Easter Egg Parade

Can you believe Easter is just around the corner?

I've been busy trying out some new techniques with my old dyes. I just couldn't wrap my head around making any Pysanka this year.

It's already, like, countdown time!

Labels: Easter, Pysanky

Oooopsy

I left the French doors open the other day and the wind blew not one but TWO of my pysanka off the dresser. Oooopsy.

Well, it is Lent. Suppose I should bring out the ol' supplies and get to work. I can't remember the last time I made any. Hmmmmmm?

Time to go buy some eggs.

(Or as my momma used to say--"them ol' hen ehhhhhygz.")

Labels: Pysanky

Winner!

Ok, I'm finally getting caught up. Well, a little anyway. I took all the responses to my One World, One Heart giveaway, deleted the comments, kept the names and added them to Excel--as Lisa suggested. Wow. That took some time just removing the comments!

Then I did the Random.org number generator. Out of 389 comments, it chose No. 71. Number 71 is Linda Sue of All I Ever Wanted. I am thoroughly enjoying reading her blog as she seems to be as random as I am when it comes to posting. I like that.

After I posted my surprise giveaway entry, I quickly decided that I was going to give away one of my pysanka. I had finally finished them from last spring, almost a year after the fact; and I thought they were different enough to give away.

So, Linda Sue, you may pick one from the above picture. I pulled out my nicest ones. I hope you like one of them to have as your own.

This sure was a big year for OWOH! What a turnout. Congrats Lisa. And a big thank you for organizing and sponsoring. You're the bestest.

What's Happenin'?

Not a whole lot going on here. Being as lazy as lazy can be. Trying to stay inside as it is hotter than you-know-what down here. And if any of us do go outside, we are taking our lives in our hands as the mockingbirds are still on the attack. Not as bad as they were as the chicks are up and flying; but they are still there. Even Dave (above) is staying in more.

As I was watering my mom's flowers yesterday, I had the hose spraying on one of the tall crepe myrtles that are in bloom. I decided to hose the entire bush as it's just been so hot. As soon as I got to the top, birds starting arriving from all around to get a shower! It was the funniest thing I have ever seen. Even the baby mockingbirds where there after momma squawked at them to come and enjoy the coolness of the water. I showered as many as wanted, probably about a half an hour, before they all seemed satisfied and flew away. It was so much fun.

Geesh, I'm almost embarrassed to bring these pysanka up! They have been in the fridge since Lent (like March!) and I have yet to get the egg out and melt the wax off. Now, they're sitting on the counter waiting for me to do this. I am still going to give one away. Stay tuned for that miraculous day, hopefully before NEXT Easter!

Taaaaaa-bul. The kitchen table is also full of papers that have been sitting there since I arrived home last week. Yep, lazy as lazy can be. Growing up, we would visit my mom's sister, Aunt Nita, in Georgia. We'd do the normal stuff like go out and eat and shop and stuff. If Aunt Nita saw something that was kind of funny, she would say it in a long, slow, drawn-out voice. If there was a comical hat a lady was wearing, she'd say (under her breath) "Haaaaa-at." Mom and I would just giggle. When I would visit mom after moving to TN and would arrive at the old house, I'd walk in and see her kitchen table just chock full of stuff. She'd immediately say "taaaaaay-bul." hehe. We would just laugh. The kid picked it up, unknowingly. As we were out one day, this lady had these HUGE, like 1980s, glasses on. He looked at me and whispered "glaaaaa-ses." hehe. We are bad. But all in good fun.

The only thing exciting that has happened around here since the cuz left was a truck tearing my mailbox off its post. It sits, sadly, on the grass. I am thankful that the mailman continues to use it. I'm sure he has to get out of his truck to fill it. I would get a picture of it (later), but I would be attacked by those darn mockingbirds if I stepped foot out front! Maybe at sun down, I'll run out there!

Wish we would get some rain down here. This heat seems like it's never going to break. I think I'm ready for fall, dare I say! You?

Anniversary Flowers and Pysanka Time

Of course, I had to take some close ups of my anniversary flowers. They're so pretty.

I love this one green mossy/ferny sprig. Only one though. Wouldn't an entire bouquet be perfect for St. Paddy's Day?

After much procrastination, I finally decided to do some pysanky this year. Low and behold, I found all of my pysanky supplies after much searching. For some reason, my dyes were in the rec room and my patterns and kistky (my writing tools) were in a box in the basement. I have become so disorganized since redoing several rooms in the house, I don't know where anything is at this point. And, of course, that drives me absolutely mad. I was truly doing so much better last year in my organizational skills before all the demo began. Now I honestly have no desire to straighten it all out again. None whatsoever. In fact, just thinking about it makes me want to crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head. My one yucky thing a day has turned into doing something totally different than cleaning. But I am still doing one yucky thing a day, promise.

