I have always been so intimidated by anything made with whole chickens. They always seemed so difficult to make! Until I discovered that that could not be farther from the truth! Roasting a chicken is the easiest main course to make, and this Lemon and Rosemary Roast Chicken is an easy roast chicken recipe. This is one of my favorite roast chicken recipes that I have tried. It has lots of butter, lemons, and rosemary. The incredible smell of it roasting fills the whole house. It is so moist and flavorful, with a perfect crispy golden brown skin. It comes out perfectly every time! Lemon and Rosemary Roast Chicken 1 whole Chicken, Rinsed And Patted Dry 3/4 c. Butter, Softened 3 whole Lemons 4 sprigs Rosemary 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper Preheat oven to 400 degrees convection bake. (If you're using a standard oven, you can do 425.) Zest two of the lemons. Strip the leaves off one of the rosemary sprigs and chop them up finely. In a bowl, combine softened butter, lemon zest, rosemary, and salt and pepper to taste. Line a baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil and lay the patted-dry chicken on the foil, breast side up. Use your fingers to smear the butter mixture all over the chicken, under the skin, and inside the cavity. Cut the lemons in half and squeeze the juice of one lemon all over the chicken. Place the six lemon halves (if they'll fit!) and the three remaining rosemary leaves into the cavity of the bird. Place the chicken into the oven and roast it for 1 hour, 15 minutes, or until done. The skin should be deep golden brown and the juices should be sizzling.

Happy Feast of St. Michael and All Angels! In Ireland and Great Britain, the traditional dinner is roast goose and carrots. If it’s not easy to find a goose in your area, make a roast chicken instead. We are going to be making our family’s favorite, Lemon and Rosemary Roast Chicken from The Pioneer Woman. You use lemons, rosemary and a lot of butter. It’s tender and so flavorful! Lemon and Rosemary Roast Chicken 1 whole Chicken, Rinsed And Patted Dry 3/4 c. Butter, Softened 3 whole Lemons 4 sprigs Rosemary Salt And Pepper, to taste Preheat oven to 400 degrees (convection bake. If you're using a standard oven, you can do 425.) Zest two of the lemons. Strip the leaves off of one of the rosemary sprigs and chop it up finely. In a bowl, combine softened butter, lemon zest, rosemary, and salt and pepper to taste. Line a baking sheet with heavy duty aluminum foil and lay the patted-dry chicken on the foil, breast side up. Use your fingers to smear the butter mixture all over the chicken, under the skin, and inside the cavity. Cut the lemons in half and squeeze the juice of one lemon all over the chicken. Place the six lemon halves (if they'll fit!) and the three remaining rosemary leaves into the cavity of the bird. Place the chicken into the oven and roast it for 1 hour, 15 minutes or until done. Skin should be deep golden brown and juices should be sizzling.

Here’s a fun thing to do during the season of Easter, play an egg-cracking game! Egg-cracking games are played all over the world to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. The rule of the game is simple, try to crack your opponent’s egg without cracking your own! One person holds a hard-boiled egg and taps the hard-boiled egg of another participant with one's own egg intending to break the other's, without breaking one's own. There are variations of the game around the world. In Switzerland, you need only one egg instead of two. Usually, the adults are those who try to break the decorated eggs of their children with a twenty-cent coin. If the coin cracks the eggshell and sticks in the egg, the adult claims the egg. On the other hand, the child claims the coin if the adult fails to crack the egg. In many other countries, a nail is used to crack the egg rather than a coin. The nail symbolizes the nails used to crucify Christ. Helpful Links: The Significance of Eggs in Easter

