US $24.99
A Rather Unusual Easter Visitor
Ask anyone what animal they associate with Easter and most probably it will be a bunny or a chick. For me, it is a mouse!
When I was eight years old my mother decided to put on a special Easter lunch. The whole family had scattered after the Christmas holidays so it would be the first get together of the whole clan, our family of five and both sets of grandparents, for a while.
The week before Easter was a perfect spring postcard. The blossoms were budding on the trees in our garden and a little snail of crocuses and daffodils lined the path down to the Summerhouse. I was chosen to pick some daises to sprinkle in painted eggcups, my reluctant brothers to fetch other flowers for the vases.
My mother tied on an apron and set to work preparing the Easter feast, an enormous leg of lamb and baking the traditional treats, a simnel cake and my personal favourite: hot cross buns.
On Easter Saturday we all helped lay a special table with colourful candles and napkins and tiny fluffy chicks perched on the decorated centrepiece. But on the side plates, where usually an Easter egg wrapped in a bright silver paper, finished with a ribbon tied in a bow would sit, there was nothing!
After much earnest deliberation I had been given the task of organizing the Easter gifts. They were hidden away awaiting the ‘grand reveal' on Easter Sunday morning.
When my mother gave me the money to execute my sweet-toothed plan, I had trouble making a decision. The whole family had given up chocolate for Lent, thrilling and challenging for me, hideous and irritating to my brothers who struggled to last the distance. I was consumed with a craving and, feeling the anticipation a 40-day abstinence would create.
What should I do? Rely on long time favourites? Variations on a theme? Above all, I didn't want to be predictable. I wanted to create a something memorable.
Swinging from a low branch at the end of our garden one day inspiration struck: I would make trees out of cardboard kitchen towel tubes to which I would attach egg carton nests, filled with chocolate eggs and candy.
I could make four or five for us all to share and embellish them with leave, twigs and flowers. Which is exactly what I did.
Even though it took several sessions with coloured tissue, silver card and paintbrushes to complete the trees I was delighted to finally place the multi-coloured foil covered chocolate eggs on the shredded straw.
On the night before Easter Saturday I found the perfect spot to hide them, covered with tea towels under a chair against the wall in the dining room. After which I went to bed and slept restlessly until the sun beamed through the window in my bedroom and woke me early on Easter Sunday morning.
Following the service at the pretty old local church, milk chocolate fantasies largely displacing prayers, I raced home eager to present the chocolate egg trees at the lunch table in a moment of high drama.
When the lunch was ready my brothers called the family in to the dining room. Everyone was seated and patiently waiting as I announced a triumphant ‘Ta-da' and whisked the cover off my creations.
But the gasps were not the ones of admiration I had hoped for, the drama not the sort I had planned. The trees were in tatters, the leaves torn off, the straw all over the place and the eggs all unwrapped, half eaten.
Fearing them sabotaged I rounded on my brothers who both denied it but then each accused the other, before my father stepped in suggesting the culprit could be a mouse.
My hard-of-hearing grandpa took this to be a call to arms, jumping to his feet brandishing a fork and my mother convinced it was one of a number of rodents over-running her home, causing her to shriek and drop the gravy.
Followed, of course, by anger, then reassurances, apologies and eventually the restoration of peace and calm.
Once I had dried my tears and my father had searched in vain for a pink-nosed visitor with chocolate covered whiskers, my mother placed the untouched eggs into cocktail glasses and salvaged the remaining adornments to attach to them.
Only after a delicious meal and lots of sympathy did I cheer up, helped along by the first sweet taste of the much missed, delicious chocolate.
These days I keep the chocolate out of temptations way until the last moment, my children posing more of a threat, I think, than mice!
Representing re-birth and new beginnings, Easter is a time of joy to share with friends and family. Sending an E card is a fun, fresh way to celebrate this most hopeful of the calendar's celebrations.
At katiescards.com I have created a collection of Easter ecards that are quick to preview and just as easy to send. The selection of 5 Easter e cards features a mixture of colourful painted eggs, adorable chicks and blossoming flowers, each e-card designed to be a heart warming greeting to remind a loved one you care about them.
