Easter was always an important time of year for my family when I was growing up. If I am honest there were probably many more traditions for us associated with it than there were with Christmas. Perhaps my parents both liked it more, I don’t know, sadly I never asked. But I do know that it holds many special memories for me…
The Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal and waiting till midnight for the grand total always seemed so exciting. The gigantic chocolate Easter eggs my dad would buy. Always Red Tulip. The car laden with us kids, and easter eggs, as we crossed town for what seemed like a never ending drive to visit my granny, aunts, uncles and cousins. And an easter egg for everyone!
Breakfast always included a Colomba Pasquale (Easter dove) cake and eggs. And then the huge celebratory Easter lunch after church with a specially set table.
One particular tradition that I remember fondly was decorating eggs with my mum. I think she was shown how to do it by a friend. Our beautifully dyed eggs were taken to church on Easter Saturday with a little cup of salt and a Columba Pasquale, all carefully wrapped in a basket to be blessed and it was our breakfast on Easter Sunday.
My mum’s friend lived a couple of doors down and we were always back and forth between the two houses. The lady was older. Perhaps a wise head for my mum who was younger. I am certain she visited my mum every day. She always came in via the back door, no need to knock. They would sit and chat in the kitchen. Both were great cooks and keen gardeners, and my mum’s friend was an amazing baker who made the most wonderful cakes.
I loved visiting her place. Her garden, none of it given up to a lawn, surrounded her small home and was enchanting to me, full of scented roses growing amongst fruit trees and vegetables.
The garden had a small path leading from the little wrought iron gate to the front veranda. Many summer nights were spent sprawled on the cool tiles of that veranda enveloped by the heady scent of Brugmansia listening to her and my mum chat, till I was bored. Then scared of the dark I bolted home because my mum was not yet ready to go. Honestly, it wasn’t very far but I ran!
So, this Easter I wanted to celebrate these two wonderful women and their amazing friendship. I didn’t understand it then but as I got older, I realised how genuinely beautiful it was.
For them both this year I decided to create some decorative eggs. Old school style with pantyhose, leaves and flowers.
Here’s the outcome.
Here’s my step-by-step guide on how to dye decorative Easter eggs if you’d like to give it a go.
