Easter

"Now in the spring I kneel, I put my face into the packets of violets, the dampness, the freshness, the sense of ever-ness. Something is wrong, I know it if I don't keep my attention on eternity. May I be the tiniest nail in the house of the universe, tiny but useful. May I stay forever in the stream. May I took down upon the windflower and the bull thistle and coreopsis with the greatest respect... 
Teach children. We don't matter so much, but the children do. Show them daisies and the pale hepatica. Teach them the taste of sassafras and wintergreen. The lives of the blue sailors, mallow, sunbursts, the moccasin flowers. And the frisky ones – inkberry, lamb's-quarters, blueberries. And the aromatic ones – rosemary, oregano. Give them peppermint to put in their pockets as they go to school. Give them the fields and the woods and the possibility of the world salvaged from the lords of profit. Stand them in the stream, head them upstream, rejoice as they learn to love this green space they live in, its sticks and leaves and then the silent, beautiful blossoms." 

Attention is the beginning of devotion."
                                                                                                                                                        Mary Oliver, Upstream      


Spring is on its way...
I am happy and ready to cross a threshold from a world of dull brown and stiff grey to the loveliness of soft greens, joyous yellows and deep blues that herald the fresh new season.
Everything smells
like endless hope and anticipation,
like childhood memories,
like morning dew and wet soil,
like awakening...
I finally feel at home in my own skin; at home on the face of the earth...
I feel this pleasant lightness and new clearness that make it easier for me to breathe and actually see.
Like a miniature imperfect blossom, my soul is arising from hibernation, furtively opening itself once again to the universal love of the world. Loving the world requires attention. Because – paying attention is the only thing that guarantees insight; the only thing that can heal the heart; the only thing that makes us see life's simple, yet amazing gifts.




Wishing you a splendid springtime. 
Botanical eggs, my son and I colored for Easter with yellow onion skin, blueberries, turmeric, and blossoms. 
Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake recipe (with a few changes) from Live Well Bake Often 


Step into Springtime


"Now in the spring I kneel, I put my face into the packets of violets, the dampness, the freshness, the sense of ever-ness. Something is wrong, I know it if I don't keep my attention on eternity. May I be the tiniest nail in the house of the universe, tiny but useful. May I stay forever in the stream. May I took down upon the windflower and the bull thistle and coreopsis with the greatest respect... 
Teach children. We don't matter so much, but the children do. Show them daisies and the pale hepatica. Teach them the taste of sassafras and wintergreen. The lives of the blue sailors, mallow, sunbursts, the moccasin flowers. And the frisky ones – inkberry, lamb's-quarters, blueberries. And the aromatic ones – rosemary, oregano. Give them peppermint to put in their pockets as they go to school. Give them the fields and the woods and the possibility of the world salvaged from the lords of profit. Stand them in the stream, head them upstream, rejoice as they learn to love this green space they live in, its sticks and leaves and then the silent, beautiful blossoms." 

Attention is the beginning of devotion."
                                                                                                                                                        Mary Oliver, Upstream      


Spring is on its way...
I am happy and ready to cross a threshold from a world of dull brown and stiff grey to the loveliness of soft greens, joyous yellows and deep blues that herald the fresh new season.
Everything smells
like endless hope and anticipation,
like childhood memories,
like morning dew and wet soil,
like awakening...
I finally feel at home in my own skin; at home on the face of the earth...
I feel this pleasant lightness and new clearness that make it easier for me to breathe and actually see.
Like a miniature imperfect blossom, my soul is arising from hibernation, furtively opening itself once again to the universal love of the world. Loving the world requires attention. Because – paying attention is the only thing that guarantees insight; the only thing that can heal the heart; the only thing that makes us see life's simple, yet amazing gifts.




