"Dying" Naturally - Easter Eggs That is!

We'll all be coloring or dying eggs for this weekend and today I received the neatest information in an email from our RADKO rep. An article on "going natural" for Easter. Here is it: DIY Decorating: Easter Edition Fun projects to bring some of Spring's good vibes inside Go Natural: Boxed egg-dye kits are absolutely fine (and some of them come with glitter!), but did you know that you can color Easter eggs using just water, vegetables and vinegar? True story! The result is softer colors and less mess. Here's how: Add the one of the following color-rich, natural ingredients to a large saucepan containing 5-6 cups of water and 1.5 tablespoons white vinegar. Bring to a boil and simmer for up to 30 minutes before removing from heat and adding 4-5 hard boiled eggs at a time. Keep solids (beets, cabbage) in the pot for a crinkle effect; remove it for smooth color. Display eggs in wicker baskets, vintage bowls Pink -- 2 medium-sized beets, washed but unpeeled and chopped Yellow -- 1/4 cup ground turmeric Blue -- 1/2 large head of red cabbage, chopped into ribbons Turn Trash into Tiny Treasures: Don't toss the shells after breakfast this weekend! Carefully cracking will provide you with the groundwork for a super Spring-y seed starting display. Gather up: 4-12 eggshells, cracked in 1/2 or 3/4 and emptied a sewing needle or thumbtack an empty egg carton paint, markers, or crayons a small amount of soil seeds (marigolds, sweet pea, cucumbers and herbs work best and seem to sprout the fastest, but use your imagination!)

• Carefully wash the empty egg shells. Pat dry with a cloth or paper towel and poke a little hole in the very bottom of each shell.
• Paint or color these to your taste using watercolors, acrylics, markers or crayons for a little extra flair. They're beautiful on their own, though, so no worries if you prefer the natural look.
• Using high-quality potting soil or dirt culled from your existing garden, fill each shell approximately half way full.
• Place dirt-filled shells in the egg carton and, using your finger, create a dent in which to tuck 1-2 seeds. Cover seeds with dirt and spritz with water.
• Set the whole thing by a sunny window, moistening as necessary, and you'll have cute little sprouts in no time at all!
• When your plants outgrow their starter shells, carefully crack each one and plant them directly into a larger pot or your garden. The roots will extend out and down and the shell will decompose over time!

HAPPY EASTER!