This one is in Germany..outside. They are a German tradition.
Traditional German Easter Tree - The traditional German Easter tree is called an Osterbaum. The tree is not merely created from flowering branches collected in a vase, but can be made from living trees and shrubs situated around the house. The vase or planter that the tree is in is usually decorated with wooden eggs set on the top of the soil as well as hung from the branches. The eggs are almost always colorful as the environment in Germany around Easter is usually drab; the tree is meant to add a colorful, spring-like touch to the home.
... I stole this photo from somebody's blog and now can't remember whose...if it is yours... please say so...
It is a lovely curly shrub isn't it? ...
Pastel origami ornaments (after our traditional Christmas colours) have been on the go for the past few weeks. In anticipation of hanging them on an Easter Tree.
Muriel, who makes them with me, reminded me that I better get on it if I was going to do one...it is already into the Easter week..
My 'tree" was going to be just a branch or branches and already I'd been scouting the area for some that would be good for hanging ornaments . I did notice some perfect trees in the Safeway parking lot and was going to take my pruning shears there one evening ... but, didn't have to do it after all.
The story goes like this.
There was an Estate Sale up the block last week...and I decided to see if they had any old Corning Ware with handles (lots of the new stuff is pretty white containers, but, alas, straight sides ..no handles... ) What the heck? They are useless and dangerous. Especially when full of blistering hot food. I know. I have three. They are difficult to grab with pot holders or gloves or anything really.. too slippery to hold them safely. I'm going back to the old stuff...and, decided not to pay full price for it either. Guess what? I found 3 containers almost brand new. One has hardly, if ever, been used. .. only two had lids but I have an extra lid anyway...so, for a whopping $8 ... I have new, safe containers... wooohoo ... and, I intend to check out a few more garage sales this summer as well..for a couple more and a few extra lids.
Anyway...back to the story of my Easter Tree..hahahahha.. man, I digress don't I ?? ..." and all around the circle" la la la ..... la la ......
On the way back from the Estate Sale... with arms loaded...I spied some great branches growing in the alleyway. Two different shrubs.. managing to grow in pavement..
I broke off a couple 2 foot branches and carried them back as well. Planted one in my little pastel pail that I got at Safeway for $4.99 ... added some limestone rocks and a bit of fake moss and voilà ... my Easter Tree.
Little "Sheepie" loves it. He stood and admired it for hours...
And,.... see the little tiny buds on the branches? I mentioned to my sister that I thought they looked like they could bloom or something...and, she said... put a bit of water in the pot. They probably will. Well................. today they are looking very green..... I think they may leaf today or tomorrow... how cute will that be? I have a feeling it might be a Nanking shrub..... they could even flower..... I'm standing around looking at it a lot now....
hoping...............................