Wishing you a splendid springtime. 
Botanical eggs, my son and I colored for Easter with yellow onion skin, blueberries, turmeric, and blossoms. 
Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake recipe (with a few changes) from Live Well Bake Often 


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Carrot Cake for Easter

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Digging way down deep into my roots... 
It is Holy Thursday and I am thinking of how...
my grandma would wake up early in the morning before the sun is rising. She would light the fire in the fireplace and boil water in the pot. She would gather freshly laid eggs from the coop and bring them in the house in her apron. 
Today is the day for dyeing Easter eggs, so grandma would paint the first egg red using onion skins. When children wake up, she would touch their cheeks with the first red Easter egg hoping that they will grow healthy and strong. Then, she might tell them the story of how "Mary Magdalene, the first to have seen Jesus after he had risen from the dead, went around the world to spread the word. She reached Rome and the palace of emperor Tiberius. Anyone visiting the emperor was expected to bring a present and Mary Magdalene brought an egg. She handed it to the emperor and said "Christ has risen from the dead." In disbelief, the emperor replied "How could anyone rise from the dead? It is as impossible as that white egg to turn red right now." While Tiberius spoke those words, the egg changed colour until it became bright red." 
Children might not necessarily remember this story, but they will know that Easter eggs are dyed red because that is the colour of Jesus's blood, they are a symbol of the renewal of life and they taste best during Easter time... On Easter Sunday, children will bring the eggs to be blessed at the church and will be cracked against each other in a game called good luck crack.  
Next thing my granny would do is to place this first egg in front of an icon leaving it there to guard the home from bad luck and evil spirits from entering...  
It is Holy Thursday and today she would also knead the dough for the Easter breads. Later, her hands would knit a wreath from fresh spring flowers because in the evening, she would dress in her special clothes and with the handmade wreath around her wrist, she will go to the church (to participate in Divine Liturgy and Holy Communion)... where she might stay until the sun rises... 

 Digging way down deep into my soul...
It is Holy Thursday and while I am holding the warm red egg in my hand, I am thinking...
are the doors of my heart, my mind, my conscience, my life open enough, so that the faith can easily enter and settle there;
am I truly able to live simply and love with humility by serving others...







Sharing with Be Inspired/ Home Sweet Home/ Seasonal Sundays



Red Eggs on Holy Thursday



Digging way down deep into my roots... 
It is Holy Thursday and I am thinking of how...
my grandma would wake up early in the morning before the sun is rising. She would light the fire in the fireplace and boil water in the pot. She would gather freshly laid eggs from the coop and bring them in the house in her apron. 
Today is the day for dyeing Easter eggs, so grandma would paint the first egg red using onion skins. When children wake up, she would touch their cheeks with the first red Easter egg hoping that they will grow healthy and strong. Then, she might tell them the story of how "Mary Magdalene, the first to have seen Jesus after he had risen from the dead, went around the world to spread the word. She reached Rome and the palace of emperor Tiberius. Anyone visiting the emperor was expected to bring a present and Mary Magdalene brought an egg. She handed it to the emperor and said "Christ has risen from the dead." In disbelief, the emperor replied "How could anyone rise from the dead? It is as impossible as that white egg to turn red right now." While Tiberius spoke those words, the egg changed colour until it became bright red." 
Children might not necessarily remember this story, but they will know that Easter eggs are dyed red because that is the colour of Jesus's blood, they are a symbol of the renewal of life and they taste best during Easter time... On Easter Sunday, children will bring the eggs to be blessed at the church and will be cracked against each other in a game called good luck crack.  
Next thing my granny would do is to place this first egg in front of an icon leaving it there to guard the home from bad luck and evil spirits from entering...  
It is Holy Thursday and today she would also knead the dough for the Easter breads. Later, her hands would knit a wreath from fresh spring flowers because in the evening, she would dress in her special clothes and with the handmade wreath around her wrist, she will go to the church (to participate in Divine Liturgy and Holy Communion)... where she might stay until the sun rises... 

 Digging way down deep into my soul...
It is Holy Thursday and while I am holding the warm red egg in my hand, I am thinking...
are the doors of my heart, my mind, my conscience, my life open enough, so that the faith can easily enter and settle there;
am I truly able to live simply and love with humility by serving others...







