Friday, March 29, 2013

Easter Traditions 2013 & a Giveaway

Coloring Easter Eggs with my son, Joe



Easter is just around the corner. Growing up in New Hampshire, Easter was a big family affair. My mother's side of the family embraced many traditions from her father's native Poland. This love of tradition became embedded in my bones and it's something I hope to pass on down to my boys.

As a girl in the 1970's growing up, I remember going to mass, getting a new dress for Easter, and eggs – boiled, deviled, colored, and who can forget the lamb? I remember visiting the "twins" up on the hill and playing with cousins I didn't realize I had.

Nowadays, in the mid 2010's, 40 years later in California, I'm working on giving my boys the same sense of tradition I had growing up. I make Polish Pierogis by scratch, which is an all day affair and I buy the "butter braid" stuffed bread at church. The boys and I go to mass and I always color eggs. Easter afternoon is time for the egg hunt.

And who can forget the chocolate? I'm a sucker for a Cadbury crème egg. They're the best kind of egg.

Question for you: What are some of your favorite Easter traditions?  Growing up and now?

Giveaway: Leave a comment with your email and I'll pick one lucky winner to receive a PDF copy of my story "A Polish Heart."


A POLISH HEART
Sweet Contemporary/Inspirational Romance
99 cent Novella
Blurb: Can Sofia's faith give Darrin his heart back? 

*****


Darrin began washing the peppers.

"What are you doing, Darrin?" asked Basia.

Sofia turned around from talking with her mother.
"I'm washing the peppers," he said.

"Oh, I can do that." Basia walked to the sink.
"It's okay. I can do it."

"Basia, Darrin is a bit of a cook. He watches the Food Network," said Sofia.


************



Review:
"Sofia and Darrin's story is a heartwarming one. Totally enjoyable read." - Tara Manderino, Amazon Reader


BUY LINKS:

AMAZON:http://amzn.com/B007AS29AO


BARNES & NOBLE:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-polish-heart-stephanie-burkhart/1111503774?ean=2940033247875



SMASHWORDS:  
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/164429

6 comments:

  1. I loved waking up and seeing the baskets! I started the same tradition with my children when they were younger. Now that they are adults, I miss that and can't wait to have some grandchildren to carry on the tradition with!

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    1. Sorry! Email
      daringzoey@yahoo.com

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    2. Melissa,
      Easter baskets are fun. The boys are still little so we still do them, too.

      Smiles
      Steph

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    3. Melissa, thanks for stopping by! You're my winner for the PDF. I hope you enjoy the story.

      Smiles
      Steph

      Delete
  2. Happy Easter, Steph. I guess right about now, you're at Mass with the boys.
    No matter how old I was, my mother always gave me an Easter basket. Although it always had candy in it, the toys changed to nail polish, handkerchiefs and other items as the years passed. After she died in 1974 when I was 27. The tradition died with her. My sister and I make baskets for each other since then. It's not the same, but we enjoy it.
    One year, my friends and I drew names for Easter baskets then each of us made a basket for the person whose name we drew. I got some good stuff that year--like a watch, among other things. LOL
    I wish you had posted a picture of a Polish Pierogis. I have no idea what that is. And when you said "lamb", did you mean like a chocolate lamb? Or what?
    All the best to you. Have a wonderful Easter.

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  3. Sarah,
    Thanks so much for sharing. Easter baskets are very popular. I make them for my boys and I have a lot of fun with it. Grr...I didn't take any pictures of my pierogis. Next time I'll have to. :)

    Lamb, I mean cooked lamb. I buy chocolate bunnies for the boys. hehe
    Smiles
    Steph

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