MARCH RIGHT ON IN!

Good Morning Foodies!
Don’t say I did not warn you that time would fly by! We are in the WINDY MONTH OF MARCH!
I don’t know about your schedule, but this month for me is chock-a-block of events and things I have to see about! Of course, the biggie—EASTER IS THIS MONTH!
I am not a big fan of EASTER falling in MARCH! I don’t know how this happened, but it seems to me as a child, I always remember EASTER in APRIL! Does the word CONSPIRACY come to mind!!!!!!!!
Anyway, not sure if the azaleas are going to cooperate this season. The temperature has fluctuated so much I think the spring flowers are as confused as we are! One day boots, the next day flip-flops!!!
When you look at your calendar and see the events approaching, you also have to think about “STRIPPING DOWN”! Yep, no more big sweaters, jogging suits, scarves, knee-high boots, etc.! So that can only mean: SHORTS, MINI SKIRTS, HALTER TOPS, SANDLES, BATHING SUITS! You get my drift!!!!!!!!
I have to now focus on getting rid of my “WINTER FAT”, but I am afraid I will be trading that in for “SPRING ROLLS”! UGH!!
I like to tell my GIRLIE GRAND PEEPS that if your thighs touch, you are one step closer to being a mermaid! I CALL THAT A WINNER IN MY BOOK!
All silliness aside, SPRING IS NEARING! When you look around, you see NEW LIFE BLOOMING everywhere! It is so beautiful, fresh and inspiring! Try not to judge yourself too harshly! Think of your good qualities, things you have to offer, observe all your blessings, hug all your love ones and just have a grand smile and belly laugh! Life is more than wearing a bikini!
I think my positive thoughts will go like this with the TIME CHANGE:
HAIR gets LIGHTER!
SKIN gets DARKER!
WATER gets WARMER!
DRINKS get COLDER!
MUSIC gets LOUDER!
NIGHTS get LONGER!
AND hopefully,
LIFE GETS BETTER!

NEXT WEEK IS HOLY WEEK! HOPE YOU ARE HOPPING TO GET THINGS DONE EASILY AND LOVINGLY.
Before closing, got several requests to post the STORY/RECIPE for those RESURRECTION COOKIES! Must say, one of my most favorite things to do for the EASTER CELEBRATION!

Here is the recipe and directions for those RESURRECTION COOKIES!
RESURRECTION COOKIES!!!!
The Evening Before Easter, Gather the Following:
1 c. whole pecans
1 t. vinegar
3 egg whites, pinch of salt
1 c. sugar
Ziploc bag
Wooden spoon
Tape
Bible
Preheat oven to 300. THIS IS IMPORTANT—DO NOT WAIT UNTIL LATER TO HEAT OVEN!
Place pecans in Ziploc bag and let children beat with wooden spoon and break into small pieces. EXPLAIN THAT AFTER JESUS WAS ARRESTED, HE WAS BEATEN BY THE ROMAN SOLDIERS!
Read: John 19:1-3
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 t. of vinegar into a mixing bowl.
EXPLAIN THAT WHEN JESUS WAS THIRSTY ON THE CROSS, HE WAS GIVEN VINEGAR TO DRINK.
Read: John 19:28-30
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life.
EXPLAIN THAT JESUS GAVE HIS LIFE TO GIVE US LIFE.
Read: John 10:10-11
Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.
EXPLAIN THAT THIS REPRESENTS THE SALTY TEARS SHED BY JESUS’ FOLLOWERS AND THE BITTERNESS OF OUR OWN SIN!
Read: Luke 23:27
So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing.
Add 1 c. sugar.
EXPLAIN THAT THE SWEETEST PART OF THE STORY IS THAT JESUS DIED BECAUSE HE LOVES US. HE WANTS US TO KNOW AND BELONG TO HIM.
Read Psalms: 34:8 and John 3:16
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.
EXPLAIN THAT THE COLOR WHITE REPRESENTS THE PURITY IN GOD’S EYES OF THOSE SINS THAT HAVE BEEN CLEANSED BY JESUS.
Read ISA. 1:18 and John 3:1-3
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.
EXPLAIN THAT EACH MOUND REPRESENTS THE ROCK TOMB WHERE JESUS’ BODY WAS LAID.
Read: Matthew 27:57-60
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
EXPLAIN THAT JESUS’ TOMB WAS SEALED.
Read Matthew 27:65-66
NOW GO TO BED!
EXPLAIN THAT THEY MAY FEEL SAD TO LEAVE THE COOKIES IN THE OVEN OVERNIGHT. JESUS’ FOLLOWERS WERE IN DESPAIR WHEN THE TOMB WAS SEALED.
Read John 16:20 and 22
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow!
EXPLAIN ON THE FIRST EASTER, JESUS’ FOLLOWERS WERE AMAZED TO FIND THE TOMB OPEN AND EMPTY!
Read Matthew 28: 1-9

KITCHEN WILL BE CLOSED THRU MONDAY, APRIL 1ST-THIS IS NOT AN APRIL FOOL’S!

HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A MOST BEAUTIFUL HOPPING EASTER!

Have a safe and productive holiday!