Our Easter Dinner ~ Easter Sunday, 2012

This year, following Easter Mass, we hosted another Easter Sunday dinner at our home!  I just love that we now have the space to do this, after our remodel/addition the year before last!!  Three of my brothers, David, Scott, and Brian, along with Brian's family, joined us, as well as our friends Bill & Kathleen, Marc, and Janet with her two children. (I was blessed to have my husband home for Easter, but Janet's was out of town on training for his job.)  All together there were 20 of us, including the children!  

My sweet and generous friend Jacinta came over on Holy Thursday and stocked us up with all sorts of  groceries for Easter, which really made the planning and shopping so much easier this year, after an extra challenging Lent with my husband out of town.  (Thank you Jacinta!!)   My sister-in-law brought a yummy fruit salad, and Janet also brought some great side dishes.  It was a lot of work to prepare the food, and I wasn't home most of Holy Saturday, but it all came together and we had such an enjoyable Easter with our family and friends.

~ Our Easter Sunday Menu ~ 

Apricot Glazed Ham • Scalloped Potatoes and Onions • Cheesy Buttery Scalloped Potatoes

Green Salad • Potato Salad • Fruit Salad • Chips and Salsa

 Lamb Butter Mold • Dinner Rolls • Honey Glazed Carrots • Roasted Asparagus

Rice Salad • Artichoke Dip • Shrimp Torta • Carrot Salad  (all made by Janet)

Soft Drinks • Golden Easter Punch

Wine • Coffee • Tea

 

Lamb Cake with Strawberries and Whipped Cream

(made with our Lamb Cake Mold)

Easter Egg Cakes decorated by my girls

(Gluten Free Chocolate Cake made in Oval Cake Pans)

Bird's Nest Cookies • Cross Cake

(Applesauce Cake, made with Gluten free Spice Cake mix, baked in a Cross Shaped pan and sprinkled with Powdered Sugar)

Jelly Beans and Peeps

My girls helped set the table, decorating it with this year's Pascal Candle and our new Alleluia and Good Shepherd Eggs.   Everything looked beautiful! 

If you'd like to see pictures from other Easter Celebrations, or share pictures of your own, head on over to Catholic Cuisine! 

Happy Easter! 

Decorating our Easter Cakes

You can see your completed cakes here.

Our 4th Annual Lenten Dinner on Good Friday

This year, even up until the afternoon on Good Friday, I wasn't sure if we'd have our Second Lenten Tea inspired by Cottage Blessings for our one main meal.  (You can find the pictures from our 2009, 2010, and 2011 Good Friday Teas in the archives for Good Friday.)  My children just love this tradition, so with a few modifications to simplify the meal even further and using just what we had in the house.  I had hoped we would be able to attend the Good Friday Service before heading to the airport, but it just wasn't meant to be...  Anyhow, here are the pictures from this year:

~ The Water Bowl ~

Alice suggests having a punch bowl of water to drink, but each year my children have prefer washing their hands instead.  They look forward to this every year!

"Pilate took water and washed his hands before the crowd saying, "I am innocent of this righteous man's blood." Matthew 27: 24

~ The King's Crown ~

This year we used "Scoops" made by Tostitos, to go along with a Crown Shaped Bean Dip.

"And Pilate asked Him, 'Are you the King of the Jews?' And He answered him, 'You have said so.'" Mark 15: 2

~ Out of Envy ~

The Avocado I purchased didn't last, and so I needed to come up with something else that was "green" to represent envy.  Roasted Asparagus worked perfectly. 

"[H]e perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered Him up." Mark 15: 10

~ The Purple Cloak ~

I didn't have any grape fruit leather, and I also wanted to eliminate anything that is considered a "treat" in our home, being a fast day, so for this item we covered our table in a Purple tablecloth Cloak.

"And they clothed Him in a purple cloak . . . ." Mark 15: 17

~ The Crown of Thorns ~

These Crown of  Thorns were made by my older children - with Ritz Crackers, Peanut Butter, and Pretzels.

". . . and, plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on him." Mark 15: 17

~ Golgotha Eggs ~

I wasn't feeling up to boiling and "decorating" eggs, and wanted to come up with something I could make a little quicker... Skull Sushi?  It really was quick and easy using dome leftover rice, 2 asparagus stalks and a carrot.   What do you think?  Do those look like skulls to you?

