I’ve always allowed myself to feel disappointed when a holiday didn’t hold up to my expectations of traditions. I’d think about the past and feel as if I was losing something. I’ve spent many holidays feeling like things just weren’t “right” and letting that affect my mood.
This year, my family decided to cancel the annual Easter Egg Hunt for the kids, cancel dinner and instead eat at a restaurant. Of course my first inclination was disappointment, something Justin and Zeb shared with me this time. There were just too many reasons not to join them; finances, our wish to eat locally and healthy, an attempt to break our habit of eating out, as well as a sense of Easter tradition and a restaurant dinner not fitting our ideal.
So, we stayed home with our own traditions and created some new ones. And for once, I didn’t feel disappointed. I had to smile. All day long, as we played or baked, everytime I turned around I had the urge to smile. It was a beautiful day.
Each year we do a scavenger hunt: a clue inside one egg, leading to the next egg with the next clue and so on until Zeb finds the basket at the end. These days he’s less about a basket and more about getting one good gift, which of course meant LEGOs.
But this was he first year he did a hunt for me! His clues were really good and tough and clever. And at the end, I had an awesome LEGO creation to place on my dresser (with the assurance he wouldn’t take it apart for pieces).
While he spent his Easter diligently building 1,000+ piece Republic Shuttle and Justin was busy catching up on sleep, I spent my time in the kitchen, listening to Ray LaMontagne, dancing among the dirty dishes, baking this recipe of hot cross buns, and reading up on their history.
There was nothing extraordinary about the day. But I had to smile anyway, every time I turned around and remembered the special Wonder of the day, and the quiet enjoyment spent loving what we have.
We met the family for dessert at my grandmother’s house, played amongst her flower beds, indulged in a swing with my niece and enjoyed a game or twelve. And as much as I loved all that, it didn’t compare to the joy I felt just being at home, doing nothing extravagant, and being happy about it.
And just because here are a few more of my favorite photos from the day (with a couple more here):
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My name is Tara. I am a mama and a lover, a full-time nomad, a passionate devourer of Life and an Organic Life Coach.
I love this. Same here. In fact, we pretty much stay home and do things our way on holidays and our families stop by and visit us (we say it is because of hubby’s severe animal allergies–which is true, but we also just plain prefer doing things our way at home.) Absolutely beautiful photos! Is that you in the photos? LOVE the hair–wish I could do that but have trouble with my head getting itchy anytime allergies go uts (like when I eat something for fun taht I am really allergic to.:))
The photos came out awesome, especially the flower ones!
We stayed home by ourselves too and had a lovely, lovely day hunting eggs, cooking and flying kites
I love holidays like that. So glad it went well for you!
So much growing already. So beautiful.
We are the same. We work to create our own meaningful traditions and if people want to join us, fine, if they try to throw a wrench into things, we don’t invite them over. ;P
What a cool day. Sometimes over-doing it becomes the norm for these holidays. Simplicity is so underrated.
Now that’s fun that YOU got to do a hunt! That blue flower (iris?) is stunning.
I honestly didn’t know you could grow such beautiful things in the desert of Nevada! My parents live in Tucson, and well, I can’t say I’ve ever seen anything like that there.
Kung Pow HausFrau: Many, many things grow here. Each yard has a micro climate so even things that shouldn’t grow here will do fine under the right conditions. However, my grandma comes from MI and grows some things that take a lot of extra effort so she can be surrounded by the things she enjoys. She’s only just decided to try to grow veggies again, something she swore was impossible next to her easy experiences in MI. lol
I love the scavenger hunt egg idea! As my girls get older, I might have to appropriate that one… our simple, quiet day was more joyful than the usual bustle as well. Lovely to know others felt the same way!
Your hot cross buns look wonderful! You know, there is a recipe for them in that Artisan Bread in 5 book