PUT ON YOUR EASTER BONNET!

Easter is in just a few days.  Now that we have another little one in the family I will be starting the traditions we did with our son when he was small.

 One thing we always did since I was little was wear an Easter Bonnet on Easter.  I just love this tradition. 

We always made them in school then.  I don't think they do that now.  I looked forward to getting to wear my creations on Easter.  I will do this with our little darling when she is a bit bigger.  Why not have an Easter Bonnet party on Easter if you have a few little ones.  It could be so much fun.  Just get out the construction paper or old straw hats, some glitter, glue and whatever.  Have an Easter Parade before dinner, what fun!

 And of course, dying eggs.  My son just loved our Easter Egg colouring day.  I actually blew the contents out and used them but you can just boil them too.  It is so much fun and such a nice activity for the kids. 

The weather is a little muddy here for an Easter Egg Hunt this year but I am definately doing it from now on.  Even if you have to dress warm this is something children of all ages get a kick out of.  If your weather is not the best just us the large plastic eggs from the dollar store and put treats inside.  You can also hide some "golden eggs" or a special colour and the kids who find those get a prize, like a colouring book.

In a time of video games, cell phones and i pads it is nice to get back to the basic simpler things in life, give it a try and I can guarantee any child in your life will have a ball. 

I HAVE "FELT" IN LOVE WITH THE EASTER BUNNY!

I discovered "Felted" animals a couple of years ago.  At the time these amazing creations were done mostly in Europe.  Now you can find artist doing them just about everywhere.

I particularly like the bunnies.  You can find adorable, whimsical bunnies on Etsy like these cuties from BEAR CREEK DESIGN.

I just think these felted animals are fabulous.  I would love to try to make one but they do look really time consuming.    I admire the patience of the artists who take the time to create these delightful designs.

My favourite Felt Artist is NATASHA FEDEEVA.  Her little creatures are so lifelike yet magical.  She is in such demand that it is almost impossible to find her pieces that are not already sold.  If you want to see some really incredible art you should go and see her website.  She makes such cute mice too.

I hope you have enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed finding the pictures.  Art is an amazing thing and the mediums are endless. 

THE EASTER EGG

The Easter Egg symbolizes rebirth and renewal for Easter.  It doesn't hurt that many of them are made out of chocolate too!

 There is nothing lovelier than a decorated chocolate Easter Egg.  When I was little I got one every Easter from my grandparents.  Delicate flowers sitting prettily on a smooth chocolate egg.  You saw them everywhere then.

Where I live I do not see many of these beautiful creations.  I am sure they are in specialty Chocolate Shops but here I see the typical assembly line easter eggs in the stores.  I miss the beauty of a hand decorated easter egg. 

Instead of getting a bunch of store bought easter chocolate I am looking for a hand decorated eggs for my family this year.  Look at the lovliness of this.

I saw online that England has a lot of shops with hand decorated eggs like this gorgeous one inspired by Lulu Guinness.

I do like the delicious Cadbury eggs.  The little jewelled colours with the crunchy outside and scrumptious chocolate centre.

And I have made my own in the past.  These delicate Cheesecake Easter Eggs could have some pretty flowers on them too.  You can see how to make these at RASPBERRI CUPCAKES.

 Or these fabulous Russian inspired decorated eggs.

Or perhaps a topiary of simple decorated Easter Eggs.

If I can't find a hand decorated Easter Egg this year I may just make my own.  The search continues.  Do you have a favourite shop that makes Easter Eggs?

EASY EASTER SNACKS!

Easter is such a pretty holiday.  All pink, blue, yellow and green pastels.  The colours of Spring.  Why not make some festive snacks for Easter.  Here are a few ideas I found.

First, these adorable Bunny Ear Cookies from MUNCHKIN MUNCHIES.  How cute.  I will make these for my darling when she is older andI know she will just love them.

Or these Carrot Shaped Cello bags filled with Cheese Snacks are simple and very cute.

I just love these Pastel Deviled Eggs.  Deviled Eggs are my sons favourite snack and he will really love these this Easter.  Full instructions at FOOD JIMOTO.

I found these today and could not believe how something that looked so complicated could be so easy.  For full instructions for these  Crescent Shaped Carrot Appetizers go to HUNGRY HAPPENINGS.

 

Finally these absolutely, cute as a button, Bunny Buns.  I just love these and so simple.  I could not find the directions but if you have a bun dough recipe you can see how easy it is to make the sweet little things.

So, bring some cute into you Easter Snacks and Appetizers.  Put away the boring veggies and dip and the cheese and crackers and make something Eastery this season.

HELLO SPRING!

Welcome Ostara, Goddess of Spring.  There is stil snow on the ground but with your loving blessing the green wil come through soon.

The lillies will bloom and the trees will bud.  Nature will be reborn in everlasting beauty.

EASTER'S COMING, LET'S BAKE!

Easter is so early this year that I have not even put up my decorations.  I will do that this week.  We are having Easter here on the farm this year and I want some very special desserts for my little sweetie.  I found some cakes, cookies and cupcakes that I really must try.

Oh how cute!  The first cake is the easiest to make.  I do love the elegant middle one and my little darling would love the Hello Kitty Bunny cake.

If you don't want to make a big cake how about some adorable Easter Cupcakes.  The first one and second are so sweet.  Now the third are quite easy just some fondant on iced chocolate cupcakes.  The easiest is the cute little Robin's Nests.  I have made these a lot and they are really simple.  Just toasted coconut on white icing and little blue balls of icing.  The use a leaf tip for the beaks and add the eyes.  I saw them in Martha Stewart Easter issue years ago.

If you are really feeling ambitious how about impressing with an Easter Cupcake Bouquet.  The first two are not as hard as they look, a little time consuming.  Now the Hydrangea Bouquet is definately for a seasoned decorator.

If you have a lot of patience a basket of cake pops look fabulous.  I made cake pops only once, if you recall for my daughter-in-laws baby shower.  I found them messy and time consuming and vowed to never tackle them again, which I have not.

Now we're into my territory.  I love to make decorative cookies, especially for Easter.  There is something about icing them in sweet pastels that gets me in the mood for Spring.  Don't you think those flowers and carrot/bunny cookes are adorable!  I just love all of these but I think I will make the cute little egg shaped bunnies for my little darling this Easter.

What are you making?