COLORING EASTER EGGS

Ryen colors eggs for Easter on the deck, 1987

On Passover, greater than forty years ago, Old Trunks boiled eggs and dyed them for the oldest child. It would be the pattern during their early years.

The plan was for the mother to cook the eggs in the morning while the children were watching cartoons hoping each egg would survive the 'place eggs in cool water, bring to boil, cover, remove from heat and let stand 25 minutes'. The allotment per child was a dozen; any breakage cut down on their creativity.





By the time their favorite cartoons were over, the eggs were cool and ready for dying. There were two methods:



1. Buy the package which came with little colored tablets, an egg turner, and stickers



OR



2. Make your own out of food coloring.





Both required vinegar. The tablet coloring fizzed in the vinegar and gave the brilliant colors, it was the choice at our house.





If the grown ups did any eggs, they generally made a pattern using a crayon on the egg before it was dipped. The children did it too, although it was common in the early years for them to press so hard the egg broke. Or, the egg rolled off the table and crushed on the floor.




They were encouraged to experiment with mixing colors. Mix red and blue to get purple, and mix red and yellow to make orange! As each egg was finished, it was time to share and admire. In thinking about it, I wonder just how many eggs turned out just like they expected and how many were accidental works of art.







Rachel would try using a crayon, try using the dipper to put gently put the egg into the bowl, and leave it in long enough to get a pastel color.





Bud simply dipped each egg into each and every color which resulted in ‘rock’ colored eggs which will really hard to find on an Easter egg hunt! His fingers were also rock colored.





Ryen liked to spin his eggs in the bowl. Later, we learned that more tablets or a smaller bowl, made the eggs a much deeper color. We also started coloring eggs outside on the deck because Easter in Kansas is a warm, springlike time!





After the eggs were dry, they were put back in the egg cartons. Their only purpose was to hide them the next morning. After the hiding and the gathering, which was done in a hurry, most of the shells were broken and the artistry of the day before was now just an image in the minds to think about as they journey back into their past.





We didn't dye Easter eggs when I was young. The only time I remember celebrated Easter with an egg was as a teenager. I was at my grandmother's house. She needed an egg for a pie she was making and I was allowed to blow the egg out; she would have the contents and I would have an empty shell. I blew til I was blue. The shell had a lipstick ring around the end of the oval. I WAS BLOWING THE WRONG END, grandma finished it.





A few years ago, I needed 30 blown shells for an appreciation luncheon. I felt dizzy just thinking about blowing one egg; how was I going to do thirty? My sweet Thomas used the Dremel tool with an engraving bit, made the two holes, the escape hole being larger and broke the yolk with a darning needle. It was just a little whiff of air that plopped the insides into the sink!





What is your take on coloring Easter eggs?