Easter has always been one of my favourite holidays. There's always something to do. My cousins always came for a visit and my aunt and nonna would set up a little Easter egg hunt in the house- such fun after 40 days of Lenten sacrifice with no sweets. I didn't even like the eggs, but somehow hunting for them made them taste better. Also, there were always fun things happening in the kitchen and sewing rooms. My mom made us a new dress each year without fail. New shoes were had (oh... light pink patent leather Mary Janes... what could be better?). She be busy making treats- chocolate covered nougat eggs, sweet breads, a million different things really. Nonna would always twist her beautiful bread dough into the shape of doves, with little raisin eyes. You just knew it was something special.
As much as I love Easter, we don't seem to do as much around here to celebrate. However, with the boys getting older and more excitable, we've been slowly changing that. Last year we made the requisite egg hunt a little more fun, scavenger style. This was a quick and easy thing, all done during one nap, ready for them when they awoke. I love spur of the moment things that turn into the best memories. Matteo could read one word, "LOOK". So we used it to its full extent:
This was good fun for all. Matteo was right into the hunt, and Elio happily followed him around, excited too. Until he found chocolate. Then it was over and there he sat unwrapping foil from eggs with his one and a half year old fingers. Observe:
Now Matteo has a few more words under his reading belt, maybe we can expand vocabulary on this year's version. Although, I'm not sure where I'll find a log, frog, bog, dog, cat, rat or Pat to hide things around. The trouble with phonix. Here's what last year's clues looked like:
This year I think I will re-work the mac-tac shamrock craft I loved so much to make Easter egg sun catchers with the boys. Of course there will be the again requisite dying of eggs. This gets boring, but they love it. I like to dye eggs too, but am always on the hunt for different things to do with them. And that good old Martha Stewart never disappoints. A few years ago I found her silk tie dying technique and really thought it was cool. I'll give you the Reader's Digest version: Take an old silk (100%) neck tie, cut it apart so that you have squares of silk. Wrap each egg in silk, securing with an elastic, and dip in boiling water. Here's the result:
Another of her awesome tips is to shine the dyed eggs up with some olive oil. This project had me hunting down thrift store special ties for weeks. I loved it. I know she's a felon, but geez... is there nothing she can't do??! For full instructions check it out: http://www.marthastewart.com/245379/silk-tie-easter-eggs
Next week Matteo has a party at preschool for Easter. Such fun. And it forces me to bake. I decided after years of drooling over flooded cookies, that I shall try. Today in fact. Bear in mind I have zero patience when it comes to baking. Stay tuned. Could be a disaster. I'll blog about it.
What are you all up to for Easter? Anything fun?
Happy trails!
PS: Lisa had her baby last night- Happy birthday to baby Monica Elizabeth!!
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