EASTER/SPRING TABLESCAPE, TREATS AND A DESSERT DISASTER

We had a really wonderful Easter and the weather couldn't have been better, I think you'll be able to tell by the lighting in these pictures.  The Husband and I sat having a cocktail before the family arrived and I remarked that I simply couldn't remember a recent Easter that wasn't just warm and sunny and well, perfect.  I did all my baking and make-ahead dishes on Saturday, which is why The Husband and I had some time to relax and argue over what sort of music to have on.  He wanted Classic Rock (Uh, Led Zeppelin, anyone?).  I wanted R&B/Soul.  We ended up with Pop Hits.  No one noticed.

I set my table the night before.  The only flowers I bought were just one bouquet of tulips...I knew every surface would be used for appetizers and drinks.  So I jazzed up this hurricane with some real lily's which were part of an old bouquet, for a centerpiece.  I just snipped the stems off and stuck them into the existing greenery (if you look close, it's pinecones and berries, this is a Christmas decoration and I just switch the candle out to use it year round).  Some random eggs and candles finished things off.

I alternated clear salad plates with the little bunny plates from Pier 1 that I shared in this post.  I used different types of napkin rings, these gold bunnies and...

...these little eggs in a nest.  

I mentioned here that I was going to try my hand at a "signature" drink.  I found a recipe for a Sunlight Sangria, I think in a Williams Sonoma catalog.  The recipe was included in that post.  It was really, really good and we made three batches of it (that's reeeeeally good!).  Most people thought the tequila was a bit too much and that I should hold back a bit more on the lime, otherwise they were a hit and I promised to make them again.  I broke down and bought a glass dispenser with a spout from Target.  Good investment.  

Everything we serve is pretty much the same from year to year and I like that so much can be made ahead of time.  This year I had two different types of tossed salad; a classic Caesar, and a strawberry/blue cheese/walnut.  I think it added a nice springtime vibe.  And I blanched the asparagus the night before and then tied up small bundles with strips of puff pastry.  They baked with the rolls and were so cute!  And we call the rolls here "Butt Buns" because they have a little seam running down the middle and well, my kids thought that was so funny when they were little.  ;-) 

I love looking at all the cute items in the baking aisles at stores like Michael's, etc.  I found these little picks and thought the younger kids would get a kick out of them.  I made vanilla cupcakes with a buttercream frosting I tinted.  I toasted about 1 cup of coconut to make little nests and there you have it.  I added mini chocolate eggs to the ones with chicks.  Can you see the little taffeta skirts on the bunnies? :)

The kitchen island was the dessert table.  We had quite a spread.  I didn't get pics before everyone dived in though.

The day before I made almond bark...I think it took about 5 minutes.  Just melt it and spread it out on parchment paper.  Then sprinkle on whatever you'd like.  I did pastel M&M's, crumbled Oreo cookies, and simple sprinkles.  Chill for a half hour and break into pieces.  Yum!

And of course there had to be a disaster.  I tried a new cheesecake recipe and used my springform pan.  I think the graham cracker crust simply over-baked because I couldn't get it out of the pan for the life of me.  I even tried to lift it with a spatula.  Finally I simply scooped it out on to a plate and poured a can of cherries over it.  My niece was standing in front of the dessert table and politely asked, "Uh...what is this?"  And I just blurted out, "Cheesecake Fluff", and before I knew it everyone was putting spoonfuls on their plates and raving over it!  Ha!  A new recipe!

Yesterday I worked in the kitchen for three straight hours washing things by hand and running two loads in the dishwasher.  I don't know if it was the cocktails, but everyone was laughing and talking well up to 9:00 p.m. (we started at 2:30).  I just didn't want to spoil the fun with a major clean up.  I still have things soaking.

I took this picture of Milo the other day...he looks like a puppy here.  I had him at the vet Friday to get the blood tests so we could start the seizure meds, we decided to take that route.  I mentioned to Dr. B. that a fatty tumor on Milo's left hip had gotten bigger, it's the size of a golf ball.  He aspirated it and well, it's cancerous.  I felt like I had the wind knocked out of me.  To go in for one thing that you think is pretty bad and then come out with something totally different and life altering.  I've been weepy here and there, I say weepy because it hits me at the oddest times and I have to pull myself together.  And I pray.  A lot.  I know the drill.  So he'll start the phenobarbital tomorrow, which the doctor says will making him dopey for about two weeks until he builds up a resistance to those side affects.  And then we can have the tumor removed and whatever else needs to be done in a few weeks.  What more can I say?  My eyes are filling with tears right now (and this started out as such a happy post!).  Sorry guys.  He's such a good dog...say a prayer.  

I want to get out to take some pics of all the bulbs I have sprouting...it rained last night and everything has turned such a bright vibrant green, so pretty.  Today is Abigail's birthday so we are having dinner downtown near her house.  She wants me to call it a house, not an apartment.  :)  We're going to a new place called Tango Sur...sounds interesting.  

I hope all of you had a wonderful Easter and are off to a great week.

Jane x 

Joining Debra at Common Ground for Share Your Style Thursday