Sunday, March 29, 2015

2015 Easter Tree



Just because its tradition.
Why stop now?
And black and White to be dramatic :)










Note: the fabric bunnies we've made over the years are getting out of control.
The cutest tiny ceramic bunnies were this years addition. They are hard to see on the tree. But they are adorable. We also broke a ceramic bird, must get more. Those are my favourite.

Previous years here:

2014

2013
 
 

Imprinted Onion Skin Eggs/ Serbian Orthodox Eggs



Last Easter a sweet friend taught us her family's (Serbian) tradition of dyeing Easter Eggs.
It was so wonderful, I was excited to try it this year.
I really enjoyed sitting around with her family making these last year.

Each time I visited the grocery store I cleaned up around the onions and put a few skins in a bag and bought them home. 3 visits and I had enough onion skins saved up. Or just ask at your local fruit and veg, I'm sure they will be happy for you to take them.


What you need:

Onion skins
1 litre of water
4 tablespoons of white vinegar
4 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
1 dozen eggs
pretty leaves, herbs such as coriander and rosemary, flowers
clean stockings

Put onion skins, water and vinegar in a saucepan and bring to the boil.
Allow to cool and remove skins.

Cut stockings into pieces big enough to surround an egg and tie a knot.
Place leaves, herbs, flowers onto eggs.
Carefully place into stockings and tie knot tightly around egg
Flowers/leaves may have moved, use your fingernail, or toothpick or like to gently push leaves into back into desired position

Place eggs in pot and cook.
Allow to cool and remove stockings and leaves/herbs/flowers

Now you will have cool imprints left behind on the eggs.

Shine your eggs with a bit of olive oil and paper towel.










We are just displaying our eggs, so it didn't matter what foliage I used.
But if eating the eggs stick to things you know are safe to consume.
The tying the stocking around the egg can be fiddly and frustrating to small children.
Best to get the adult/older children to do this. My smaller kids helped in all the other stages.

In Serbia, the first dyed egg is kept until next Easter, guaranteeing family security and health. All the rest hard boiled dyed eggs are used in a traditional game, known as egg dumping, where each player hits the other players' egg with their own. The winner is the holder of the last intact egg. The losers get to eat their eggs. This is a common practice in all Christian Orthodox countries on Easter Sunday.

 A real chicken egg, hard-boiled and dyed or decorated, takes the central place in the Easter celebration. Eggs symbolise the eternal life of Jesus and according to some legends, the white eggs Mary left on her son’s grave as a sacrifice turned red after his resurrection.


I've still got the onion water, the neighbour kid loves our eggs she wants some too.
I'll just have to get more stockings. Water can be reused over and over.

I just love the simple natural method of these eggs.
Almost felt like how people did things in the old days.

Enjoy.



Sunday, March 15, 2015

FHE Lesson {Easter Footsteps}

This lesson inspired by Easter Footsteps in April 2012 Friend Magazine



Opening Song: Jesus Has Risen #70

Opening Prayer: Child

Lesson:
 
Jesus Christ did important work at special places in the days before He was crucified and resurrected. 1/3 of the gospels from the New Testament all happened in the last weeks of Jesus Life.
 Follow the footsteps to find out where He went and what He did.
 
 
Cut out a bunch of footsteps.
Have them lead to different places. {within lounge room, or all over house/yard if you wish}
At each place/spot have a picture of the below mentioned  events


Christ Teaching
Before the last week of his life Jesus taught many parables and people.

Triumphal Entry   Triumphal Entry #2
The triumphal entry, remembered today on Palm Sunday, is a joyful prelude to the sad events. It represents one of the few times during His mortal ministry when Jesus was recognized as the king.

Cleansing the Temple
During the first part of this week Jesus spent the nights in Bethany but came to the temple each day to teach. He healed people and cleansed the temple.

Passover
Washes disciple’s feet, eats Passover meal. Institutes the Sacrament

Garden of Gethsemane
Prays in the Garden of Gethsemane. Suffers for our Sins.


Jesus Crucified


Resurrected Christ  Christ and Nephites

Tomb discovered to be empty. The Lord is resurrected. Christ has risen on the third day.




 
Jerusalem illustration
Illustration by Adam Koford
1. Jesus taught people on a hill called the Mount of Olives.
2. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Many people were happy to see Him.
3. Jesus healed sick people at the temple.
4. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed to Heavenly Father and suffered for our sins.
5. Jesus was crucified.
6. Jesus was resurrected.

Alternatively make a little cut out of Jesus to follow the footsteps on the above picture.


*** Some articles for the adults on the Saviours last week :)

Reflections on the Saviours Last week

Overview Jesus Last Week

Timeline Saviours last week


Closing Song: Easter Hosanna #68

Closing Prayer: Child

Treat: Hot Cross Buns


 

Sunday, March 8, 2015

FHE Lesson {Easter Lessons}

Assembling the 2015 Easter Tree


I have more Easter FHE Lessons than weeks before Easter.

I am compiling them all here for easy reference.

Thank you to all who use these lessons! {Lots of you! I'm honoured!}

I enjoy writing them for you.









 
 
 
 
 
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