Happy Easter Monday, my friends! As our priest reminded us yesterday at Mass, we must remember that Easter is not a moment. Instead, it is a new beginning for us, a time of resurrection and renewal. So, although the baskets are empty and the eggs are no longer hidden, we should strive to keep the joy of Easter alive in our hearts.
For me, that means not rushing to put all signs of Easter away and moving on to the next big thing. It means continuing the prayer time I made time for all those days of Lent. And, it means reminding myself of all the good in my life and in the world.
Easter was quieter this year, as two of my not-so-little children remained in Maryland. That left Peyton, Chris, and Flynn here with Steve and me. Although I often fretted about the time when all my kids wouldn't be together on a holiday, I found it just as beautiful and fun, knowing they were celebrating together and being happy and proud of them for doing it on their own!
This was Easter in Pennsylvania: a quickly put-together display featuring the very first lamb cake Peyton and I ever attempted, using my Grandma Mil's vintage cast-iron lamb cake mold. She made one every year, and I always went to her house to watch. I remember her telling me to put toothpicks in the head so it would stay in place. I made the cake, and Peyton iced it. We were happy with how it turned out!
Peyton, Christopher, and Flynn.
Meanwhile, in Maryland, Madison, Nicolas, Rhett, and Kyrstin celebrated with a lovely Easter dinner together. Madison served chicken, macaroni and cheese, and green beans. Rhett made tiramisu for dessert, too!
And that was Easter. I no longer fret about making each holiday the same with the same traditions and recipes. Life changes. Holidays change, too. And it is really quite alright!
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I woke to the news that our pope's journey on earth had come to an end. May his soul find the joy and peace which he guided us toward, as he is welcomed into Heaven during the most holy time of year.
Today, Flynn and I will do our homeschooling, and then we're going to visit my dear friend Heather. Yay! I hope you have a lovely, cozy day, my friends. Happy Easter!
Billie Jo
It looks like a lovely day! Rhett's tiramisu looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYes, things do change. It may be hard sometimes but a good attitude makes all the difference. :) I appreciate yours!
I have one of those molds and made a lamb years ago. Looks like you had a very nice Easter Sunday. Yes, I saw this morning that the Pope had passed away. Very sad.
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed your post today, my friend. Life does bring changes with it, doesn't it? I'm thankful that you had family there for Easter...the cake is adorable! xx
ReplyDeleteAlways enjoy stopping by your blog. Looks like a lovely Easter. What a blessing to see our grown children enjoying their lives:) You guys did a great job on your lamb cake. Super cute...and no doubt delicious!!
ReplyDeleteI thought it so appropriate that he would go back to our Heavenly Father on resurrection Monday.
ReplyDeleteI was so shocked to hear about the Pope. Especially after what all he managed to do yesterday!! He was amazing. In service to the people right up to his very last minute. The cake is adorable! And your retro bunny plates with the scalloped edges, I want them! Where did you get them?
ReplyDeleteI learn from you - even though you’re across the miles. You know by now I fret about changes and kids growing up - as they should - but still… 🥹Your Easter looks so nice - family, smiles, food, time together - ahhh, just as it should be. Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteBlessed Easter season to you dear Friend. It looks like lovely celebrations overall. You remind me that I have a lamb mold of my Grandma's around here somewhere...although I've never tried to make it. I need to find that now! I think she always frosted it and put on coconut for the fur/wool. Lol Such fun memories. I said prayers for Pope Francis as well. I loved he lived by example and was so true to his faith. He will be missed. Blessings on your week ahead and have fun with your Heather! xo
ReplyDeleteThat sheep cake is amazing! Looks good!
ReplyDeleteAs for keeping all the holiday traditions the same, you are so right. Things change and if we are wise, we need to be resilient and respond appropriately.
The cake is adorable!
ReplyDeleteAs an adult who has been guilted by the in-laws for not being at holiday gathering, I applaud you for letting your kids grow and fly. Trust me they wish they could be there! It's really hard to be at all places and please everyone.
Although I knew the Pope's health was declining, it was still a shock after seeing him out and about so much yesterday.
Your Easter and yummy dinner all sound great! I enjoyed to photos and am sorry to be so late getting here! Yes, RIP Pope Francis. Wishing you and yours a blessed week ahead!
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a nice Easter, BillieJo. I love the cake! So cute. I hope you have a good week. It's so appropriate that Pope Francis went home at this time of year when we celebrate the eternal life we have through Jesus Christ! See you again soon.
ReplyDeleteBillie Jo, I like the Lamb cake with you Easter dinner. Good pictures 📸 including family and food. Rip 🙏 Pope Francis. I liked what you wrote about him being in heaven. I need to figure out what dessert to make for dinner with friends this coming Saturday. Maybe a fruit crisp? Phil and I went to Route 99 drink and dine for lunch after church. One of my favorite places to eat lunch. Have a blessed week! *Becky
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
ReplyDeleteEach year, I always think about the day after Easter, how we must all never stop celebrating that Jesus is Alive!! Not just for that beautiful Sunday morning when the grave was empty, but that grave is forever empty. Looks like you all had a fabulous Easter celebration and wow...that dessert looks so tasty...Hope you and yours have a wonderful week
ReplyDeleteI know your Easter was lovely, and how wonderful to make a cake using a family cake mold. However celebrations are celebrated is good. Here, occasionally we have the whole crew sometimes we have part of our family, and sometimes it is just the two of us. It works well no matter what or who happens by.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a lovely Easter Billie Jo!
ReplyDeleteEverything looks delicious and everyone looks so happy.
I am so sad that The Pope has died. He was such a good person with compassion for the poor, and understanding in every way. He will be missed greatly. I do hope we get a new leader who will be good and true and honest. Your lamb cake is simply delightful. The stuffed eggs look Yummy too, and those bunny plates are darling. That's a sweet picture of you and your youngest, Flynn.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a blessed week after Easter, Billie Jo.
~Sheri
It is sad about the pope's passing 😢 Your photos are lovely and heartwarming ❤️ The lamb cake is adorable.
ReplyDeleteThe lamb cake is very cute. I've never seen anything quite like it before.
ReplyDeleteIt sometimes feels strange having not-so-little people these days, although Lily still.insisted on an egg hunt. Xx
I love the way your kids take pictures of their celebrations and you share them here. Y'all are great at celebrating and making moments look special. And that cake is adorable. Also, your attitude about not fretting the details of holidays/traditions...perfect. We get so caught up in those kinds of details and then so disappointed when things don't go perfectly. It's too much pressure and can ruin the best of intentions. It looks like you had a wonderful Easter.
ReplyDeleteBillie Jo, thank you for sharing the pictures of your celebrations. I love your attitude about not fretting over what was and creating and/or modifying the details of holidays and celebrations as they roll in each year. Your cake looked fabulous and I bet it tasted quite yummy. Have a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteI love that cake! How cute is that little guy.
ReplyDelete