Russ on Flowers Show #9 - Sequel to Vasing - Freehand Design and Vasing with Bubble Vases (part #2)
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UNUSUAL, LARGE Ikebana Container Vase - Pedestal - Mid Century Modern California $119.00 |
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Beautiful Weighty Pottery Vase Unusual Use Both Ways $65.69 |
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VINTAGE ART POTTERY VASE SCULPTURE , IKEBANA VASE ? " UNUSUAL" INSIDE OUT FINISH $1,550.00 |
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Unusual Hand Crafted Art Pottery Signed Asian Small Decorative Ball Vase $4.99 |
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UNUSUAL ASIAN POTTERY CERAMIC ORIENTAL STYLE ABSTRACT BIRD VASE IN GREEN GLAZE $5.99 |
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VERY UNUSUAL STUDIO POTTERY VASE ( BAYLE ) $4.70 |
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Laguna Pottery Laced Corset Vase 30's 40's Unusual Form $10.99 |
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Unusual South American Art Pottery Vase - Figure $29.99 |
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Man's Face character Vase picking nose by Aaargh designs 2007 Grotesque Unusual $28.00 |
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UNUSUAL! Vintage Blue Weeping Gold Vase $22.00 |
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UNUSUAL FROG SKIN LIKE POTTERY BUD VASE $19.00 |
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Toyo Japan Ceramic Vase Matte Finish Pastel Iris 7 1/2 inches Tall Unusual shape $13.50 |
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roseville 6" early florane vase /unusual shape /excellent condition w/no damage $54.00 |
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Dated 1917 Van Briggle Pottery Bud Vase / Unusual Base Color – Gold Speckles $295.00 |
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VINTAGE HAEGER VASE, UNUSUAL GLAZE THAT STARTS GLOSSY AND ENDS MATTE FINISH $6.99 |
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cobalt blue top hat planter - vase unique & unusual See $24.99 |
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ANTIQUE UNUSUAL WESTERN THEME STONEWARE VASE COLORFUL $14.00 |
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UNUSUAL UNIQUED STUDIO POTTERY VASE SIGNED CLARKSON 14" $79.00 |
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VINTAGE ITALIAN HAND-PAINTED DERUTA VASE WITH UNUSUAL SHAPE, FLOWERS & RELIEF $198.00 |
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Unusual Vintage Oriental Signed "Mandschu" Kaiser Vase- no reserve $45.00 |
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Unusual two openings vintage WELLER art pottery magnolia VASE USA catalina blue $24.99 |
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Rookwood Pottery Unusual Whimsical Pillow Vase 1894 Sallie Toohey Artist Gnomes $4,000.00 |
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VINTAGE TALL GERMAN VASE SCENE OF GERMAN VILLAGE AND PEOPLE- UNUSUAL! $9.95 |
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unusual small antique vase with handles $18.99 |
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Unusual White Bisque Kaiser Germany Ceramic Vase 8-1/4" high Signed M Frey $29.99 |
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EVANGELINE / CANUCK UNUSUAL SHAPED VASE MOCHA COLOR $10.69 |
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Southwestern pottery vase handcrafted and signed 6" heighth unusual shape NICE ! $9.99 |
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Unusual Signed Studio Pottery Vase w Green Crystalline $165.00 |
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Artist Signed Unusual Design Rookwood Vase $1,350.00 |
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UNUSUAL Vintage Pottery Spiral Bud Vase Speckled Orange Color Collector Item $14.00 |
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Vintage UNUSUAL Pottery / Ceramic Eagle Pitcher Vase 8" Tall Marked $9.99 |
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California Hazel Hutchin black blue unusual shape vase planter vgc $10.00 |
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ANTIQUE UNUSUAL SPONGEWARE STUDIO ART POTTERY VASE $23.56 |
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Beautiful Matte White Dimpled Unusual Pottery Vase Vintage $9.99 |
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4 Nippon vases different sizes & shapes oriental Japanese hand painted unusual $25.00 |
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unusual shaped Aynsley Cottage Garden Porcelain Vase $28.00 |
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Unusual McCoy USA Pottery Vase Garden Flowers Signed Asian Vintage $12.99 |
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Scandanavian Sweden Ekeby Vase w/ unusual handles MINT $175.00 |
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Haeger Pottery China Large Pink Oval Vase #4317 Unusual $65.00 |
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LOVELY UNUSUAL EARLY LINTHORPE VASE / JARDINIERE by CHRISTOPHER DRESSER #179 $605.07 |
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VINTAGE UNUSUAL n/Delfts dec 515 LARGE VASE 11" TALL 7" WIDE $14.99 |
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Unusual Bybee Pottery Yellow Vase with holes. $4.95 |
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Rookwood Art Pottery Vase Experimental Shape/Glaze Unusual Numbers/Marks NoRsv $41.00 |
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EARLY BAUER ART POTTERY: Venus Vase, Unusual Delph Blue Glaze $48.75 |
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UNUSUAL/INTERESTING 'FOAM' GLAZED CLAY BALL VASE 3LB 14OZ EUROPEAN UNSIGNED $35.99 |
