Three things first…
1. The picture above is my littlest cutie a couple of years ago. Yes, she does have crazy hair and mommy loved to make it so much nuttier. Beside being adorable, the above picture is being used to describe my mood this past week because:
2. I am feeling a bit off kilter. It is April, or so it says on my calendar, but it SNOWED. And it is COLD. And my poor little plants are outside FREEZING. I am a person who does like winter. Honestly, I do. But come on! I am going crazy for spring here!
My menu plan is also a bit off kilter this week. Normally that throws me off a bit, but not this week. It’s actually a HUGE blessing. My hubby made dinner on Monday (what a sweetie!) and in the process thawed a giant meat pack with a roast and several steaks. We have been using up that bounty this week. A crock pot roast one night, broiled marinated steaks sliced on spinach salad and other tasty left overs. I might have to get back on track tomorrow. I will first check the fridge and see what’s happening in there as far as left overs and what needs to be used up before the weekend. It is nice to know I already have so much already planned and purchased that can float over on to next week’s menu after this Easter weekend. That makes it so nice for me AND my hubby made a tasty dinner to boot!
3. I came home tonight and my hubby had made Noah Rolls! He wanted to surprise me. Now I won’t have to whip any bread up right away tomorrow. I just had to brag about him. Thank you, honey! The girls were very impressed, and so was I. I am also impressed you could find all the ingredients in all the places I have them stashed in the kitchen. That had to have been quite the mystery hunt…
Now, time for the Easter Story Cookies. I found this recipe and wanted to share it. It is naturally gluten free. We will be making this on Saturday night and thought others may want to try it also. I am not sure who to credit this to, as it is all over the place on the internet on several different sites. I like that it is very hands on and uses the kids’ different senses and Bible verses to tell the story of Jesus and His gift to us.
- 1 cup whole pecans
- 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
- 3 egg whites
- pinch salt
- 1 cup sugar
- gallon sized zip-close freezer bag
- wooden spoon
- tape
- Bible
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
- Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with a wooden spoon to break 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 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 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 and brush the rest into 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 appetizing. Add the sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that 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 color white represents 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 teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rock tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matt 27:57-60.
- Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven off. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read Matt 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 the oven 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 find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt 28:1-9
Easter Story Cookies
Thursday, April 5, 2007