Whew! I survived Easter Sunday again. I had all these posts lined up in my head for Holy Week, but I was too busy preparing for the big day. I’ll do them next year.
Easter at our house is a grand event and not just because the Lord has risen. All of HH’s family (anywhere from twenty-eight to forty-three people) and my little one (two or three) descend upon our house bearing food and candy-filled plastic eggs; except Grandpa, who places money in his. The tradition began years ago when our child, Ashley, now thirty-one, was our only one.
We start the day with church. Then, we run home, usually stopping at the store for last minute items on the way; we set up the remaining tables; put out what’s left of the Easter decorations; and make last minute food. We pause, take a deep breath and the doorbell rings.
Last night, after everyone left, we announced to the kids that they could stay home from school today. Normally, since they attend Catholic schools, we get Easter Monday off, but this year, due to the ice storm, they didn’t. They are tired. Their cousins are in town. I am still in my pajamas, and I don’t feel lazy at all.
We do all the usual things and eat all the traditional Midwest dishes, except lamb. No one wants lamb. Instead, we have deviled eggs, ham, brisket, asparagus, and potato salad. A delicious Greek salad was added this year brought by my sister, Neet’s, boyfriend. We also ate baked beans made with sausage instead of bacon, thanks to my sister-in-law, Sharon. You should try it sometime. They are lip smackin’ good. To balance all this excess, another sister-in-law, Katrina, brought a wonderful, unadorned fruit salad. I’m sure I’ve forgotten other main food, but let’s move on to the desserts. Carrot cake, cupcakes, Fannie Mae fudge, bunny cookies and cherries in the snow. I made a gf cherry pie. There is one piece left, and HH told me this morning, as he kissed me good-bye, that he hid it in the rear confines of the fridge for me.
Easter eggs strategically cover the front yard. We had so many this year we did the hunt twice. Children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, some so small they are dwarfed by their baskets, break through the front door. Photos from each year show a tapestry of growing children, each one unique and yet, hints of the family tree evident in all. I wish I could show you photos of my children, but I can’t because the FBI says it’s dangerous.
I’m sorry. I even worry about my blogging friends’ children when I see their sweet photos. Although everyone who comments becomes a dear friend, some who visit might not be.
But, Easter is not a time for worries. It’s a time for enjoying the rites of spring, whatever they may be for you. By the way, does anybody know the name of this tiny, narcissus-like flower? I planted it, but I can’t remember.
He is risen. Alleluia! He is risen indeed. This is an old greeting from the early Church, and I think it reflects how we all felt Easter morning. During the Lenten season, we are not allowed to sing the Alleluia, so it was all the more meaningful on Easter when we sang it in nearly every song. Each one of my children turned to me at separate times during the mass. Their eyes smiled as they sang the words. So did mine. I hope your Easter was as blessed as ours. Happy Spring.
Your Easter is much like ours except our family is much smaller. WE do love getting together and feasting. I am still full.
Your comment on my post today really made me feel blessed. Thanks for sending up prayers while I’m trying to be three people at once. I enjoyed your story about the traditions your family carries out for Easter. I love that grandpa does the money;) We will soon be the grandparents doing the money. And I can always eat–oh my word!! It’s all about eating at my house. I can see ya’ll are like that too.
Anna, I’m so glad you felt that way. You hang in there.~~Dee
Happy Easter! What a beautiful post. Family times are the best times. Wish I could have been there for dessert! What are cherries in the snow? Does that involve coconut? I hope so! — Bonnie
Bonnie, Cherries in the Snow are angel food cake, whipping cream or cool whip mixed with cream cheese and powdered sugar. You drop the cream cheese mixture onto the angel food cake and then top all of it with cherry pie topping. It is very good. I’d like to revise it to be gluten and dairy free, but I haven’t figured out how yet. I wonder if you could add coconut to it?~~Dee
Hi Dee- I enjoyed your re-cap of Easter. My entire family – not as large as
yours- spent the day at my house. I have everything ready before church
so we can come straight home and eat –then do the egg hunt. Sounds like you had
a very happy time at your house and I’m sure all the kids were building their memory banks
with lots of good things.
Meems @Hoe&Shovel
Your Easter sounds so organized. I don’t think mine is, but I’ve done it so many years, that it isn’t that much trouble. Love your idea of the memory banks.~~Dee
Hi Dee – thanks so much for visiting my blog today 🙂 It’s been a lot of fun meeting so many other gardeners.
Your Easter celebrations sound like so much fun! I missed church this year because I was sick, and Easter just didn’t feel right without it. But, the kids still had a lot of fun and we had a nice lunch/birthday party celebration with family on Saturday, so it wasn’t a complete loss 🙂
Amy, I’m so sorry you were sick and missed Easter service. It’s the best the whole year, I think. I’m glad you still got to do something on Saturday. Thanks for stopping by my blog.~~Dee
I don’t know the name of your beautiful little flower but I wanted to say how lucky you are to have your family nearby to share the holidays with. I’m sure it’s exhausting but also very fulfilling. I’m enjoying your blog.
Thanks, Kathleen. I am really glad I married into my large extended family. At a party, you always have people no matter what.~~Dee
Great post! Nice photos 🙂
Marie, thank you. I’m glad you liked it.~~Dee
What a lovely day you had. Thank you for sharing with us.
Aunt Jo, thank you for coming by.~~Dee
Hi Dee, I had a lovely Easter with my family, thank you. Of course there aren’t nearly as many of us as in your family, only 7 came together on Easter Sunday. Your gathering sounds amazing, how do you keep track of everyone?!
Lucy x
Lucy, I really don’t. The parents keep track of their little ones, and everyone else helps themselves. My eldest daughter and her cousin (also grown) washed a bunch of the dishes for me while I took photos of the egg hunt.~~Dee
That sounds like a really nice tradition. My kids and their cousins didn’t ask for an egg hunt this year. They must be getting too old. But my mother-in-law, who hosts our Easter dinner, always makes up a clever treasure hunt with riddling clues tailored to each person, from the youngest to the oldest. The treasure is, of course, chocolate bunnies.
I agree with you about posting (recognizable) photos of my children and don’t do it either.
Thanks, Pam. Two of mine were too old too. They helped hide the eggs. We just have such a large family that there is always someone to hunt.~~Dee
Sounds lip-smackin’ good to me! I guess you’ve probably figured out by now that I tagged you today!
Brenda
Hey Brenda, I saw that. I’m working on a tag post as I write. I think I’m pretty boring though.~~Dee
Oh, Dee, it sounds absolutely delightful! How wonderful to be blessed with that big family that you watch grow year to year. Your words paint the picture, my dear. Kathryn
Kathryn, it is fun and exhausting. Thank you.~~Dee
Sounds like you had a good Easter. About as busy as mine, although we were the ones doing the traveling. I share your concern about posting photos of children, and I don’t post photos of mine for the same reason. Such is life.
I hope you had a good trip too. I hesitated writing the part about children, but I think folks need to be aware.~~Dee
Dee,
What a beautiful post. Thanks for inviting us along.
Here, we hid eggs for the kids on a rocky beach in driving rain.
Everyone who played got soaked, but no one who played will forget this Easter’s hunt for years to come.
Lot’s of smiles from kids afraid that all the grown-ups would chicken out.
Kid’s don’t care if they get wet.
Thanks for coming, David. I love the visual of all of you playing in the rain.~~Dee