Martie's Easter Ideas: Speckled Egg Dye Techniques, Easter Menus, Deviled Egg Bar and more!

    

Easter is early this year and if you are just beginning to think about what to do next weekend with your children, family and friends, here are some easy ideas for Easter recipes, Easter egg dying techniques, and Easter egg hunt party ideas.... you get bonus points if you can convince a friend to dress up in a big bunny suit! 

 EASTER EGG DECORATING PARTY AND EGG HUNT

Want to have some fun with the kids and make memories that will last a lifetime? An Easter Egg Hunt that includes egg decorating along with a craft station is interactive and creative... much more fun than simply stuffing plastic eggs with candy and throwing them around the yard.

Set up a table with lots of decorating supplies... the dollar store is a good source. I usually dye the eggs in advance since that is the messy part and simply let kids decorate their own. Think Fabrege eggs... the kids use paint, glitter, felt, fabric scraps and beads to create their little jeweled masterpieces.

Use items you have or can easily get for decorating. I used bunnies, birdhouses and nests and a few daffodils in colorful little pails to tie the theme together.

 

Hide a few eggs and other inexpensive prizes and let the kids hunt for them afterwards. I also love to get those wind up bunnies and let the kids race them.

One fun tradition is to have the budding author in your group write an Easter story and read it to the kids. My niece even illustrated her story and I made copies of her "book" for the other children to take home. She even did a book signing for the kids. I still have my copy, of course.

EASTER EGG DYING TECHNIQUES: SPECKLED EASTER EGGS

Speckled eggs give your decorating an organic appeal... these eggs colored in a rich blue and speckled using tea are to dye for! For Easter Sunday, these natural looking speckled Easter eggs make a lovely table decoration and you can eat them! Bonus! The French often have a bowl or wheel of hard-boiled eggs on the table as a starter to a meal. One of my favorite French bistros always has a wheel of hard-boiled eggs at the bar. Guests are invited to simply crack them open and season with a little salt, pepper and perhaps a dollop of Dijon mustard.... yum! Here's how to make speckled Easter eggs: Read more...

Always have trouble getting your hard-boiled eggs just right? Click here to see how!

If you don't feel like dying eggs, try this virtual egg dye app from Heinz PAAS Easter's website! No muss, no fuss, and a lot of fun! Best of all, the Make-a-Wish Foundation will receive $1 from each decorated egg you make and share using this app! Get started now, it's free and for a great cause. heinzpaaseaster.com

EASTER MENU IDEAS

One of my favorite things to do for Easter Sunday is to have a deviled egg bar where guests can dress up their eggs in a very different way... by topping deviled eggs with with all sorts of favorite flavors and condiments. Here's how to do it...

Another Easter favorite is my Bourbon Baked Ham. Once you've tried it, this one will become an instant classic on your holiday menus. Get the recipe...

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Simple Summer Fun: Beat the Heat with Homemade Popsicles!

In the past, popsicles were just for the kids. Not anymore! Popsicles today are as diverse as the many flavors you can use to create them. I got on a popsicle kick last summer and started making my own. Now, a year later, I am completely obsessed with these frosty concoctions and have lots of new ideas for fruity and creamy creations. I prefer to keep it simple and use plastic cups as molds because they are flexible and release the pops easily but there are many different inexpensive plastic popsicle molds available that you can buy almost anywhere.

Use plastic cups to make perfect frozen pops for summer parties like these yummy Sangria Pops with summer fruits

TRICKS FOR FAST, EASY POPSICLES

1. Use chilled ingredients when you can so your pops freeze faster. Allow pops to set up and freeze a bit before inserting the sticks so they will stay centered.

2. If you are layering flavors or colors, you have to allow the first layer to freeze completely.

3. If you are using fruit or other add-ins in a juice based liquid, it will usually float to the top of the cup- which will be the bottom of the pop. If you want it to be distributed throughout the whole popsicle, you have to add it as they set up.  

4. When using fruit or mix-ins with a cream based pop, it will usually stay suspended throughout the pop.

5. If you are using crumbs or sprinkles, add a bit of liquid to them and allow them to freeze completely before adding the other layers.

6. Anything with a high fat content like heavy cream or Half and Half tastes great- but won't set up as hard as whole milk will so use it in moderation or you will have a difficult time getting the pops to release from the mold.

7. Fruit juice and tea freeze very hard so add some water and a bit of sugar before freezing.

8. Fresh fruits freeze well and taste great. Puree the fruit and add a little agave nectar, simple syrup, or honey to sweeten. Artificial sweeteners don't freeze well for some reason. I like to use infused simple syrup- like mint or vanilla to make the fruits really exotic and full of flavor.

