Dear Reader:

I thought it just wouldn’t be Easter if we didn’t stop and give thanks for the Easter Bunny too. After all he/she is a very important part of our childhoods. (Much better than the tooth fairy because you get to eat a lot of chocolate in all kinds of animal forms.)

Like most traditions…the origin behind the Easter Bunny is varied depending on the cultural tradition of different countries and people.  However, how the idea of a gift-giving rabbit came to our shores actually started in Germany.

According to most sources, the Easter bunny first arrived in America in the 1700s with German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania and transported their tradition of an egg-laying hare called “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws.” Their children made nests in which this creature could lay its colored eggs.

In different religious sectors….the eggs have come to represent Jesus’ resurrection…but I think one would be hard pressed to find the Easter bunny in scripture. (I have never seen a picture of the cross/crucifixion with colored Easter eggs around it.)

The Easter Bunny simply stands alone in bringing joy to little children and that’s enough reason to celebrate his cultural introduction into Easter I believe.

The title painting is an original by none other than Joan Turner, John’s mom. Isn’t it adorable? I was so excited when it arrived a couple of days ago.

She also sent this wonderful copy of her latest painting – her version of Daniel Gorbis’ “Spring in the Village.” She said when she saw the painting it reminded her of Huntsville, Alabama. It has been a cold spring thus far….many of the early spring flowers losing buds and blossoms to the frigid weather.

The original painting reminded her of their cold fronts this year by  the smoke coming from the homes….it might be spring but a fire was still needed to keep the home warm. (I had a fire two nights this week.)

Joan mentioned the smoke could be coming from baking bread and that’s a nice thought too. She decided to change her title from “Spring in the Village” to “Spring in the Valley” because Huntsville is located in a valley at the foot of the mountains.

The original painting was done in 1918 but it spoke to Joan of home. Isn’t that what art should do? Bring relevance to the viewer of something or someone they can identify with from the viewing.

Here is Joan’s interpretation- “Spring in the Valley”…so beautiful!

In one of Gerda’s (gerdasmitart) paintings I found a lone little bunny in a field…I wanted to take him home.

Here are photos of some of my other rabbits hopping around the house and yard. There will even be more when the grandchildren open their baskets Sunday!

Found this little boy/girl bunny at Tuesday Morning...perfect when you don’t know the gender yet?

I even found a sweet little book called Easter Bunny’s Amazing Day in which Jesus and the Easter Bunny team up to help children with their troubles. Cute activity to accompany.

I am hoping that with all the press I have given this old bunny today he will remember me with one chocolate bunny….or maybe three.

So until tomorrow….Enjoy Easter Weekend….keep hope alive and keep hopping for joy because God loves us everyone! We are his “Beloved!”

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

I spent “Good Friday” keeping little Jake since his pre-school was closed and the public schools in Charleston weren’t. That made Friday even “gooder.” Another Easter miracle….I got home in the shortest length of time late Friday afternoon from Mt. Pleasant than I ever have….I was expecting a parking lot….Who knew? God did!

Rutledge eats, sleeps trucks….Jake eats, sleeps balls….all kinds…big, small, red, blue, striped….he calls one little brown basketball “fooot-ball” and that is his favorite. It is the first thing he says in the morning or from a nap. And whatever happens don’t ever lose that ball….warning to the wise. Never stand close….get way back…he’s got a strong throw!

Jake’s second favorite thing to do is feed the geese and ducks of which there are many around in his neck of the woods.

*Hot off the press….just finished deviling those eggs….the most difficult part to me….so let Easter begin. It is 10:15 Saturday morning and the eggs are done and in the fridge, the string bean casserole is ready and in the fridge….I only have one casserole left to make ….the “Funeral Potato” casserole off the Pioneer Woman’s show. Wish me luck! Sounds so yummy.