Happy Monday, my friends! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! And to my friends who celebrate - Alleluia! Wishing you all of Easter's bright blessings! I am so happy this new season is here ...
We had a very nice Sunday, starting with - well, baskets, natch - then, early Mass (oh, that light coming in through the stained glass windows ...), followed by an afternoon gathering of family here at our house. We usually have quite a crowd, but for various reasons, our group was a bit smaller this year. We missed those who couldn't be with us, while relishing the time spent with those who could. It was such a lovely day and I have some photos I'd like to share with you all ... :)
The boys' baskets all ready for the Bunny, as light waned on Easter eve ...
My pretty birthday cloche filled with Easter grass and chocolates ...
Festive flora! I always light this garland on Easter eve as the boys head off to bed ...
Pretty flowers awaiting vases ...
Eggs awaiting color!
I had truly meant to try natural egg dyes this year - bought the cabbage, beets, and onion skins and all - but time got pressing and thankfully, I had a PAAS package on hand!
Good ole PAAS, lol.
My Earlybird (13) was a big help with the centerpieces (I cut, he "arranged") ...
And the baking, of course! This was the beginnings of an orange pound cake made with fresh orange zest!
Here are the tables set up for eleven ...
And a close up of the main table centerpiece ... I mixed blue and white dishes, old family favorites. :)
This brass crucifix was made by my great-great grandfather. I typically have it in a place of honor, but I've never thought to use it on my Easter table!
These jellybean-filled glass globes were also part of the table setting ...
(Tiny tealights blessed at Candlemas!)
I love this cross-section of basket goodies - very telling of my boys' ages .. from candy and Tolkien to finger puppets and Scarry!
Little Bear had an early nap so was a bit disgruntled to wake to a house full of people.
(That is my new Easter blouse - funny how it is when you order something online and it is NOTHING like it looked in the catalog, lol ... but still. I loved the colors and it was quite comfortable.)
Here's my veggie basket - a la Pioneer Woman - basket on loan from Mum. :) The dip was meant to be served in a hollowed-out red cabbage but alas, my "fiddling" time ran out.
And here's the dessert & punch table ... I love to serve desserts in our living room.
Non-alcoholic strawberry-lemonade punch, rhubarb pie, orange pound cake (served with whipped cream, not shown), chocolate cupcakes and fresh fruit salad. Plenty of assorted candies, too!
I simply cannot have a party without punch!
I used Gram's Irish china for coffee ... and placed some jaunty daffodils in a pretty white pitcher. My paternal grandmother made the white cabbage vase in a ceramics class. :)
I love these sweet little cupcakes made by my mother ... EB can have them (he pulls the carrot candy off first) and they are SO delicious!
Every holiday has its signature cocktail, of course! This year I wanted to use our pretty cosmo glasses and I loved the "spring-sky" shade of these "Tiffany Blue Cosmopolitans."
I set this table up in the sunroom as a place for drinks and appetizers. This was early on before it filled up ... there was artichoke dip and the aforementioned veggie basket, as well as hummus and pita, sweet grapes and goat cheese and assorted crispy, crunchy things.
(Yes, we still have snow ... but it was a nice day, all in all. No rain (or snow!) to speak of and mostly sunny skies. Almost, but not quite, 50 degrees.)
Main dishes were served from the kitchen ... we had baked ham and beef pie, mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, baked beans, parmesan peas, soft rolls and deviled eggs. Homey fare, typical of New England holidays. :)
And here is (some of) my dear family, gathered 'round in our dining room. (Earlybird was camera shy!)
My cousin Kate (LB's godmother), Auntie Marcia, Dad and Mum ...
Bookworm (19) and Crackerjack (15) ...
Little Bear on my lap (22 mos.) with Manuel and Kara (my cousin and EB's godmother) ...
And finally, the man behind the camera for most of the day - finally getting to sit down and have his cupcake!
What a blessing it is to spend a day like this with those we love ...
❤
My friends, thank you so much for stopping by and sharing in our joy! I hope you all had wonderful Easter ... and I'd love to hear about your day if you'd care to leave a comment! I love hearing how families across the country (and world!) celebrate treasured days like this. For now though, I wish you all a very pleasant evening and a happy day tomorrow, too ...
I will see you here again very soon!
