Easter Feast

This Easter was the best Easter I have had in years.... the weather was spectacular, I was able to be with my extended family, who I haven't had the chance to celebrate Easter with for years, the food was plentiful,  and even my Grandmother was able to join us in the celebration of Easter..... it was a really really really GOOD day!

After church services, my entire extended family gathered at my cousins (Nancy) with her family.  Everyone brings a dish to share and the buffet counter was jam packed with soooo many delish dishes.  There was sliced ham, pork and gravy, cheese balls, mashed potatoes, green beans, deviled eggs, mac and cheese, pretzel salad, corn, broccoli casserole...... and those are just the dishes I can remember.  Then..... there was also the dessert table, which had cookies, cakes, cupcakes, and candy.  And to wash all this good food down, there was homemade sweet tea, unsweetened tea, homemade lemonade, coffee, water and sodas.  There were about 40 folks at this gathering.... and no reason for anyone to walk away hungry!

After everyone had filled their bellies, several of us Mom's sat on the floor filling big and small plastic eggs with money.... both coins and bills.... up to $5.... little trinket toys and candy.... then we went outside and hid them for the BIG Easter Egg Hunt!  Not sure what was the most fun.... the filling of the eggs and sitting around laughing and chatting as we did so, or hiding the eggs with all the giggling and running around trying to find the perfect spots in which to hide the eggs and once finding that perfect spot, noticing someone else beat you to it, or watching the kids racing around trying to find as many eggs as they could..... it was all just one big day of fun, laughter and hugging!  It has been over 15 years since I was last able to be with my extended family for Easter because my family lives out of town and we have had to miss out..... but this year it just worked out that my husband and I, along with my youngest daughter and her fiance were able to drive up and join the rest of the clan.  And it has been a long time since we have had such GORGEOUS weather for Easter too.

The drive home went by quickly with us all talking about the different family members we visited with, the food, and the fun we had spending the day with everyone.  Before I married, I spent every single Easter with my Grandparents and Cousins.... we all had our dresses, bonnets and little white gloves on in every single picture!  So this year was like a walk down memory lane.... only better!  I feel like it was a totally awesome Norman Rockwell-ish Day!!!!

Thank you Nancy, Paul, Clay and Abbey for opening your home for us to gather and enjoy a 'Family Day' together!  You are Bestest!!!  And I LOVED all the antiques and decorating!  Nancy....... you, your home and your family are ADORABLE!!!!!  I will cherish this memory forever and hopefully.......next year we will be able to join you again!