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Each Holy Saturday evening we celebrate  two traditions in our home.
One is to make Caterpillars to add to our Easter basketsthis evening so  that when the children come down in the morning on Easter the caterpillars have become butterflies.

The second tradition is to make what we call Resurrection cookies.......
Now it sounds a lovely tradition and one day, perhaps when our children are all bigger and don't get really tired this will go smoothly as outlined  below.
However with our little ones they are often tired and so do not always respond as well as we would like (just so you realise we try to do these traditions as best we can with the circumstances we have. Our little children do not always respond as we would like as we continue forward each year. They get tired and cranky and frankly so do we).

Resurrection or Easter Story Cookies ~
(For a cane sugar alternative we used xylitol with a direct exchange of quantities. However our children found it way too sweet, so I would advise using less)


Ingredients:
 • Bible
 • 1 c whole pecans
 • 1 tsp. vinegar
 • 3 egg whites
 • pinch of salt
 • 1 c granulated sugar
 • 1 qt. or gal. size zipper bag
 • wooden spoon
 • tape


Directions:
 1.  Preheat oven to 300 degrees.


 2.  Place pecans in ziploc bag and let kids beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.
 Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. 
Read: John 19:1-3...... 
Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck him in  the face.


 3.  Let each child smell the vinegar. 
Add teaspoon of vinegar into the mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. 
Read John 19:28-30......
Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had  received the drink,Jesus said,"It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.


4. Add egg whites to vinegar. 
Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John 10:10-11....
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."


5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.
Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sins. 
Read Luke 23:27......
A large number of people followed Him, including women who mourned and wailed for Him.


 6.  So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. 
Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.
 Read Psalm 34:8.....
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him~and 
John 3:16.....
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life."
7.  Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. 
Explain that the colour white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
 Read Isaiah 1:18....."Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
And John 3:1-3 .....
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."


 8. Fold in broken nuts.


 9. Line cookie sheet with waxed paper. Drop mixture by spoonfuls onto waxed paper.


10. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. 
Read Matthew 27:57-60......
 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.


 11. Place the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. 
Read Matthew 27:65-66....
 "Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting a guard.


 12. GO TO BED. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. 
Read John 16:20....
 "I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy." 
And John 16:22...... 
"So with you~ Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy."


 13. On Easter morning, open the oven and remove the cookies. 
Take a bite. Notice~the cookies are hollow.
 On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
 Read Matthew 28:1-9.....
 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples: "He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him. Now I have told you." So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell His disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them, "Greetings," He said. They came to Him, clasped his feet and worshipped Him.
On Easter morning we took out our tombs, they seemed a little soft and spongy, but seemed to grim up as they cooled down......then we  and ate them.
Like I said they were quite sweet BUT they hadn't hallowed as they do normally. I think the xylitol needed to be cooked at a higher temperature than over night on low, which isn't what the recipe calls for in this case. But to make a meringue normally you will need to cook it on a high temp, and it will be crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Blessings to you and your homes,
 

For anyone who would like some extra ideas for Holy Week.
You know all those of you have extra time, who are super organised and just want to bask in the activities with your children.
Here are some past projects we have completed during Holy Week and up to Holy Saturday.
Most we are continuing through ourselves with a little variations in made items. I have a few surprises for the kids this year and will share them soon

These are the books we have been reading. 

ACTIVITIES we enjoy~
Our Calvary Crosses have yet to go up but here are some form last year
Passion Week Play with figures
Plans from Holy week 2010
Holy Thursday and Good Friday 2011 - with a Hot Cross Bun Recipe (non grain free, working on a grain free one now)
Benjamin's Box activities - the younger kids love this as we empty the box and as we read the story they put the items in the box like Benjamin.
Pascal Mystery Eggs aka Resurrection Eggs - we are taking our 5 each day and opening them and reading the scripture and discussing them.
Felt Board Stories
Last Supper (Seder Meal) Ideas, meal plans and script
Figures for the last Supper and Painted ones
Holy Week Activities - ideas from last year
Egg Decorating
Resurrection Cookies for Holy Saturday Night - working on a sugar free version
Making Easter Baskets and felt butterflies
Making a felt Easter Bunny
Simple Lamb Cake

Blessings to you and your homes,
 

Palm Sunday in our home this year was a fairly quiet but busy day.