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Vintage Nemadji Vase Swirled Browns 7" x 5" Unusual $25.00 |
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Roseville Unusual Form Arts & Crafts Matte Green Vase MINT! NR! $9.99 |
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Unusual Studio Art Pottery Multiple Tube Sculpture Bamboo Bowl Vase Signed Cyn $18.00 |
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UNUSUAL OLD VINTAGE MID CENTURY STUDIO ART POTTERY CERAMIC VASE GREEN ZUCCHINI $65.00 |
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UNUSUAL HULL POTTERY VASE B 9 BUTTERFLY 3 LEG U.S.A. $65.00 |
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Rare Early WELLER EXPERIMENTAL Globby Glaze Art Pottery Vase - Very Unusual $225.50 |
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SYD Redware Pottery Vase Hand Thrown Unusual Glaze possibly Orcas Island Pottery $99.99 |
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1960s Italy Majolica Large Vase White Aqua Yellow Red Cobalt Blue MODERN Unusual $95.00 |
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SPHERICAL VASE IN UNUSUAL DESIGN -LOVELY CONDITION TOO! $23.56 |
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HAEGER Candle Holder/Vase on a metal Stand - Unusual - Label and Stamped $19.99 |
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SIGNED WIDE LIP, NARROW NECK UNUSUAL VASE, MUST SEE $9.99 |
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Unusual, Roseville 'Dahlrose Trial ' Vase $1,100.00 |
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Unusual, Roseville 'Laurel Trial ' Vase $850.00 |
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Unusual Vintage Green Drip Vase USA Made Gorgeous Color $13.00 |
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VINTAGE UNUSUAL MID CENTURY MODERN POLIA PILLIN HANDMADE ART POTTERY VASE OLD! $399.00 |
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Vintage Rare Unusual Dolphin Tail Handled Slip Ware Art Pottery Mug/Vase $1.56 |
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Small Unusual Tenmoku Pottery Vase Made In Malaysia Free Shipping in USA $24.99 |
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CARN STUDIO POTTERY UNUSUAL SMALL VASE $7.84 |
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Unusual Art Pottery 12" Canoe Vase or Footed Bowl $14.99 |
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Unusual OLD signed Southern ARTS and CRAFTS blue ART POTTERY VASE carved design $29.99 |
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UNUSUAL TEXAS MEYER BLUEBONNET POTTERY VASE $49.99 |
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FANTONI POTTERY UNUSUAL VASE SIGNED $79.99 |
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Decorative Unusual Shape Pottery Vase Greenery Planter Shelf Art $19.50 |
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UNUSUAL & RARE MORIAGE GRASSHOPPERS & GOLD VASE / EWER,OLD NORITAKE NIPPON,MEIJI $2,800.00 |
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UNUSUAL STAFFORDSHIRE SPILL VASE BOY GIRL TRAIN $225.00 |
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Heubach Art Nouveau vase with irises raised pattern unusual Heubach medium $750.00 |
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Signed LAURA ROSS Unusual GORGEOUS Art Pottery BASKET Vase INCREDIBLE Details $390.00 |
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UNUSUAL STUDIO POTTERY BOTTLE VASE, MADE BY JO MABE WYMESWOLD, LEICESTERSHIRE. $23.56 |
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UNUSUAL ROYAL LANCASTRIAN LOW VASE, WITH ORANGE GLAZE & FOOTED BASE, C1910 $94.28 |
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Primitive Pottery Duck Vase - Unusual- $14.99 |
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11.25" UNUSUAL ASIAN DETAILED CHARACTERS POTTERY VASE $14.95 |
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VINTAGE VALENTZ ZAKAREK VASE OR PLANTER WITH ABSTRACT FIGURE~SIGNED~UNUSUAL ART $35.00 |
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RARE UNUSUAL EUROPEAN HANDBLOWN COBLAT BLUE GLASS VASE $375.00 |
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Reach In Penny CANDY JAR Huang Acrylic plastic half gallon $13.00 Keep your candy nearby in this cute, old fashion candy jar. With a stainless steel lid, this clear acrylic candy jar will allow you to keep a bag of candy out for everyone to enjoy. You can see exactly what's inside and what piece you want. The opening is large enough for anyone of all ages to enjoy candy from. This candy container is neat, cute and functional.... |
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Grasslands Road Indian Summer Sunflower Pitcher, 5-1/2-Inch by 5-Inch by 3-3/4-Inch $13.95 Grasslands Road Indian Summer stoneware sunflower pitcher measures 5-1/2-inch by 5-inch by 3.75-inch and holds 14-ounces. Charming nature themed tableware is perfect for year-round use. Makes a lovely kitchen gifts idea too.... |
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Teak Trivets, Set of 2 $24.95 Simple and beautiful, these crosscut teak trivets reveal intriguing patterns of growth rings, each representing one year in the life of the tree. They're generously sized - about 9" in diameter and 1/2" thick - so they provide plenty of protection from heat. Handcrafted in Costa Rica from sustainably harvested teak; your purchase helps protect and restore tropical ecosystems.... |
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Guild Master Hand Painted Vase on Bisque Ceramic with Blue Floral Shade $95.00 A most unusual lamp, this creamy bisque ceramic lamp has been decorated with a handpainted vase and finished with a blue floral shade.... |
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WonderVase Travel Collapsible Flower Vase - Med ... |
