Todays Easter Bunny Parade

The parade went off very well, the sky clouded up a few times but that did not stop the Bunny from making his 4th annual stroll through the downtown. We gathered candy at some of the local businesses and tried not to tie up traffic too much as we crossed the highway. From little ones in their bunny or duck hats to Ladies in their Easter Bonnets. It was alot of fun. We got a kids head count of 79, a big increase from last year so we are all very happy about that. It would be nice if next year more of the businesses took a minute to join in handing out candy as the kids passed by. Maybe after hearing about the turnout and seeing the write up going in the paper they will. Thanks to B&B, Brandon, The Silver-Smith, Granite Fall, Tambears , Yahooz and The Olde Time Barber Shop for joining in. Also a huge thank you to Jean and Bob from the Garden Center and Teapot Quilt Cottage on Hwy. 22. Without them the Bunny would not have been here!

I am Happy to Say

that when I posted yesterday about teens not wanting to color Easter eggs....I was wrong!  They did join in and had a good time. Liz got creative, Chrissy took command and Carsen even tried to taste test the egg dye. (a family first). But, the eggs got done and the little guys had a good time. Carsen did feed one egg, shell and all to Trixie , who is now on the look out for the Easter Bunny to get more.


We broke out the FireKing cups to have enough space




Kathy is preparing the dyes



wow, we made pink in Grammas coffee cup

Chrissy adds a name to each egg, even the dogs have an egg

Here is what you look like if you taste the blue dye....he did not try any other color after blue

Carsen allowed limited help, at almost two he thinks he can do it all

I got a little on my hands, not too bad. 

Mike who is about to turn 13 joined in and made a couple "ugly" eggs

Liz and her boyfriend Dakota joined in the fun. she even used stickers. P.s. she is off to nursing school in the fall

busy, busy boys

Kathy read somewhere that you could use grape Koolade to color eggs purple ( her favorite color)   It is more like an ugly brown/grey...

Carsen is telling her "hands off" he wants no help he can do it all by himself

JJ shows off all the colorful eggs he made, he is very patient for being 3

Liz finishing up her eggs with stickers

One happy egg decorator, he will be showing these off. I can't wait to see his face when someone tries to eat one.

The eggs are all done and we had a good time. I am really glad the teens joined in. It was also nice to see them take over and do what I have done for them all these years. They will all make great parents when the time comes. family traditions are so very important and to keep these going is a big thing.   Thanks kids for making my day!

Carsens work is done so he is enjoying a sucker. We will get it all cleaned up, then off to watch The Velveteen Bunny.

Make your own Easter Egg dye

http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/more-holidays/homemade-easter-egg-dye-00000000056344/index.html

How to Make Blue


Ingredients
1 pound frozen blueberries (about 3½ cups)
2 cups water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Directions
1. On the stovetop, bring frozen blueberries and water to a boil in a pot. Boil for 5 minutes.
2. Pour colored liquid into a cup or bowl, straining out the blueberries with a strainer.
3. Stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice.



How to Make Yellow

Ingredients
2 tablespoons turmeric
2 cups water
1 tablespoon vinegar
Directions

1. On the stovetop, bring turmeric and water to a boil in a pot. Boil for 5 minutes.
2. Pour colored liquid into a cup or bowl.
3. Stir in 1 tablespoon vinegar.


How to Make Orange

Ingredients
2 tablespoons paprika
2 cups water
1 tablespoon vinegar
Directions

1. On the stovetop, bring paprika and water to a boil in a pot. Boil for 5 minutes.
2. Pour colored liquid into a cup or bowl.
3. Stir in 1 tablespoon vinegar.


How to Make Pink


Ingredients
12 ounces frozen raspberries (about 3½ cups)
2 cups water
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions
1. On the stovetop, bring frozen raspberries and water to a boil in a pot. Boil for 5 minutes.
2. Pour colored liquid into a cup or bowl, straining out the raspberries with a strainer.
3. Stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice.

How to Make Brown

Ingredients
¼ cup instant coffee granules
2 cups boiling water
1 tablespoon vinegar

Directions
1. In a cup or bowl, stir coffee granules and boiling water together.
2. Add 1 tablespoon vinegar.


How to Make Green

Directions In a bowl or cup, mix one part blue liquid with one part yellow liquid.

Trixie watching for the Easter Bunny!

