$7 for Easter and "Tell the Story" Easter Cookies...

I planned Easter dinner sometime back and bought a leg of lamb when it was on sale. Lamb seemed to be fitting for Easter ;-)

For a little fun, the kids will hide-n-seek eggs in the house while the last of the cooking is done and dinner is being served. (As a matter of fact, they will hide and seek them for days!) I bought two packs of eggs for $2 each.

To make the table look cute, I bought dessert/snack plates for $2 and a bright green table cover for $1. (I often let them draw on these table covers while waiting on food.)

After dinner, we always take time to read through the Easter story from the Bible. Before bed we have always read an Easter storybook that was a present for Easter, many years ago.

Easter is more frugal at my house than it used to be, but it helps keep the focus on the right things!

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EASTER COOKIES-

A TRULY SPECIAL WAY TO CELEBRATE EASTER WITH YOUR CHILDREN

(this was given to me many years ago by a friend, its not original;)

You need:

1 c whole pecans

1 t vinegar

3 egg whites

pinch of salt

1 c sugar

zipper baggie

wooden spoon

tape

Bible

Preheat oven to 300.

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

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Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 t vinegar into the mixing bowl. Explain that Jesus was thirsty while on the cross and He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11

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Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush 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

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So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup 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 Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16

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

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

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Put the cookie sheet in the preheated oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

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GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

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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 the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

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A fun and frugal Easter, Works for Me Wednesday!