Easter!

Easter is such a wonderful time of year. (For most) The snow has melted – spring flowers are sprouting, birds are chirping and we’re all feeling a little more human.

My sister and I were at the grocery store the day before Thanksgiving – it was crazy busy and we said to the checkout lady, “this must be the worst day of the year for you guys” and she said, “Nope! hands-down the worst is Easter weekend.” Having successfully navigated the Easter grocery shopping gauntlet 😱 this past Saturday – I believe her! It was super busy.

This year was extra special for The Brown family: after months of skipping special events, Christmas holiday, New Years, Birthdays, etc. we were all finally together for the first time since September 15th! My, how 6 months flies by and how much has changed.

We started with a lovely toast with Rosé Champagne (real Champagne) & I gotta say – it was delicious 🍾! Normally Champagne gives me an instant headache. Not this one 👍. This was my sisters idea. When my mom, sister and I were enjoying our last meal in Italy, just days before the start of our six month medical journey, Amanda came up with the idea we’d toast with a glass of champagne and celebrate making it though the daunting months ahead. She gave a lovely and very touching toast that was the highlight of the evening. Off to a great start 🥂

Here is a link to this delicious champagne – it’s pricey but for a special occasion, my goodness was is delicious (even my Mom liked it 😯) Veuve Clicquot Rose Champagne; LCBO

Hehehe! 😆🐰🍑 I stole this idea right off Pinterest (credit to Emily Enchanted for this adorable and very creative idea) it’s a Bunny bum! 😂. I knew I wanted to make my Salmon Pecan Cheese ball for my family (they’ve never tried it -except my Sister and it’s one of her favs 🤤) and I thought this was such a cute idea. I decided not to do the cheesecake ball dessert recipe that inspired the idea – I went with my tried-and-true salmon cheese ball instead as an appetizer. It was a huge hit – the family ate it all and the crackers had to be topped up a few times. Highly recommend it as an appetizer because it’s really easy to make and transport and so long as everyone is a fan or salmon, cheese and pecans – they’ll love it.

With my family – we always believe in using the good dishes, yes, even with the young Nephews 😳. We call it “Royal Dinners” and that’s their cue to behave and not to toss one of these delicate crystal glasses across the table at one another 👍.

My parents set a lovely table and I just added some flowers and chocolates to Easter it up. Here are some more pictures of the tablescape:

We can’t seem to get enough of Chianti after our trip to Castello di Verrazzano in Tuscany this past fall. Since we can’t get that wine here without paying huge duty & shipping fees, this is Melini Chianti Classico Riserva: LCBO is our favourite choice & the price is right. Always recommend the Riserva – better grapes 🍇 = better wine! 🍷

Love this Easter Bunny planter. It can be reused in the yard through the summer or year over year at Easter. Bought this at Fortino’s last week – those flowers are lastly beautifully 👌

I eventually added some chocolates 🍫 to the table. Took my nephews under one minute to spot them 🤦🏼‍♀️

 

My mom’s energy never ceases to amaze me. The morning she’s making much of our dinner and setting up her house to host our chaotic family she “felt like” making Corn Chowder. We were all so glad she did  😁. Yesterday was a cold overcast and somewhat drizzly day – this chower was perfect to start our Easter dinner and I must say… it was her best batch yet! 🙌. Always good with some bacon bits added 🥓. This has been a staple for our large family Christmas dinner for decades – it was nice to have it in the spring.

Dave helped out by making the sides – he’s such a great chef 👨‍🍳. He made perfect mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts with thick sliced bacon – a perfect spring side if you ask me. The Brussel sprouts were so frest!

My mom made her Roast Beef. It was excellent!

Some of us smother the roast beef dinner in gravy 👆

….Others (like me) go with a dollop of Horseradish 👆. 👌

Yes, that’s my nephews glass of milk in a grown up Crystal glass 🤣🥛So proper.

Better shot of the Bunny planter from Fortinos. So cute! ♥️

My sister made her Pineapple Squares which we all devoured. I ate mine so fast I even forgot to take a picture of it 🤦🏼‍♀️. I will next time she makes it – which I hope is next weekend 😆

It was wonderful to have our family together for a small intimate Easter dinner – celebrating family, life, health and each other 🙏

I hope you had wonderful long weekend!

🥂 to Spring finally arriving! 🌷

Tori