For the Love of Eggs

Last Saturday we hosted our annual Spring Equinox Celebration (aka "the egg party") in our new backyard. The timing was a little off (two weeks post-equinox), but the weather was amazing; it really felt like spring.

a few days worth of eggs

This year our egg party was much enhanced by the presence of our seven lovely hens, and the fact that they provided all of the eggs that we used in our celebration. This was one of my dreams last year, and when I think about all of the dreams that have come true for us since last spring, I really just feel overwhelmed with gratitude. And my faith in living the dream, in making things happen, has never been stronger. It was a good mindset with which to celebrate Spring and Life and Growth.

In the week leading up to the party, we started getting ready by blowing out eggs (and trying to come up with uses for the contents--we ended up making (and eating) a couple of Equinox Pound cakes, and saving the rest for an amazing strata that our friend Megan made). We were bold and brave and let the kids help with the blowing, which was kind of a disaster (many, many egg casualties), but also pretty fun (at least for the little ones).

Zeb and Aviva, blowing/pumping out eggs

note the pile of casualties to the left

We saved the filling of the blown-out eggs (we fill them with birdseed) for the actual party, and many hands helped to stuff the tiny openings with seeds.


The throwing of the eggs--making wishes for Spring as they break open against a tree--is generally the highlight of our Spring Equinox party for many of the attendants, and this year was no exception.

After the eggs had been thrown, those that weren't completely broken
were picked up and thrown again
Yes, you can wish more than once on the same egg.

We also used plastic eggs (filled with doughnut holes from the local doughnut shop) for an egg hunt. The kids pooled the found eggs in our wagon before devouring them as a group.

Last year our process table was full of wheat grass, but this year it was so hot out (plus we had neglected to plan ahead and grow any grass) that we decided to fill it with water. Leo spent much of the day splashing alongside the bigger kids.

Linus and Leo

Mini-Lena

There was lots and lots of delicious food (that pretty much all got eaten), including strawberries.

Hanging out with the chickens was a popular activity choice.

Our friend Luke giving "Pumpkin" some love

When the sun went down and the temperature dropped, Lena made a fire in our outdoor fireplace, a perfect ending to a beautiful day.

Spring is here, and we couldn't be happier about it.