Easter 2016

I was thankful that one’s spring break was the traditional week before Easter this year so he was home about 10 days.  🙂   The other one just had Sunday off but got off work a bit earlier on Saturday than normal and was home by 6:45 p.m. so we had time to visit and sit before I turned into a pumpkin and headed to bed!

We all went to the early service at church so dinner would not need to be so late.  By the time we were home, P’s parents were home from their service and came over for dinner.

We had —
— home-grown ham (I never have served this for a holiday before as it is a regular free food for us.  But free was key and the kids don’t get it all the time anymore!)
— smashed potatoes (usual recipe, just unpeeled yellow yukon potoates and smashed not whipped in the mixer)
— gravy  (from homemade chicken broth)
— french style green beans
— Gma brought pickles, olives, and cheese cubes
— Cheesecake with toppings – the yummiest and lightest cheesecake I’ve ever made!  Gluten-free as well for one.  It disappeared and I have a new & 10″ springform pan on my wish list as my pan leaks in the water bath even with 2 layers of foil!  (And 9″ is really very small for this!)
Toppings:
*I made a cooked, dried fruit mix for a topping and apparently I’m the only one interested in such an idea.  Not that I’m supposed to eat dried fruit! (too much sugar)
* I had out a can of cherry pie filling for a topping and that vanished!
*Gingersnap cookie crumbs with vanilla & butter and toasted in a pan a bit for those that were missing crust to the cheesecake.

The grands enjoy it when the kids are home.  They get to have a meal here and have plenty of time to visit.

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Easter 2015

A few photos after Easter dinner here at our house —

And remember the rule here is no cats in the house!    *achoo!!!!*  This one stayed on these 2 laps and soon was back outside to the buildings.

“Brownie” loves to be petted, held, and loved.   All remain outside – and not near the house – cats.  (they get special attention when the kids visit)

My MIL brought over her “winter project” to show to me.  I was so surprised!!  This is her first quilt ever!  She didn’t tell me she was doing this and never asked for help.  She said her mom would be proud and I said her DIL is very proud!!  I will quilt and finish it for her.

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Easter 2010

Our Easter celebrating started on Saturday.  Our church did spontaneous baptisms again (last Easter was the 1st time) and some of us were helpers.

JP & I headed out at 4:10 p.m. for early service.   I handed out tshirts and JP helped direct traffic.  After we finished the service, K had arrived from work  🙂  and Phil had come to join her for the 2nd service.  (We were so happy that K was able to leave work by 4:30 so she could arrive at a decent time and even better, in time for church!)

As the 2nd service started, JP headed home and I went upstairs for some cheese slices & veggies that were provided for those helping in the services.  I was so thankful for that as I had forgotten snacks and was getting shaky by then.   I joined Phil & K for the rest of the service and then handed out tshirts after the baptisms again.

At our 6 campuses, we had 14 Easter services.  Attendance was just over 4,800 and 327 people were baptized!!

Of course, K & I talked later into the night than normal bedtimes…   😉

On Sunday, Phil’s parents joined us for dinner.

I made Family Style chicken, Baked Spinach, Green Beans, Coleslaw, SF cheesecake with fresh strawberries, and chocolate chip bars.  I think it was yummy and everyone gave nice compliments.

After lunch, K shared pictures from work with Gma & Gpa.  They enjoy hearing about her work.  Recently K made a veil special for a bride and so she had 2 pictures of that.  The bride was SO excited she cried and gave K a hug!!   🙂  The bride was wearing her mother’s dress that K’s business had altered/modernized and the veil K made coordinated perfectly!

K had also brought Gma & I our own copies of Chicago Style Brides magazine.  Huge & beautiful bridal  pictures!!  Now that K has worked there for over 7 months (!!), she now is finding some of “her” brides in the magazine.   🙂

I asked my FIL to take some family pictures outside for me.  However, it was very windy and a bit glarey so I’m not extra happy about any of them.   Here is one that is suitable for sharing:

(and to think, this is the best dud…)

Later in the afternoon, Phil & K headed to the theater to see Alice in Wonderland.  Phil said it was better than he expected and they both enjoyed it.   Then they got K’s groceries for the week.

I was so thankful K didn’t have to head back home on Sunday night!  A few weeks ago she asked if she could trade her Weds day off for a Monday and it worked out for this weekend!! Even better on a holiday for us!   🙂

Phil & I met with our accountant on Monday morning (he comes here) and then I baked bread after lunch and we made the fixings for K’s lunches for the rest of the week.

After an early supper, JP headed to band practice at church and K headed back to the city.  Both in the rains!!  Thankfully K called at 8:45 home & all unloaded and JP arrived just after 9 p.m. from the driving rain.

We did get severe storms last night but the 2 bouts of hail didn’t cause any damage.  Just south of us about 10 miles had tornadoes and damage so we are thankful for our safety.

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