Terry and I were so excited to host Easter at our home this year. As Terry and I were pulling the last few items out of the oven everyone began to arrive. Soon we were all gathered around the table in the dining room enjoying a relaxed lunch.
The menu was a honey baked ham, scalloped potatoes, mini tea biscuits, roasted asparagus, macaroni and cheese, and a tossed salad with sliced strawberries, honey roasted almonds and crumbled goat cheese. Beverages consisted of strawberry lemonade, sweet iced tea and my personal favorite, ice down bottles of Coca-Cola.
For dessert we baked brownies for the chocolate lovers in the family but then we decided to go old school and served Grandmother Ginny’s Almond Pound Cake along with Jennifer’s unbelievable recipe for homemade carrot cake with a cream cheese frosting. (No knuckles were lost in the shredding of all those carrots.)
After lunch we stretched out in the living room to unwind and stretch out our full stomachs. We casually asked if anyone would be interested in a craft project and the resounding answer was “Yes!”. So unbeknownst to our satiated guests we had scoured the thrift stores and were prepared for our Silk Tie Easter dying project. Here’s the skinny. Find a silk tie or blouse, cut it so that it will fit around an egg. Next, take an old t-shirt and cut it to fit as well. Wrap egg with the silk with pattern facing the egg, then wrap it again with the cloth from the t-shirt. Twist ends of fabric tightly and tie with a twist tie. Place eggs in an enamel pot, cover with water and add three tablespoons of vinegar. (FYI, do not cook enamel pot on glass top stove.) Bring eggs to a boil then turn down the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove eggs from water with tongs and let cool. Remove the silk from eggs to reveal your creation. To make them extra shiny, coat with a little vegetable oil. Voila!
We all sat on the living room floor with scissors, multi-hued and patterned ties, old t-shirts and twist ties. Everyone had their favorite color or design and it was pretty much like being in kindergarten. Too much fun!
Since we have a glass top stove, we decided to boil our eggs on the extra burner on the grill. So to amuse the little ones while waiting for the eggs to boil, we pulled out a flower shaped wand and bubble juice to make fanciful bubbles. It was a little too cool for Levi to be outside but Lily and I sat on the patio while Roy, Dad and Terry took turns to see who could make the most fabulous bubbles.
Before the gang headed home, we realized that the Easter Bunny, unbeknownst to us had secretly dropped by for a visit and left baskets for everyone. All the grown up boys and girls received a basket with a gerber daisy, a chocolate bunny and a smattering of pastel colored plastic eggs filled with chocolates. Of course, the Easter Bunny didn’t forget Lily and Levi. They received the perennial holiday favorite, the Easter Possum. He also left a Mr. Potato Head Spud Bunny, a chocolate bunny and a new outfit for Spring.
Roy and Leah had to get home for Lily’s nap but those who remained decided they wanted to make another round of dyed eggs. So back to the living room floor, more cutting and wrapping and finally another batch was ready to unveil.
What a great and perfect Easter celebration. Can’t wait until we all get together again!
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