Inspiration for living a luxuriously and balanced life

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Easter more than chocolate...

Easter is certainly more than chocolate and bunnies, though it's interesting that most children think Easter is just that. It's important to teach children and remind ourselves that there is certainly more to Easter, than the commercialization of bunnies and chocolate.

Here are a few highlights of some of the symbols we use to represent this Holy time of the year.The bunny actually represented abundance new life, reminding us of spring and new beginnings.


The egg symbolizes the rock tomb from which Jesus emerged and arose again.



During the week-end of Easter I keep the side buffet ready for a cup of tea to be enjoyed with unexpected guests. Our pastry and chocolate chef Louis Lapin is ready and waiting...







Orchids are one of my favourite flowers, this was a teacup set gifted to me a couple years ago, by my bestie L.


The inside has a delicate pink orchid to greet you - each time you take a sip. The outside and saucer are also detailed with the pink orchids.

The white blossoms of the lilies , represents Jesus's purity... During Holy Week, Mr. G. and I enjoy sitting and taking a few moments each day to reflect on the reason we celebrate Easter.


The rosary ... The cross symbolizes victory over death. 

I have always loved collecting rosaries, especially unique ones, for either age or just the beauty they are. The rosary above is the newest one to my collection... In January my dear friend Debby - author of Inspired Design hosted a giveaway for a $40.00 gift certificate from Blue Room Gems, visiting the artist's (Jen)on-line boutique I was blown away by all the wonderful pieces Jen creates. When I saw this wonderful piece ... I knew that if I won, I would use my gift certificate towards the rosary. Imagine my excitement when I discovered my entry had been selected!!!

We use the teacups and saucer set we purchased on our visit to the Empress Hotel in Victoria B.C. in 2008.


These cupcakes are quite possibly the most delicious cupcakes I have sunk my teeth into. They are bite size and perfect for enjoying with tea and catching up with friends.   

This teapot and it's purple ribbon were perfect for our tea setting. Purple is the colour of royalty. At Easter purple not only represents the kingship of Jesus, but it's also a reminder of the robe that the soldiers put on him as they mocked him prior to the crucifixion. 




We added a butterfly etching in stone to our setting as the butterfly is a significant symbol of Easter. It's whole life cycle symbolizes the life of Jesus. The caterpillar stage represents his time here on earth.    The crucifixion and burial is symbolized by the cocoon stage. The final stage represents His raising from the dead in a brilliance of body and peace.

From our home to yours wishing you a wonderful Passover and Easter.









Joining these fabulous parties:

Seasonal Sundays


Tea Time Tuesday with Sandi
Tea Party Tuesday ~ with Trish
Martha's Terri's Tea Time Tuesday

32 comments:

  1. Very nice post. I wish you and your family a blessed Easter holiday! Hope you are feeling well.

    Dorothy

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  2. I love your post, thanks for the reminder what Easter is all about!!! You have some beautiful teacups and teapots. and I love the rosary!!!
    I hope your Easter is wonderful!!
    Suzann ~xoxo~

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  3. Bonjour, mon ami!! How are you?
    Thank you for the reminder. To this day, before my children dive into the chocolate bunnies, baskets and egg hunts, we always speak and read books of the meaning of Easter.

    Everything looks so lovely in your home! I adore orchids also... although, they don't seem to last very long in my home before the petals fall off =)

    My studies are going well. Busy as always. I'm looking forward to summer break, catching up on my blog and many other things. I will only take one course this summer but it will end June 17th.

    Wishing you a blessed day and a beautiful week! xoxo, B

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  4. Mariette, not sure why your sweet comment didn't show up on the blog .. so I've copied and pasted it here. Hugs, C.

    Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder has left a new comment on your post "Easter more than chocolate...":

    Dearest Friend Celia,

    You posted at your EASTER BEST!
    It is a joy to come to this blog, let alone for visiting you in real time. Wow, true elegance and delicious petite bites you offer.
    Also the deeper meaning of Easter should be spoken about!
    Wishing you and your love a wonderful Easter season as it certainly doesn't end with this one day.
    Love and hugs to you,

    Mariette

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  5. Dearest Celia, Thank you for this beautiful post and thank you for keeping it "REAL". We must remember that was a reason for "Good Friday" and that was "Joyful Easter Sunday".
    I pray that you have a Joyful Easter.
    Ginger

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  6. This is all so lovely! I adore the tea cups. Just stunning.
    Happy Easter!

