Easter, both the mainstream and Orthodox ones have come and gone, leaving behind honest-to-God Spring (at least where I am. I hear tell that it's already Summer in some places). However, when I spotted this picture in the Slashfood Flickr pool, the colors and patterns caught my attention and spoke to me.
When I was growing up, my mom had a bowl of wooden eggs that were carved and painted. I loved to play with them, but wasn't allowed particularly often, as they were old and the paint was a bit flaky. They looked just like these Easter eggs.
Thanks Andreea, for adding your image to the pool and for giving me a brief trip in my childhood memories.
Second Helping of Slashfood - June 19
Competitive-Eating Contest to Pit Humans Against Elephants
The Backyard Boom - The Hungry Bride
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-07-2008 @ 10:45AM
iamtheparty said...
I'm not sure where your mom's wooden eggs came from, but this story made me smile as I remembered my Papou and his wooden egg. No one stood a chance against him come Easter Sunday, and I'd love to get my hands on one, too.
Christos Anesti!!!
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5-07-2008 @ 11:37AM
Astin said...
I imagine that those are real eggs in the picture though. The wooden ones are far less impressive (and less breakable) than traditional Pysanky (Ukrainian Easter eggs). Pysanky don't use paint, and take a lot of practice and steady hands to get right. Beeswax, dyes, a kistka (stylus), and a candle are the main tools used. The egg is dyed in progressively darker colours, with beeswax melted in the kistka over the candle and then used draw the pattern you want over the colour you desire. The beeswax prevents the next dye from colouring over the desired one. After the last dying, the wax is melted off by the candle flame and you have your egg.
The eggs are either drained by poking a small pinhole on either end and blowing the contents out (strong cheeks and lungs required), or left to dry out over the years.
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