We are still celebrating Easter! 50 days of celebrating the resurrection of Jesus which means 50 days of feasting! We are practicing resurrection over here with one of our favorite recipes, Gateau de Sirop or Cane Syrup Cake. Cane Syrup is a pale amber syrup made from sugar cane. I am from the panhandle of Florida which was heavily influenced by the French and sugar cane was an important staple crop. Sugar cane grew well in our area and was affordable. As a child, I didn’t grow up using real maple syrup. It was way too expensive. If you used syrup, it was cane syrup or artificial syrups like Log Cabin or Karo. My mother-in-law, who grew up in rural western Alabama, remembers her daddy growing and harvesting sugar cane. Two mules went around in a circle turning a machine that ground up the sugar cane. He would take the sugar cane juice and boil it until it turned into a golden liquid (cane syrup) and put it in cans. Cane syrup is much thinner than maple syrup and it is not nearly as sweet. It has a very mild flavor with a unique flavor. You might not know this but if you boil the cane syrup a second time you get molasses and if you boil it a third time, you get blackstrap molasses. This cake is delicious and really easy to make. It’s really moist and spiced with ginger, cinnamon, a little nutmeg, and the unique and delicate flavor of cane syrup. If you don't have access to cane syrup, maple syrup will do just fine! Top it with homemade whipped cream and a drizzle of cane syrup and enjoy! It's an easy and delicious way to practice resurrection in your home! Gâteau de Sirop (Syrup Cake) 1 large egg 1 ½ cups pure cane syrup (I used Steen's Cane Syrup but you could use maple syrup as well) ½ cup vegetable oil ¾ cup hot water 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour sifted, plus more for pan 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground ginger ¼ teaspoon ground cloves Sweetened whipped cream, for serving Directions Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 10-inch round (or 9-inch square) baking pan with butter, and dust with flour. Whisk together egg, cane syrup, and oil in a medium bowl until well blended. Whisk together hot water and baking soda in a small bowl. Whisk together flour, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves in a second medium bowl. Stir flour mixture into syrup mixture, alternating with water mixture, stirring until just combined after each addition, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Pour into prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan, about 1 hour. Remove from pan. If desired, top with sweetened whipped cream and drizzle with additional cane syrup.

The practice of making Pysanky eggs goes back to the 10th century. During the last weeks of Lent, eggs were gathered and lovingly decorated to be given as Easter gifts or used to decorate the home. The process of creating a Pysanky egg involves focused concentration and a deliberate, intentional approach to each step of the process. As Christians, this process was seen as a way to quiet their minds and focus on God's presence in their lives. It was a way to connect with God on a deeper level and to pray over those who would receive the eggs. As I shared in my last post, I had the privilege of learning the art of Pysanky from a sweet young man from Ukraine. He had been trained as a boy and shared his expertise with a group from our church. It was so exciting to finally learn how to make Pysanky eggs! Every step requires your full attention. It's one of those things that you get lost in and forget the world around you. I have really enjoyed sitting down in a quiet place when homeschooling is over for the day and working on an egg. It really is a beautiful way to meditate and be in the presence of God. The act of creating something beautiful with our hands is an incredible form of worship and an expression of our gratitude for the gifts that God has given us. Whether you are an experienced artist or a beginner, a child or an adult, you will absolutely love the process of making these eggs! Supplies: Pysanky Egg Kit (Good news, they are on sale right now!) -it comes with everything you need, a brass kistka, five batik dyes, a small candle, a cake of beeswax, cleaning wire, and instructions. Room-temperature white eggs

As we celebrate Easter, we are reminded of the hope and new life that the resurrection of Jesus Christ brings. One way to emphasize these themes is by planting seeds and watching them grow. You don't need a large space or fancy equipment to get started. All you need is an empty egg carton, some soil, seeds, and water. Fill the egg carton with soil and add a few seeds to each section. Water them and place them in a sunny spot. Within days, you will begin to see new life emerging from the soil. Watching seeds sprout and grow into healthy plants is a powerful reminder of the miracle of new life. It is a tangible way to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and the hope that it brings to our lives. In addition to being a fun and rewarding activity, planting seeds can also be a great way to teach children about the significance of Easter. They will enjoy watching the seeds grow and learning about the symbolism of new life and resurrection. As you plant your seeds, take some time to reflect on the deeper meaning behind this simple activity. Consider the ways in which new life is emerging in your own life and in the world around you. And remember that just as the seeds require nurturing and care to grow, so too does our faith require ongoing attention and cultivation. This Easter, let us celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior by planting seeds and practicing resurrection in our own lives. May we be filled with hope and new life, and may we continue to nurture the seeds of faith that have been planted within us.

