When we decided to move to South Carolina we knew one perk would be living closer to family. We are still a couple hours from my mom and brother (but still, closer!) and fortunately only 45 minutes away from David’s folks. I’ve always been jealous of people who have family down the street so this improvement in proximity feels pretty wonderful to me! It allowed us to host Easter dinner for David’s parents, his brother, and our nephew, something both David and I truly enjoy.
The fun really began on Saturday with carrots. First, I harvested all the carrots from my garden, tossing the tiny ones and any with bugs to the chickens and salvaging the others to wash and peel and serve as part of our Easter meal.
K (my baker) and I took on baking a carrot cake. We used Sally’s recipe for both the cake and the cream cheese icing and boyyyy was it good. K asked to decorate it, so how could I deny her? Her simple little Easter egg was the perfect finishing touch.
Easter morning was a little rainy, but cozy inside. The Easter Bunny came and an egg hunt ensued. The little chocolate bunnies and the tokens for a new book, a later bedtime, and a sweet treat were big hits.
Going to a late morning church service gave us time to have a leisurely breakfast. I made biscuits, bacon, scrambled eggs, and fruit.
We lucked out with the weather, as the rained stopped for both our walking into and out of church. It was a full house with great music and a good message. As my own faith has grown over the years I find more meaning in these moments and left church with a full heart.
Back home we switched into comfy clothes and got to work on last minute tidying of the house and food prep. Our Easter menu consisted of:
- Leg of lamb on the rotisserie smoker
- Baked ham from Swamp Rabbit Grocery (their ham is SO good)
- Mac ‘n cheese from Swamp Rabbit Grocery
- Scalloped Potatoes
- Roasted carrots
- Green beans (from Mema)
- Caesar salad (from Mema)
- Deviled eggs (from our chickens!)
- Dinner rolls
David took on the lamb leg and knocked it out of the park using butter, garlic, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, salt, pepper, and a splash of white wine. I plated the deviled eggs and delighted in yet another use of shower caps in the kitchen. Hailey set the table.
H’s cute top – she sized up to a large from her usual small to make it less cropped.
Everyone arrived early afternoon and the fun began. Getting a chance to just hang out and chat is so nice. We took them to check out the chickens and shared updated on other home projects we’ve been working on. We talked about school and sports and travel. K spent time making Taba Squishies from the kit she got for Easter. We appeased Mema by snapping a photo with all the bunny ears she brought and you’ll have to admit, it turned out pretty cute!
It was a relaxed afternoon and everyone pitched in with the final preparations for dinner. I absolutely love a busy kitchen filled with delicious aromas and laughter. Then we feasted!
The clouds cleared in the afternoon giving way to sunshine and then an absolutely stunning sky as the sun set. The adults enjoyed a bit more chatting and the girls hung on the porch watching The Sound of Music and watching the day draw to a close.
What a joy to spend time with family. What a joy to celebrate Jesus.
Now a new week has started and I’m kicking it off with more Medieval history teaching, learning about the use of diatomaceous earth for garden millipedes and chicken coops, trying to increase my weights when lifting, and deciding what to make with chicken breast and ground beef (anyone else feel like they ask themselves that question 100 times a week?)
Thanks for stopping by ze blog and I hope your week is off to a great start!
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