Easter Plans

Okay, so I've got some Easter activities planned for Aria and I.  Last year, we started a couple traditions that I'd like to continue this year: decorating hard-boiled eggs (of course), and making resurrection cookies! 

EASTER EGGS
So, for the eggs... I just finished hard-boiling a dozen eggs (good thing we like egg-salad sandwiches, and deviled eggs - if I find the motivation to make them!).  I put them in a pot, covered them with water, stuck them uncovered on the stove, and brought them to a hard boil for one minute.  Then I removed them from the heat, covered them and let them sit for 18 minutes.  After the timer went off, I put them in the sink and ran cold water on them to cool them quickly.  Now I need to stick them in the fridge until we're ready to colour them.

My favorite and I think prettiest way to colour them is with food colouring, oil and vinegar.  Pour some 1 Tbsp vinegar in a bowl, add a splitch (is that a word?) of vegetable oil and a couple drops of food colouring.  Top up the bowls with water.  Make up a couple different colours in a few different bowls.  Then place an egg in a colour, roll it around with a spoon, remove the egg, dry it with a paper towel, and dip it in another colour....  You get this very pretty marbled effect.  The vinegar does the job of setting the colour so that after its dry it shouldn't rub off on your hands.

The other thing I'm going to do with my daughter tomorrow (Saturday) is make resurrection cookies.  This is a really cool way to walk your child through the events of Jesus' journey to the cross and the tomb, so that they can experience it with their senses, and have it explained at a level they can understand.  I struggle with knowing how much to say to my 4 year old about the how and why of Jesus' death and resurrection.  He died because he loves us, but she doesn't even really grasp what death is!  At preschool she's been learning the song "God's not dead", and it is so cool to hear her walking around the house singing "God's not dead, NO! He is alive!"  Yes, he is alive, and that is SO exciting!  He conquered death!  He's bigger than that!  And he chose to humble himself so that he could show me the incredible depth of his love for me.  I am so blessed.

Anyways... the cookie recipe is as follows...

RESURRECTION COOKIES
Read the whole recipe before beginning.  Try to do together Saturday night before Easter Sunday.

You need: wooden spoon, Bible, zipper baggie and tape

Ingredients:
1 cup whole pecans
3 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vinegar
Pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the 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.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life.
Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.
Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27.

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.

Add 1 c. sugar.
Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know this and how to belong to Him. Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.

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 John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60.

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 Matt.27:65-66.

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 and 22.

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 Matt. 28:1-9

HE HAS RISEN!  HALLELUJAH!

Mother Goose

I had a meeting today with some Mother Goose friends, and we had the great news that we'll be offering two baby classes at the Library this spring!  So in celebration I thought I should share some of our favorite songs we use all the time around here!

Our favorite silly song:
A peanut sitting on a railroad track
His heart was all a-flutter (pat your chest, over your heart)
A train came roaring down the tracks (move your arms like a trains wheels)
Toot-toot! (pull a handle in the air)
Blthhhhh! (raspberry sound while squishing your hands together)
Peanut butter!

A good diaper change or tickling rhyme:
Jeremiah blow the fire, puff, puff, puff
First you blow it gently (blow gently)
Then you blow it rough! (give child a raspberry!)

And for a lullaby, to the tune of Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender":
Rock me gently, rock me slow
Rock me where the robins go
Rock the branch and rock the bough
Rock the baby robins now
Rock me up and rock me down
Rock me off to sleepy town
Rock me gently up the stairs
To cuddle with my teddy bears.

Current Craftiness

So I feel like my current creative energies are being channeled into the extraordinary Art of Packing Tape Repairs!  I have a pile of stuff on my kitchen counter that is ever-growing, and requires me to devote several hours to the finicky, sticky and extremely frustrating Art of Packing Tape Repair.  I can't remember my daughter ever being so rough on her toys before, or her being as destructive as my son currently is.  The combination of both their efforts on their toy/book selection has been lethal of late!  And so, I sit around during sleep time taping (and cursing) and refining the Art of Packing Tape repairs.

The other stack of things in my home calling out for my attention are Aria's tights.  I swear there is a hole in the toe of every single pair (and she probably has about 14 pairs!).  I am so tempted to just throw them in the garbage, but they're not beyond salvation... they just need some attention, and darn it! Some darning.  I can't wait for the temperature to warm up that little bit more, and then I can send her along on her merry little way in skirts and dresses, and NO TIGHTS!

