Wednesday 1 April 2009

A day in the Lakes


Think I will have a take it easy day today. It has been so busy and exciting. Time for a chill out.
I am going to meet some friends at Church. There is a service at 10am held on a Wednesday, and one of my friends has a birthday today so we thought we would have a little celebration at coffee afterwards.
Since Easter is on its way, I think it is time for me to become more seriously reflective about what this time of year means for me and the Christian community.
I do not talk a lot about my faith but it is very important to me, and of great comfort and support. I find engaging in all the prayer, reflection and activity at Easter very helpful and inspiring, and it is a time of year that I really love. The weather is brightening, the daffodils are out, the nights are lighter, and I always feel my energy rising.
I will start the run up to Easter by reading in Church on Sunday. There is a service on every night next week, and on Good Friday mum and I will go to the Good Friday workshops where we help children with activities and play in the morning. We always do the Easter Gardens stall which is messy but fun. The kids get to try lots of activities and crafts, and hear about the Easter story. We then have hot cross buns and coffee ( will I be able to resist?- I love hot cross buns- mum will have to keep a very keen eye on me I think).
On Good Friday afternoon there is three hours reflection by the cross. There are prayers, readings and small sermons throughout the afternoon, and plenty of reflection time. It is a quietly dramatic space and very powerful. At three o clock there is tea and hot cross buns, this time served by my good self. Again- I will have to be guarded.
On Saturday we decorate the Church with flowers: it always looks wonderful. We have so many talented florists and crafty people in the congregation. In the evening we are having some friends down for a few glasses of wine. We haven't seen them for ages and it will be fun to catch up.
Easter Sunday is a packed and joyful service. It is one of the days where we can't find enough seats for everyone. It is a very happy time and we have wine after the service instead of coffee!
Easter Sunday afternoon traditionally is chocolate egg day. It will be for my two boys, but not a bite will pass my lips. EASTER BUNNY IF YOU ARE LISTENING I WOULD LIKE A PANDORA CHARM INSTEAD PLEASE- LESS FATTENING.
Easter Monday we have been invited out for supper. I may indulge, but no carbs of course!
All in all, we will have a good time. I am looking forward to it, and it feels like the Easter reflections will start today for me.

7 comments:

Gill - That British Woman said...

I enjoyed this post, I miss the whole British Easter, its so different to th eones over here.

Gill in Canada

Busy Bee Suz said...

Seems like a lovely time for you as well...I love the Easter season.

I hope the Bunny hears you...does he read your blog??? ;)

Expat mum said...

Ooh, you're making me feel like a right ole heathen (which I am). C and A announced that they were giving up sweet things and X-Box respectively for Lent. Lent? I didn't even know they knew anything about Lent. And guess what? They have both stuck to it. Their grandmothers will be proud!

Susie said...

Glad you stopped in to visit me :)
I enjoyed reading about your Easter preparations and rituals.
In the US, when I was a young girl, all businesses closed from noon to 3 on Good Friday. Sadly, that is no longer the case..

Lakeland Jo said...

Suz- I am not sure how often the bunny reads the blog, but I will make sure he is pointed in the direction of this post, LOL

Renie Burghardt said...

Oh, what a beautiful picture of the Lakes!

I love Easter as well, and am looking forward to Easter week. Just hope the weather is nice Easter Sunday. And since you've been so good with your diet, maybe one little chocolate egg won't hurt too much!

Hugs,

Renie

Janet said...

In California, we never got time off work at Easter, here in Oklahoma, hubby does at least get Good Friday off.

That said, he's been on short time Mon-Thurs for the past 2 months. Only difference this week is he'll get paid 'cos it's a holiday.

Enjoy your Easter celebrations and reflections, and I hope you get your Pandors charm, you certainly deserve it.