Sharing with Be Inspired/ Home Sweet Home/ Seasonal Sundays



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The other day my son showed me this video while I was complaining about something ridiculous... Yes, it was the taste of the tap water I was commenting on... Next time, when he wants Kevin Durant's new shoes, I promised to remind him of the video. And I will probably refer to the phrase "the first world problem" quite frequently... until... one day, our family miraculously stops complaining and stops wanting things we don't need.
Then, I thought how often I, myself, fall into this vicious cycle of wanting and buying unnecessary things, of complaining and sweating over small, trivial issues. I don't underestimate our problems at all, but the fact is that the values driving the contemporary society have experienced a wide swing. Modern culture has created individuals obsessed with glamor, material possessions, hedonism, physical beauty, brands, ambition... Today, a person needs a truly stoic character and strong will in order to simplify life and not lose the true meaning of it. Moreover, our society promises quick and immediate solutions to any kind of problems. We even teach our children that life can be lived without struggles and sacrifices if they behave in an expected way. We pray for their days to be with no pain and heartache. Yet, at the corners of our minds, we know that

"the most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depth."(Elisabeth Kubler-Ross).

We all know that without difficulties, arrogance can easily arise, without obstacle, the knowledge will not be challenged and broadened.
I am sharing these thoughts today because it is Easter and many of us celebrate the agony, the death and the resurrection of Christ – the most humble, devoted and graceful man. And whether you are a believer or not, it is undeniable that today, more than ever, the whole world is searching for meaning, for salvation, for renewal. Renewal is to be the way of life.
Many will find comfort in the promise of eternal life. But, I hope that when He raises the crucified man and gives him eternal life, He raises us all too so that we experience a spiritual rebirth. I hope, in Jesus's resurrection, we find the strength to revive human goodness, compassion, empathy, forgiveness, generosity, and humbleness. In the power of resurrection, we feed our own souls so we help to nourish the souls of others. We spread love and feel grateful and content with a simple life.

I wish you a happy and meaningful celebration of life, love, healing, and peace. 







Brown Butter Almond Hot Cross Buns

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups unsalted butter
1/2 cup milk, room temperature
1 tbsp dry instant yeast
2 tbsp rum
2 tsp pure almond extract
6 large eggs, room temperature
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup ground almonds
5 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 egg whisked with 2 tbsp water for brushing
1/4 cup sliced almonds


Directions:

Melt butter in a small pot over medium heat until butter has browned, about 5 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
In a large bowl, stir milk, yeast, rum and almond extract to blend. Add eggs and combine. Add flour, ground almonds, sugar, and salt. Blend dough until evenly incorporated and it develops an elastic consistency yet still clings to the side of the bowl. Slowly pour in the cooled butter and incorporate.
Place in a bowl, cover, and chill overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 ÂºF.
On a lightly floured surface, turn dough out and cut into 7-8 pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and arrange in a greased 9-inch cake pan. Cover loosely and let rise for 1 hour.
Brush top of buns with egg mixture and sprinkle with sliced almonds. Bake for 45 minutes until tops are a rich golden color.
For icing, beat icing sugar and water together until smooth and pipe cross each bun.



Thank you!




Seasonal Sundays/ Stone Gable



A Time of Hope




The other day my son showed me this video while I was complaining about something ridiculous... Yes, it was the taste of the tap water I was commenting on... Next time, when he wants Kevin Durant's new shoes, I promised to remind him of the video. And I will probably refer to the phrase "the first world problem" quite frequently... until... one day, our family miraculously stops complaining and stops wanting things we don't need.
Then, I thought how often I, myself, fall into this vicious cycle of wanting and buying unnecessary things, of complaining and sweating over small, trivial issues. I don't underestimate our problems at all, but the fact is that the values driving the contemporary society have experienced a wide swing. Modern culture has created individuals obsessed with glamor, material possessions, hedonism, physical beauty, brands, ambition... Today, a person needs a truly stoic character and strong will in order to simplify life and not lose the true meaning of it. Moreover, our society promises quick and immediate solutions to any kind of problems. We even teach our children that life can be lived without struggles and sacrifices if they behave in an expected way. We pray for their days to be with no pain and heartache. Yet, at the corners of our minds, we know that

"the most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depth."(Elisabeth Kubler-Ross).

