This year, even up until the afternoon on Good Friday, I wasn’t sure if we’d have our Second Lenten Tea inspired by Cottage Blessings for our one main meal. (You can find the pictures from our 2009, 2010, and 2011 Good Friday Teas in the archives for Good Friday.) My children just love this tradition, so with a few modifications to simplify the meal even further and using just what we had in the house. I had hoped we would be able to attend the Good Friday Service before heading to the airport, but it just wasn’t meant to be… Anyhow, here are the pictures from this year:
~ The Water Bowl ~
Alice suggests having a punch bowl of water to drink, but each year my children have prefer washing their hands instead. They look forward to this every year!
“Pilate took water and washed his hands before the crowd saying, “I am innocent of this righteous man’s blood.” Matthew 27: 24
~ The King’s Crown ~
This year we used “Scoops” made by Tostitos, to go along with a Crown Shaped Bean Dip.
“And Pilate asked Him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ And He answered him, ‘You have said so.'” Mark 15: 2
~ Out of Envy ~
The Avocado I purchased didn’t last, and so I needed to come up with something else that was “green” to represent envy. Roasted Asparagus worked perfectly.
“[H]e perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered Him up.” Mark 15: 10
I didn’t have any grape fruit leather, and I also wanted to eliminate anything that is considered a “treat” in our home, being a fast day, so for this item we covered our table in a Purple tablecloth Cloak.
“And they clothed Him in a purple cloak . . . .” Mark 15: 17
~ The Crown of Thorns ~
These Crown of Thorns were made by my older children – with Ritz Crackers, Peanut Butter, and Pretzels.
“. . . and, plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on him.” Mark 15: 17
I wasn’t feeling up to boiling and “decorating” eggs, and wanted to come up with something I could make a little quicker… Skull Sushi? It really was quick and easy using dome leftover rice, 2 asparagus stalks and a carrot. What do you think? Do those look like skulls to you?
“And they brought Him to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of the skull)” Mark 15: 22
Using kitchen scissors, I quickly cut the tortillas to look like a seamless garment and some added some blocks of cheese for the dice used to cast lots.
“But the tunic was without seam, woven from top to bottom; so they said to one another, ‘Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.'” John 19: 23-24
I didn’t have any basil this year, so I decided to pull out our Basil Olive Oil again, to flavor our popcorn. Alice suggests using Basil for this menu item since “According to The Herb Society of America, legend has it that the Basil plant grew around the site of Christ’s crucifixion. The Victorian Language of Flowers lists Basil as symbolic of both hatred and best wishes. The taunting thief and the good thief come to mind.”
And with Him they crucified two robbers, one on His right and one on His left.” Mark 15: 27
~ Vinegar to Drink ~
{see above photo}
“And one ran and, filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying ‘Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down.'” Mark 15: 36
~ The Temple Curtain ~
My children, especially Snuggles, always love tearing the curtain in two… He didn’t have any problem using his injured arm for this activity!
“And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.” Mark 15: 38
~ The Roman Centurion ~
This year, instead of tomatoes, I served some popcorn to represent the 100 Roman Centurion.
“And when the centurion, who stood facing Him, saw that He thus breathed His last, he said, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God.'” Mark 15: 39
~ Laid in the Tomb ~
In the past I’ve always made Cinnamon Muffins. They really are a little too tasty for a day of fasting, so this year we used bread rolls, with a scoop of jam in the middle.
“And he brought a linen shroud, and taking Him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.”
The Bible readings, recipes and shopping list can be found at
Cottage Blessings. I reused the small card stock signs I created last year and my document can be found at
Scribd, if anyone would like a copy.
I hope you all had a very blessed Good Friday!
Prayer of Mothers
Father in heaven, grant me the grace to appreciate the dignity which you have conferred on me. Let me realize that not even the Angels have been blessed with such a privilege—to share in your creative miracle and bring new Saints to heaven. Make me a good mother to all my children after the example of Mary, the Mother of your Son. Through the intercession of Jesus and Mary I ask your continued blessings on my family. Let us all be dedicated to your service on earth and attain the eternal happiness of your kingdom in heaven. Amen.
Loved reading about your substitutions. And that last set of photos is just precious!
It all looks wonderful! Great memories and you did a great job with all of your substitutions.
Wow, that is so neat! My family is going to try something similar next year!
Your meal came together so beautifully!! And your pictures are so sweet….I especially love that last set of your little one praying 🙂
After reading about your Lenten Teas in your archives last week, I put together a dinner on Good Friday for my family, too – our first one…we used your printable cards as well. My family LOVED it & I'm sure it will become a special tradition in our home now, too. Thanks for sharing so generously. 🙂
Blessings (and hope you have a rest-filled week!!)!
~Collette
Beautiful! Just a little thought. My family loves spinach with vinegar on it. Perhaps spinach for the green and each person can drizzle their own vinegar on…
Thanks for the great meal idea!