My husband's grandfather enlisted in WWII, and was training to be a paratrooper until he broke his leg and couldn't be deployed.  One of my favorite stories about that time in his life, is how he used to darn the other soldiers socks for some spending money!  How resourceful was he!  Maybe I should send him all of Aria's tights and see if he's up to the challenge more than I am!

Well, off I go to sort through the disaster known as Aria's puzzle box, to organize, and probably tape some boxes back together...

Spring Break!

We had such a lovely day today.  We've been spending the last week in Fairmont, with some friends, at their timeshare.  It has been such a fantastic week... full of much swimming, which the kids have loved, a muddy attempt at hiking, much relaxing, crocheting, and today, a road-trip to Fort Steele, Cranbrook and Kimberly! 
I managed to finish a mohair baby pod for my photographer friend Sharla (www.sharlapike.com), FINALLY.  Seems as though its taken me forever!  Its very soft, and I'm hoping its big enough.  I'm still trying to perfect my patterns as I venture into the world of photo props.

I also managed to do two hats to add to my Creative Chaos stock, and hope that I'll get some more done tonight... although I'll probably end up working on some matching sister hats that I've promised to a friend who just had a baby girl.
I was inspired today by a little shop I found in Kimberly called The Back Door.  I could tell from the outside that it was a shop I'd love to poke around in.  It was probably a good thing that I forgot my money in the car, and didn't have time to go back to get it!  I saw this super cute black bird coat or towel hanger by Umbra that I may have to hunt down somewhere else... The shop had all her items displayed on apple crates, which is what I like to display my hats on when I do a show... so that was what inspired me.  I liked how she had them stacked, and she had her shop name stenciled on the bottom.  So, I may attempt that for the CC show in June.  Hopefully my mom and dad don't mind, since the boxes are on loan from them!
I've been enjoying the convenience of using my husband's laptop as we've been on vacation.  Its been so nice to just have it wherever I want to use it, rather than running to the kitchen everytime I want to use the computer at home!  We debated getting a laptop when we purchased our iMac four years ago, but wanted to have a stationary computer for when the kids were older... I think I'd probably be on the computer WAY more if I had a laptop, so maybe its a good thing I don't!
We head home tomorrow.  Back to the real world of work and meetings and commitments. Its been so great to have this little holiday together.  I took some great photos that I'm looking forward to scrapbooking eventually.  And I mean, eventually.  I'm still working on Aria's baby album, but getting there.  Going away for a scrapbook weekend really helped in that department, and it was great to spend a weekend on myself with some girlfriends!  Hard to believe that was only three weeks ago.
Well, good night for today!  Cheers.

Inspiring Moms

I made a new friend today!  Her name is Michelle, and she is a stay at home mom of two who has also started an at home business selling her creative projects.  We got together today for a playdate, because as it turns out, her kids are similar in age to mine.  We had a great time chatting about life, kids, and starting up businesses over a nice cup of tea.  It is so nice to have someone local to share ideas with and "talk shop".  She makes BEAUTIFUL belts for kids and moms.  Check out her stuff at www.inspired-life-designs.com
Another creative friend that I've made since starting my business is Elizabeth, who is also local, but from Kamloops.  I am constantly inspired by how much she has going on in her life!  I don't know how you do it, Elizabeth!  She creates fantastic wraps for mom and babe, and aprons for children, among other things.  See her stuff on facebook http://ko-kr.facebook.com/pages/Bloggy-Mama-Creations/85416270331?sb=0
Another mom I want to highlight is my girlfriend Jenn.  We met in college, as we lived across the hall from each other.  We were instant friends, kindred spirits.  Jenn and her lovely mom, Jan have started a business as well sewing buggy covers and sleep sacs.  You can find their products at www.gomomgoproducts.blogspot.com
One other friend that is busy balancing family and business is my friend Krista.  I met Krista in college as well, and she was always such a dedicated hard working and super lovely person.  She makes hairclips for little girls!  They are super cute!  Her site is www.facebook.com/pages/Kristas-Clips/192595675148
Please check out these amazing ladies and their incredible creations.