The eggs above have been used for Easter decoration at our house for at least the last fifteen years. On reflection, probably nearer twenty. They are actually real eggs that have had their contents carefully blown out and have then been painted with emulsion paints from sample pots. What makes them really special to us is that not only did I make them with my children when they were still quite small but that the eggs we used came from our own hens. Even better is that the previous year each child had spent some money given to them for a chocolate egg on a hen of their very own. I recall there was such excitement as we brought them home and that the choice of names - Wormpecker was one - was heavily influenced by the feathered contingent of Fantastic Mr Fox! Alas our girls have long since departed to the great hen house in the sky and my own little birds have all now flown the nest but the eggs still remind us of those happy times. If you would like to make these with your own little people they are a lovely activity to undertake together during the school holidays, particularly since the icy wind is not exactly beckoning us outside. Click here for the link to the Telegraph Life article on how to make them yourself as described by crafty lady, Ros Badger. And whilst you are in craft mode, the brightly coloured foil from your Easter eggs is well worth saving for future craft projects of your own. Smoothing it out carefully with a damp cloth helps to avoid tears. The very best eggs for me this Easter have not been made of chocolate nor were they laid by a hen. I am extremely honored that after several winters of careful feeding and attention to habitat in the orchard, Robin and Bobbin have decided to nest in one of our sheds. Not only that but they have laid a clutch of four beautiful mottled eggs in a nest built on top of my stored dahlia posts. Although noted for their friendliness to gardeners, robins are very secretive about their nest sites so I am being incredibly careful not to disturb them. If they hatch and rear the chicks then all the hard work will have been worth it. What with a forecast of sunshine (despite the cold wind) and the newly lighter evenings there's lots to look forward to. Happy Easter!