Yesterday, I decorated two eggs. This one is my first attempt at getting my hand steady. I started with a pattern then messed up and used my imagination for the rest. The first egg is normally the shakiest of the season, one I will never give away! Yuk. With the traditional wax process, it will take several more days to see what the egg actually looks like--similar to batiking fabric. You can see the process in a previous post here. I can already tell that this one will not be anything special.

I'm thinking about giving one of my pysanka away in a drawing a little later. The One World One Heart was so much fun, I'm already reading for another one! I will keep you all posted. First, let's see if any of my eggs come out worthy of giving away. Now there is the million dollar question.

Spring?

Blah blah blah blah. That's about how I feel today. I want to do something, but I don't feel like doing anything. Ever have those days? What to do. My face is a little sore today, one of those dull-can't-quite-put-the-finger-on-it, ever-so-slight pain. Enough to just make you feel blah. It's also kind of tingly. Guess it's doin' its thing. Kinda rainy outside, not cold but cool. Another layer of blah.

These iris are our flowers of the month from my brother Jim. They are absolutely gorgeous. I am spoiled rotten. My other brother John sent me a new cd. I call him DJ Mixer John. I'm listening to it now. Fun! (Beck's Two Tone Devil with a Microphone is playing now, well, actually Kid Rock . . . )



The poor birds. The gold finches don't know if they should turn yellow yet or not. You can see the one on the railing has already turned, the one at the feeder is still deciding.

Our friend Fred came by this morning and mentioned they missed seeing my new pysanky. I didn't make a one this year. Last year was even marginal as these are the only ones I did then. Oh well. There's always next year, right?

Well, let's see how many Spring entries I can do this year! Think I'm up to three or four now. Lovely.

Easter Supper 2006

Full again, full again, thank God, we're full again. (This is what mom and I say to each other after we have lunch everyday.) Today, we are all really full, for sure! What a feast.

I started out setting our kitchen table with my pysanky and an old Ukrainian embroidered breakfast cloth (that I found at a YARD SALE!!) and some bee's wax tapers. Since Grammy and Grandpa get up way before any of us on weekends, I had their breakfast plates out for them to enjoy a nice Easter breakfast together. Later in the day, I made my BLT deviled eggs from Paula Dean's magazine. (If anyone is interested, I'll post the recipe.) I mixed them on an egg platter with some of my naturally dyed eggs. It looked so pretty. I was amazed I had some left after the teenager has been eating them all weekend!! He'll probably be sick of eggs come next week!! ha. I also opened Ann's Easter gift to us which was the cutest little chocolate nest (chocolate covered almonds) with a beautiful small bunny and some gum balls (not chewing gum). It was so sweet! (Thank you again, Ann & G, we've been nibbling all day on it!)

Grandpa and I did all the cooking. He prepared the kyshka and kobassa for me. I made sure to watch him this time, so I know exactly how he does it. He's the masta. I did the pyrogi (sauteed in onions and garlic) and the green beans (steamed with a little lemon, butter and salt). The hulubtsi (stuffed cabbage) was frozen, so no biggy there. We also had a honey baked ham which we just reheated. I made a salad, which no one touched. Hey, at least we got the green beans in us! We also had yeast rolls and of course, all the trimmings--horseradish, red horseradish (mixed with cranberries--but normally made red with beets) mustard, sour cream (for the pyrogi), half sours (not fully done pickles) and of course eggs, lots and lots of eggs. We did begin supper with a prayer and a piece of kryshanky (hard boiled egg) and paska. The paska was dry and Grammy said to cut back on the cooking time, which I will do next time. So if you took the recipe down, check the paska at 40+ minutes and go from there. Grandpa said it is what he is used to, so we were all happy with that response! (Gee with all the cooking, I forgot to put the Easter lamb butter on the table. I just remembered. Isn't there always at least one item you forget?? OY!)
The table was set with our finest. Our "wedding" china was used with some silk napkins that the hub had picked up in Bangkok from Jim Thompson's. I used Ukrainian tapers I had bought at Surma's years ago (waiting for that right time to use) and the kid put out some small bunny tapers too. This is the cooked holubtsi, kyshka and fresh kobassa. It was delicious. I will definitely order from Polana's again. The skinny kobassa was good too. We nibbled on that all day.

Here's the two mothers at the head of the table. Looks to me they started their prayers early.

Mass was nice. We went to the 5:30 mass which is the normal Teen Mass. It is the first year our church has held it at this time on Easter Sunday. It was not crowded and I just adore our priest (no pinch hitter was brought in). He makes it fun and interesting always. We were finished by 7. Of course, we came home to my carrot cake. Soooo sweet--a little too sweet. Ouch. Good thing we waited a bit after supper.

