Easter Story Cookies

Hello friends and visitors! I've been so busy with weddings lately that I haven't had much time to visit my blogging friends or get anything posted. I was trying to think of something I could post this week and when a friend asked me to send her the Easter Cookie Recipe I thought it might be just the thing to share with you this week. I think it's a wonderful Easter activity to do with the special little ones in your life and thought you might enjoy it as well. The recipe isn't my own creation and unfortunately I don't know who the creator is. I did make these with a friend and her son a couple of years ago and it does work. Hope you enjoy sharing the Easter Story with your little ones and hope you have a joyful Easter weekend!

EASTER COOKIE RECIPE

Making cookies with your children
to teach the true meaning of EASTER! The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory,
the glory of the One and Only, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

You Need

Help & permission from Parents!

1- cup whole pecans

1-teaspoon vinegar

3 egg whites

pinch of salt

1-cup sugar

zipper baggie

wooden spoon

tape

Bible

Preheat the oven to 300 (this is important-don't wait 'til you're half-done with the recipe)

1. Place the pecans in the baggie and let the kids beat them with the wooden spoon to break them into pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.Read John 19:1-3

2. Put the vinegar into a mixing bowl. Let each child smell the vinegar. Explain that when Jesus was on the cross and He became thirsty, He was offered vinegar to drink.Read John 19:28-30

3. Add the egg whites to the vinegar. The eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life so that we could have life.Read John 10:10-11

4. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand and let them taste it. Put 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

5. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup of 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 Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

6. Beat the egg whites with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes, until stiff peaks form. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3

7. Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto a wax paper cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus body was laid to rest.Read Matt. 27:57-60

8. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven off.

9. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the door. Explain that Jesus tomb was sealed.Read Matt. 27:65-66

10. Go to bed. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight and that Jesus followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.Read John 16:20-22

11. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. the cookies are hollow! ON THE FIRST EASTER, Jesus' followers were amazed to find His tomb empty.Read Matt. 28: 1-9

Now You're Cookin!

One of my favorite things to do is look through decorating, design and craft books for new ideas. While visiting my sister we decided to look through her stacks of Christmas and Craft books to find some new ideas for Christmas gifts. While leafing through a Trash To Treasure Book I came across one of the cleverest ideas I've seen in awhile. A child size range made from a recycled nightstand plus cookware and kitchen accessories to match made from boxes and containers we all have around the house. I will be making one for Caroline and I thought I would share it with you in case you would like to make one for a special little one in your life or perhaps to sell at a craft fair.

CHILD'S RANGE



The first thing you will need is an unused nightstand. Perhaps you have one on hand, but if not one should be easy to find at a thrift store, yard sale or maybe even on a curbside. You will need a 1"x6" pine board, 3" wide baseboard, handsaw, screws, screwdriver, wood glue, white primer, assorted colors of acrylic paint, paintbrushes, permanent marker, knobs, handles and some imagination. Remove the old handle/handles. Sand the entire nightstand and wipe with a tack cloth. Cut a piece of 1"x6" board the width of your nightstand and attach to the back with wood glue and screws, making sure the board extends 3" above the top edge of the nightstand. Cut a piece of the 3" wide baseboard and attach to the pine board extending above the edge of the nightstand with wood glue. After the wood glue is dry, prime the entire "range". After primer has dried, paint with white acrylic paint. Once your base coat is completely dry you can attach the knobs to the knob panel and paint on a clock. Complete your range by painting on burners, trim accents and adding your new oven door pulls. I'm sure it would be easy to make a sink, washer/dryer and other appliances with a little imagination.

CANISTERS AND COOKWARE

















You will need:
Recycled assorted containers with lids in 5 sizes.
White spray primer
Craft knife
Cutting mat
Assorted colors of acrylic paint
Paintbrushes
Foam core board
Assorted wooden knobs
Hot blue gun
Utility scissors
Craft knife
Two jumbo craft sticks
Wood glue

1. Apply primer to outsides of containers and lids
2. For pans, use craft knife to cut 1 1/2" to 2 1/2" from bottoms of two containers
Paint pans.
3. For each pan lid, draw around bottom of pan on foam core board. Use craft knife to cut out circle 1/4" outside drawn line. Draw hearts or any design you like on the top of each lid and paint with assorted colors. Outline each heart in a contrasting color. Paint designs on each heart. Paint knobs, center and glue knob on lid.
4. For pan with handle, use utility scissors to cut craft sticks in half. Matching cut ends, stack halves and glue together. Let glue dry and paint handles. Use craft knife slit large enough to insert handle in side of pan. Apply glue to cut end of handle and insert in slit.
5. Draw heart or other design on the sides of remaining containers. Using assorted colors, paint each heart. Outline each heart in a contrasting color. Paint designs on hearts as desired.
6. For each canister lid, paint lid of container and knob.

What could be easier or more affordable? A one of a kind, custom kitchen made by you especially for your little one. Have fun cooking up some special times with the special child in your life!