Instructions for Easter Story Cookies

YOU NEED:
1 cup of whole pecans
1 tsp vinegar
pinch of salt
plastic bag
masking tape
3 egg whites
1 cup sugar
baking paper
Bible

Preheat oven to 150C (This is important - don't wait until you are half done with the recipe! ) Place pecans in plastic bag and let the children beat them with a wooden spoon to break them into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp vinegar into a small 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 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 child's hand. Let them taste it then add a pinch to 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 appetising. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is 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 a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the clolour white reminds us of the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto baking paper-covered tray. Explain that each mound represents the rock tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Matthew 27:57-60.

Put the tray into the oven. Close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and seal the door. (We did this fo the kids becauseteoven was still too hot for the kids to touch.) Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open he oven dor and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to fnd the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

NOTE: I'm not sure that "cookies" or "biscuits" are the right word for these morsels; they're more like meringes, but I guess that would give the game away too soon:)

Easter - Good Friday happenings

Gary makes Hot Cross Buns on Good Friday; this year, they were ready for afternoon tea; delicious! Oh and Chloe piped the crosses on them this year. She was happily munching on them until we mentioned the crosses were made out of flour and water, which you can also use for glue; this stopped her in her tracks for a while but she's now eating them again ( I wrapped the leftovers individually and put them into the freezer) :)

Sandpit thrills: major digging constructions to build an island.

Mum and I both read heaps during her week-long visit this time: "The Forgotten Garden" was the title we were pouring over, mostly!

Drawing on some found garden edging with pieces of rock and brick, after being inspired by Declan's discovery of the same drawing implement on the paved path earlier (see below).

Easter celebrations

Happy Hamper from Nanna - lots of yummies to share - thanks Mum!
Note the butterfly label - I really think this is a great idea for Easter with the cocoon becoming empty like the tomb and new life being given, like our new life with Jesus - a miracle...

Here's Declan's favourite "King George and the Ducky".

Gary enjoys Candy Eggs so I buy one for him as soon as they arrive on the shop shelves (just after Valentine's Day). The shops don't tend to order in too many any more because they tend to break so easily. Gary also hinted (heavily :)) this year that he'd like a Darrel Lea Rocky Road egg. I have heaps of chocolate moulds from when I was twelve and I used to make painted chocolates for family and friends, and I realised I'd really like to do some with the children now. However, I couldn't justify a lot MORE chocolate, so I decided to make just two - one for Gary and one for my Mum. I used the Green's eating chocolate instead of cooking compound chocolate and filled Gary's with a strip of Darrel Lea Rocky Road chopped into chunks and mini licorice allsorts for Mum's.

Look what Gary bought me!!!! More chocolate for less $$ - not hollow like eggs, but a celebration all the same - I'm wondering what Dairy Milk would be like in my newly acquired favourite chocolate self-saucing pudding recipe; hope the cool rainy weather keeps up 'cause I may be able to try it out:) It's from the Women's Weekly Winter Favourites which Saminda gave me last year for my birthday (actually 1 year plus 14 days ago ;)

It serves 6 or so and takes about an hour and a half (which includes an hour's cooking time)..

50g dark eating chocolate

60g butter chopped

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1/3 cup (160ml) milk

1 cup (150g) self-raising flour

1/2 cup (110g) caster sugar

1/2 cup (100g) firmly packed brown sugar

1 egg, beaten lightly

icing sugar, for dusting

1. Preheat oven to moderate (180C/ 160C fan-forced). Grease a 1.5litre (6-cup capacity) ovenproof dish.

2. Combine chocolate, butter, sifted cocoa and milk in medium saucepan. Stir over low heat until chocolate is melted.

3. Sift flour into large bowl, stir n sugars. Add chocolate mixture and egg; mix well. Spread mixture into prepared dish.

FUDGE SAUCE:

1 1/2 cups (375ml) water

50g butter, chopped

1/2 cup (100g) firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 cup (25g) cocoa powder

Combine water, butter, sugar and sifted cocoa in small saucepan; stir over low heat, without boiling, until combined.

Pour fudge sauce over the back of aspoon over urface of pudding. Bake in moderate oven 45 minutes or until firm.

Serve dusted with icing sugar.

********** Not suitable to freeze. Chocolate mixture and fudge sauce suitable to microwave.

ENJOY!

Easter happenings

King and Queen for a day (well, a few moments:)

Chloe's (too hard to eat) "favourite" type of egg:) for breakfast!!

We gave the children a copy of their favourite Veggie Tales DVDs - Chloe's are Daniel and the Lion's Den (for the story) and Esther (for the story and the song Esther sings) - both on the same DVD