What a wonderfully busy Easter weekend! I had such a great time with my family here. My whole family came (mom, dad, sister, two brothers, and a soon-to-be sister-in-love--speaking of which--if you know where I can find a cute light pink dress to wear to the wedding, I'm all ears.) We also had an easter party at my parents-in-love's house. And thanks to Vivian at hipwritermama, my daughter was able to participate in the sugar cookie decorating. THANKS so much to everyone who sent suggestions for finding eggless sugar cookies!

I also made fresh bread and rolls with my new Bosch mixer. Mmm. So delicious! I think I'm going to make some cinnamon bread today for some people in my neighborhood. Or orange rolls. Or pizza dough. Am I making you salivate?

My talented sister sang "In Humility, our Savior" at my church yesterday. It was so beautiful. I accompanied her on the piano. I love the piano.

On the other hand, I do not like the organ. But I had my own little Easter miracle yesterday. I am the back-up organist for our congregation. And yesterday I was asked to play. I was out of my mind stressed about it because I just did not have enough time to practice. I prayed that the music would invite the Holy Spirit, and that I would be essentially invisible as the organist. I figure that the best compliment an organist can get is that nobody notices them. People only notice the organist when they make mistakes.

Well, I made a huge mistake on the most important song. I hit a couple wrong notes and then, when I couldn't get back on track, I stopped playing for about half a measure. But here's the miracle...NOBODY NOTICED. It's so weird. I asked a million people (give or take), but nobody heard it. I believe my prayer was answered...although not in the way I expected. I hoped I would just miraculously play perfectly.

Anyway, this post isn't remotely writerly or even readerly. I thought about making my organ experience or bread/roll-making into some sort of analogy for writing, but I'm going to leave the analogy-making up to you. My house is an absolute psyclone from my whirlwind weekend.

But what a wonderful whirlwind it was!
Love lots,
Emily

Our favorite Easter picture book is Max's Chocolate Chicken by Rosemary Wells. Max and Ruby are typical siblings. They have a love/hate relationship. Maybe hate is a bit strong. But anyway, I know my little ones relate to their relationship. Ruby is bossy. Max is clumsy and curious.

In Max's Chocolate Chicken, the Easter Bunny brings a huge chocolate chicken to the kids. Whoever collects the most eggs gets the chocolate chicken prize. When Max realizes that there is no way he will win the Easter Egg Hunt, he grabs the chocolate chicken, hides in the hollow of a tree, and eats it. Will Easter be ruined for Ruby? No. The Easter Bunny will pay her another visit.

So, this book is the funniest Easter picture book we like. It obviously isn't the most touching or religious. But we like it.

My daughter is allergic to eggs, so I'm trying to figure out if there is a way to color eggs without her reacting. My mom suggested blowing the insides out and bleaching the empty shells. I'm also on a mission looking for a great eggless sugar cookie recipe for Saturday's Easter Party.

In random other news, I'm having a blast with my family here. What's better for Easter than to celebrate life with family? I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, whether or not you are of the Christian persuasion or not.

But if you are Christian, I heard something I've been thinking about...If we didn't have Easter, we wouldn't celebrate Christmas. We celebrate Christmas because Jesus died for us and was resurrected. These are the most important things He did for us.