- Mar 20, 2022

Happy Hour : Elegant Easter Eggs

Every been in a restaurant when it turns "Happy Hour?" You notice the mood instantly changes as everyone is ready for fun. Whenever I'm having a Bad Hair Day, my cure is always a personal Happy Hour. Of course, I'm hopeless addicted to interiors; so for me, this hour is all about decorating. In this series, we'll look at some quick and happy mood changers for our very own Happy Hour. Each should take about an hour - a mere 60 minutes - to perk up our minds and our rooms. Let's get the party started.

Connie and I were on the phone yesterday. I was trying to think of an article for today because with all the projects here at home, I'm a bit low in energy. We'd been talking about the terrible tragedy in Ukraine when she said, "What about an article on Ukrainian Easter eggs?" I just needed to find out more about pysanka, the traditional Ukrainian decorating of eggs.

etsy.com

These traditionally decorated eggs have been a part of the Ukrainian culture for centuries. A decorated goose egg from the 15th or 16th Century has been escavated in Ukraine. The hand-painted goose egg pictured above is by an Ukrainian living in the U.S. and for sale for $600.

pinterest.com

A pysanka is decorated with traditional Ukrainian folk designs using a wax-resist method. The word pysanka comes from the verb pysaty, "to write" or "to inscribe," as the designs are not painted on, but written (inscribed) with beeswax. (Wikipedia)

pinterest.com

According to Wikipedia, "Pysanky are typically made to be given to family members and respected outsiders. To give a pysanka is to give a symbolic gift of life, which is why the egg must remain whole. The design, a combination of the motifs and colors on a traditional folk pysanka, has a deep, symbolic meaning. Traditionally, a pysanka given with its symbolic meaning in mind, be it wishes of protection, fecundity, or love."

ukrhec.org

"Typically, pysanky were displayed prominently in a public room of the house. In a large family, by Holy Thursday, 60 or more eggs would have been completed by the women of the house. The eggs would then be taken to the church on Easter Sunday to be blessed, after which they were given away." (Wikipedia) This year, celebrating Easter for Ukrainians will be unbelievable difficult. Let us pray this ends soon.

And now for a repeat Happy Hour from April 5, 2020. This year, Easter is April 17th.

With Easter just one week away, are you rethinking how to celebrate? Even though we're confined to home, we can make it special for our families. Decorating eggs is a perfect Happy Hour this week. You can find all kinds of tips online including coloring eggs using Cool Whip or shaving lotion with food coloring. Before you start, let's look at some inspiring eggs.