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  7. This all looks so inviting! I enjoyed this post Celia, what an important message. Hope you and G. are well. xoxo

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  8. Celia, can you email me? I have a question and I can't find your email. thebipolardiva@gmail.com

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  9. Celia, I pray you've had a wonderful Easter. May we celebrate and reflect our risen Lord every day!

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  10. I would recognize those cupcakes anywhere...they are from Lavish. And you didn't visit?! I live walking distance...right.across.the.street
    Next time I will hold you to it.
    Love the teacups. Beautiful. And I love rosaries as well. The one pictured is just lovely.

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  11. So thrilled that you won something on my blog. Jen is a sweetie, huh? Love her. xo

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  12. Very inspiring post. Your displays are beautiful!

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  13. What a wonderful post! Love your monsieur Lapin! I haven't seen orchid patterned teacups very often. Wonderful. And I THOUGHT that was Empress china! A favorite place for tea! Thanks for linking to Tuesday Cupps Tea!
    Ruth

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  14. A beautiful post for Easter. Your orchid teacups are stunning! Blessings to you.

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  15. This was a very strange/odd Easter . V was 1,500 miles away workig - our middle son is with him . This was beautiful and what Easter is all about .
    Thank you -
    KRISTIN

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  16. http://christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-t020.html
    A different interpretation of 'Easter Eggs'. I was brought up being told the eggs were symbolism of the empty tomb, but was educated differently. An interesting read all the same.
    Have a fabulous week.

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  17. A belated Happy Easter to you! I too love rosaries, and collect them from all of the beautiful churches I go too...
    Have a wonderful week Celia!
    xo
    Nathalie

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  18. hi celia!

    it has been too long! i would love to have a cup
    of tea with you.

    i am grateful for your beautiful easter symbolism
    lesson. it is easy to think less of people for
    having fun with our precious day but many know
    that each fun activity stand for something sacred.

    blessings,
    lea

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  19. Hello Celia,
    What a lovely post! When our boys were growing up, we always gave them their chocolate on the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday so it wouldn't detract from the importance of the Holy days. They always knew that Jesus was the reason why we celebrated both Christmas and Easter.

    Your teacups are so pretty and the Skye McGhie cream and sugar are a perfect match to a teacup and cake plate I have. Pretty tea spoons too.
    Thank you for joining me for tea, my friend.

    Blessings and hugs,
    Sandi

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  20. Celia, Your post is meaningful. Thank you! I love your orchid tea cups. Beautiful post!

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  21. Hello Celia
    I like all the china you've put out for tea today and your cupcakes look awesome! The cream and sugar set is sweet and teacups from the Empress - impressive.
    You have relayed the true meaning of Easter about your home in such a nice way.
    Judith

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  22. Such a lovely and touching post. Love it. Thanks so much for sharing on TTT. Hugs, Marty

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  23. Hope your Easter was beautiful! I love the cream and sugar set. So sweet!

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  24. Dear Celia,
    this is a lovely and very elegant post. Must I tell you that I love this sugar creamer set? Who could resist that. And all your settings are so with love made and well done. Thank you for sharing the miracle of Holy Easter with the happiness of spring time.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  25. Beautiful post. The sugar and creamer really caught my eye as did the orchid teacups. Happy Spring. Happy Easter and Happy Tea Day!

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  26. Lovely images. Wonderful to have you at Seasonal Sundays this Easter.

    - The Tablescaper

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  27. Lovely posting. I have one cup and saucer and the teapot from our trip to the Empress~ both of which I treasure. I always love spying the pattern elsewhere. I would love to know the name of your teapot. It is such a lovely one. Old? Ribbons and roses? Be still my heart.
    Please come visit Lady B and me at http://www.ladybstimefortea.blogspot.com/
    Ruthie

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    Replies
    1. The teapotis actually a find at HomeSense ( I think Home Goods in USA). it's called Ribbon & Rose by Gracie China and it's imported by Coastline Imports. It does look old and the detail on it is beautifully done.

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  28. Beautiful post! Easter is such a lovely time of year, with such great purpose of renewal and rebirth! Your celebration looks wonderful. All your china is so pretty too! The sugar and creamer is a vibrant and fun pattern.
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  29. Oooooo pretty! And I soooo love those cupcakes!!! As soon as I saw them in the pic I started drooling!

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  30. Hello Celia, I am a little late in visiting, but I am so glad I did - this is a perfect way to start off the week being reminding of the wonderful gift given to us through Jesus - beautiful post.
    I love your orchid teacups - exquisite. I appreciate you sharing with A Return to Loveliness - I hope to see you join in again this afternoon.
    God Bless,
    Kathy

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