I received a request. I've never had a request before so this is too good to miss.
Debbie asked how I spent Easter when I was young. Here's where all your predictions will fall apart. Some of it doesn't make sense.
My parents belonged to a denomination that did not celebrate the sacred part of the Easter story. Why? Since the actual crucifixion date of Christ was not known, their denomination thought that it was not "right" to celebrate if the date wasn't accurate. They did remember the death and resurrection of Jesus in their daily devotions. So there. That's the sacred part of my Easter celebration.
However, the non religious part of Easter took place.
When we were very little in the early years , the war was on so some of the good stuff (chocolate) was not available but the meal was a big deal. We had turkey and all the trimming that were available. Since we lived on a farm the turkey and ham was readily available. After that there were many other dishes. However, cranberries were not available.
We would celebrate with my Mom's cousins. They had four boys and our family consisted of three boys and a girl. It was quite a gang. It was an all day affair. The big meal was at noon. The afternoon consisted of visiting for the men and hard work for our Moms. For kids, we had a ball. Lots of playing with cousins even though we only lived one mile apart.
After the war candy became available. I'm not sure when the bunny rabbit arrived. Our Grandma sent very nice chocolate cream Easter eggs. I will never forget them. Many goodies were produced by our Moms to go along with the meal.
This went on all day. We had a warm up meal about 6:00 PM. Just before going home at midnight we had a cold plate.
It was a long enjoyable day.
So I hope everybody has a happy Easter no matter how it is observed.
It sounds like you had a wonderful Easter. I remember the holidays of childhood. It was similar to yours and lots of fun. Our mom's sure worked hard and never complained!
ReplyDeleteFamilies lived nearby and were able to get together. One of my children lives in Chicago and the other one is your neighbor.
DeleteI hope you had a very Happy Easter! Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.
ReplyDeleteYes, we celebrated today.
DeleteSounds lovely to me Red. From being ten year old I played the chapel organ both for services and for the choir. So my Easter was very much a religious affair. Now I no longer have faith and am a Humanist. I live alone and Easter is just like any other time to me except less traffic about and more folk walking their dogs past my bungalow - I enjoy that and a good book and my favourite carer twice a day.
ReplyDeleteMy Easter consists of the two of us. I've adjusted to make it work.
DeleteWhen I was a child, we celebrated in much the same way. Our church did celebrate Easter morning but we didn't always go to church. We didn't do anything different in the weeks or days leading up to Easter morning though. At home, it was usually a noon meal centered around a ham and festive spring dishes and then back to farming as usual.
ReplyDeleteWe had some great farm produce to enjoy. Much better than the stuff offered in the supermarket.
DeleteIt's disappointing to discover that you did not dress up as an Easter bunny Red. You would have looked so cute.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I'm cute anyway. Well, maybe a better choice of word would be handsome!
DeleteWhat a lovely family celebration, Red. Great memories there.
ReplyDeleteYes , great memories. Families lived closer together at that time.
DeleteSounds wonderful! Those are great memories.
ReplyDeleteWe lived close together so could get together to have fun.
DeleteSounds like a fun family celebration! I had an Easter brunch yesterday for some of my family. We had a ham and lots of side dishes. I am not religious anymore and neither are my children and grandchildren so we have the Easter baskets and jelly beans type of celebration!
ReplyDeleteOur meal has got much simpler for two old people who don't have big appetites.
DeleteHappy Easter! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you. I hope you had a great Easter.
DeleteThank you, Red. That's interesting to me that your Easter was celebrated without the religious connotations. Was your Christmas celebration non-secular as well?
ReplyDeleteChristmas was non-secular as well.
DeleteThe joy of an extended family. I imagine that not all women loved their roles.
ReplyDeleteNow the extended family is spread out. and gone.
DeleteSounds like you had wonderful Easter celebrations growing up. Great memories!
ReplyDeleteWe also had other days like this for no special reason.
DeleteInteresting. Thanks for sharing these memories. Family has always been a part of my Easter celebrations too.
ReplyDeleteOur family is spread out so we do not have the big family gatherings. My daughter lives in Chicago and my son lives in the Vancouver area.
DeleteThe noon, six and midnight timings are interesting. I wouldn't be keen to be washing up at midnight.
ReplyDeleteIs a cold plate made up of cold cuts?
I never knew there was a denomination who didnt celebrate easter, that's interesting
Ham was usually the meal for us growing up.
ReplyDeleteWonderful memories of your childhood Easter! I remember chocolate easter eggs and tiny tea sandwiches. That's about it.
ReplyDelete