Submitted by ADeFrancesco on

Spring Traditions

I am looking forward to sharing my spring travel experiences with you but this morning I am at our ranch after an absence of several weeks.  The pastures are lush and green and we have welcomed back the hummingbirds, cardinals and even a few finches.  The trees have put out new leaves and our Knock Out roses and Indian Hawthorns are blooming around the house.  A sparrow has built a nest on top of one of the ceiling fans on our front porch.  The barn cats are napping on the window sills while a few of our cows and young calves are grazing just outside the window.

Spring is my absolutely favorite time of year and no doubt many of you are eager to welcome spring, particularly after the brutal winter which gripped so much of our country.

Spring in Texas has one tradition which unifies the state – driving around country roads to admire our state flower, the bluebonnet.  For a few weeks in March and April our roadways and fields are blanketed in blue and they are magnificent.  There are probably more photos of children sitting in bluebonnets annually than on Santa’s laps!  Indian Paintbrushes are another common wildflower and their tall red blooms really add pop to fields of bluebonnets.   

Another tradition which my daughter and her husband started last year is trying to teach their young children (Cade – 6; Jake – 4 and Campbell – 4 months) about the Easter story.  After missing these children for weeks, I had so much fun cuddling Campbell and participating in their family tradition.  As I read John 19, Lindsey offered explanations of the crucifixion while making Resurrection Rolls.  She rolled out a package of crescent rolls (symbolizing the strips of linen in which Jesus’ body was wrapped).  Cade and Jake were given large marshmallows (representing the purity of Jesus) which they dipped in melted butter (representing the oils which anointed his body) and then in cinnamon (representing the spices which were used on his body).  The boys placed a marshmallow in the center of each crescent roll, wrapped them tightly and baked them. 

While the rolls baked, I read portions of John 20 to them about the empty tomb.  After the rolls cooled a bit, Lindsey cut them open and the boys discovered the marshmallows had disappeared.  We enjoyed eating the delicious rolls while we discussed the meaning of Easter.  Granted, the boys are a little young for an intense theological lesson, but they are making progress.  Last year Jake (then 3) asked for weeks why his marshmallow went to Heaven…

Regardless of your family traditions, I hope each of you will soon be able to welcome spring and rejoice in the warmer weather.  We look forward to having our son and his friend with us at the ranch this weekend for our traditional church service followed by Easter lunch of ham, sweet potatoes, broccoli and homemade rolls.  May your time with friends and family be blessed.