For Easter, my family knocks eggs (a Cajun tradition also known as “egg pocking”). Yes, the children get baskets of sweet and little gifts (usually sidewalk chalk and new bathing suits) and hunt for plastic eggs in the yard and garden, but everyone knocks eggs.
What is knocking eggs? I’ve only ever met one person outside of my family who was familiar with this tradition, so I’m excited to share. The day before Easter, we boil our eggs (usually a dozen per person). Once the eggs have cooled, we dye and decorate them. The little color tabs they sell everywhere work just fine, but we like to deepen the hues by adding food coloring. Though they look super cool, we don’t use dyeing techniques that aren’t 100% edible because the dye products can seep inside and contaminate the eggs. Note for color vs. knocking: using color tabs in vinegar gives your eggs a deeper color but at the cost of a strong shell. Keep this in mind if you like to win. Once the eggs have all been dyed, they can be left at room temperature in their cartons or in Easter baskets until the next day.
When the family gathers for Easter, whether it’s the extended family or the immediate, everyone brings their decorated eggs for knocking. Here is how that works: Person A holds their egg small end up. Person B taps the small end of their egg to Person A’s egg’s small end. The stronger egg will break the weaker egg. The winner gets the loser’s egg. They move on to a new person to knock eggs with. The game is over when only one strong egg remains. Yay! Once all the egg’s small ends have been broken, we do it all over again with the blunt ends. By the point, no one really worries about keeping their egg trophies. There is no prize, only the satisfaction of having a strong egg.
Once all the eggs have been knocked, some family members break off to peel them a bunch and make a few platters of deviled eggs. My sister is especially good at getting the flavor just right. At the end of the day, everyone goes home with a bunch of eggs to devil themselves or eat however they see fit.
Here are this week’s suggestions for fun and enriching activities:
- Relaxing Music: “Return to Innocence” by Enigma. You can listen to it on YouTube or find the album on Amazon or streaming.
- Soothing Sounds: “Making a Cup of Italian Coffee” by Moonlight Cottage ASMR.
- Puzzle: Countdown. Countdown. You can find the game here. Try to make the longest word you can using the letters provided.
- Movie: Maleficent (2014). You can find it on Amazon or on a streaming service.
- Creative Prompt (write, draw, paint, sculpt, photograph, or collage something based on this subject): anger
- Mythology Lesson: Zeus. Read about him here, and do a little further research if the mood takes you!
- Short Reading: “Donkey Skin.” You can read it here, or you can listen to it on YouTube.
Try one activity per day, and you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a more vibrant daily round.
I am frugal, and that’s putting it lightly. The week after Easter is the time I buy Easter dyeing kits and new baskets if needed. Holidays happen every year. There is no need to spend money on their decorations before they go on sale. I keep one bin full of holiday décor stored out of the way and bring it out as needed. Boom. Cheap and easy.
Do you have any fun or interesting traditions for springtime?
Magical Musings 