Easter & Spring Festivals

Many festivals during this time of year are rooted in traditions centered around the sparks of life returning to the land. As we look to nature, we can see it is a time of joyful rebirth, new beginnings and abundance. After the dark days of winter when all of nature has appeared to be sleeping, spring comes bursting into full bloom. Warm breezes begin to blow through the trees which are now full of buds, blossoms and birdsong. Seeds put forth their shoots as leaves and flowers unfold with the sun.  This renewal of life in nature can be explored in endless ways with children through seasonal activities, crafts and stories. 

Eostre, or Ostara, is an ancient goddess of Spring. As the goddess of the dawn, she is the caretaker of all emerging life during this time of year. In ancient cultures, eggs have represented the cosmic cycles of life, while the hare has been associated with fertility, rebirth and the moon. The Easter hare appeared in folklore as a magical being that wanders about leaving brightly colored eggs and gifts for children. This hare usually slips away, before it can be seen, just as the moon sets below the hills and the sun’s rays spread across the dewy morning grass.

Written by Ms. Heather, Cherry Blossom Assistant and Woodland Garden Teacher

Easter Garden

First, go for a walk with your children and gather some moss, three or four small stones, some flat round pebbles, a little tree bark or small piece of wood, and a small tree branch (about one to two feet long) with buds that look as though they’re about to open. Decide where you will set up your garden and protect the surface with some newspaper and perhaps a plastic garbage bag. Cover with a white or pale yellow cloth. Place an old rimmed cookie sheet or drip tray (must be able to hold water) on top of the cloth. This will set the stage for your garden. Place a small shallow dish (glass or green or brown ceramic is ideal) filled with water towards the front of the tray to act as a pond. Build a little grotto out of the stones towards the back of the tray, and cover the bottom of the tray with moss. Place a lump of clay behind the grotto and stick the tree branch down into it so it is secure and standing upright like a little tree. Cover the clay with moss. Use the pebbles to create a trail of stepping stones through the garden leading to the grotto, and place the piece of tree bark across the pond like a bridge. You can also nestle a white candle in among the moss. Spray the garden daily with water from a spray bottle, or gently dribble water on top of the moss with a little pitcher. Have your child make a small caterpillar from green play dough, beeswax, or modeling clay. On the evening before Easter, wrap the caterpillar in a small piece of white silk or gauze and place inside the grotto.

After your child has fallen asleep (or before they wake up), decorate the garden with flowers from the garden, small crystals, and little toy animals. Unwrap the caterpillar and remove it, leaving only the small piece of silk behind in the grotto. Make a butterfly from colorful tissue paper and a pipe cleaner (or whatever you have on hand) and suspend it from the tree with some thread or fishing line. If you like, you can hide little foil-covered chocolate eggs or Jordan almonds throughout. Your child will be amazed to find the garden transformed on Easter morning! 

Shared by Ms. Dylan, Cedar Rose and Woodland Garden Assistant

Acorn and the Caterpillar

A Spring story for the young child.

Hot cross buns recipe

Hot cross buns! Hot cross buns!

One a penny, two a penny, hot cross buns!

If you have no daughters, give them to your sons!

One a penny, two a penny, hot cross buns!

For the buns:

1 cup milk (can sub choice of plant milk), slightly warm (about body temperature)

1 T. dried yeast, stirred in1/3 cup maple syrup1/3 cup brown sugar, organic1 egg (can sub flax egg*)

2 cups all-purpose flour (can sub with whole wheat, spelt, or gluten-free flour)

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

A handful or two of dried cranberries, raisins, chopped nuts, or whatever mix-ins you prefer

For the icing:

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

1.5 tsp. milk of choice

*To make a vegan flax "egg", mix one Tablespoon ground flax (also called flaxseed meal) with 2.5 Tablespoons warm water in a small bowl. Stir quickly with a fork until slightly foamy, and allow to sit for five minutes to thicken.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375º F and grease a baking sheet. In a large bowl, add yeast and warm milk. Stir well and add syrup and sugar. Let sit until bubbly and foamy. Beat in 1 egg (or flax egg). Then add flour, salt, cinnamon, and mix-ins. Stir well and then turn out onto a floured board and add more flour as needed until the dough is well kneaded and smooth, stretchy and not too sticky. Roll into an oiled bowl and cover in a warm place and let rise until doubled. Punch down and form into 9 rolls and place onto the prepared baking sheet. Let rise again, about 20 minutes. Bake for about 25 minutes until well browned.When buns are done baking, transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely while you prepare the icing: In a medium bowl, combine all icing ingredients and mix with a handheld mixer or a strong fork until well blended. Spoon into a little zip lock baggie, snip the corner to make a small hole, and then use the icing to make a large X on top of each bun.