Inspired by Jessica and Charlotte we have an Easter tradition in our home of celebrating the entire Easter season with the Garden of the Good Shepherd. The program consists of a daily prayer time in which you add a scripture inspired sticker to your garden. By the end of Easter season your scene is filled with reminders of Jesus, the good shepherd, and heaven.
This is our 3rd year having a weekly garden party at the end of each themed week. For dinner on Saturday we incorporate each sticker into our meal and talk about what we've learned from our nightly prayer time. It's a favorite tradition in our home and one that keeps the season of Easter alive.
Week 1: The Good Shepherd's Pasture
Day 1: The Good Shepherd: Mini Shepherd's Pie
For the past few years we've been using this recipe, but my kids didn't like the ketchup flavor. This year I took out the ketchup, doubled the worchstershire sauce, and threw in a 1/2 c diced onion. And for the potatoes... they are instant.
Day 2: The Shepherd's Crook: Crookneck Squash
I sauteed these bad boys in a little bit of olive oil, period.
Day 3 and 4: The Sheepfold and the Gate of the Sheepfold: Gates
Pretzel sticks, graham crackers, and peanut butter. Call it an appetizer.
I combined the symbolic food for days 3 and 4 because they are both about the fence that protects the sheep. If you want to have 7 separate symbols, give the kids a glass of milk and tell them the white color of the milk represents the sheep who sleep within the sheepfold at night.
Day 5: The Ewe and Ram: Ram Horn Apple Curls
Using my apple peeler, corer, slicer gadget, I made ram's horns.
Day 6: The Lamb: Chocolate Lambs
I bought these. I know you are impressed.
Day 7: The Wolf: Wolf Paw Cookies
Shortbread cookies, almond bark, and white chocolate chips. I think you can figure it out.
Next week's theme is the Lord's table, which is the easiest of all the weeks because it's focus on how heaven is described as a banquet!
