05 Apr Happy Easter!

Happy Easter lovely ladies!

or as my Grandma and Pap  would say on my mother’s side, at the Ukrainian Orthodox church we would go to when we were growing up,

Khrystos Voskres!!

This brings back memories.  You know from my look that my ancestry is Irish. I am also Ukrainian and English. My Ukrainian Ancestry was such a memory to me as when I was young, I was close to both my  Pap and “Gummy”. The nickname stuck as I  could not say Grandma when I was little, so Gummy it was! My Pap was a composer for the Ukrainian Church and I do remember church being part in English and part in Ukrainian. Since I did not know Ukrainian, I sat just listening and looking around at the beautiful stain glass windows and ornamental altar.

Afterward, we would have our Easter baskets blessed, and go to a separate building where the Monsieur was to do so. He would great us and say Khrystos Voskres! ( Happy Easter) and my brothers sister mom and I would say .Voistynu Voskres! ( Response meaning He Has Risen)

This stayed with me. We also had tradition at Easter of eating fish and handmade perogies from the ladies at the church. No Mrs T’s here !!  We also ate Kutya ( a mixture of poppy-seed, wheat germ and the remaining ingredients here.   As a child, I was not a fan, but we were to eat a tablespoon for “good luck”. I would pinch my nostils, close my eyes and shovel it in. My Pap would just laugh.  Paska was one of my favorites with the meal, an egg based yellow thick bread in which we generously put butter.

I also remember a class we took making Pysanka, or decorated Ukranian eggs, where we would blow out the yoke of the egg, and create a design on the egg. Very artistic. I am sure I cracked many eggs! I don’t remember the details, only that we made them. I always thought they were lovely, and my mom collected them over the years. If you would like to learn more about decorating Ukrainian Easter Eggs, and supplies you need; READ HERE

So now you know a bit more about my Ancestry in addition to being Irish.  Funny to think, but the “Easter bunny” used to hide our baskets around the house, until I was in my late teens. I did feel a bit goofy opening up cabinets and looking under couches at 17 for my Easter Basket, but hey, it was a tradition!! And fond memories as well.

Kutya for good luck!

Again, Happy Easter to you and Yours

Jess

xo

I dedicate this post to my mom Irene, for having us experience all off these traditions growing up! Thanks Mom!