Happy Easter ...

Whether Easter is a religious occasion in your family or a time to welcome spring, share a delicious meal together and of course indulging in chocolate bunnies or eggs, I hope you are enjoying the warm and longer light filled days that accompany this change of season. 

Thought the above pieces would be great to wear to any meal or gathering you may attend with family and friends this week-end. You can see full outfit details at my Polyvore board.

Wishing you a beautiful Week-end!

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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.

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Easter ...more than chocolate bunnies

When Mr. G. and I gather with family and friends during holidays I find it interesting that many children (and some adults) when asked why we are gathered to celebrate often respond with "to get presents", "it's a family traditon", very seldom especially from a child do you get a response close to why we are celebrating. I am always excited when someone brings up a fact that I had not thought of or known before.

So, as you sit around the dinner table this Easter, take a few minutes to ask others why you have gathered. Here are some interesting points you can add to their response;

Pre-Christian Easter

Easter thought to originally have been named after "Eostre", the Great Mother Goddess of the Saxon people in Northern Europe, she was the Teutonic goddess of spring and fertility, to whom April was dedicated. Her name derives from "Eastre" which is the ancient word for spring.  The festival was celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox. Traditions associated with the festival have survived the passage of time:

Easter rabbit, a symbol of fertility;

colored Easter eggs, originally painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring:

Current Christian Easter:

Easter is the annual festival commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the principal feast of the Christian year. It is celebrated on a Sunday on varying dates between March 22 and April 25 and is therefore called a movable feast.

The legend is told that when the Virgin Mary’s tomb was visited three days after her burial, it was found empty save for bunches of majestic white lilies. Early writers and artists made the lily the emblem of the Annunciation, the Resurrection of the Virgin: the pure white petals signifying her spotless body and the golden anthers her soul glowing with heavenly light.…
 

1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...

HAPPY EASTER from our home to yours!!

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Easter Egg Hunt… Not quite there yet

This year we were going to host an Easter Egg Hunt for our friends’ children, but as the time approached to start sending out the invites, I started to feel very anxious. At first I thought it would pass – then the thought of preparing activities for the children, planning the meal, and executing it all (of course Mr.G. would be helping with all the prep) became to overwhelming. Mr. G. even suggested we have it catered or at least hire wait staff to serve and clean up. The day that we should be announcing our plan to host an Easter Egg hunt – I became so overwhelmed that the thought of it all, exhausted me to the point of hyper-ventilating. Mr. G. was so sweet, he made me a cup of tea, managed to talk me through it (my care team - would have been proud of him).

Before my detour on the road of life, I would invite my friends’ children for an afternoon of Easter egg decorating. It was so amazing to see them transform a simple white egg into their vision of a masterpiece. They would give so much thought as to what colours to use – and apply each one just so with a paint brush. By the time we finished, it was a good thing that the table and floor were cover with a painters cloth and that our clothes were protected by the latest Glad design plastic garbage bag smock.

When I calmed down Mr. G.reminded me that its not the end of the world if we do not do it this year and that he understands how hard it is for me to not easily do the things now, that 3 1/2 years ago came so naturally; and there is always next year. So, as much as I really wanted it to happen this year, I guess I’m just not ready for all the excitement. But, look out Next Year!

I did manage with Mr.G’s help to put together some Easter baskets for our friends’ children and we will be delivery them on behalf of Mr. Bunny this week-end.

Happy Easter Everyone!!!!!!!!