Easter!

Easter Sunday

brings forth Spring, Bunnies, Easter finery and bonnets,

Question: "What is the origin of the Easter bunny and Easter eggs?"

Answer: It is thought that the word Easter comes from a pagan figure called Eastre (or Eostre) who was celebrated as the goddess of spring by the Saxons of Northern Europe. A festival called Eastre was held during the spring equinox by these people to honor her. Of interest is the word’s relation to east (ost in German). The name for a celebration of the sunrise and a change of season was eventually applied to the Christian celebration of the resurrection of Christ and the new era He heralded.

The goddess Eastre’s earthly symbol was the rabbit, which was also known as a symbol of fertility. Since rabbits and hares give birth to large litters in the early spring, it’s understandable that the rabbit is the symbol of fertility.

The legend of the Easter Bunny bringing eggs appears to have been brought to the United States by settlers from southwestern Germany. The German tradition of the Easter Bunny or “Oschter Haws” migrated to America in the 1800s, likely accompanying German immigrants, many of whom settled in Pennsylvania. Over the past 200 years, the Easter Bunny has become the most commercially recognized symbol of Easter.

In legend, the Easter Bunny, also called the Easter Hare and the Spring Bunny, brings baskets filled with colored eggs, candy, and sometimes toys to the homes of children on the night before Easter, in much the same way as Santa Claus is said to deliver presents on Christmas Eve. The Easter Bunny will either put the baskets in a designated place or hide them somewhere in the house or garden for the children to find when they wake up in the morning, giving rise to the tradition of the Easter egg hunt.

Should Christian parents allow their children to participate in traditional activities that refer to the Easter Bunny? This is a question both parents and church leaders struggle with. There is nothing essentially evil about the Easter Bunny, unless it is used to promote the goddess of spring or fertility rites. What is important is our focus. If our focus is on Christ and not the Easter Bunny, our children will understand that, like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny is merely a symbol. As with Christmas, Easter should be a time to reflect upon and celebrate the incarnation, the resurrection and the risen Christ.

Just Had To Try It.

No matter how old I am, I love dyeing Easter eggs!  I do the standard dyes that you buy at the store;  I've used cake dyeing stuff; marbling techniques, but when I read about this, I just had to try it!

Does it work?  I'll see for myself.

It takes silk ties--so, I hurry to my hubby's tie selection (he doesn't bother to wear ties anymore) to see if he has any silk ties.  There are plenty to choose from but here are the four I chose.

I'm thinking these will be more colorful for this experiment

These don't look too bad either

So, I take 6 fresh eggs, wrap the tie portions around them tightly.

And not to let the silk dyes run onto the other eggs, I tie up with plain muslin.  Put the eggs into a pan, cover with water, add 1/4 cup vinegar and set to simmer on the stoves for 20 minutes.

Here's the outcome after letting the eggs cool and dry.............

Not bad, not good either

I liked this one

I thought this tie would give more color, so did two eggs--it's okay

Here is my favorite--I was right, this Beatle tie covered the eggs with color!

Okay, I tried it and it sort of worked--it was fun to experiment; now,

back to getting out my store bought dyes--

Amy Is Turning 60--

Amy is turning 60 this year and she is doing something very special to celebrate and we are invited to come along on this adventure.  Amy is knitting socks, creating a series of socks using each of the divisors of 60. 

This is February Sock.  Amy is using this set of rules:

All of these socks will be knitted from cuff to toe.

I plan to knit most, but not all, on double pointed needles, my choice will depend on the stitch pattern I choose.

The main part of leg and foot of sock must be 60 stitches around.

There will be no shaping of leg, so the leg on all of these socks won’t be terribly long, likely all under 7 inches from cuff to beginning of heel.

The main part of leg must contain a stitch pattern using the chosen divisor; the foot must contain part or all of the same stitch pattern.

The cuff, heel, and toe can stray from the divisor rule.

I must use a yarn that is already in my stash; it does not need to be “sock yarn”.

Here is March's pattern--join in this year long celebration of turning 60, even if you aren't 60!

SYNC Is Coming....................

Every year I write about this absolutely wonderful adventure in reading--all free, delivered to your door step--but, you must sign up to get each week's book.  It's all audio for the young and old alike.

SYNC is a free summer audiobook program for teens 13+.

The 2016 season is May 5th - August 17th 2016.
SYNC 2016 will give away 30 titles - two paired audiobook downloads a week!

What I like about this program--I can enjoy the books right along with the YA group--some books I would never have read or listened too.  So, head to the the home page and sign up.

Wednesday--Yarn Along!

Come Along on the Yarn Along!  Each Wednesday, post a photo of your yarn project.
I'm liking this idea--will keep me motivated to keep yarn on my needle, fiber on my wheel and maybe, reduce that stash that is lingering in the closet and aging.

This week I'm taking the brioche knitting workshop on Craftsy

!

I've learned how to knit (brk!) and purl (brp!) 

You can see where I changed from knit to purl in this sample

Then, I learned how to increase--notice the branch off on the left.

This has been a good learning experience.

It's About Time

Yes, it's about time I picked up some knitting needles and began work on the 2016 Lace Shawl designed by Elizabeth Ravenwood (found on Ravelry).  This will be the third shawl I've knit with her directions and patterns.  Of course, I was little behind--well, three months behind isn't too bad.

I rather enjoy knitting along on this type of thing--only small portion of the pattern is revealed each month and by year's end (if you keep up!) you will have a completed shawl to wear to that end of year party.

This year, I needed to spin my yarn so that took some time--wasn't too sure which fiber I wanted to use--finally decided on this wool/silk blend

This month's pattern is called Tides of March or Water on the Moon

Easy knitting, even adding beads along the way.

Let's hope I can continue to keep up--now, that my fiber has all been spun.

Short on Time And/Or Money?

If you are like me and short on time and money, then this Mini quilt along is just right for you!

Quilt Addicts Anonymous is sponsoring this summer sew along and it's FREE!

Just hop over to her website to sign up to receive each month's patterns.

She also has other interesting tidbits she shares on occasion.