Resurrection Sunday

Happy Resurrection Sunday! It was a beautiful day in many ways today. The virus canceled church services which is something that has never happened. I whole heartedly agreed with this decision, as we are still staying home to limit the spread of this virus. Some people were upset but I feel it gave people a chance to explore different types of Christian services via the internet. I joined several programs this week. This morning I watched a sunrise service at Arlington Cemetery. I didn't know that services were held there. I live in the Pacific North West, so I have never even been there. The chaplain was fabulous and what a joy to view this service online. Later this morning, I joined my friends Paul and Angelia for their home church. They live in Alabama and I visit this service often.
Yes, it was a very different Easter but Easter Sunday was not canceled.

Last January, someone in a tea group I belong to, posted these adorable tins. I was able to order a set. I don't even remember the name of the company. The larger tin is for cake. Isn't it pretty?

The smaller one says Tea Time Treats! Oh, how I dove that tin.

Jimmy likes sugar cookies. I had a roll of dough in the fridge, So I decided to bake some cookies for him. I LOVE cookie cutters. I used some of the red plastic ones from my youth, some Hallmark ones that my girls loved growing up and some I have picked up along the way. Yep, I still have my Tupperware sheet for rolling out dough. I have had it for about 40 years!

Jimmy doesn't like icing on sugar cookies, so I just used colored sugars to decorate them a little.

This is one of my spice cabinets. This was a Mother's Day gift long ago.

I have very small cookie cutters in some of the drawers. I used to use these to make cookies for my daughters when they were little.

I picked out a few to make some cookies for my dollies. I just love these tiny cookie cutters.

The finished project! I will have to share them with my dolls.

I also decided to make one of our family traditions for Easter. They are called Blarney Stones. They started out as cakes for St Pat's Day by my maternal grandmother. She cut a sheet cake into squares, frosted the cake all around and rolled it in coconut and chopped walnuts. My mother changed the process a little. She made them for Easter and frosted them with pastel colors. She made cupcakes and that made them easier to handle than cut cake squares. We still call them Blarney Stones.

Chopped walnuts and coconut ready to go.

These are so yummy and pretty, but they are messy to make. I frost the top and sides and then put it in the coconut bowl. I finish frosting the sides and bottom and roll it the coconut. I've done these many years and I will tell you, it takes some practice to get it right.

The coconut ones are the favorite in my family, but they like some nut ones too!

Don't they look like spring? These are full size cupcakes, but I have made them smaller for showers or teas. I like to make white ones with coconut for Christmas or winter...they look like snowballs.

I let them sit overnight with a layer of plastic wrap loosely over the pan. They need to dry a bit before wrapping them individually in plastic wrap. The look great in the new cake tin.

My friend Michi Ball made this rabbit. She is an artist and sells wonderful things every month. I just love him.

My Jimmy was so ready for a nice Easter dinner. We couldn't share our meal with anyone, but we have each other. I had fun planning the menu....ham, balsamic vinegar asparagus, pea salad and fresh fresh fruit salad. I'm not supposed to eat ham due to my low sodium diet, but I did have a bit today!

Jimmy loved the pea and bacon salad...something new for us.

I didn't get out my Easter dishes this year so I used my Johnson Brother's Old English Countryside set.

Angie had Otto and her step daughter over night this weekend so she drove over to see us and drop off a few things. We can't have the kids over now but we got to see them as they stayed in the car.
Otto was SO SAD that he had to stay in the car. In the first photo, you can only see his hand. He wouldn't even look at us for awhile. It just made me so sad. We haven't seen him in person for a month!I tried not to cry, but the tears just came. Jim got sad too. Brave Angie just keep saying it was alright. This is the hardest part of this separation stuff for me.

Well, here it is bedtime. It was a full and busy day. We both found a lot of JOY, even with the sadness. Stay home and stay safe. 

Maybe Time Really Does Fly!!!!

Our family had made plans to attend a Russian Tea on Easter Sunday afternoon for weeks at a hotel downtown in Portland. Just a week before the big day, the hotel told us they had cancelled the event! We were all disappointed and plans went out the window. I had searched Ebay and Etsy and shopped at the Russian stores in our area. I wanted to make the Easter baskets different and was happy with what I was able to find. So, I still gave the baskets but somehow, it just didn't have the same meaning. You can see the fun things I gathered in these photos.

I dug out my little Russian nesting dolls that I have had since I was a child. I have always loved them.

I was able to find these pretty broaches at the antique show. There's a booth that sells Russian items.

My friend Ann gifted me with this little felt doll family for Christmas. Her friend make them.

Another gifted friend, Heather is an artist. She offered these cards for the Easter season and how perfect!

I was able to track down these egg films that are so easy to use and they just make the eggs look so beautiful!

Jim and I went over to the Wirth family for an egg hunt and the annual confetti egg bash!

This part is always done outside. Papa Jimmy is the target every year! This is the mess when it's all over!

Chris was able to get us reservations for the Easter brunch downtown at the Urban Farmer. It is on the 8th floor of the old Meier and Frank building. It was a lovely brunch and set up so well. The food was fantastic.

I think Jimmy went back for fresh oysters about 3 times.

The Wirth family enjoying their brunch.

You can see the rooms of the hotel around the outside of the center restaurant.

My favorite room....the dessert table! YUMMY.

This is a giant ice rabbit for the day...so fantatic!

Miss Ava enjoying a wrap around retro desk and table. Yes, she is growing up.

We were enjoying a walk around the building during a break in the rain. Isn't she pretty. I loved her outfit.

And there's my little monkey man....our Otto! He was so happy and just totally loves life.
Such a lovely afternoon and such a blessing.

Time just seems to slip by me anymore....maybe time really does fly!!!

Otto's 4th Birthday....Shark Attack Party!

Yesterday, Papa Jimmy and Grandma Linda went over to Otto's house for his 4th birthday! He was having a SHARK ATTACK party with all the trimmings. Here he is before the party showing us that he is 4! 4 with the thumbs up!

We went over a bit early to to watch him open his presents from us before all his friends and the other adults came over.

His daddy made his cake! It was delicious...coconut. I had to sneak a tiny bite.

Lots of fun decorations and pizza too.

Ava was there to help her little brother open his presents. Isn't she growing up to be a fine young lady? She was so cute helping him open his packages and his cards. It was fun to see her telling him what he needed to do.

She is reading the card to him here.

He is sooo excited with his present from Ava...20 new Hot Wheels!

I loved the great paper shark across the doorway.

It was pool time after the the guests arrived.  There were lots of little boys and Ava got to invite her girlfriend too.

After some playtime in the pool, it was time to sing Happy Birthday and cut the cake!

I love the look on both of their sweet faces here!

Of course, Ava had to help little brother blow out the candle!

I love Ava's arm around Otto!

Daddy was having fun and laughing!

This is the look Otto gives Grandma Linda that ALWAYS melts my heart. Sweet little monkey man.

He's getting into the cake here...note the blue frosting on his face. He loves blue...always has and probably always will!

He's really enjoying his cake.  How about another bite!

And next it was time for more birthday presents. It was so fun to watch all the kids and see all the goodies.

So many cute little boys!

One happy mama...my daughter Angie and my grandson Otto...the loves of my life. I am so blessed to have my kids and grandkids. I do thank God for them and keep them in my prayers all the time.