Easter Through the Years

Here comes Peter Cottontail, bringing with him tons of memories!

 

Lots of those memories center around growing up in church choir. All 250 of us, from wee ones to seniors, would like up and march in to Plymouth Congregational Church to the sound of trumpets. 

Our choirmaster, Dr. Klausli (and his wife Dorothy, who were trained in the English tradition) kept us on task and woe be to the child who acted out!

 

Between the two services, choir parents (including mine) would serve us a grand breakfast. I wish I had photos of that!

But I do have photos of memories. Oh! Those baskets!

David and I just loved them!

In high school, I had my own Easter bunny (a gift from my friend Mary, much to the chagrin of my mother!)

 

And lest you should think I come upon my decorating crazies independently, think again! Mom had the egg tree market cornered years ago! (I still have some of her eggs; they are among my favorites!)

Easter can be a time of gathering people together who have no place else to go. My family always invited some of my college friends who weren't headed home during the holiday. It was a tradition that remained. One of the most poignant memories is when Rick's next door neighbor, Lucinda, joined us. About a month later she died suddenly, following surgical complications.

 

This is the first Easter without our Gypsy boy. I'd like to think he's found his next life already.

Egg dying is a must! 

This is a Good Friday tradition with our friends Mark and Jan. 

It's usually followed by a screening of "Life of Brian," but sometimes we're just too tired to hang in there! 

Jan and I often go to the market on that Saturday. It's always a glorious mass of color.

I can never decide what to buy. A couple of years ago, we fell totally in love with rununculus.I think between the two of us, we bought a dozen plants!

Yes, buy I do, and the centerpiece is the result. I think the simple parrot tulips were a favorite.

Of course, the Easter (and spring) china comes out.

And so do the bunnies. You didn't think I was doing Easter without the bunnies, did you?

 

Or chicks!

 

I love watching my next door neighbor's Easter egg hunt. The little kids get bigger every year!

So does our gang!

It's nice to sometimes have Molly at the table, whether it is brunch or dinner!

My neighbor always brings over traditional Italian Easter pastries. They have become another part of my tradition.

 

And, there are the traditional foods -- definitely deviled eggs.

 

Ina Garten's Frozen Key Lime Pie is a hit, too!

And eggs. Of course -- they are centerpieces, deviled, chopped up in salads... you name it!

Ham, scalloped potatoes, asparagus. We're pretty traditional.

 

Whether you celebrate Easter, Passover or Equinox, I hope you have traditions that have followed you through the years that you are enjoying as we inch toward spring. 

Wishing you happiness!