my cording to 83”.

Cutting Fabric Strips
Professionals recommend cutting the fabric strips which will encase the cording on the bias, meaning on the diagonal of the fabric. Bias cut fabric is more flexible when going around corners and curves. I usually try to use this method, but have to confess I have on occasion - when the fabric is stretchy - cut my fabric straight across and it still worked out fine.

In most cases, one strip of fabric will not be long enough, which means cutting multiple strips. For this example I needed two.

To determine the width of your fabric strips, measure the circumference of your cording and add twice the seam allowance. For my cording, this meant fabric strips which were 1 ¾” wide – ¾” for the circumference of the cording and 1” for the ½” seam allowance.

Cut the number of fabric strips needed to go around your item.

Piecing Fabric Strips
Place two ends of bias cut fabric strips wrong side together as shown below.

Pin and sew along the diagonal using a ½” seam allowance.

Press seam open. Add additional strips using the same technique if needed. Cut your fabric strip a little bit longer than the cording.

If you did not cut your fabric strips on the bias, place two fabric strips, right sides together, at a 90 degree angle as shown below.

Cut on the diagonal and then proceed as above.

Making the welting
Fold the fabric strip around the cording – leave about ¼” of the cording showing out the end – with right sides out and long edges matching. Some people prefer to pin in place and then sew. I find it easier and quicker to just wrap the fabric around the cording – adjusting as I go – while sewing.

When you come to a point where two fabric strips have been joined, make sure the seam is pressed open.

Sew using a zipper foot. I usually do not sew the last few inches of cording to make it easier for attaching the two ends of the cording together.

Attaching Welting
Once your welting is all assembled it is time to attach it. As I mentioned earlier, for this example I am using a pillow. Start on the bottom edge of the pillow or the back edge of the item to which you are attaching the welting.

Pin welting to fabric  - clipping at curves - with unfinished edges aligned on the right side of the fabric.

When you have gone all the way around, cut your cording to exact length needed. You may have to rip out part of the seam of the cording. Leave your fabric about 1” longer than the cording.

Sew ends of cording together using a needle and thread.

Fold fabric back and overlap raw edge of other end of fabric with folded edge. Pin.

Using zipper foot and sewing machine, sew welting to pillow.

Simple, easy and quick! To finish the pillow add a zipper and then back piece of fabric or just the back piece of fabric sewn closed with a needle and thread.

Crack Me Eggs...............

One of the most favourite activities our children did in preparation for Easter Day was to make Crack Me Eggs.
We really thought they would be fun and .......in reality they were.
These ceratinly will be a new tradition to our family's Easter preparations.

First off you need to crack some eggs open. Autumn did this part by cutting the top off the egg and we then used the three dozen eggs for omelets that night.

Then we dipped, really soaked the eggs a few at a time in hot water red food colouring. We tried to do other colours but we only had brown eggs to work with.

I am DETERMINED  to get some white eggs for Easter nest year. Each year I remember that brown eggs are so HARD to dye or decorate unless you cover them completely in acrylic paint.
I think white eggs must be a non Australian thing.

We then let them dry on skewers in  florists foam.

After drying we then put them  back in the egg cartons upside down ready for the little ones to fill

The children took turns, individually, (yes I am learning to be more clever in this) to fill the eggs with a selection of chocolate sultanas, bullets and Skittles.

Arwen  was helped  by Autumn, who was a major help and instigator in this activity.

Corbyn couldn't help but fill his mouth as well as the eggs. Well we all had a little nibble too!

Myffwyn's eggs were filled right to the brim. She really enjoyed putting lots of variety in hers.

We gave them each a row to do so there was no arguing.

Vellvin and Rogan did the last few and once again put heaps in.

We then glued on small cup cake paper pans that had been cut down on the open end, to seal the eggs.

After this we stuck on  paper that said "crack me" ready for Easter.

When we were ready to crack them I put them on  a tray, mainly  to gather up the remains.

 One of the eggs cracked open by a fist.

 Kynan having his turn. I love that he still wants to join in all the fun activities.

 Another egg with the goodies within.

They goodies were actually quite easy to get out of the shards of egg shells. They didn't get mixed up at all, which had been my only concern.

Needless to say the children ALL had a great time smashing the eggs into smithereens.

Like I said the children are very keen to add this to our traditions for future use, so here we start a new family tradition.

Blessings to you and your homes,