All the flowers coming up and the trees breaking into bloom are a sure sign that Easter is just around the corner. But have you ever wondered, like me, how bunnies and eggs got mixed up with Easter lilies?
Easter, as a celebration of spring, was a holiday long before the advent of Christianity. Throughout history, people have always noticed and found some way to celebrate the return of life and light after the dark and dreary days of winter.
New beginnings
The ancient Norse (where we get the word "north" ) called their spring holiday "Eostur" and honored new beginnings and brighter days.
Over time the word "Eostur" was changed and adopted as the name for the then-new Christian holiday: Easter.
The tale behind the tail
The Easter bunny and the Easter egg have followed a similar path of adaptation. Ancient Anglo Saxons (from Britain) associated bunnies with bounty (mommy rabbit plus daddy rabbit equal lots and lots of baby rabbits).
As time passed, the great bounty of Easter joy came to be associated with those lovely bunnies as well.
Easter eggs began as a symbol of rebirth for the ancient Egyptians, Phoenicians and even the Hindus. Early Christians re-interpreted the symbol to represent the exit of Christ from the tomb and his return on Easter morning.
Children's Easter egg hunts originally were planned so they could have fun but also practice looking for love and hope (the eggs) hidden in life (the garden/grass).
An easy Easter
If you are like me, maybe you are not wild about another stuffed bunny in the house (and certainly not a live one).
And what about those fingers permanently stained until May from dyeing Easter eggs? Well, here are two great ideas that are fun, inexpensive, easy and, yes, cute!
Ana Kinkaid, a Green Lake resident, would love to hear your comments at ilovetocookbut@hotmail.com. Kool Eggs
1 dozen eggs, to be boiled
Assorted packages of Kool-Aid (pick by color)
Jars with screw-on tops
This is so easy, but first quick lessons in boiling eggs - something so simple we almost all get it wrong.
Put the fresh eggs in a saucepan with a lid, and cover the eggs with at least 1 inch of water over the top of the eggs. Bring the water to a boil, cover the pan with the lid and turn the heat off.
To hard-boil eggs, turn the timer on for 17 minutes and do not lift the lid during that period. After 17 minutes, drain off the hot water, and immediately cover the eggs with cold water. (You can add a few ice cubes if you want to speed things up).
When the eggs are completely cool, gently crack the shell and peel under running cool water. Pat dry with a paper towel.
Now the fun part: Empty each Kool-Aid powder packet into a separate jar, and add water. Don't worry about proportions or sugar: We are going after those wonderful colors. And leave enough room so the egg(s) can be added without the Kool-Aid overflowing the jar.
Screw the top back of the jar, and shake until the Kool-Aid is completely mixed. (Kids are great at this point).
Open the jars and put your peeled egg(s) in, and replace the lids.
Put the jars into the frig and wait overnight. In the morning, you will have beautifully colored eggs and no mess.
Bunny Bread
Purchase some frozen bread dough. Let it defrost overnight. Instead of baking it as a traditional-shaped loaf, reshape it as a bunny with a round head; round body (larger than the head); little, round feet and tail; and cute, oblong ears.
After shaping your bunny, let it rise a second time on an oiled and floured cookie sheet. Keep the baking time and temperature the same temperate as for a regular loaf (see your bread-dough package for instructions), but check on it every so often, just to be sure.[[In-content Ad]]
