Baby Egg Hunt and Easter Lunch

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Yesterday was Freddy's first Easter. I have always wanted to celebrate Easter. Growing up Orthodox, we went to midnight mass and had a big meal at 1am. But now that we have a little one, I wanted lots of family and friends around for lovely time of laughs, sunlight, and sweets.

The Baby Easter Hunt was hilarious. At one point Freddy was rolling on the couch in absolute rapture, banging eggs together, rolling on them, and chewing on his plastic eggs. Darling Isla wearing a gorgeous cherry dress had both baskets and walking around the garden getting all of the eggs. It was wonderful just to be out there with family and friends, laughing and watching the children play. I used plastic eggs and filled them with non-edibles, bubbles, chalk, and barrettes (for Isla). I also color coded the eggs. Pink smaller ones for Isla. Blue larger ones for Freddy. Seeing they are so young there wasn't much I could fill the eggs with, but my friend Leslie said her sister-in-law's mother filled them with puffs. Which I thought was brilliant.

My good friend Blythe made a Pizza Rustica, classic Italian Easter tradition. Which was wonderful! I will get the recipe and post it. My good friend Meg made a great salad of mixed baby greens, apple, cheese, and walnuts with a balsamic dressing. Leslie and I made an excellent orzo, peas, and asparagus pasta salad, that I will have to make again. And as per our tradition, ham and biscuits. Oh how I love ham and biscuits on Easter.

For dessert, Bella (my sister) and I made carrot cupcakes and white chocolate sugar cookies. Which my mom decorated, and went a little overboard on the sprinkles, too cute. I also assembled candies from Trader Joes and mini desserts from Whole Foods.

For drinks we put together a citrus bar. Orange and Grapefruit Juice, Prosecco Frizzante Secola, Vodka, and Pellegrino. I really liked doing the bar this way, because there was a lot of variety with very few ingredients. A greyhound which is vodka and grapefruit juice is my choice drink these days, but there was plenty to choose from. A little grapefruit juice and sparkling water is refreshing and tasty. I think next time, I would put a pitcher of water and I would put out garnishes as well. Carl added a blackberry to his greyhound and it looked great.

Next year will be at Blythe's house, and I can't wait already. Palm Sunday used to be my favorite holiday, but I think Easter is my new favorite.

As always, much love, many blessings, and happy celebrating.

What a perfect day.