We all know that without difficulties, arrogance can easily arise, without obstacle, the knowledge will not be challenged and broadened.
I am sharing these thoughts today because it is Easter and many of us celebrate the agony, the death and the resurrection of Christ – the most humble, devoted and graceful man. And whether you are a believer or not, it is undeniable that today, more than ever, the whole world is searching for meaning, for salvation, for renewal. Renewal is to be the way of life.
Many will find comfort in the promise of eternal life. But, I hope that when He raises the crucified man and gives him eternal life, He raises us all too so that we experience a spiritual rebirth. I hope, in Jesus's resurrection, we find the strength to revive human goodness, compassion, empathy, forgiveness, generosity, and humbleness. In the power of resurrection, we feed our own souls so we help to nourish the souls of others. We spread love and feel grateful and content with a simple life.

I wish you a happy and meaningful celebration of life, love, healing, and peace. 







Brown Butter Almond Hot Cross Buns

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups unsalted butter
1/2 cup milk, room temperature
1 tbsp dry instant yeast
2 tbsp rum
2 tsp pure almond extract
6 large eggs, room temperature
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup ground almonds
5 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 egg whisked with 2 tbsp water for brushing
1/4 cup sliced almonds


Directions:

Melt butter in a small pot over medium heat until butter has browned, about 5 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
In a large bowl, stir milk, yeast, rum and almond extract to blend. Add eggs and combine. Add flour, ground almonds, sugar, and salt. Blend dough until evenly incorporated and it develops an elastic consistency yet still clings to the side of the bowl. Slowly pour in the cooled butter and incorporate.
Place in a bowl, cover, and chill overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 ÂºF.
On a lightly floured surface, turn dough out and cut into 7-8 pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and arrange in a greased 9-inch cake pan. Cover loosely and let rise for 1 hour.
Brush top of buns with egg mixture and sprinkle with sliced almonds. Bake for 45 minutes until tops are a rich golden color.
For icing, beat icing sugar and water together until smooth and pipe cross each bun.



Thank you!




Seasonal Sundays/ Stone Gable



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Life is Kind
 

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Easter is early this year,
 but somehow delicately coordinates with the renewal of Nature,  
 with the changing light,
  the blooming joy of the white apples and pink cherries, 
 the heavenly smell of the Lilly of the Valley...
 The excitement fills the air...
While anticipating the arrival of Easter and preparing our hearts for it, we are trying to center on the story of the real meaning of the celebration.

" And this is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life."
John 2:25

With a few of my photos I would love to wish all of you a bright and peaceful Easter filled with love, laughter and goodness!




 


 
This is how my creative son decorated the Easter eggs this year :)
To see our naturally dyed eggs from last year Click on label " Easter" or here



 For first time in my life, 
I feel the sweet urge to make my own Easter bread.
I called my mom and granny for the recipe and I better hurry to prepare the dough since everybody warns me that the secret to a really good Easter bread is to allow the dough to rise properly.
I know, I know, kneading this dough is quite tricky..
Wish me luck.
 
  





Dear Friends,
Thank you for the lovely response to my Spring Afternoon Tea! 
I appreciate your kindness!



I am joining Seasonal Sundays

Easter Feelings




Easter is early this year,
 but somehow delicately coordinates with the renewal of Nature,  
 with the changing light,
  the blooming joy of the white apples and pink cherries, 
 the heavenly smell of the Lilly of the Valley...
 The excitement fills the air...
While anticipating the arrival of Easter and preparing our hearts for it, we are trying to center on the story of the real meaning of the celebration.

" And this is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life."
John 2:25

With a few of my photos I would love to wish all of you a bright and peaceful Easter filled with love, laughter and goodness!