Due to the lack of our family van still being fixed (have I mentioned this lately?No probably not, as it has been out of commission for over 5 months now leaving us with just Stephen's work car that until last weekend had no baby restraint fitted allowing mine and Trahaearn's Mass attendance to be virtually nil.)

Anyway most of the family went to Mass in the morning requiring two trips, with the older children going first  (and being the waiting children on the return trip) while Autumn, Trahaearn and I went to an evening Mass.
Eden was the orchestrator  of our display  this year. Which I was so thankful to her for.
Our palm crosses were not as successful this year as the sags we have used in the past were not very pliable and hence hard to form. So these were our few paltry attempts that managed to survive.
I did love how Eden put them in a pot that I had ready for another activity (that we did not get done by the way) thus making it seem as if that was the idea all along.
Autumn had fun setting up the disciples and Jesus in the Upper room ready for the week and especially Maundy Thursday for the little children to play with. I am pretty sure she had a very nice time playing with them as well.
She even improved it for us with a sign and windows for the apostles to look through
I so love that the children can re-enact these special events with the materials we have for them. It really makes the learning so much easier!
Our Palm Sunday painting we have up all year round with a couple of the new non palms  
palms placed on it prior to being covered up with purple cloth.
All our statues and religious pictures have either been covered or taken down and placed away for now until Easter.
Our Home altar in Red which is the Liturgical colour for the day.
Believe it or not we actually have pulled ALL our thorns from our salt dough crown and filled the  jar with our sacrifice beads and all before Holy week. I think this is a first for us.
Well done children !!

Well that is our Palm Sunday in a nutshell I pray you all have a most Holy week as we begin this final countdown to Easter!

Blessings to you and your homes,
 

Palm Sunday truly is a most exciting day in our Liturgical Year!
It is the day when we share in the triumphant entry into Jerusalem by our Lord, where he was welcomed with such honour and glory, hope and joy by the people there.
A wonderful welcome they gave him as he came into their midst.

Today marks the start of the most important week in regards to our faith.
Holy Week is the culmination of the life of Jesus and his teachings.
This is the week that we truly see the range of emotions present in our lives as we go from excitement (Palm Sunday) to the servant hood of Jesus ( Maundy Thursday-Washing of the disciples feet and the Institution of the Eucharist), to despair (Good Friday) and finally absolute happiness in the risen Christ on Easter day.

From Catholic Culture: Holy Week is the pinnacle of Lent. We must instill in our children the importance of Holy Week. "The first efforts of all members of the family, then, will be to readjust their schedules at home in order to enter more fully into worship at their parish church on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening of Holy Week."

"So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young ass and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on an ass's colt (Jn 12:13-15)!"

Here is a beautiful tradition that can be done from  the palm crosses that we make:
(How we make Palm Crosses each year)
As this is the day of the public homage to the kingship of Christ. The procession in church is an impressive act of loyalty to Christ the King. Christ reigns as king of the Christian home also, and so a family prayer service within the house is a memorable part of this day. After the family meal, the members gather in the living room.
From the palms received at the parish Mass, they prepare small crosses of palm to be pinned above the doorway of each room or woven palms to be placed behind the crucifix in each room.
(Or if your parish does not have palm crosses make them like we do)
Then the father reads the account of Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem from the family Bible (Matt. 21:1-11).
Thereupon the mother, with a lighted candle, may lead a procession from one room to another. As they proceed, all sing "All Glory, Laud and Honor" (the hymn Gloria, laus, which is printed in the Holy Week booklet). Appropriate psalms may also be read aloud during the procession, especially Psalm 147, which is likewise in the Holy Week booklet, and Psalms 23 and 46. During the procession the children joyfully wave their blessed palms.
 After the rooms of the house have been visited, all return to the living room. Here the father reads the final prayer of the procession rite used in church today (to be found just before the beginning of Mass in the Holy Week booklet), asking God to bless all the places to which these palms have been carried. The small palm crosses or a woven palm should be kept visible in the home for the rest of the year as a daily reminder of our loyalty to Christ the King.

