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!

Happy Easter~ He Has Risen Indeed!

Happy Easter from our Family to yours!

Happy Easter

This Easter is quite different to us from the many years we have celebrated in past years. This is the first year our little family is apart from one another. With our son now living in Washington, my hubby, flew up to Washington for some pulpit filling (preaching for other churches) and temporary work. Not only will he be away for Easter, he will also miss our anniversary which is just a few days away...He will return just in time for my birthday in April. It's just me and Freckles this year... My other family members don't attend church, so it will just be the two of us for the day. I made sure that my daughter still got to enjoy a few of our favorite traditions and tried to give her a sense of comfort since we are not in our own home....
One was giving her an Easter Basket of course.

 

 

A few treats and a couple fun surprises gave her smiles. We colored Easter eggs...This year we did it a bit different...instead of dunking our eggs in dye, we poured vinegar on each egg then dropped a few drops of color on each egg inside a colander, we swirled it around until each egg was covered, then placed it on a paper towel until dry...This gave our eggs the deepest most vibrant colors. It was so messy...we used rubber gloves to do it...If we hadn't, our hand would have been dyed for days.

 I also made a special little morning treat, which we
 will have in the morning before church.
I found this fun recipe on a blog called
The Italian Dish...Italian Easter Bread
It will pair nicely with a nice cup of tea...and there is a little egg involved
 in this delightful sweet bread. Yum.
We will be missing our guy's something terrible...
Yet, I thank God I have my sweet girl to spend it with.
I pray you and yours will have a blessed Easter Sunday with your loved ones...
As you reflect on what Christ has done for you...

Crown Him....

Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne.

Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own.

Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee,

And hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

Crown Him the virgin’s Son, the God incarnate born,

Whose arm those crimson trophies won which now His brow adorn;

Fruit of the mystic rose, as of that rose the stem;

The root whence mercy ever flows, the Babe of Bethlehem.

Crown Him the Son of God, before the worlds began,

And ye who tread where He hath trod, crown Him the Son of Man;

Who every grief hath known that wrings the human breast,

And takes and bears them for His own, that all in Him may rest.

Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed over the grave,

And rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save.

His glories now we sing, who died, and rose on high,

Who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.

Crown Him the Lord of peace, whose power a scepter sways

From pole to pole, that wars may cease, and all be prayer and praise.

His reign shall know no end, and round His piercèd feet

Fair flowers of paradise extend their fragrance ever sweet.

Crown Him the Lord of love, behold His hands and side,

Those wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified.

No angel in the sky can fully bear that sight,

But downward bends his burning eye at mysteries so bright.

Crown Him the Lord of Heaven, enthroned in worlds above,

Crown Him the King to Whom is given the wondrous name of Love.

Crown Him with many crowns, as thrones before Him fall;

Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns, for He is King of all.

Crown Him the Lord of lords, who over all doth reign,

Who once on earth, the incarnate Word, for ransomed sinners slain,

Now lives in realms of light, where saints with angels sing

Their songs before Him day and night, their God, Redeemer, King.

Crown Him the Lord of years, the Potentate of time.
Creator of the rolling spheres, ineffably sublime.

All hail, Redeemer, hail! For Thou has died for me;

Thy praise and glory shall not fail throughout eternity.

It Is Finished......

Resurrection Day is a day for honoring the living.

Jesus Has Risen! 

He is living!

It is the day we celebrate the fact that Jesus Christ,

having been in the grave for three days, 

walked out, not just alive but vindicated.

Resurrection Day is a day for those who have been raised 

up into the heavenly places with Christ to 

rejoice His victory over the grave.

It is that day each year when we rejoice

over the most pivotal event in all history!!!

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
*****

May the spirit of hope
That Easter brings
Help you find
Contentment in little things

And restore your faith
In the Lord above
Who gave His life
For the ones He loves