 


 
This is how my creative son decorated the Easter eggs this year :)
To see our naturally dyed eggs from last year Click on label " Easter" or here



 For first time in my life, 
I feel the sweet urge to make my own Easter bread.
I called my mom and granny for the recipe and I better hurry to prepare the dough since everybody warns me that the secret to a really good Easter bread is to allow the dough to rise properly.
I know, I know, kneading this dough is quite tricky..
Wish me luck.
 
  





Dear Friends,
Thank you for the lovely response to my Spring Afternoon Tea! 
I appreciate your kindness!



I am joining Seasonal Sundays
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A month ago I decided to take part in the Easter Tea Cup Swap that Terri and Martha hosted. I read on Terri's blog about this wonderful idea and thought it's going to be FUN to send a tea cup to somebody around the world  not knowing him or  her at all. I also loved the thought that tea cups would travel around  as the most precious things  thoroughly wrapped  ...
and they did , indeed.

Last week my Easter basket came from USA, from Terri.
Yes, the sweet, kind Terri from Artful Affirmation was my tea cup swap partner. There had been a number of e-mails between us with questions and answers until it become clear to me that I needed to create Terri's basket as I created it for myself . We both simply share the same taste, love and adoration for delicate tea cups, vintage items and Paris.

 Last week, I received and opened the most CHARMING VINTAGE BASKET I've ever had .


May I know what comes to your mind when you hear VINTAGE Easter tea cup basket.?


If you think of a delicate very spring-ish  English tea cup with the most  lovely pink roses pattern,
you are  right.  





This gorgeous Royal Grafton bone china was in the basket that Terri created for me .




I totally understand what she means by " I love this tea cup so much I wanted to keep it ! But of course, I knew it was for you "  Thank you Terri, I will treasure it as you would  !







It you, dear reader, think that there is no vintage basket without a vintage bottle,
you are right. 





 What about old  laces, buttons, an old key?
 That's correct, they were in the basket as well.

  

I am wondering what one can open with this key !?

Since I mentioned to Terri about my current intrigue: everything in theme vintage PARIS, she was so thoughtful and generous to send me this napkin and these handmade cards. 





  I simply can't find the proper words to express my genuine excitement when I unwrapped  
 these Vintage French Postcards.  




 

Honestly, my heart is still pounding with thrill ... As you probably guess, I immediately asked her a bunch of questions and it turned out that these cards came from Paris. She picked up a number of them on her trip last year, so she of course doesn't  know the women in the photos, but she thought I might like them .
You were wrong Terri,  I LOVE them!  







Don't you wish to know who was this beautiful young women, who she loved, what she was dreaming of ....O , silly me

Thank you, Terri! It was a real pleasure creating your  Easter Tea Cup basket ! 


People don't necessarily need  to physically meet each other to create connections; as long as they share thoughts, soul, spirit  and hearts, they  feel close,  don't they ?






I wish you all HAPPINESS !
Thank you for the visit !




Easter Tea Cup Swap
A month ago I decided to take part in the Easter Tea Cup Swap that Terri and Martha hosted. I read on Terri's blog about this wonderful idea and thought it's going to be FUN to send a tea cup to somebody around the world  not knowing him or  her at all. I also loved the thought that tea cups would travel around  as the most precious things  thoroughly wrapped  ...
and they did , indeed.

Last week my Easter basket came from USA, from Terri.
Yes, the sweet, kind Terri from Artful Affirmation was my tea cup swap partner. There had been a number of e-mails between us with questions and answers until it become clear to me that I needed to create Terri's basket as I created it for myself . We both simply share the same taste, love and adoration for delicate tea cups, vintage items and Paris.

 Last week, I received and opened the most CHARMING VINTAGE BASKET I've ever had .


May I know what comes to your mind when you hear VINTAGE Easter tea cup basket.?


If you think of a delicate very spring-ish  English tea cup with the most  lovely pink roses pattern,
you are  right.  





This gorgeous Royal Grafton bone china was in the basket that Terri created for me .




