During the Easter season, coloring eggs is a must-do! I loved the excitement as a little girl and years later continuing the tradition as a mom.

Back in the 1970s, we knew the fun was to begin when dad scattered old newspapers on our round, oak kitchen table. The sulfury smell of hard-boiled eggs filled our kitchen as mom brought out the mixing bowls. 

Our family created swirled Easter eggs using red, blue, and yellow dye.  I remember it like it was yesterday. The kit had droppers in the shape of a bunny with long ears. We would carefully and slowly drop some dye into the water. After mixing the colors gently with a toothpick and using a wire egg holder, we would swirl our egg into the colors. Presto! We were elated with our masterpieces! I wonder how many dozen eggs were colored around that table over the years?

Fast forward from the 1970s to the late 1990s when my boys were toddlers. On Good Friday for the past 25 years or so, we have been coloring Easter eggs at my in-law’s home. The tone for the celebration is set when you step through their front door. The aroma of vanilla, anise, and freshly baked bread envelopes you. Every year Nana (my mother-in-law) bakes the most incredible Easter Bread. The loaves look and taste as good as they smell. I eagerly await her tradition every year.

At one point there were 11 young grandkids coloring eggs at Nana and Papa’s kitchen table. They were all pining for the vinegar-filled coffee cup with their favorite color inside to dip their egg. Cousins are laughing, egg dye is spilling, and conversations are flowing. It’s joyful chaos!

Most of the grandkids are now adults but on this night, it’s as if we’re all young kids again. There’s even an “egg contest” between me and my brother-in-law. We design a silly, sarcastic egg for each other every year. It’s very non-traditional but loads of fun. It creates lots of laughs!

Although the weather may not reflect it here in Ohio, spring is in the air! Take a moment to savor the warmer days, chocolate bunnies, the sense of new beginnings, and course, beautiful colored eggs! Happy spring! Happy Easter!