On Ash Wednesday of the following year it is proper to burn the remaining palms and to sprinkle the ashes on the good earth about the home or in the garden.
( the above activity is from Lent and Holy Week in the Home by Emerson and Arlene Hynes)

Don't forget to change your home altar to red cloths and any other aspects (like chasubles) to reflect the  liturgical colour for today

Ideas I had from last year
Palm Sunday in our home 2010

More information for your interest about Palm Sunday
Catholic Culture
Fisheaters
Wikipedia

Blessings to you and your homes,
 

Our celebration of St Patrick's Day was a little different from previous years as we were not able to  use our favourite recipes. We used some grain free ones ones and I will review these in a future grain post.
I stayed up late the night before because I wanted to make some Irish girls to put on our Bookcase display (above)
I so enjoyed making my Leprechauns last year and so just HAD to make something new.
I adore painting red heads and had lots of fun dong these.

Our plans for this day consisted of these ideas:
Dress in green (yes most of us did)
Make Irish Girls (above)
Read the books we own (pictured in my side bar)
Set up bookcase display (initial picture)
make paper snakes ( see below)
Do colouring pages and other activities (as we can from below list)
colouring pages
Colouring page
ST Patrick colour
St Patrick
Lap Book
Note Cards
Tracing Page
Heap of St Patrick Ideas

Pick clover for vases
Chalk Board picture
Make Grain Free Chocolate cupcakes and cream on top with mint 'shamrock' decorations (sadly I can't find the picture for this one) Recipe 1 and Recipe 2
 Make Irish Soda Bread - recipe here

Things we didn't do but were on my list were:
Make a mini ribbon banner like my Valentine one
Play Pin the Shamrock on St Patrick like we did in a previous year.
Face painting and/ draw Celtic tattoos on body.
St Patrick Play (similar to some of our slide shows)

So Corbyn was so excited to be dressing  all in green to celebrate St Patrick that he had all his clothes out the night before, including his Cowboy hat and was ready in record time in the morning.
He went and picked me some clover first thing and came with clover flowers first and then went back for the clover leaves, ie, shamrocks.
Moran and Myffwyn took a long time finding some green clothes but came up with some original and quite peasant look for the day.
Once again picking of the shamrocks was in order.
Seriously I love this in our grass and can never understand why people prefer to have clover free grass.
Isn't it just a delightful and fresh picked greenery?
For our lunch as we could not have some of our other past experiences with food, we made an Irish flag from carrot, cheese and celery.
Coming down stairs to a reminder of the day is always a special thing for me.
Our children especially enjoy  colouring pages and spend a nice time together doing this.
Rogan make recipe 2 batch of Cupcakes. I will review these along with other new recipes, as soon as I can.
And Autumn made Recipe 1. We wanted to try both to see which one we preferred.
Corbyn starting to paint the 'snake' paper
 Corbyn painted one snake paper and got tired of it after that.
 I drew snake spiral for the little ones to cut out form the finished snake paper
Cutting the snakes
Arwen with her finished snake, it got to be rather small after she insisted on cutting across the snake body.
Moran and her very long snakes
Myffwyn just had to wear her snakes
Yeah, too cute!!
Then we draped them over the St Patrick chalk board so St Patrick could 'drive them out of Ireland'
Over the course of the day we had some interesting conversation with the little ones about this and other themes fro St Patrick.
Our Grain Free Irish Soda bread.......so much smaller than we are used to.
Ready to eat, even if someone forgot to keep checking on it.
Dinner was , um, not really St 'Patricky' at all as I forgot when planning menus and shopping that I needed to get St Patrick type food.
However the colours worked in our favour yet again with green, white and orange.

We did not watch any of the movies we have as it was quite late when we had finished after our regular and additional Saturday jobs too, as well as sleeping in (gasp, gosh) so we did not even start  until about 12pm.

I pray you all enjoyed your own celebrations of one of our favourite saints.......... St Patrick
.
Blessings to you and your homes,