The aroma of vinegar hanging in the air. Shades of color staining once pristine hands. Hard-boiled eggs placed neatly into the egg crate. No doubt, dad will “accidentally” send an egg crashing to the floor. “This one cracked. Don’t want to waste any.” He peels the shell and reaches for the salt and pepper. Children mystified at the transformations taking place before their eyes.
As a child, we never colored eggs in my house. It was not because we didn’t celebrate Easter or dislike eggs. I really cannot say why. Perhaps, because there were four kids, mom, and dad listened to enough bickering without giving us an actual reason to feud. I am sure my parent’s foreseen glimpses of name-calling, poking, and children thumping at one another.
I grew up believing only people who lived on farms hunted for hidden colorful eggs on Easter. Many of the holidays in my house were only partially celebrated, which explains the disconnect I have with holidays. I was not going to make the same misjudgment when raising my children.
On Easter, my children colored dozens of pretty, elaborate, and imaginatively designed eggs. When all the eggs had been colored, when we were down to one egg, the very last egg, we would dunk it into each container of egg dye. The “mutt” egg, as we would call it would turn an awful shade of purplish-gray. Guess who always ended up with the mutt egg – that is right, dad.
It was more than coloring eggs that was taking place with my children. We were making a connection and establishing a family tradition. A simple thing like a colored egg, and a bit of dye, a few laughs, and a healthy imagination, can make memories influencing generations to come. Now, much more than what I missed as a kid, it saddens me to know what my parents missed out on.
Don’t worry about the mess – it’s worth it. Here’s a few handy cleanup tips using household items.
Handy Tips
Here is a simple household solution for those stained hands, put a teaspoon of sugar in a teaspoon of cooking oil and vigorously rub it on the stains. Follow up with a second wash using your favorite soap.
Want to get the dye out of clothes? Fill the kitchen sink with only hot water. Add one cup of distilled white vinegar. Using a wooded spoon mix the water/vinegar. Add the clothes to the water/vinegar mix and stir gently until stains disappear. The vinegar is the solution used to mix the concentrated dye for the colored eggs. The dye in the clothes dissolves in the water/vinegar solution.
Final, but most important tip of all; make memories!
This has been a… View From My Loft!