I am off to get the final prep done for The Montello Easter Bunny Parade today at 1:00. What started out a few years back as a handful of kids has grown to be alot of fun for all ages. The sun is shining, the snow is gone and hubby, Matt and Liz are downtown right now hanging balloons on the light posts. I am charging the video camera and my digital to catch the fun and get some new photos with the "BUNNY"

What a Difference a Day Makes

Just a day or two ago the snow flakes flew and my newly sprouted floers were covered with a blanket of snow.  This morning here is not a trace of snow in the yard.  I am very thankful for that  becasue I have an Easter Egg Hunt planned for Sunday morning and really did not want to wear snow boots to do it.

I get so excited when I see these plants come back because I am NOT a gardener. No green thumb, sand for soil and hate pulling weeds. Over the past few years I have added perenials to the space along my dricveway in hopes to not have to plant ever again. Now, I check each morning to see just what has come back. Hens and chicks are up, some of the sedum, a few unknown plants and of course day lilies. Spring really is here, finally.

I have the eggs on to boil and two little boys on their way here to color the eggs. I miss the fun of having the little ones, the teenagers are really not into all the prep fun any more. They still look for the Easter Basket and are on board to help tommorrow with the Easter Bunny Parade downtown.  It is fun to look at last years photos and see how much the kids have grown.

This Montello Easter Bunny Parade we started about 4 years back and it keeps getting bigger. The businesses along the sidewalk downtown come out to pass out candy as the kids follow the bunny through the downtown.  A funny story.... the first year my grandson Mike was about 8. After the parade and photos the bunny needed a ride back to the Garden Center. My husband offered to drive. Mike went with foir the ride. Not wanting to burst his belief in the Easter Bunny, Bob the owner of the Garden Center and (Bunny) could not remove the head. They dropped him off and he waved as they drove off. To anyone who would listen , Mike told that the Bunny went to the Garden Center and somehow lived there. If only they could stay that way just a little longer. Thank you to Bob for all the happy memories and fun.  I am having dinner at home for Easter and have a small shoppping list, some baking to do and last minute check on the ingredients for dinner. A low stress day would be great and much appreciated. My MOM has moved here from Tulsa and this will be our first Easter I think since I was a toddler. ( long story on why, and I will save that for another day). So the guest list will look something like this....Hubby and me, daughter Kathy and her son Mike, Daughter Patrice and her Matt, Liz, hopefully sam and Joey with his two boys JJ and Carsen, Chrissy and her friend Zach, Mom and maybe Cheryl and a friend.
 The boys and I have planned to make placecards and finish a centerpiece, I hope to get photos of all the craftiness that goes on. At almost 2 and just 3 it should be quite an afternoon.

Here is a cupcake recipe I found for Easter, but I am using orange instead of lemon.  Have a great weekend!
Raspberry Lemonade Angel Food Cupcakes

Cake

•1 box Angel Food Cake Mix, prepared as directed
•Zest of 2 medium lemons
•1 package of raspberry Jello (3 oz) – sugar free is fine
•1 cup of water
Frosting
•2 cups heavy whipping cream
•2 tablespoons white sugar
•3 fluid ounces of frozen raspberry lemonade concentrate, thawed
•Candied Lemon or fresh raspberries to garnish
Directions:
1. Preheat oven as directed on the cake mix box.
2. Mix the cake batter as directed on the box.
3. Fold in lemon zest after mixing.
4. Bake according to the instructions for cupcakes on the box.
5. After your cupcakes have cooled, use a fork to pierce holes in the top. Poke the fork into the tops 2-3 times per cupcake.
6. Heat one cup of water to boiling. Stir into gelatin mix until dissolved (in a glass measuring cup if you have one – will make the next step easier!)
7. Pour (or spoon) slowly over cupcakes. You don’t want a full swimming pool in the cupcakes – just a little to run into the tunnels you made with the fork. Attempting to photograph yourself pouring into the cupcakes = spilled liquid gelatin mess on the counter. Trust me.
8. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes. I made these the night before and refrigerated overnight!
Onto the frosting!
9. If possible, chill your mixing bowl before you get started. Then combine whipping cream, sugar and lemonade concentrate in a bowl and beat until the frosting reaches stiff peaks when you remove your beaters.
10. Put whipped cream into a piping bag and frost your cupcakes! Top with candied lemon or fresh raspberries!
http://www.didsomeonesaypartysite.com/2011/04/raspberry-lemonade-angel-food-cupcakes.html