9. If you want to add soda to your pops, it's better to let them go flat first or you'll have lots of bubbles in the texture and they'll probably overflow in the freezing process.

10. Leave a little room at the top of the mold because the liquids will expand when they begin to freeze and spill over unless you allow some room.

11. Alcohol does not completely freeze. If you want to make adult versions of your pops, you'll need to dilute the liquor with some fruit juice or water. I recommend making the pops with very light liquor then serving the pops in a pretty glass with a shot of the chilled libation.

12. To remove pops from plastic molds or cups, very quickly dip them in warm water or rub between your palms for a couple of seconds and they should release.

MOLDS FOR FROZEN POPS

I typically prefer to use small plastic cups for my frozen treats for a variety of reasons: they have a wide mouth so they are easy to pour and layer and they are flexible so the pops release easily. Small plastic cups are also the perfect serving size , they store easily, and you can wash them to use them over and over again. They also help keep melting pops from making a huge mess and still look very pretty in a bowl full of ice for serving, especially the clear plastic cups like these I made with blueberries and strawberries for 4th of July.

 

There are also lots of innovative popsicle molds on the market like these fun tray and straw molds which allow you to sip the popsicle as it melts.

When I was a kid, we'd make our own popsicles using Kool-Aid and a plastic ice tray. While we didn't have popsicle sticks so my mom would give us one or two in a Dixie cup and send us outside to eat them.  My current favorite summer serving solution is a spin on this old school classic. I serve popsicles in plastic glasses for a party. For the kids, this helps keep mess to a minimum and for the adults, you can ramp up the festivities by pouring over your favorite chilled libation. Get the how-to for Popsicles & Prosecco...

      Serve popsicles with chilled Prosecco or sparkling soda 

COCKTAIL POPSICLES

Along the same lines, another big trend is cocktail popsicles. Freeze your favorite cocktail into a frosty bite. You can serve these in cups, cocktail glasses, or on a big tray of ice. Remember that alcohol does not completely freeze so you do need some other ingredients and limit the amount of alcohol in the pop. I often put a bottle of my favorite libation (vodka, bourbon, rum, liqueur, etc) into the freezer for a few hours and then simply pour it over the pop served in a pretty glass. Everyone loves this and it is so refreshing as a dessert after a heavy meal or to start the party rocking on a hot night. Get the recipe for my Sangria pops...

Fresh fruit Sangria pops are a perfect summer party starterFrozen watermelon margaritas Get more popsicle recipes...

Have a frosty cool summer! Follow me on Facebook for more recipes, cocktails, party ideas and fun! ALL PHOTOS BY ARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY

How To Make Speckled Easter Eggs

There are all kinds of techniques for dying Easter eggs... and it seems every year the eggs are more and more creative! I particularly love the natural look of speckled eggs and the technique is very easy to master. Here's the how-to:

Photo: Arden Photography Location: The Sonnet House Leeds, AlabamaSUPPLIES
Newspaper or something to protect the work surface

Boiled eggs or blown out eggs (I made both)

Easter egg dye- there are tons of brands. Pick one or you can use food coloring*

2 black tea bags

Plastic cups

Brown craft paint

Old toothbrush

Rubber or plastic gloves (gotta protect that manicure)

Drying rack of some sort. I used the top of a Styrofoam cooler and some toothpicks for mine. Push in 4 toothpicks and let the eggs rest on top. But you have to rotate them so they don't have a big drip mark on the bottom side.  You can also use a circle of tin foil on newspaper.  You can use straight pins and a foam board also. 

Cover the work surface with newspaper or Kraft paper. Boil 1 cup of water and add tea bags to steep to make a strong, dark tea. While the tea is steeping, boil eggs as you normally would for dying. As they are cooling, mix dye according to package directions.

Natural looking speckled eggs look best colored pale blue, aqua, pale green, soft tan, and even violet or pale pink. (Yes, there are pink eggs, I promise! ) To achieve a natural look for tan eggs, use the tea to dye the eggs. I also used a small amount of the tea to muddy the bright color of the dye to make a more natural look. Feel free to adjust the colors until you get the dye the color you want.

Once you've dyed the eggs, allow them to dry completely. For the speckle effect: dip the toothbrush in a small amount of the brown craft paint and run your finger over the toothbrush, causing the paint to splatter onto the eggs. A random pattern looks good- but keep it very light for best results. Allow to dry and you've got natural looking speckled eggs!