"And they brought Him to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of the skull)" Mark 15: 22

~ The Seamless Garment ~

Using kitchen scissors, I quickly cut the tortillas to look like a seamless garment and some added some blocks of cheese for the dice used to cast lots. 

"But the tunic was without seam, woven from top to bottom; so they said to one another, 'Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.'" John 19: 23-24

~ The Two Robbers ~

I didn't have any basil this year, so I decided to pull out our Basil Olive Oil again, to flavor our popcorn.  Alice suggests using Basil for this menu item since "According to The Herb Society of America, legend has it that the Basil plant grew around the site of Christ's crucifixion. The Victorian Language of Flowers lists Basil as symbolic of both hatred and best wishes. The taunting thief and the good thief come to mind."

And with Him they crucified two robbers, one on His right and one on His left." Mark 15: 27

~ Vinegar to Drink ~

{see above photo}

"And one ran and, filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying 'Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down.'" Mark 15: 36


~ The Temple Curtain ~

My children, especially Snuggles, always love tearing the curtain in two...  He didn't have any problem using his injured arm for this activity! 

"And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom." Mark 15: 38

 ~ The Roman Centurion ~

This year, instead of tomatoes, I served some popcorn to represent the 100 Roman Centurion.

"And when the centurion, who stood facing Him, saw that He thus breathed His last, he said, 'Truly this man was the Son of God.'" Mark 15: 39

~ Laid in the Tomb ~

In the past I've always made Cinnamon Muffins.  They really are a little too tasty for a day of fasting, so this year we used bread rolls, with a scoop of jam in the middle.

"And he brought a linen shroud, and taking Him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb."

The Bible readings, recipes and shopping list can be found at Cottage Blessings.  I reused the small card stock signs I created last year and my document can be found at Scribd, if anyone would like a copy.

I hope you all had a very blessed Good Friday! 

Christus Resurrexit!

Happy Easter from our family to yours!

The past few days have been a whirlwind of craziness and fun.  On Good Friday, following our simple Lenten dinner, I found out that when Snuggles fell on his way out of the van, last Tuesday night, he really hurt his arm.   I called the doctors office and they asked me to bring him in at 6:10 pm.   After examining his arm they sent us (me and my seven children) to the hospital for x-rays.   Apparently he landed on a spot that is surrounded by growth plates and a fracture would require a splint and physical therapy with an orthopedic...  There wasn't anyone available to read the x-rays and so we had to wait until Saturday for the results.

By the time we were finished at the hospital it was already 8:00 pm, and since Hubby's flight was suppose to arrive at 10:35, we decided to just stay in town and run a few last minute errands for Easter.  (Friday afternoon, when thinking everything had finally calmed down, I invited a bunch of friends over for Easter dinner.)  Hubby's flight ended up being late, of course, and we all arrived home just before midnight.  (It's so nice to have him home again!!!)

Saturday morning we finally had some good news... Snuggles arm isn't broken, fractured, or dislocated - it will just take about a month to heal.  We then headed to my brother's home for my niece's 2nd Birthday party.  We all had a great time and I'm sure I'll post pictures eventually.  At the party I ended up inviting some of my siblings (Brian and his family, and my other brothers that are currently in town) over for Easter as well.  By the time we got home Saturday night at 6:00 pm, I was just a little bit nervous that I wasn't going to have enough time to decorate for Easter, fill all the Easter baskets, bake three cakes, make it to Easter Sunday Mass at 9:00 am, and then pull off an Easter dinner for 20 people!   It all came together, with Hubby's help, and we had such a fun filled Easter with family and friends.

I have tons of pictures to share, but it is going to have to wait.  I'm just a little wiped out from the last 3 weeks and hoping for a peaceful and healthy Easter season, starting with a nice long nap this afternoon since Hubby has today off and our fridge is filled with leftovers.  I'll be back soon eventually!

Our 4th Annual Lenten Tea on Holy Thursday

I really wasn't sure if we would be able to have our Lenten Teas (originally inspired by Alice at Cottage Blessings) this year, but my children insisted. These have become very much loved traditions in our home over the past 4 years and they said they would do whatever they could to help with the tea.   My three oldest set the table, helped prepare the food, began setting up their own Holy Week decorations, and even dyed some toothpicks to place in our crown of thorns "at least for the Triduum," since I never did have a chance to do so during Lent.

