Easter Sunday 2015

Easter Sunday came and went in a blink of an eye. 

There was so much more I wanted to do and get done but unfortunately we got sick. AKKKKK! We did however manage to color some eggs with some little people from church one afternoon....It was their first time coloring eggs....and they did a mighty fine job with it too. Freckles had the week off from school and had a one night sleepover with six other girlfriends...Then the next day she was struck with this nasty cold....Which in turn went from her to me to Mr. Darling. Thankfully I was able to manage our church's Easter Brunch after the service...With the help of Freckles and setting up the tables and settings, not to mention the ladies who brought dishes to share, we had a lovely brunch with our church family. Then when we got home I crashed for three days.

This year we gave Freckles an Easter basket that resembled a basket that I would have gotten as a young girl. What I love about this is you can find baskets that have that same look and character as the ones from my childhood in the 70's and 80's. A soft plastic kind of material woven in a happy color with a long handle....filled with simple, colorful graphic foil wrapped chocolates, taffy's and jelly beans. 

It is fun to give her a little basket that I would have received as a kid... they are forever memories which she will too carry with her. Of course Easter is not about the coloring of eggs, the candy, baskets and bunnies... I will admit I love to decorate with bunnies and eggs and chickies... But that does not get in the way of the true reason for this time. Resurrection Sunday. When my Lord and Savior died on the cross for me, He finished it, He paid it all. He suffered, died and was buried in a tomb. Three days later he rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven! He is Risen!!!

He is Risen Indeed!!! And He did this for me and His people, those who believe in Him!

I also received a sweet little package from a long time blogger friend, Viv.

 She was hosting a Little Easter Basket Swap on her blog. I thought I'd join in the fun...since I haven't done a swap in forever. Viv and I ended up being each others partners! She sent me a darling homemade basket with two lil critters she made from her own hands...I love love them...how adorable!!! she also sent along other fun goodies and CHOCOLATE! Let's not forget the PEEPS!

She spoiled me! I love it all so much! 

Thanks Viv!!!

In turn I sent her a little Easter basket filled with goodies and candy.

 I made her a little painted chick! 

It was fun! I hope we will swap again!

I pray you all had a lovely Easter!

Which Came First...The Chick Or The Egg?

Definitely the chick! 

Spring is in the air!! I put out some Springy chicks, eggs and bunnies around the house. I love using different sorts of containers to hold some cute eggs in. Here I used a vintage coffee can and filled it with some happy glittery eggs... 

Here I used a bright and cheery vintage ceramic nest bowl for some happy plastic eggs! 

The bowl was a recent Thriftscore!

I used a small cloche on a little polka dotted plate. Inside is a darling nest we found empty that had fallen out of a tree...I put a couple tiny glittery eggs in there...So cute!!!

A little yellow colander also holds some eggs, along with another little ceramic dish filled with white plastic eggs. I love seeing these little vignettes around our home! 

Makes me happy Happy Happy!!!

One week till Easter! 

Happy Easter~ He Has Risen Indeed!

Happy Easter from our Family to yours!

Homemade Lära Bars

A couple posts down I shared our new adventure. Changing our lifestyle and the way we eat. So far it is going great. However, Easter is just a day away. I got to thinking. Well, if we are cutting out all the junk and candy stuff...What could I do for Freckle's Easter basket this year. Okay time to get creative. We are not eating bread either so I had to come up with something healthy, whole, with no added refined sugars and wasn't a grain. I found just what I was looking for. Have you ever had Lara Bars? They are pretty darn good. I got the recipe on Pinterest. 

It is quite simple. 

Yet you will need a food processor for this.

Look at all the healthy yummies that go into this thing. Oh and no baking!!!! It's so simple...You just combine all the ingredients together, put it in a pan and freeze for 20 minutes, cut them into bars and enjoy. 

Recipe for Homemade Lära Bars (Mixed Berry):

• 1 cup almonds
• 1/2 cup pecans
• 12 Medjool dates
• 1 cup dried berries and / or cherries
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 Tablespoon melted coconut oil

Directions for Homemade Lära Bars:

1. Line an 8″ x 8″ baking dish with plastic wrap or wax paper. Set aside.
2. Add the nuts to the food processor and pulse down until they become small, crumbly bits. Don’t let it go too long or it will become nut butter—er, not that there’s anything wrong with that but it won’t help this recipe. Some pieces may be a bit bigger and some might be tiny. That’s okay. Pour the nuts in a large bowl.
3. Now, pit the dates and put them in the food processor with the dried fruit, shredded coconut oil and sea salt. Pulse until it comes together in a ball.
4. Now, with clean hands: add the dried fruit to the nuts and combine both together. You’ll have to knead pretty well but keep at it.
5. Once all the nuts are blended in, you’ll take the lump of deliciousness and put it in the baking dish. Press the mixture into the dish until it’s packed down and smooth.
6. Freeze for 20 minutes until firm.
7. Turn out the mixture onto a cutting board and chop into pieces as big or small as you’d like. I usually make 12 bars from one dish.
8. I individually wrap them. They can be frozen for a couple months if packed to withstand freezer burn. If not, store in the fridge for short term use

After I cut them up, I wrapped each bar and threw them in the fridge.

 Of course I will fill Freckles basket with a couple of them as well!

I also decided to dehydrate some strawberry, banana and apple chips for some

 filling in the basket and I made some apple fruit leather.

Perfect, whole and healthy, good for snacks for an Easter basket.

No chocolate bunnies here this year!

Wishing you all a blessed Easter.

Enjoy!!!!

Coloring Easter Eggs