I also love these bright colored and glittery eggs the kids made... so cheerful and happy! No matter which way you color your eggs, I hope you create lots of fun memories for you and your family. Happy Easter!

 *Dying Eggs with Food Coloring

In a heat-proof jar (like a canning jar) mix one tablespoon vinegar, 4-5 drops food coloring, and one cup of hot water. Place the eggs into the dye for thirty seconds to one minute... the longer you leave the egg in the dye, the more intense the color will be.

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Santa's Cookie Workshop Party

Baking cookies and cookie decorating is a timeless holiday tradition. Make it into a wonderful memory for the kids in your family. It’s a perfect holiday party theme for schools, churches, and neighborhoods.

This is the perfect last minute party for kids hanging around the house, waiting for Santa to arrive. They can make their own cookies to leave for Old St. Nick and all you need to throw the party is listed below.

Send an email or even call in your invitation since it is last minute during the busy holiday season. Do ask for an RSVP...you need to know how many guests so you don't overbuy supplies.

I usually bake all of the cookies in advance so the party doesn't take all day. I'll let each child cut out a few cookies when they arrive in their favorite holiday shape so there is that delicious smell of cookies baking as the party progresses.

Clear off or pop up a large table and cover it with white or brown kraft paper you can get at the craft store.

Line the center of the table with supplies like tubes of icing, sprinkles, candies, gum drops, etc.

Make a work station for each child and write their name above it in crayon so they know where they are to design their cookies.

Design a few simple cookies in advance so the children can have an example.

Food and beverages should be simple. I like to offer bite size treats with a hot chocolate bar for this party. Keep it simple and self-serve so your hosting duties are easy.

A few party games, caroling, a holiday movie, or a visit from Santa can keep the kids occupied while their creations dry. Make sure to have some paper bags, tin containers, Asian take-out boxes, or foil wrap available so guests can pack up their cookies to take home after the party.

VISIT MYRECIPES.COM FOR TONS OF GREAT HOLIDAY COOKIE RECIPES! 

And for the perfect accompaniment, try my HOLIDAY HOT CHOCOLATE. Perfect for this party or those late night gift-wrapping sessions!

Recession Buster Holiday Party Themes: New to You Party, Santa's Workshop Party, Cookie Swap, Family Photo Swap, Wii Bowling Tournament

Are you still looking for some easy ideas for your holiday parties yet to come? Or would you like to host something this year, just not sure what or how you can afford it? Check out some of my easy, affordable ideas for holiday entertaining this year. They're big on fun but won't break the bank!

Recession Buster: Host a New to You Party Cheap is the new chic! This one’s a favorite of fashionistas everywhere! You can do a home accessory swap, holiday decor, furniture swap, kid’s clothing, etc…. whatever appeals to you and your crowd. Guests bring in their new (we all have stuff hanging with the tags still on!) or gently used items and swap, sell or barter their way to a brand new look! Plan a super simple menu or ask everyone to pitch in and bring something.

”Deck My Halls” Holiday Decoration Swap A big group of friends bring greenery from their yards and holiday decorations they want to exchange or trade--- everyone gets something fresh and new for their holiday decor. You can even do this the week after the holiday so everyone can exchange their decorations for something new for next year.

Family Photo Swap Party What to do with family members who come to stay for the holidays!! Share photos and make great albums and scrapbooks! Fun for the kiddies, too!There is always one family memeber with all of the keepsake photos. Ask them to bring the old family photo album this year so you can scan and print copies for you own family.

Holiday Sweets Swap--- a tradition in many offices, neighborhoods and social groups; make extra of your favorite holiday sweets, cookies, and treats to share!

Santa’s Workshop Party Make memories and keepsakes, too. We empty out the garage and turn it into Santa’s workshop with craft tables for the kids. Get one of the dads to dress up as Santa... and include a homemade cookie bar, hot chocolate, and plenty of treats for the adults, too. This one is perfect for the weekend before the holiday; everyone  really gets into the holiday spirit.

It's a Wrap Party A party with a purpose. Friends get together for a weekend of wrapping holiday gifts for a fee with proceeds going to local charities. Huge buffet spread of holiday favorites for volunteers and attendees.

Wii Bowling Party- What to do the day after the holiday when family is still camped out at your house? Throw a Wii bowling party… complete with teams, trophies, and pizza. Set up a build your own pizza bar in the kitchen so everyone can make their favorites. Ask families to wear team shirts—everyone with their own team name and color.