HOT CROSS BUNS

In many historical Christian countries it's a traditional to eat warm 

'hot cross buns' on Good Friday. 
Hot Cross Buns with their combination of spicy, sweet and fruity flavours have long been an Easter tradition that dates back to the 12th century.

Why do we eat Hot Cross Buns ?

A hot cross bun is a spiced sweet bun usually made with fruit, marked with a cross on the top, and traditionally eaten on Good Friday in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, India, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States and some parts of the Americas. 

The bun marks the end of Lent and different parts of the hot cross bun have a certain meaning, including the cross representing the crucifixion of Jesus, and the spices inside signifying the spices used to embalm him at his burial.

The pastry cross on top of the buns symbolises and reminds Christians of the cross

 that Jesus was killed on.

The buns were traditionally eaten at breakfast time, hot from the oven. 

They were once sold by street vendors who sang a little song about them.

"Hot cross buns, Hot cross buns, 

One a penny, two a penny, 

Hot cross buns."

No longer sold on the streets, Hot Cross Buns are now available all year round, again turning a religious tradition into a commercial opportunity, 

but I for one love these 

warm sticky buns....

Enjoy!

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT CHOCOLATE

Easter Sunday 

is traditionally a day where lots of chocolate is consumed around the world, 

mainly in the form of chocolate eggs or bunnies! I can assure you that I will be 

eating my fair share this Easter, 

after all I must "uphold" this Easter tradition!

Here are 10 fun facts about Chocolate that you 
may not know:

Fact 1:

People spend more than 7 billion dollars a year on chocolate.

Fact 2:

Chocolate does not cause or aggravate acne, this is a myth.

Fact 3:

Dark chocolate is most popular among men.

Fact 4:

The largest chocolate bar ever manufactured was in Italy in 2000 and the bar had a

 weight of 2268 kilograms.

Fact 5:

More than twice as many women than men eat and crave chocolate.

Fact 6:

The first chocolate bar was produced by Cadbury in England in 1842.

Fact 7:

The word Chocolate comes from the Aztec word xocolatl, meaning, bitter water.

Fact 8:

71% of American chocolate eaters prefer milk chocolate.

Fact 9:

Chocolate makers use 40% of the world's almonds and 20% of the world's peanuts.

Fact 10:

Nestle introduced Chocolate Chips in 1939

Enjoy!

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HOT CROSS BUNS

It is traditional to eat warm 'hot cross buns' on Good Friday. 
Hot Cross Buns with their combination of spicy, sweet and fruity flavours have long been an Easter tradition.

Why do we eat Hot Cross Buns ?

The pastry cross on top of the buns symbolises and reminds Christians of the cross that Jesus was killed on.

The buns were traditionally eaten at breakfast time, hot from the oven. They were once sold by street vendors who sang a little song about them.

"Hot cross buns, Hot cross buns, 

One a penny, two a penny, 

Hot cross buns."

No longer sold on the streets, Hot Cross Buns are now available all year round, again turning a religious tradition into a commercial opportunity, but I for one love these warm sticky buns....

Enjoy!

EASTER GREETINGS 2015

Easter Greetings 

from 

Beauty Shout Box

HAPPY EASTER

On Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of the Lord, Jesus Christ. It is typically the most well-attended Sunday service of the year for Christian churches.

Christians believe, according to Scripture, that Jesus came back to life, or was raised from the dead, three days after his death on the cross. As part of the Easter season, the death of Jesus Christ by crucifixion is commemorated on Good Friday, always the Friday just before Easter. Through his death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus paid the penalty for sin, thus purchasing for all who believe in him, eternal life in Christ Jesus.

Apart from this important religious aspect Easter for many it often means a 4 day long-weekend, allowing time to be spent with family and friends. Hot Cross Buns on Good Friday and the Easter Egg hunt in the garden on Sunday morning, but however you choose to celebrate....

Just Enjoy!

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HOLY SATURDAY

What is Holy Saturday?

Holy Saturday is also known as Easter Even and the Great Sabbath.

The term "Easter Even" was used by the 1549 Prayer Book. The 1979 BCP uses the title "Holy Saturday" for the Saturday before Easter.

When is Holy Saturday?

It is the Saturday before Easter, the last day of Lent and is the day when Christ's body lay in His Tomb. In the early church Holy Saturday was a day of fasting and preparation for the Easter Vigil.

What happened on the day before Easter Sunday?

This day was the Sabbath and the day which Jesus rested in the grave.

What takes place on Holy Saturday?

Many churches hold services on this eve of Easter Day.

GOOD FRIDAY

Why is it called Good Friday?

The name may be derived from 'God's Friday' in the same way that good-bye is derived from 'God be with ye'.

It is 'good' because the barrier of sin was broken.

What happened on Good Friday?

Jesus was arrested and was tried, in a mock trial. He was handed over to the Roman soldiers to be beaten and flogged with whips. A crown of long, sharp thorns was thrust upon his head. Jesus was forced to carry his own cross outside the city to Skull Hill. He was so weak after the beating that a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was pulled from the crowd and forced to carry Jesus' cross the rest of the way. Jesus was nailed to the cross. Two other criminals were crucified with him, their crosses were on either side of him. A sign above Jesus read "The King of the Jews."

Christians believe that Jesus stood in our place. 

His death paid the penalty not for his own wrong doings but for ours.

What happens on Good Friday today?

Since the early nineteenth century, before the introduction of bank holidays, Good Friday and Christmas Day were the only two days of leisure which were almost universally granted to working people. Good Friday today is still a public holiday in much of the UK. This means that many businesses are closed.

Fasting

Some Christians fast (go without food) on Good Friday. This helps them remember the sacrifice Jesus made for them on the day of crucifixion.

Procession

Some Christians take part in a procession of witness, carrying a cross through the streets and then into church.

Special Church Service

Many churches hold a special service. This may be a communion service in the evening or a time of prayer during the day, especially around 3 o'clock as that is about the time of day when Jesus died.

Many Churches hold services lasting three hours. They may celebrate the Stations of the Cross, or take part in Passion plays and dramatic readings.

Churches are not decorated on Good Friday. In some churches, pictures and statues are covered over. It is seen as a time of mourning.

MAUNDY THURSDAY

Today is Maundy Thursday but what does today symbolize?

Maundy Thursday - also called Holy Thursday, is the beginning of the three day celebration of Easter - the most important time in the year for Christians. This period is one big celebration, remembering the last supper, the crucifixion and the death of Jesus, and the Resurrection to new life.

Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles.

On this day, Christians remember the Last Supper, during the meal Jesus took bread and wine and shared them with his disciples. Christians continue to share bread and wine as part of their worship in church.

The Last Supper was probably a Passover meal – the meal which Jewish people share together to celebrate the time when God delivered Moses and the people from slavery in Egypt.

What is the origin of the name Maundy?

The name 'Maundy' is derived from the Latin word “mandatum”, meaning a commandment. Jesus Christ, at the Last Supper, commanded:

'And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.' John 13:34

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EASTER NAILS

The long Easter weekend is nearly upon us and hopefully we will have beautiful weather. 

Here are some Easter Holiday inspired nails.

Enjoy!

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