Post Easter Update

This year, Easter had proven to me that really, it's being with family that counts. My sister came up for Easter celebrations now that Inkling, the youngest, is sleeping through the night and a longer drive seemed more plausible. We've had a terrific long weekend all together; trampolining, spooky dog walks, baking and just enjoying one another's company. Felix is positive that the hubby is a real wizard, so we had magic with lunch and a bedtime magic quest where she had to save the Princess after completing three trials. I honestly have no idea how to best this visit - I had thought the otter cuddle party impossible to beat, but Felix really seemed to have a wonderful time and was loathe to go home.

Easter itself was full of high points - we had dippy eggs for breakfast (an absolute must in my household) followed by a battle of bubbles in the garden. We woke up to a white Easter, but it quickly warmed up enough to allow everyone to get out and play with bubbles. No one is too old for bubbles, and I have evidence of both my sister and brother in law delighting in them - one day when her kids think she's old and boring, I can prove otherwise!

And then it was off to 'grannies' for the bonnet competition.

I knew Missy was never going to win the bonnet contest (although look at her in those snow drops, is that not the perfect summary of Spring?), but the competition was fierce this year! As a quick update, my family have recently started the tradition of having an Easter bonnet competition after Missy inadvertently gatecrashed and then totally owned a neighbourhood one of my older niece and nephew. Last year, I came in at a dead last having continued in the traditional vein of flowers for bonnets and...well, artistic taste. So this year I upped my game with the multicoloured stove pipe monstrosity on the far left, top picture below and still failed to rank!

Nevermind! Back to the drawing board...

I can finally share now the gifts I made for my sister for Easter! My nephew is having a hungry caterpillar theme for the big day of his first birthday and I wanted him to be suitably attired (with a matching hairband for his sister!). I've felt bad for a while now that I haven't sewn more for my nephew, but truly, boys clothes just aren't as cute! I'm hoping to remedy that, so suggestions are welcome!

I also made some cat coasters for my sister as I had been asked not to do eggs owing to the millions they knew they would end up with by the end of the day. Not sure if she recognised the fabric, but they are scraps I have hoarded since making my neices baby quilt nearly five years ago (and yes, I have a problem, I'm trying to remedy it!)

Well, that summarises this weekend, far too much to tell. Missy is completely exhausted, she has been absolutely terrific with the kids about but her need to keep up with all the going ons has meant that she's not napped all weekend. We are fairly certain she has been training Inkling. My nephew has suddenly developed a hard stare when there's food about that he wants but isn't allowed, and it's almost as intense as Missys unflinching gaze! My nephew has been rewarding her for the advice, he seems to be deliberately dropping food for her.

The start of a beautiful friendship, I think!

Belated Easter

Well, Easter has come and gone and I have been very good and not put myself into a chocolate induced coma (yet). Whilst I do not celebrate the religious aspects of Easter, I understand its importance to many and respect the symbolism. I also understand the practical aspects of Shrove Tuesday and Lent. Truly, its an odd little holiday - whilst I always got eggs growing up, there was never really more to mark the day than that (no egg rolling and the Easter bunny was a novelty and not a thing, I suppose my parents felt that, like Christmas, Easter has the possibility of getting completely out of hand), so its something that's uniquely become personal to me as an adult.

I digress. My favourite traditions of Easter are simple. My husband and I have, for the last ten years now, enjoyed 'dippy eggs and soldiers' as our brunch (a tradition Missy terribly enjoys - I don't know why, but she is daft on boiled eggs). This is Missys third Easter with us and we always try and get out to Beecraigs for the Easter trail. We managed that on the Monday this year (sadly no organised trail, but they have just opened a new information centre) and watched all the families rolling eggs down the big hill and Missy did her best to eat up all the discarded pieces!

 

I always go overboard with baking. This year I didn't really bother with eggs (my niece and nephew received some house warming bits as we were meant to be going to see my sisters new house, but that plan was cancelled last minute). I made mini-egg rocky road and creme egg tiffin, as well as the classic birds nests. I made them on top of cupcakes this year as, though I really do enjoy the nests, they can quickly become too much. There was also some chocolate cupcakes, but I didn't photograph those.

 

We did have our Easter Bonnet contest! Now in its second year, my family are keen to make a tradition of it. Sadly my nephew had picked up a stomach bug, hence the venue change, and couldn't join us (his hat was brought along in his stead and, no, it wasn't too much chocolate - I jokingly suggested such and received such an affronted tirade from my sister that next time I will stay silent!) To everyone's delight, my Manchester based niece also joined in with a photo entry. My brother agreed to be the independent adjudicator this year (it was such a hit with the kids that he wants to do one next year, so this years winner will judge next year) and I'm afraid to say that Missy and I came in joint last. 

I like to think that Missy and I have better taste than he! With my mother having won, and her love of tat, next year I'm going to have to do something really ridiculous. I have some ideas, but none seem overkill enough.

Although Missys bonnet I'll keep neat and pretty and simple.

Much like the traditions I enjoy most.

An Easter Throwback

Easter this year is quite late it seems - my Facebook has spnt the last few days showing me all the goodies I've made and baked over the last several years, and I feel that I'm going to have to pull something spectacular out the hat this year.

The irony that I'm competing with myself from last year has not been lost on me, dont worry!

So, its kind of become a tradition since Missy arrived in our lives to gather the clan together and do an Easter dog walk and picnic (and eat copious amounts of cake and chocolate!) Last year my older sister led the celebrations and Missy gatecrashed the Easter bonnet competition.

That's right. Gatecrashed and won.

It took some convincing, but my niece and nephew did eventually see the funny side of it! Especially after I provided lots of baked goodies and explained to them that I had wanted to do an Easter photo shoot with Missy for her Easter cards (another tradition, after receiving so many cards with my nieces and nephews photos on it, I started to do the same with my fur-baby, the satire backfired and everyone thought it was brilliant!)

Anyway, this was last years Easter card picture:

I don't know why this makes me think of Van Gogh...

I'd like to pretend that it was a really easy and simple process to put together, but in reality there is much bribery and waving of squeaky toys. I wont make Missy do something she doesn't want to do, and even then, I keep what she will tolerate to very short 2-3 minute sessions. 

Bit of a rambling post today, I'm in the process of picking out some doggy recipes for Easter and prepping Missys new Easter bonnet as a rematch has been called!

Till next time!

A behind the scenes view