Getting in touch with our Swiss-ness:)

My husband's ancestors moved from Switzerland to join the LDS Church. When they got here they were called to settle Santa Clara. With them they brought many of their traditions, although some had to be adapted to this area. Their tradition of dying Easter eggs persisted, but they used a local plant called Santa Clara Red Root to do it. I had this great idea that we should dye our eggs in the traditional way this year to make Easter more interesting.

My original plan was to go down by the river and hope I could find some. Then I had a bit of inspiration to ask my father in law about it. He told me that this is how his grandmother (the Swiss one) taught him to dye eggs.

He knew exactly where to find some. So while Logan was hiking, Ron, Anisa and her family, and I loaded up in the mini van in search of red root.

We did it using the tutorial found on You Craft Me Up. Apparently her hubby has Santa Clara roots as well:)

While we were cooking the roots they were very stinky. It smelled like we were boiling weeds. Who knew?!

And wrapping leaves on the shells was a bit tricky. Logan and Anisa did it the best:)

The end result however, was beautiful. Even if your leaf didn't work well it still turned it the most beautiful red/purple color. Much more colorful than store bought dye.

It was so much fun to get to do this and get closer to "my" Swiss heritage. I love learning about my ancestors and this was a fun way to feel more connected to them.

P.S. All these picture were stolen from my Sister in Law's blog:) She was actually smart enough to bring a camera with her... Check it out! Larcie Bird Craft Blog!