Easter Sunday

Yesterday was Easter Sunday. I confess to not being a religious person and so this day doesn't have any real religious significance for me. It does, however, have family significance. It was a day to enjoy good times with family. It is impossible to get enough of that in my book!

We started off with a nice brunch, just Paul and I. We enjoyed french toast made from thick slices of raisin bread stuffed with a mixture of cream cheese, blueberries, dried cranberries, lemon juice, and vanilla. With this we had some slow roasted peameal bacon. We also enjoyed some hot cross buns from the bakery and some cut up fruit. It was a great brunch with very little work on my part - even better!

 

Once we had eaten we cleaned up the dishes and cleaned the house. While Paul was doing his chores (I had done mine on Friday) I set the table and prepared the table favours.

Mom arrived at 4:30. We toasted the day with a Blues Martini and then started on our Easter hunt. The first clue for the hunt was in the Easter cards, the next 9 clues were hidden throughout the house and outside. I had threatened to put one on a rock in the creek near our house (so mom and Paul have been quite well behaved lately!) The last clue was attached the each of the cats' collars. Some might think it is a kind thought on my part to include the cats in the fun. Not so. I have fun watching them try and catch Victor and Beckett to get at that last clue. When they reach the final destination they each discovered a large basket full of goodies.

Here is an example of one of the clues:

Art reveals so many surprises

Today a picture from Italy, a silent cat, will reveal the next stage in your journey. Behind the door is clue # 7

The clue was on the back of a picture we brought back from Venice. You might think that this is obvious, I mean how many cat pictures could we have brought back from Italy? Three. Only one has a door in the picture though, hence the reference to a door. Easy and tricky, all at the same time, if you knew what you were looking for.

One of Paul's clues referred to a device we have used often with snow since November. He was convinced it was a shovel. Lord knows we have used those A LOT this year. He checked all of them two or three times. No clue. I told him that the device was outside in the back garden. He looked and said that there was no shovel there. I reminded him that the clue said nothing about being a shovel. Finally he got it - I was referring to the wooden snowman given to us by Dave and Rosanne which measures snow accumulation. It was gotten lots of use since November! With this clue in hand he continued on.

Our Easter baskets have changed over the years. As a child we were happy to have a basket full of chocolate. Now we are more apt to receive other treats. For example, the Easter Bunny must have known that Paul and I were both heading to Italy in 50 days because he left some euros in our baskets. Who needs chocolate - give me euros any day!

Nancy, Doreen, and Ed arrived at about 6. We sat in the living room and enjoyed an assortment of cheese and crackers. Doreen LOVES seafood so I had some shrimp for her. Paul uncorked a great cab which we had brought back from California in 2002.

The first course was a wild mushroom and goat cheese strudel with a balsamic reduction. I've made this many times before because it is one of those dishes that impresses the heck out of folks with little effort on your part. Everyone loved it.

Normally we serve the main course at the table, we have many serving dishes so it makes sense to pile them up with hot food and pass everything around family style. I decided to do something different and serve the food already plated. We had done a baked ham with a ginger rum glaze, brussel sprouts with chestnuts and pancetta, and individual scalloped potatoes. In our family it isn't Easter dinner without egg bread so we had some of that as well. I put everything on the plates while Paul played waiter and delivered them to the table.

I think that the highlight was the butter lamb. Have you ever heard of a butter lamb before? I hadn't. We were in the grocery store in Buffalo a few weeks ago where we saw a huge sign advertising butter lambs for Easter. Inside the small box was a hunk of butter which had been molded into the shape of a lamb. Cloves were stuck in to form its eyes. It even had a jaunty red bow. As soon as I saw it I had to buy one. Everyone loved the lamb. Who knew a hunk of butter could have been such a conversation starter?

Dessert is always such a challenge for me. As a cook I am a savoury cook. I don't really enjoy the sweet side of things. Plus, when we have a dinner party we usually have so much food that I don't even want to eat dessert. We had to have somehting though. I decided that I wanted something spring-like (even if the weather is anything but) and light. I ended up making a rhubarb tort that a friend of ours made for us a few years back. It was easy and everyone loved it (even if the rhubarb filling was far more runny than I would have liked). It was a wonderful finish to a great meal.

Once everyone left Paul and I had 'our quiet time' which we always enjoy after a successful dinner party. When the dishes are cleaned and put away, we pour a glass of wine and quietly talk about the evening. It was a nice way to end a great day.

Comments

[Jessica]

Jerry - the mushroom and goat cheese strudel looks awesome - dare I ask for the recipe? My girlfriends and I are headed to France in 3 weeks and this looks like a fantastique use for some fresh goat cheese from Provence!

Thanks!

[Jerry]

Jessica - I'd be happy to post it tomorrow. I am jealous about your trip to France!

[Palma]

It all looks delicious. I AM horrified at Paul outside in snow in a SHORT SLEEVED shirt!

[Kevin]

It sounds like you had a very tasty day. From the stuffed french toast to the mushroom strudel to the ham dinner to the rhubarb dessert. I too am interested in the recipe for the mushroom strudel. I look really good!

[Barb Cabot]

Jerry, as always you out do yourself. What a fun Easter for all. I made your key lime pie for our family Easter brunch. It was a huge hit! Thanks for sharing. See you real soon in Georgia!

[Laura]

Jerry, the thought of peameal bacon made my mouth water. It's an incredible travesty, but you cannot get the stuff here in Seattle. You should see what they pass off as "Canadian bacon" here. It's horrible.

[Eden]

Jerry, what culinary treats you had for your lucky Easter guests.

The Easter hunt sounds like so much fun too.

I love that lamb!

[Jerry]

funny thing was Palma that he wanted to get all bundled but I said 'you won't be out there very long, suck it up'. He was out in the colf longer than expected. Opps

At least the martini kept him warm.

Kevin - it is amazing. The recipe should pop up later today.

Barb - I'm glad that the key lime pie was a hit. Mom was hoping I'd make it again! Imagine, Savannah is only 9 days away.

Laura I too am amazed at the so-called Canadian bacon you can get in the stores. ICK When we head up to the market we buy a 10 LB hunk and chop it up for the freezer. I'll think of you the next time I knock some back! *smile*

I guess everything can't be amazing living in Seatle, if a lack of back bacon is the worst that comes your way then you lead an idyllic life!

Thanks Eden. Boy that lamb was a HUGE hit. Who knew?

[sandi @ the whistlestop cafe]

A butter Lamb????
I thought only someone from the south would get away with that.
You must be in training for Savannah.

[Jerry]

Clearly I have spent too much time hanging around you gals. Of course, the lamb would melt into a puddle in the south.

[Chiocciola]

Wow what a great party! Your line about "doing chores" cracked me up. Good for you for finishing them on Friday!

[Jerry]

Cooking isn't a chore for me. Cleaning and tidying - those are chores!

[girasoli]

I have never seen or heard of a stuffed french toast. I sure looks delicious. Have you posted a recipe for stuffed french toast that I might have missed somewhere?

[Jerry]

I'll post the stuffed french toast recipe tomorrow.

[angie]

As always my mouth is watering when I read about what you cook, especially the passion that you put into the presentation and fun, lucky Paul.

I was dreaming on Easter about decorating Easter eggs and having an Easter egg hunt with the little baby coming. A euro hunt souds better though.

[Jerry]

Thanks Angie - I am sure that holidays will take on an entire new meaning with a little one about the house.