Now I'm tired. Think I may hit the hay early tonight. The "kids" (in-laws) are still awake. I think I may go to bed before them tonight! Well, it is a school night! Good excuse, eh!

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter also.

Don't Know If I'm Coming or Going

I think I'm going, but I'm not sure. At least, I'm preparing to go--I think. I'm trying to prepare myself to go, yeah yeah, that's it. My mind is racing with all the things I need to get done before we leave for spring break on Saturday. Can you see the squinty lines between my eyebrows? I'm getting a lot done but in such a discombobulated way, I don't know what to do next. I'm blaming it on my new--soon to be old--coffee routine.

Note to self: Must switch to tea tomorrow--tomorrow ok, tomorrow, yes, tomorrow.

I always do this. I make more work for myself than I need to. But you know the drill: housesitter coming to stay at house--must clean house, must make it relaxing and easy for single person to stay at house. (=more work than need be.)

Must pull summer things out from under all the winter things in the really cluttered closets-- for mom, the kid and the teenager, oh yea, and me--clean these things first, I'm sure. Pack for everyone--hub is on his own, maybe even teenager.

Note to self: Must change light in closet tomorrow--can't see. Have teenager change light--can't reach. Have hub change light--can't find teenager. Aw hell, just grab someone off the street to change the damn light, hub is gone.

And you see, this is how I'm going about my day. Really chaotic. I think--I do, I think--I do. No rhyme or reason. I really do need to make a list tonight. I don't know why I fight it, but I always do.

Note to self: Self, make LIST, please make list--and check off. Thank you.

Yesterday, I blew the few eggs that I have done this year. I've really not been in the right frame of mind for pysanky....and you HAVE to be in the mood to make pysanky. It's way too time consuming not to feel like doing it. The kid did better than me! That's good. Maybe it's he who will carry on the tradition, definitely NOT the teenager--sheesh!


In between sporadic other things, I even got the wax off. They are now ready to be shellacked. Joy. The smell of polyeurothane filling the nostrils. Lovely. I knew there was more than one reason I added the French doors to the study!

And here are some other little diddies I did today. Excuse me? Did someone say give the girl some more caffeine??

This is actually from yesterday--the start of the "Beach Pile." You should see it now, it's taking over the kitchen. If I think of something, I just throw it here.


And, yes, I know, I said I know, girly girly. They're in the guest room, ok? A young lady will be staying here and perhaps she can enjoy them. Lord knows I can't put them out, I'd never hear the end of it from all the "men." So, I pulled them from the way back of my armoire, blew off the dust and set them up in hopes that maybe someone can enjoy them this year!


And last, but not least:


Just kidding, LOL, the hub made this for Sunday supper yesterday. We ate out tonight--the hub is AWOL (traveling). You don't think I had enough energy to cook, did you? Please.

It's Cranky Pysanky Time

All set up, raring to go. And you thought I was cranked out last weekend! Warning! Warning! Danger Will Robinson! I get so cranky when I'm doing my eggs. I'm so enthralled in the process that I don't want to be bothered--not good for a "momma." I guess the family has become used to it over the years. They know I don't mean anything by ignoring them--I'm just busy, that's all. Don't talk to me, don't ask me questions. I can sit for hours on an egg without saying boo to any of them. Maybe they like it. Better than barking orders like last weekend, huh boys?

Pysanky translated into English is "to write." Taditionally, it is made by the women in the family during Lent. (I'm changing that the best I can!) The women would gather after the kids were put to bed and begin working on their "art." It was to be a time of meditation and usually a "God, help me" was said before sitting down to a batch of eggs.

Me? I sit down with my ishuffle, music blasting in my ears, daring anyone to bother me. Tonight's listening pleasure, as listed on my play list: Big Audio Dynamite, Bonnie Rait, Carly Simon, Cold Play, Damien Rice, David Mead, Frank Zappa, Gorillaz, John Prine, Little Feat, Lucinda Williams and Fleetwood Mac. Duh, puts it in alphabetical order by first name.

When I was still in Virginia, a good friend of mine, who is a graphic artist, helped me put together a little brochure that explained all about the eggs. This way, when I gave them away, it had an explanation included. (You see, each color and each symbol has a different meaning.) Each year, I make about a dozen or so. We used to go to NY for Ukrainian Easter and off to St. George's we'd all go. I'd include that year's pysanky and have them blessed. I would then return home, box them up real pretty and give them away to all my friends and family. We don't make it up there anymore since we've moved to Tennessee. I miss it. I'm sorry that the boys miss out on the wonderful family celebrations. It's just become too much of an ordeal getting there since we're here and the inlaws are in upstate. It takes all day just to get there and there's just not enough time for a long weekend journey. If you're interested in learning more about pysanky, go to this website, rather than me rambling on more than I need to.