Today is Ash Wednesday and the first day of the season of Lent. As Christians, we believe that the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is the most important thing to ever happen to us (or to the world for that matter)! God loved us so much that he sent his only son to die for us, to redeem us from our sins, and to restore us back to a life with God. Just as Advent is a time of preparation for the miraculous birth of Christ, so Lent is a time of preparation for Easter. In Lent, we are on a pilgrimage with Christ. We are walking through His forty days in the wilderness and we end with His crucifixion, burial and finally, we gloriously celebrate His resurrection. We start Lent with a very special service - Ash Wednesday. On Ash Wednesday, the Body of Christ gathers to enter this time of devotion corporately. During the service, we look at our own mortality and the consequences of our sins. Traditionally, in the Bible, times of penitence were marked by the wearing of sackcloth and ashes. At the Ash Wednesday service, the forehead of each believer is marked with ashes in the sign of the cross and we are reminded through these ashes that we are “but dust and to dust we shall return” (Genesis 3:19). These are the very words God spoke to Adam and Eve after they committed the first sin +Lent is marked by prayer, fasting, and the giving of alms to those in need. We use the time for introspection, self-examination, and repentance. It is a time to prepare our hearts for the amazing work of God’s redemption on Easter. +Throughout Lent, you see the color purple everywhere. Purple symbolizes Christ’s suffering and his royalty. You might notice that all crosses and icons are covered or veiled by purple cloth, that flowers are removed from the church, and that no more Alleluias are said until Easter day. This is all done to remind us of the suffering of Jesus and the consequences of our sins. +During Lent, Christians try to fast from anything “of the flesh” which means that meat, cheese, eggs, butter, and milk are eliminated from the diet. Christians also abstain from consuming alcohol. And then, in addition to this corporate fast, the individual chooses an additional thing to give up such as sugar, sweets, coffee, or tv. +All of these things we do because we believe, as Paul said in Philippians 3:10, that “we want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death." .

Lent is here! During the season of Lent, we walk with Jesus in the wilderness. We pray, examine ourselves, fast and collect alms for those in need. This simple DIY Lenten Wreath is an inexpensive and easy craft to make with your kids. It’s a wonderful visual to remind ourselves as we walk into our home that we are walking through the season of Lent. Easy DIY Lenten Door Branches from your yard Command hooks Purple Napkin Gather branches from your yard. Tie a purple napkin or purple fabric in a simple knot around the base of the sticks. Hang a command hook on your front door. Hang gathered sticks on the command hook. It's that easy! I hope that this craft is a blessing to you and your family!

The season of Lent is such a beautiful season! It is the time when we prepare our hearts for the most important events in a Christian's life, the death, and resurrection of Jesus. During Lent, we spend a lot of time reflecting on our sins and our need for a savior. We also spend time learning about what Easter is all about. Books were one of the best ways to help my children to prepare their hearts for the coming of Easter. We kept our favorite Lenten books in a box in the attic. On Ash Wednesday, I would bring in the box of books and place them in a basket in the living room. The kids were always so excited to see these books that had been stored away! Each child would grab their favorite and for the next couple of hours, there would be complete silence as they looked through the books. The books were a powerful teaching tool to help my children understand what Easter is really about. Today I am sharing some of my favorite books that your family can use during the season of Lent. I hope they are a blessing! The Easter Story by Brian Wildsmith $21.00 Brian Wildsmith's books are some of my favorites. His illustrations are absolutely gorgeous! The Easter Story tells the story of the last days of Jesus' life, the crucifixion, and the resurrection, as seen through the eyes of a small donkey. It is such a sweet story! The Donkey That No One Could Ride by Anthony DeStefano $11.99 Anthony DeStefano begins his telling of Christ’s triumphant entry by introducing a young donkey who has yet to realize his important mission. The lowly creature believes he can do nothing noble, but that’s before he meets the Master... Make Room: A Child's Guide to Lent and Easter by Laura Alary. $15.29 Make Room presents Lent as a special time for creating a welcoming space for God. This unique book integrates themes of hospitality and self-giving that echo Jesus’ life. Make Room invites children to wonder about the story, to encounter Lent with all their senses, and to experience activities in Lent as part of a life of discipleship. The Story of Easter by Alexa Tewkesbury $11.32 Alexa Tewkesbury offers a timeless retelling of the Easter story. The story moves from Palm Sunday to the last supper, crucifixion, and resurrection. Your children will learn about the Easter story in a memorable, engaging way, and gain a new understanding of why we celebrate Easter. Humphrey's First Palm Sunday by Carol Heyer $6.65 Humphrey the Camel is part of a traveling caravan, thinking up ways to become the leader of the pack. As the caravan makes its way to Jerusalem, they witness Jesus entering the city. Humphrey is delighted to see Jesus. Beautiful and engaging, this book is a wonderful way to introduce the events of Palm Sunday. The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story by Mike Berenstain $4.99 My children loved the Berenstain Bears! The book teaches that Easter is more than candy and egg hunts as you read about the Bear cubs at Sunday school learning about Jesus’ resurrection and salvation. The Very First Easter by Paul L. Maier $8.99 Follow along with Christopher, a ten-year old boy who only wants the real stories of Christian holidays. His family sits him down and reads him the story of Easter straight from the Gospel of Luke.

