Easter 2010

The day has come to an end, our home is much quieter than just a few hours ago, and it is as if a blanket of peace has wrapped itself around me this Easter night.  Our morning was busy with last minute preparations for Easter dinner and trying to pull the house together which is always a challenge.  I wiped the paw and nose prints off of the sliding glass doors for the zillionth time in two days but you'd never know it.  In our family it is John who does most if not all of the cooking, and a holiday meal is his expertise. He also happens to enjoy cooking.  Baked ham with all the fixins, mashed potatoes, peas, and the most important part of it all - the Short family secret recipe called "Gramie Short's Salad".  None of us can really remember the exact story behind it but this was something prepared and served ONLY for Easter dinner.  And the "Gramie Short" referred to was of course, John's grandmother. It's a very special combination of cabbage, pineapple, and ssshhh!!! other ingredients.  In our family, there have always been certain 'food traditions' such as never, ever eating watermelon before the 4th of July!  And the Easter salad fell in that category.  That is until 2001 when our daughter in law, who had just given birth to our second grandaughter, was craving it from her hospital bed!  Well, "Dad" totally caved when that request was made and promptly delivered a container of the salad to the birthing unit of a local hospital!  Most everyone in the family likes this salad, but we'll concede that our daughter is the exception to the rule.  That's okay though, she usually comes through at Christmas time with baking another family tradition - "Nana's Date Walnut Cake".   Nana was a wonderful cook, and our daughter spent a lot of time at her side growing up.  No matter how many times I have tried to make that cake - it never came out as good as my mother in law made it.  But our daughter definitely knows how to bake this just like Nana did.  But this is also only made at Christmas!  (My family growing up never had any food traditions as best as I can remember.) 

Our son and his family and our niece came for Easter dinner.  Our three grandaughters that were here looked so beautiful, each had a really pretty sundress on, and some of the dolls with them had matching dresses. And of course our next to the youngest grandson, their little brother, looked very handsome as well.  Mom and dad both dressed in bright Easter colors.  John and I as well as our niece were more on the informal and casual side.  She'd just run a race the day before and was sporting a very sore looking knee where she fell during the race.  Our daughter and her family also ran the race together yesterday. She and her son (our oldest grandson) ran it together and finished at the same time!  Our son in law had the stroller for the baby, and their daughter. It definitely was a family affair.  They couldn't be with us for Easter dinner today as "mom" had to work and we sure missed them!

We usually hide Easter eggs for all the grandchildren after dinner and have tried to do this most every year.  This time we couldn't find the eggs we like to use so our daughter in law picked up some beautiful colored eggs to fill.  Trying to figure out a way to make it happen for the children, finally a plan was made.  We'd fill the eggs with various amounts of change, and have a couple of very special eggs contain 'bills' instead!  The kids had to go hide in the back room while the eggs were hidden and when it was time there was no mercy as they ruthlessly looked high and low to find all the eggs!  It was just a lot of fun for everyone.  Jack and Pippin were involved too of course.  After the egg hunt, Pippin laid down on the floor and our grandson came and snuggled up to her. Too cute. 

We were also treated to a recitation of John 3:16 by the three girls and I captured it on video (click to view!)  Oh so yes... I was caught with tears in my eyes more than once today, and this was no exception. 

I brought my pictures out that I posted a few blogs ago that were taken in Jerusalem, Israel in 2000.  The ones of me going into the empty tomb.  I also had some pictures of the Garden of Gethsemane.  This was the first year that the girls really took an interest in them and it's such a joy to relive the experience through their eyes of wonder. 

With our niece being here she called her mom (my sister) to wish her Happy Easter.  She lives in Florida now and it is at holidays that I miss her.  So having my niece here really meant a lot. Anyone have a niece that's more like a sister or a friend?  Well I do... and I'm thankful for her and all that she does on behalf of our family.

Tomorrow looks to be another nice day.  As I type, the windows are open in my office area.  The temps definitely have dropped but it is still so nice outside.  I am listening to the peepers at last!  When our children were little, Johns parents told them the little frogs were saying "cold feet! can't sleep! cold feet! can't sleep!"  Well use your imagination - you'll hear it too!"   Last night was the first night the peepers made themselves known and the dogs were a little concerned about this strange sound in the night.  Of course, we heard all about those concerns as Molly initiated the 'call of the wild' howl... Early in the spring they are always more vocal than at any other time of year. I worry about disturbing the sleep of our few neighbors so often we will close the door to the outside pen on weekend nights.  

Lots going on this week, and this entire month actually!  And a week from today a long awaited visit with friends Steve and Stephanie, Starr and NashDog takes place.  So for now, it's time to say goodnight.  As you know by now we are so appreciative of your support and interest in All Things Brittany.  Each one who reads this blog or is a fan on facebook - you're in my prayers this Easter night. Where ever you are, what ever you are doing or where you may be going... know that you are loved and that you are very special.  Take care and God bless you always, John, Ann and our Brittany crew