We're very traditional at Linderhof . . .
Especially during Advent and Lent
Things are written in stone!
Like the pre-lenten
(Shrove Tuesday)
breakfast pancakes
I'm not sure I could cope if I didn't eat pancakes for breakfast
on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.
This year they were blueberry!
And today,
Ash Wednesday
is the day we put up our Easter egg tree
Some years I get branches and bring them inside
But not this one for we've got around 8 inches of snow outside.
I have a stash of silk forsythia blossoms tucked away
for Ash Wednesdays like this one.
We've had an Easter egg tree in the dining room since 1992
That was the year that we took a trip to Germany
During Lent
We, of course, stayed in B and B's
And loved the charming custom of branches hung with painted eggs.
We thought they must be dear
And we finally inquired of one of our hostesses
"Where", we asked "can we find some of those charming eggs".
(thinking that perhaps some luxurious store might have them or the hostess herself made them)
"Woolworth's"
was the reply!
So our very first stop that day was at the first Woolworth's we saw.
There they were
lovely hand painted real chicken eggs
complete with string or ribbon to hang them from the branches.
We bought a dozen!
And they arrived home all in one piece!
It's been almost 30 years and we still have that original dozen.
And no more.
For these are special eggs.
our German eggs
So we never bought any more bobbles and bits to hang from
our Easter egg tree and although I've been gifted some things to hang from the tree, we've refrained --
we like only our Woolworth eggs hanging from the branches!
A beautiful butterfly
A bunny
I must admit that we've had an accident or two
But they've hung on
And we've kept them
And continue to use them
A whole and a crack
This one got dropped
But it's okay for we hang it towards the back
Another bunny
And a duck
Because the trees in Germany were in the dining room,
ours is too!
It's almost always been on the end of the sideboard
(one year I put it in the middle of the table -- that was not a good idea!
It's not an easy thing to move)
It's a constant reminder
that we are in the Lenten season
as well as a wonderful trip to Germany
all those many years ago.
4 comments:
Your Easter Egg Tree is wonderful! I used to put one up every year but haven't for the past few years. Maybe I should get back to doing that..
Martha, I love your tree! I have made them in the past but not for years. I really should make one because they are so whimsical and pretty this time of year after the Christmas ornaments have all been put away. It would give me something to do too as I'm shut in most of the time. Your eggs are so special, chipped or not! {I have a little German heritage in me too.} As for pancakes, I can eat those any time. I oftentimes make a big batch and then freeze the rest to take out for a snack. I grew up having pancakes every Ash Wednesday and I made them on Ash Wednesday for my children when they were growing up. I so enjoyed your post! Have a delightful day.
How wonderful! I have made many Christmas ornaments from eggs but I love the idea of hanging them from branches. Your German eggs are darling and have wonderful memories associated with them.
Hero homes mohali
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