Sunday is Easter, but at my house we don’t celebrate it the way most Southerners do with the trip to church in a new dress or hat followed by the family dinner and such. And yes, I’m Christian. We just do things differently than tradition dictates around here. I do, however, still put together baskets brimming with gifts for my children and make it a family time to celebrate together. Chocolates and surprises overflow along with items to enhance their beauty. Weird, I know. But we call them Esther Baskets after the biblical beauty pageant winner, Queen Esther. (If I had boys I guess it’d be a different holiday for us!)
Of course, as the years tick by the baskets get more and more challenging. Last year one of the baskets was a pink bag of automotive tools for the child that had recently acquired her first car. How does that apply to beauty? Well, there’s nothing more UN-attractive than a woman who can’t take care of herself, right?
Anyway, this year is a conundrum for me. The oldest has digressed to toddler style gifts that center around Beatrice Potter and the youngest wants computer parts! What do I do with that? Isn’t it supposed to be the youngest child wanting the gifts and the oldest growing out of the need or desire for them? Hmm.
No matter the basket's contents, one thing's for sure…the ugly rabbit will appear and then everyone will want to paint. Blame it on my mother, Norma Jean. She had me paint that god-awful thing when I was 4 and I don’t have the heart to throw it away or repaint it. So it will make its appearance and both kids will then reach for a paint brush and off we’ll go…..hopping down our own unique art-filled bunny trail.
And then we will have cake. Bunny Cake ^.^
So what do you do for Easter?
We don't really celebrate Easter either and yes, we are Christians. I generally cook a ham, make the deviled eggs and eat strawberries with angel food cake. I got curious about the name Easter and found out it come from an Anglo pagan goddess named Eostre around 899 A.D. Odd how Resurrection Sunday got that name. Other countries don't call it Easter - using their language terms for Passover. Just a bit of information that I found interesting.
ReplyDeleteGood research, Cheryl! When I was in Europe I was fascinated by the names they used for Christian holidays....much more accurate to biblical intent than the pagan influences that got blended into Christianity over history. Resurrection Sunday is exactly what we celebrate. That's the whole point, right?
DeleteAnd I think I'm making those cute little deviled eggs that look like baby chicks breaking out of the shell. :) Blame Pinterest for showing me the pictures. (Food IS just another art medium, right?)
You'll find most Christian celebrations are on or near a pagan holiday because that was the way to assimulate new members of the church. Take what is old and make it new. ;)
DeleteOh, I know about that. Easter has always been called a "moveable feast" because it follows the moon phases. And Christmas, set at the winter solstice, was chosen to include the pagans (Jesus was born in the lambing season - spring). Lots of this info is interesting.
DeleteThe Beatrix Potter coffee mug I would like is most definitely not toddleresque. It is a coffee and/or tea beautifier, thankyouverymuch.
ReplyDeleteSilly mom.
.....and it's the same theme as your Baby Book. It's what keeps you young, if only in my eyes. <3
DeleteLove Beatrix Potter stuff. Just sayin... ;)
DeleteLove the movie, Miss Potter too. Well, except for the sad parts. Love the happy parts though!
DeleteI am celebrating in typical Southern fashion with a new dress and going to church. At that point I am digressing from tradition. My family is meeting part way between my town and theirs at my daddy's favorite truck stop for a late lunch!
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter, everyone!
Have fun Stephanie! And Happy Easter to you, too!
DeleteWe've always celebrated Easter with baskets. When the kids were younger we did Easter Egg hunts and went to the hunts at church. We always go to church, dress up and then we've gone to hubby's family to eat a big Easter meal. Hubby's father died last year so this will be the first without the patriarch of the family. It'll be good to get together.
ReplyDeleteI haven't done this in ages, but I have a new dress to wear. Yay! And I have to sing in the choir for two church services. ;)
For the kids, especially my boys stationed away from home, I'm putting together boxes of goodies to mail out. (Yes, I know I'm late. LOL!)
We're still hunting eggs....though, after last weeks blog, I'm tempted to pull a prank on somebody. :D I wonder what I could do.....
DeleteHave a great weekend with your family. I'm sure you'll look lovely in your new dress <3 And sing loud and clear to spread some cheer. Oh wait. Wrong holiday. That's Elf! Hoppity, hoppity, hoppity... ^.^
On Saturday night, we are having a breakfast after Prom for 22 teenagers. Also, our cousin is coming from North Carolina. (Yea!) Then church on Sunday morning. Then I am making Chicken Tikki Masala. So I guess we are having Methodist/Hindu Easter.
ReplyDeleteWow! And a very busy one!
DeleteHave fun with the teens. I love Prom Night...the teens are all so grown up for the occasion!