When the kid was a toddler I was asked by a friend to make some pysanky to sell at local gift shop in Leesburg, VA. The town had what was called First Friday where all the little shops would stay open late on the first Friday of each month and have an open house type deal. They'd serve food and wine and each place usually had an exhibit of some sort. Well, I was the exhibit. I brought all my goods in and set up a table near the back and demonstrated just how pysanky was made. I had been demonstrating for the kids' classes for years, so it only felt natural to sit there and be asked questions, this time from adults though. The same year, the print shop who printed up my little brochures wanted some to sell at his gift shop in DC. I made so many pysanky that year that I totally burned out and lost sight of the beauty in each one. I will never do that again. It makes a difference when you're making them to sell and when you making them to give away as a sign of love.

Now, each year, I'm lucky if I get a dozen made during Lent. I try and get one done a day. It's a very long and tedious process, and there is always at least one (always the best one, of course) that ends up getting broken and thrown away. I have broken one in every way possible--dropping it, squeezing it too hard, exploding in the oven when I'm removing the wax, putting too much air in it when I'm blowing the contents out; you name it, I've broken it that way! It's extremely frustrating.

Here , I'm making the dye. It's a non-edible dye, so these are not to be used for your eggs to be eaten! I either get my supplies from Surma's, which is right across the street from St. Georges in NYC, or from The Ukrainian Gift Shop (mail order because they're in Minnesota).

The dye can last for several years; but this year, I needed new orange and black.

I had to set up in the dining room, not good. I moved my big working table from the study into the living room at Christmas and it fits better there, so there it will stay. The study was perfect because it can be closed off. Now I have to worry about the cats getting on the table and playing soccer with my eggs!

I use these pattern books as my guides when I'm drawing on my eggs. I do add some ideas at times, but mostly I need a plan in front of me. Jane Pollack is my all-time favorite egg artist. You can see from the cover of her Decorating Eggs how amazing her eggs are. I've tried a couple of hers, all very detailed. In fact, the wedding ring egg at the top I made for my friend's marriage. I have yet to give it to her as I didn't like the way it turned out. That was way back in 1998! Oy.

 

The first thing I do is soak a good egg in vinegar and water for about 15 minutes. (You need to really take a look at an egg before you use it. If there is the tiniest hairline crack, it will break before you are finished!!) The vinegar takes the layer of film off that is on eggs and removes any oils. I also clean my hands good with vinegar. I've left more than my share of finger prints on eggs in the dying process. You have to remember, anything that is covered with oil or wax, the dye will not adhere to. Needless to say, my hands are a mess during this time. I don't use any handcream, and the vinegar just rubs them raw. That in addition to the lovely dies left on my fingers, I'm just beautiful dawling.

These are the writing instruments used. They're called kistky (kistka singular). On the top picture, I have the more modern-day ones. They come in extra fine, fine, medium and thick--just like a writing pen. The lower picture is of the traditional ones. Depending on my line, I pick and choose what works best for my drawing. I even have an electric one, but it's a pain to change the funnel, so I prefer the old fashioned ones.

You heat the funnel by placing it over the candle flame.

You can then cup some beeswax that will melt right into the bowl. You can see the top square is what the beeswax looks like when you first purchase it. The bottom, all melted and black.

You then begin to draw your design. You have to think backwards. It's like batiking or tie dying. What you cover up will be that color. What I am covering here with wax will be white. I always have to start my first egg of the year with a standard design; you know, to get my sea legs, so to speak.

This will all be white.

You then dip the egg in the lightest color you are going to use. I always start with yellow. What I wax over now will be yellow.

Then I dip it in orange. What I cover in wax now will be orange.

Pink. Again, what I cover will be pink.

My final color is usually black.

From here, I let them sit for a day or so. Last year was the first year I followed Jane's suggestion of removing the contents before removing the wax. I used to remove the wax by using the candle flame, melting a little and rubbing a little. These days, I put them all in a very low heated oven and do 5 or 6 at a time. The wax drips down and you just wipe it clean.

Like I said, I now blow the egg before removing the wax. This is done, very carefully by poking a hole in the bottom of the egg. (Tradition is that the small tip of the egg sits upwards when on display.) I have a little accordion type pump that uses a syringe-type-deal that pumps a little air in the hole, a little yolk comes out, a little pump, a little yolk, etc. until it's all clean.

The last of the process is to coat the eggs with shellac. This makes them more durable and gives them a nice shine. I use a wood polyeurothane. It's very stinky and sticky, so I use gloves when I'm working with the stuff. You put a couple of drops in the palm of your hand and rub it all over the egg. I use ceramic holders and set the egg carefully on a prong to let it dry for several days. Since it's always rainy in the spring, it sometimes takes a week for them to dry completely!!

I'll post more as I begin to remove the contents and melt the wax and shellac them. So far, so good. I've finished two--the kid one. Yea.