During the season of Lent, we are on a spiritual journey into the wilderness. We pray, examine ourselves, fast, and collect alms for those in need. This simple DIY Lent Centerpiece is a beautiful reminder of the season we are in. The sticks arranged in jars represent the wilderness and the purple candles represent penitence and introspection. This is an easy craft to make with your children plus you get to make use of your leftover purple Advent candles! As you make it, it’s a great teaching opportunity to go over what everything represents and to talk about what it means to walk through Lent. It will also serve as a visual reminder every time you sit down to meals of Lent. Supplies: Sticks Jars Candle holders Leftover purple candles from Advent

I know it's only Monday but I thought it would be helpful to give you a tried and true meatless recipe before Friday. That way you are able to shop and prepare ahead of time and you won't have a panic attack as I do when I realize it's Friday and I haven't thought through what I am going to cook! French Onion Soup during Lent is a family tradition of ours. We don't make it every Friday but we do make it at least once during the season. I was always intimidated by French Onion Soup. I thought it must be complicated to make but it is the easiest soup! The only thing that might be difficult is having stale bread on hand! The flavor of the soup itself is really deep and rich and when you add the homemade croutons and cheese, it's absolutely incredible! French Onion Soup 4 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon olive oil 6 cups yellow or white onions, chopped 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon sugar 3 tablespoons flour (I use almond flour) 2 quarts water 1 cup red wine 1 bay leaf salt and pepper to taste croutons 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated thin slices of swiss cheese Melt 3 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the onions and stir to coat. Cover the onions and cook on low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Uncover the pan, raise the heat, and stir in the teaspoons of salt and sugar. Cook until the onions are golden brown and caramelized. Lower the heat. Stir in the flour and 1 more tablespoon of butter. Cook slowly, stirring for 2 to. 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Slowly add the water and the wine, stirring well. Add bay leaf. Simmer partly covered for 30 more minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Prepare large croutons. Pour the soup into a large casserole or individual ramekins. Sprinkle parmesan over the top. Add the croutons. Then lay down the thin slices of swiss cheese. Sprinkle again with parmesan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes and then broil until lightly brown. Homemade Croutons 1 loaf stale French or Sourdough bread olive oil or butter Slice bread into 1/2" slices. Brush with olive oil or melted butter and broil until golden brown.

Every Friday throughout Lent, Christians around the world abstain from meat. We do this as a special fast to remember Good Friday, the day that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. I love Fridays in Lent because they kick me out of my normal cooking and eating routines. My family usually eats meat at dinnertime so it is a stretch for me to make a meatless meal. As I am stretched and in the midst of my mild discomfort, I am reminded of the incredible sacrifices that Jesus made for all of us his whole life. Sometimes I make homemade soup. Our favorites for Lent are French Onion or Tomato. Sometimes I make homemade cheese pizzas. Whatever I do, I always keep it easy. However, sometimes life is so crazy that I can’t handle making dinner. What do I do in those situations? I cut open a giant bag of frozen fish sticks, pour them onto a pan, place the pan in the oven, and press “bake.” Celebrating the church year is so meaningful but never meant to be a burden that we are crushed under. Remember to go easy on yourself. Make fish sticks like me or order cheese pizzas and have them delivered. There is no “right” way to celebrate the liturgical year. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30