HAPPY EASTER

Calculating Easter

Have you ever wondered why Easter falls on a different date each year? The current method of dating Easter was developed in 1583 A.D. by Pope Gregory XIII, who introduced the Gregorian (revised) dates table; this table replaced the original dating table that had been in use since 326 A.D. The aim of those designing the Easter calendar was to maintain -- for each year's Easter Sunday -- the same season of the year and the same relationship to the preceding astronomical full moon that occurred at the time of Jesus' resurrection in 30 A.D.

For Western churches, Easter is the first Sunday after the first ecclesiastical/paschal full moon that occurs on or after March 22 and before April 25. Since the date of Easter depends on the ecclesiastical/paschal lunar calendar, which can differ slightly from the lunar calendar, it fluctuates year to year -- but always occurs between those two dates March 22 and April 25. And since the date calculation is based on predetermined paschal full moon dates, Easter's date is already set until approximately 4099 A.D. Talk about planning for the future!

Determining the dates for Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday

BLOWING OUT AN EGG

You will need: raw eggs, darning needle (larger needle), small bowl, paper towels, white glue

Steps:
1. Holding the egg firmly but gently, with the darning needle pierce a hole in each end of the egg. Make one hole larger than the other.
2. Pass the needle through the larger hole and, breaking the yolk inside, stir the contents.
3. Blow into the small hole and force the contents out of the large hole into the bowl.
4. Clean out the egg by running a little water through the large hole. Gently shake the egg as you rinse until the egg in completely clean. If you don't do this the eggs will begin to smell after a while. Let dry on a paper towel.
5. After the egg has dried, you can put a few drops of glue over the holes to protect the egg from further cracking. Now it is ready to decorate.

NATURAL DYE FOR EGGS

Here are some ideas for dying your eggs naturally. Usually, the more natural ingredient you use the longer it takes to dye them, even overnight in some cases. The longer they soak, the darker the color. Note: Not all of these eggs will be safe to eat. Do not eat eggs that sit in hot water for many hours or overnight- save them for decorations.

RED - Save the skins from red onions and boil with eggs 1/2 hour to 1 hour. Remember that the more skins you use and the longer you soak, the darker the color. A smaller amount of skins produces a nice lavender.
PINK - Soak your hardboiled eggs in cranberry juice or the juice from pickled beets.
VIOLET BLUE - Soak your hardboiled eggs overnight in not water to which you have added violet blossoms.
LAVENDER - Soak hardboiled eggs in grape juice, or add 2 tsp lemon juiced to the violet blue water to lighten the color.
YELLOW - To a cup of hot water, add 1 to 1-1/2 tsp turmeric and 1/2 tsp vinegar.
GOLDEN TAN - Save the skin from yellow onions. Add them to the water when you hard boil your eggs.
BROWN - To a cup of hot water, add 1 tbsp instant coffee, and a 1/2 tsp vinegar.
GREEN - Add 1/2 tsp baking soda to a bowl of the water from the Violet Blue before soaking your eggs.
PRETTY PASTELS - You can rub blueberries and cranberries right on the shells for soft blues and pinks. Blend them in for a pretty result.

Please visit the Easter web page of my good friends, Adrian and Elsa, by clicking on the beautiful graphic below. I met them online and they have become very good friends. You will be very emotional after you read their lovely story.