2011 Eggstravaganza Pt. 1: Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% preparation

     It's that time of year again folks. My favorite family tradition: our annual Eggstravaganza. This event is right up my alley -  it's family togetherness that feeds my lust for good competition. A fierce contest to see which family members have the creative genius coupled with the mechanical know-how to decorate the best Easter egg of the year. 

    The challenge: Decorate an egg worthy of awards using dye, craft supplies, food stuffs, etc.

    The payoff: Various accolades, bragging rights (leaving your competition with egg on their face!) and the coveted "Outstanding Eggcellence" award, given to the best egg overall. (Note: The "Outstanding Eggcellence" trophy has graced my family's mantel every year since it's inauguration)

    This year's twist: each family is assigned a color they must incorporate in their concept. My clan's color you ask? Yellow - the color of victory!! Which fits PERFECTLY into my egg idea, even before I knew about the twist.

     Now, I can't reveal my concept just yet. The competition is still a day away and there may be spies afoot. But I'm a generous blogger and will bestow a hint to my readers: It involves two hollowed out eggs, Mardi Gras beads, a nervous bunny Peep, and the secret ingredient, nostalgia. 

     This year the eggs must be completed before the event starts. In years past, the event was decorating your egg in the company of family. But Eggstravaganza 2011 is heading straight to the lightning round. 

     I had mixed feelings about this. I do enjoy sizing up my competition and sabotagi.... I mean, seeing everyone's progress before the judging. On the other hand, many a victory has been lost due to poor time management and lack of preparation. A genius idea is worthless if it can't be executed (or should I say, eggsecuted). So yesterday my humble household began our preliminary preparation. Accompanied by the fizzing noise of dye tablets bubbling with vinegar, we mapped out our designs, our necessary accessories scrambled together and gave a hand to each other when needed. Now, it's not customary for competitors (there are no friends or family in games or egg decorating contests) to assist one another, but my mom, step-dad and I all agreed it was important to keep that gloriously tacky egg-shaped trophy under our roof. So I enlisted the use of one of my step-dad's many, many, many power tools (I forget the name of this particular contraption, so for the sake of this post it will be known as the Egg Cutter). This fantastic piece of machinery cuts with such delicate precision - it took out a large chunk of the egg shell without damaging the rest or causing cracks. With my two identically sized eggs hollowed out, I offered them a soothing soak in the yellow dye. Today I'll buy the rest of my necessary supplies and complete my egg. As well as help my love with his egg! (Sappy tangent: I'm so thrilled to have my Po take part for the first time in this family tradition ~_~  He makes my life sunny-side up!)

   Now I must say, after seeing what my mom and step-dad have planned, I already have stiff competition. My knack for nostalgia has its work cut out for it facing my mom's penchant for pop-culture and my step-dad's craftsman capabilities.

    But with two days prep, my concept should prove to be a Grade A Large contender. Omelet-ting you know right now, I'm not going down without a fight!

    Over-easy and out.