Easy Peep Sugar Cookies

There is just something about Peeps. I have always liked the bunnies the best. To me, they are a big symbol of spring and of Easter. These days, Peeps seem to be everywhere! Peeps are a product of the Just Born Candy Company, located in Bethlehem, PA. The original Peep Chicks hit the production line in the 1950s, but it wasn't until the 1980s that the cute little bunnies hit the line. Until 1995, Peeps were only produced in pink, yellow and white. In 1995, blue and lavender were introduced.

Easter Bonnets

"In your Easter Bonnet, 
with all the frills upon it,
You'll be the grandest lady in the Easter parade."

~Irving Berlin in reference to the famous NYC Easter Parade that wound down 5th Avenue form St. Patrick's Cathedral.

According to my research into Easter Bonnets, ladies purchased new and elaborate designs to wear for church services, in particular Easter services, taking the end of Lent as an opportunity to make a luxury purchase. Purchasing new clothes for Easter, has deep roots in European customs.

The famous NYC Easter Parade, began in the 1870's and became quite popular in the mid 20th century. In 1947, experts estimated the crowd to be nearly a million people, by 2008, it had decreased to only 30,000. Boston and Philadelphia are both know for holding Easter Parades, with strollers ranging from men and women to children and pets.

I can recall making Easter Bonnets in school, typically out of paper plates and crepe paper. . .of course that was when Easter was still celebrated in public schools. My mother was a teacher and she had a fabulous Easter bulletin board, full of bunnies, ducks and flowers she had cut out and colored with chalk.

These days, in our more casual society, Easter Bonnets are harder to find, as fewer and fewer women bother with the tradition. Outside of the bow hat, traditionally made for women at a bridal or baby shower, I can only think of three occasions you may see a "lady" in a fancy hat: The Kentucky Derby, a Tea Party and Easter.

How about you? Will you be donning an Easter Bonnet this year?

catch you soon -

How-To: Make Baskets out of Peat Pots

It never fails, this time of year, my mind turns to Spring and Garden-inspired decor. Even with Easter decorations, I prefer some "realistic" bunnies and pretty baskets to decorate my home. (My kids TOTALLY disagree so it's a mash up).  I picked up some Peat Pots to start a gardening project, and it struck me that they would make pretty, natural-looking baskets, and you could decorate them in almost any style. So I gave it a try, and here's what I came up with:

Get some Peat Pots. They come in a variety of styles - round and square, connected together like egg cartons, etc. It doesn't really matter which style you use. For my project, I used square, individual peat pots. But a set of twelve connected could make a pretty centerpiece.

Easter Food - Pineapple Stuffing Recipe

We have Easter dinner at my parent's house every year.  My mom plans a delicious menu, featuring a traditional ham.  She always asks me to bring my Pineapple Stuffing/Souffle.  It's by no means a healthy side dish . . . but it's a great compliment to ham and very easy to make.

Pineapple Stuffing (really more of a souffle) - serves 6 to 8 (we are 10 to 12 and have plenty)

1 lg can of crushed pineapple - drained
10 slices of white bread - cubed
7 large eggs - fork beaten
2 cups of sugar
1/2 lb. butter
Cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350F

Melt the butter with the sugar in a bowl.

Mix in the bread, eggs and pineapple.

Pour into a sprayed casserole pan (13x9x2)

Sprinkle top generously with cinnamon.

Bake at 350 F uncovered for 1 hour.

Let sit for 15 minutes before serving.  I actually make it the night before and just heat it up before dinner.

And there you have it - a delicious and easy side dish for Easter.

What's your favorite side dish?

catch you soon -

How-To . . .Make Bunny Pots

For crafting, Terra Cotta Pots are easy to find and inexpensive. In fact, you can use them to make these adorable and easy Terra Cotta Bunny Pots for Easter.

The Terra Cotta Bunny Pots are super easy to make - there's really nothing to them.