I know I put together a long post filled with pictures every year, and the idea doesn't change, but I do love to be able to look back and notice the little variations from year to year, as well as see pictures of our ever growing family!  So, here are some pictures from this year's Lenten Tea on Holy Thursday:

~ Palm on the Road ~

My kids really aren't very picky, but for some reason only one of them likes Hearts of Palm.   Instead of opening a new jar just for him and I, I decided to skip this item this year and read our new Palm Sunday picture book at the beginning of our tea, after we prayed.   I ended up deciding on Little Colt's Palm Sunday.   This large hardcover book was a steal at just $5.98 and is as sweet as can be with it's rhyming text. Very sweet.  Twinkle Toes has already re-read it to Rose a few times.  

"And many spread their garments on the road, and others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields." Mk. 11:8

~ Costly Oil ~

Last year I pulled out my favorite Basil Flavored Olive Oil from Annie's Naturals.  This year I've been loving the Roasted Garlic (drizzled over popcorn!) flavor.  Both are outstanding! These paired nicely with the unleavened bread.

"And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her." Mk. 14:9

~ Thirty Pieces of Silver ~

I served 30 rice crackers once again, without the cheese this year.

"Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, 'What will you give me if I deliver him to you?' And they paid him thirty pieces of silver." Mt. 25: 14-15

~ Unleavened Bread ~

In the past we usually use Pita Bread cut into wedges, but this year we made Lisa's Unleavened Bread Recipe! I somehow managed to overcook it and burn the edges, but the kids loved this bread!  I didn't try any myself, since I am still avoiding all dairy.

"And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the passover lamb, his disciples said to Him, 'Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the passover?'" Mk. 14:12

~ The Mount of Olives ~

I didn't have any black olives in the cupboard, but I did find a jar of Green Olives double stuffed with Garlic and Jalapenos!  Almost all of my children like these (though not quite as much as black olives) and the garlic cloves were a perfect addition, as they continue to recover from being sick.

"And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives." Mk. 14:26

~ The Cock Crows Twice ~

Alice suggests two mini chicken sandwiches for this menu item.  In the past I have also made Chicken Wraps, and even Roasted Chicken Soup.   My kids asked if we could have the Marie Calendar Chicken Pot Pies that were in the freezer and I thought that was a great idea.   Captain baked one for each person, and commented on the fact that "they even came in green bowls!"   (We always try to incorporate the color green when possible since Holy Thursday is also known as Green Thursday.) 

"And Jesus said to him, 'Truly, I say to you, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.'" Mk. 14:30

~ Gethsemane Figs ~

Just one little Fig Newton each, representing Gethsemane Figs. 

"And they went to a place which was called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, 'Sit here, while I pray.'" Mk. 14:32


~ Sleepy Apostles ~ 

When Jennifer left a comment this morning on last year's post, mentioning that she had just had this tea with her children for lunch and that the only thing she added was "Sleepytime Tea for the sleepy apostles" I knew we had to add it to our tea as well!  It's a perfect addition! Thank you Jennifer!

"And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep?  Could you not watch one hour?" Mk. 14:37

~ Judas' Kiss ~

Since my children all gave up candy this Lent, we went back to using Strawberries (instead of Hershey Kisses) to represent Judas' Kiss. 

"And when he came, he went up to him at once, and said, 'Master!' And he kissed him." Mk. 14:45

~ The Clouds of Heaven ~

A little cloud of whip cream for with the Strawberries.

"And Jesus said, 'I am; and you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.'" Mk. 14:62

~ Peter's Tears ~

In the past we have used  either Tic-Tacs and Altoids, but since these are considered candy in our home we used some dry roasted and salted pepitos, shaped like little salty tear drops - inspired by Blair's recent Lenten Tea. 

"And immediately the cock crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, 'Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.' And he broke down and wept." Mk. 14:72

This meal really is pretty simple to prepare and my children were such a huge help!   We sat down to lunch, prayed, and read the bible versus while passing around the food.   The kids were really wishing that their Daddy could be home to join us, but happy that we have our little Bud this year.  The older boys recalled how it was last Easter Sunday when they found out that they would have another baby brother or sister, and this year they just can't imagine life without our cute little guy! 

Just as I finished reading two dear friends rang the doorbell.   One was delivering groceries for our Easter dinner (along with a few new recipes to try out as well!) and the other came along and also brought her children's old beginning piano books to pass on to our children now that they are taking piano lessons.    Neither of them had been to our home in years and they were able to stay a couple hours.  It was so nice to visit! 

*We've been using the same small card stock signs for the past few years.   You can still download my document over at Scribd. 

I hope you all had a very blessed Holy Thursday!