I totally understand what she means by " I love this tea cup so much I wanted to keep it ! But of course, I knew it was for you "  Thank you Terri, I will treasure it as you would  !







It you, dear reader, think that there is no vintage basket without a vintage bottle,
you are right. 





 What about old  laces, buttons, an old key?
 That's correct, they were in the basket as well.

  

I am wondering what one can open with this key !?

Since I mentioned to Terri about my current intrigue: everything in theme vintage PARIS, she was so thoughtful and generous to send me this napkin and these handmade cards. 





  I simply can't find the proper words to express my genuine excitement when I unwrapped  
 these Vintage French Postcards.  




 

Honestly, my heart is still pounding with thrill ... As you probably guess, I immediately asked her a bunch of questions and it turned out that these cards came from Paris. She picked up a number of them on her trip last year, so she of course doesn't  know the women in the photos, but she thought I might like them .
You were wrong Terri,  I LOVE them!  







Don't you wish to know who was this beautiful young women, who she loved, what she was dreaming of ....O , silly me

Thank you, Terri! It was a real pleasure creating your  Easter Tea Cup basket ! 


People don't necessarily need  to physically meet each other to create connections; as long as they share thoughts, soul, spirit  and hearts, they  feel close,  don't they ?






I wish you all HAPPINESS !
Thank you for the visit !




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I love Easter time! 
But recently I have found myself a little tired of all the plastic decorations, confectioneries, artificial colors and commercialism that surround this bright holiday. 
While I was looking for ''earthy inspirations", I was pleasantly surprised to see something that my grandma has been doing since I remember her (she is 84 now) featured in the April issue of Country Living Magazine. Every Easter my beloved granny uses blossom gathered from her garden, yellow onion skins, and pieces of pantyhose to dye eggs for Easter.
So this year my son and I decided to come back to this fun old-fashion way of all natural egg coloring.


The eggs turned out great as we had a lot of fun.




 


"Keep things simple",  I would always hear my mother say, especially the time when we celebrate the sacrifice of the most humble man, who gave us the gift of eternal life,  forgiveness, and salvation.








I am wondering why and how we, the people of today, are constantly losing the purity and simplicity that has played a huge role in the Easter traditions some generations ago?!!  










I want my son to think of Easter as a celebration of Life;
A life that is all about giving and helping others. 









To me, Easter has always meant the story of the death and the resurrection of Christ.
Easter has always been the time when families and friends gather together and just enjoy simple things in life.










 Easter is Hope and Love.







 Easter is a time for reflection and JOY.











May the Joy of Easter fill up your heart!










HAPPY EASTER TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!









.........................................................




Please, click on the photo to enlarge

Easter
 



I love Easter time! 
But recently I have found myself a little tired of all the plastic decorations, confectioneries, artificial colors and commercialism that surround this bright holiday. 
While I was looking for ''earthy inspirations", I was pleasantly surprised to see something that my grandma has been doing since I remember her (she is 84 now) featured in the April issue of Country Living Magazine. Every Easter my beloved granny uses blossom gathered from her garden, yellow onion skins, and pieces of pantyhose to dye eggs for Easter.
So this year my son and I decided to come back to this fun old-fashion way of all natural egg coloring.


The eggs turned out great as we had a lot of fun.




 


"Keep things simple",  I would always hear my mother say, especially the time when we celebrate the sacrifice of the most humble man, who gave us the gift of eternal life,  forgiveness, and salvation.








I am wondering why and how we, the people of today, are constantly losing the purity and simplicity that has played a huge role in the Easter traditions some generations ago?!!  










I want my son to think of Easter as a celebration of Life;
A life that is all about giving and helping others. 









To me, Easter has always meant the story of the death and the resurrection of Christ.
Easter has always been the time when families and friends gather together and just enjoy simple things in life.










 Easter is Hope and Love.







 Easter is a time for reflection and JOY.











May the Joy of Easter fill up your heart!










HAPPY EASTER TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!









.........................................................




Please, click on the photo to enlarge
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