I'm still settling in to the house on top of everything else, but am starting to look forward to the Easter Holiday. For me, having been raised in a traditional Polish home, that means two things: Food and Church! Specifically, baking on Holy Thursday, Roasting and cooking meats and coloring eggs on Good Friday, and basket blessing on Holy Saturday. Over the last 11 years or so, I have had the privilege of singing on the church choir, so I'm also in church those three days. The culmination of course is Easter Sunday. I grew up going to Sunrise Mass at 6am but these last 15 years or so both my old church in NJ and my new church in Oklahoma have Saturday night Vigil as their main service. It starts outside with a small bonfire and prayer and lighting a small torch from the bonfire to bring into the church. Everyone then processes into the dark church, the Pascal candle is lit from the small torch, and the church explodes with music! In addition to the pipe organ and choir, extra musicians lend their talent in the form of trumpet, violin and harp, making the most glorious sound! I have a music list that's several pages. I have yet to conquer my worst habit where this is concerned - I procrastinate. There, I said it. Having studied piano since I was 5, I sight read really well ( at least for voice!) So, I leave it go till the last minute. I have the best intentions, but it always gets pushed aside. This is my first year on this new choir and I am one of two soprano's. So.... sometime between now and next Saturday, I have to get down to business!
Easter Traditions
Swieconka is the basket of food that will be eaten for Easter breakfast. It is lovingly prepared by the woman of the house and laid in the basket that has been carefully lined with a white cloth. This is a very special cloth because she has either woven it herself, or crocheted, embroidered or handed down from mother or grandmothers. The basket is usually decorated with a piece of boxwood and ribbon and brought to the church to be blessed by the priest on Saturday morning. Roasted ham, kielbasa, decorated eggs, salt, horseradish with beets, babka, chocolate, and a pascal lamb are the traditional offerings in the basket, all with their own significance. I make my pascal lamb out of butter, but it can be made from sugar, or even a decorative one from plaster.
I have never not celebrated this tradition. This year, my daughter is deep into her career 1500 miles away in Florida. My family and friends are 1500 miles away in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland and South Carolina. It's just me and Bob but I look forward to it as if I had a house full.
If I were alone, I would do this. It's part of my fabric
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