16 • The Beacon April 7 , 2022
Easter treats can come with a special meaning
One spring , Mom and I found a great deal on a frilly dark blue skirt with a tiny pattern of lighter blue and yellow flowers along with a matching vest lined with strips of velvet and lace . We couldn ’ t find a blouse that wasn ’ t expensive that went well with the outfit . We decided a plain white shirt would work .
Julie Dearyan
What ’ s Cooking
It was a financial sacrifice for my parents to buy me such an outfit . The night before Easter , I carefully laid out my skirt , vest , shirt and my shiny white shoes that I ’ d used nail polish remover on to get rid of scuffs .
Early the next morning , my brother , Jim , and I rushed down the stairs to get our Easter baskets , gracing the kitchen table in their glorious , pastel beauty . We discovered colorful plastic eggs filled with jellybeans , chocolate eggs and a
milk chocolate , hollow bunny . At the very bottom , under the Easter grass , I spied something white . I pulled out a white blouse with puffy sleeves trimmed in lace . A pearl button fastened the keyhole neck opening . It matched my new outfit perfectly . When Mom and Dad came downstairs all dressed up for the Easter service , I asked where they had found the blouse . Mom just smiled .
When you are in a pastor ’ s family , Easter is frankly exhausting . My parents cooked a huge breakfast for the church that included homemade cinnamon rolls and Canadian bacon , made sure there was special music for both the early service and our regular one , and , of course , Dad preached in both services .
Jim and I saw their faith in action . My brother and I loved every part of our traditions , but we knew all these things paled in comparison to the real reason we celebrated , the resurrection of Jesus Christ . All the dressing up , candy , delicious food and Easter egg hunts were nothing compared to what Jesus did when he burst from the grave .
I loved doing Easter baskets for our kids . We enjoyed making different desserts too . I recently discovered Resurrection Cookies from the blog , “ Souly Rested .” There is a little lesson you can go through with your children as you make them . Also , S ’ more Bunny Burrows from the blog , “ Food Meanderings ,” are easy and chocolatey — something every day , especially a day as special as Easter , definitely needs .
RESURRECTION COOKIES
Pinch of salt 1 teaspoon vinegar 1 cup sugar 3 egg whites Tape
Preheat the oven to 300 F .
Let each child smell the vinegar . Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl . Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross , he was given vinegar to drink . Read John 19:28-30 .
Add egg whites to the vinegar . Be extra cautious that not even a small drop of yolk is allowed into the bowl . Explain that eggs represent life , and Jesus gave his life so we could have new life . Read John 10:10-11 .
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 . It also is a reminder of the bitterness of our own sin , which might “ taste ” good to us when we ’ re doing the wrong thing but will always have a bitter result .
Add 1 cup of sugar . Explain that the sweetest
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