Easter’s Coming—Get Out the DVDs

A number of years ago we watched “The Ten Commandments” on TV one Easter. After 3-1/2 hours of the movie, my son said, “What does this have to do with Easter?” The answer is “Nothing,” except that the networks often show it on Easter. I guess it is vaguely connected to Passover. Thinking about that, I remembered that when I was a kid, we used to watch “The Wizard of Oz” on Easter. Why? Because that’s what was on TV. Nowadays, with DVDs, you get to pick your own Easter movie. I think I will make “Ben-Hur” the Easter movie this year. It’s kind of biblical, right?

Next: I just made the ugliest batch of Easter eggs ever. I used a Paas Egg Coloring Color Squirt kit. The egg dye is pretty good if you add vinegar. But I was defeated by the color squirters. I followed the directions and only produced runny blobs of color on the eggs. I was advised to continue until I achieved a pleasing pattern, but it never happened. I think I have reasonable strength in my hands—certainly more than a child has. Can a child work these squirters? What a mess! I tried using Q-tips, a sponge, and my fingers to apply the blobs of color. Just succeeded in making a bigger mess. What happened to those swirly oil colors they used to sell?

On Good Friday, I will stand in line at the local Polish deli to buy Easter sausage. In Chicago, this kielbasa is supposed to be special, only available at Easter. I saved the label from last year: it says “Kielbasa Wielkanocna.” I cannot pronounce this, so I will mutely hold up my label at the deli counter. Sometimes, a Polish customer will take pity on me and offer help in ordering. This sausage is loaded with garlic and so good, you could faint. When you buy it, the entire car/refrigerator/house smells of garlic. That’s how you know it’s Easter.
I also purchased a butter lamb. Not sure what that means, but it’s a tradition. I have also made the Easter lamb cake other years. But, because you must stand up the cake, the lamb’s head often falls off. If you use Martha Stewart’s recommended batter and icing, it will probably remain intact. Her icing is like cement. Finish with liberal amounts of coconut: it covers a multitude of sins.

Happy Easter!