I have a confession. For a large part of my younger life, I lived in Santa Clara, Utah. A small city on the outskirts of town that is rich in Swiss Heritage and home of people with names ending in Gubler, Hafen, Ence, Frei, etc. My family was transplanted from Salt Lake City. People there would ask us questions like, "So, who are you related to?" and when we would say "no one around these here parts" (ok, we may have answered a little differently...), they would look at us in shock as to how we ended up in the "valley" of Santa Clara without being related to a soul. Funny.
Back to my confession. Santa Clara holds their annual Swiss Days celebration in September providing all kinds of activities and programs where all can experience the traditions of their ancestors. As for me, I went there to look at the shopping & food booths and listen to Rag-Time Rhonda sing "Play Me Some Mountain Music"
& play the fiddle, and hang out with friends (by the way, does anyone know Rag-Time Rhonda's real name?). I had no clue about the Swiss and their traditions. Was I just a typical teenager? Probably, but with a good chunk of my friends being Swiss, you'd think I would know.
Which brings me to this last week's discovery...Swiss Easter Egg dyeing. My mom and I were in a cute fabric store called the Clover Patch on Santa Clara Drive (which, by the way has some trendy fabric--like chevron-patterned and a wide-selection of minky fabrics in case you are in the market. I wish I could say I was there because I am a world-class seamstress, but alas, my mother fits that role and I tagged along. That place made me excited about fabric, and I can only sew a pillowcase (thanks 7th grade Home-EC!)). While checking out, we ran into a Santa Clara-ite who was picking up thread because they were dyeing Easter eggs. "What do you need thread for?" we asked. The lovely lady told us the process they go through to dye the eggs and continued to lament about not being able to find this or that kind of flower since Easter came so early this year. Say what? Not everyone whips out the food coloring and vinegar? I should have known the Swiss get all fancy...dang over-achievers!!
At any rate, I learned something that day. That I'll probably never dye eggs the Swiss way. No, for real. I probably won't--BUT-- I will from now on appreciate the care and dedication of those that do. Now watch the video or click the link below to see some magnificent Easter Egg art, courtesy of the Swiss.
Swiss Eggs
What kind of traditions do you do for Easter? Do you dye Easter eggs like the Swiss? Tell us in your comments below!
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