learning, loving, and Easter

random, i know. 

first thing i learned was that if you want people to comment on your blog you should just ask. 

second thing i learned is that i don't want to ask for comments. 

i realized i got sucked into the checking, checking, checking of my comments whenever i would make a post and i hit an all time low yesterday when i had a pity party about no one commenting on another post. while some of my questions were legitimate, it was not my favorite moment. but you all were gracious and left so many kind and important comments and i thank you. but i don't want to be that person, so you won't hear that from me again. enough said.

onto way better things. 

EASTER CRAFTS! 

i have been scouring the internet for Easter craft ideas because i have been a lame mom for the past four years and NEVER decorated for the holiday. GASP. i can't believe i know me so well and i would pass up an opportunity to craft for a special reason. or... any reason. who am i? anyway, i'm trying to make up for lost time so here's my compilation of the things i want to make for my home and with my kiddos this year. 

the other night i had a couple girls over and we attempted to make these book page birds nests. they look super easy but totally aren't. i completely abandoned the instructions and shoved a bunch of shredded book pages into a latte bowl and threw some glittered eggs into it. it's ok, my kids won't know the difference. 

i plan on making these decoupage book page Easter eggs with the extra shredded book pages i have left over.

about two years ago when i discovered blogs i stumbled upon this cute tutorial and i went out and bought everything to make these adorable Easter buckets. do you think i ever got around to making them? NO! and i probably won't this year but i still really want to. i don't know what my problem is. i also love this blog, she always has the best holiday crafts. 

i might forgo the buckets and make these Easter egg hunt bags from Purl Bee. but i probably won't. i do love anything with giant ricrac though. ANYTHING.

i would love to start making these secret message Easter eggs a tradition that i do for my kids every year. how sweet would that be?

my Mr.'s side of the family makes cascarones every year. you can usually find me hiding in the bushes so i don't get cracked with one.

someone told me about Resurrection Cookies last year and i didn't make them with my kids. fail. this year, i'm gonna do it. i hope. here's the recipe and instructions:

Resurrection Cookies

• 1 cup whole pecans 
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 3 egg whites
• pinch salt
• 1 cup organic sugar
• Plastic baggie
• Wooden spoon, rolling pin
• Tape
• Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. (Do this before doing anything else.)

• Place nuts in baggie and beat them with a wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested and He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3

• Open the vinegar and let everyone smell it. Put 1 teaspoon into the mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, all He was given to drink was vinegar. Read John 19:28-30

• Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.Read John 10:10-11

• Sprinkle a little salt into each person’s hand. Let them taste it, then brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27

• So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Sprinkle a little sugar into each person’s hand. Let them taste it, then brush the rest into the bowl. 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 and John 3:16

• Beat with mixer on high speed for 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents our purity in God’s eyes because our sins are cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18

• Fold in nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60

• Put 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 shut. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66

• You’re done! Explain that you cannot eat the cookies tonight, but that you have to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. That might not make anyone too happy. Explain that Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22

• The next morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the third day, Jesus followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9

so here are all things Eastery that i spotted and loved. i hope you love them too.