My Polish Easter

Traditional Polish Easter Basket

Let me start by saying that I am neither Polish nor Catholic, but my husband was raised in a Polish Catholic home where the blessing of the Easter Basket was an annual ritual. As adults we're progressive Quakers, a religion that eschews "ritual".  It's a bit if a guilty pleasure that we take part in the annual blessing of the Easter Basket.

Easter us such a religious holiday-  Celebrating the risen Christ... But don't think about it too much... What does Jesus have to do with Dying eggs, eating chocolate bunnies, or putting Peeps in the microwave? For me, the spirit of Easter comes in the re-birth of our spirits.  It comes with spring and the awakening of the earth.  When I make Pysanky, I enjoy the meditative centering it brings me.  The scent of the melted bee's wax, the candles, the warm eggs, the colors.  It's really a delightfully centering practice... 

Part of what draws me being a "Celebration Specialist" is a love of tradition. I love marking the passage of the year with celebration. Next week, I hope to dance around a May Pole.


So here are some pictures of my Polish Easter Basket that we'll take to St Maria Goretti to be blessed by a generous priest tomorrow. 

Repost: Modern Etiquette

The fact that there is an etiquette guide to talking about your wedding on Facebook is definitely a sign of our times...


In addition to the eight tips posted on allfacebook.com, I'll add a few more...


8 Facebook Wedding Etiquette Tips


9. Don't post all the pictures from your photographer without their permission. In most cases, this is actually a violation of copyright law. Ask your photographer for some low-res watermarked files you can use.  If you talk to them, there is usually a way it can work where the photographer gets some publicity, and your friends get to see the images! You can also post the snapshots your friends and family have taken (with their permission-of course!) 


10. On Facebook as well as other places it's good to remember the advice "Praise in public, criticize in private." If you care about your relationships and your community, it's always better to take up any problems in private. With your professionals, they'll be more likely to try to fix the problem if you haven't already trashed their reputation. Of course, public praise is always nice- good karma for everyone!


11. I'd add an addendum to "Stay off line during nuptials". I think it would be fine to post "We did it!" or something equally short and to the point after the ceremony. But really, on the day of your wedding and even through your honeymoon- your focus should be on the people/person you're with- the rest of us can wait.


Remember, Facebook, Twitter and whatever is next down the pike are great tools for keeping in touch with your community.  These tools, however, are not a substitute for community.