Happy Easter!

On Good Friday, we try to keep it as somber as possible.  So no pictures of anything to share.  We did go to a Veneration of the Cross service and then back for Stations and Tenebrae. Always poignant. 

Holy Saturday was a day of prep. I was blessed with lots of help! Here's a picture of Bryan scooping basil out of the potato salad. He accidentally mistook it for pepper.  Never fear, it was salvageable. And he did a great job on all the other things.  He also set the tables, made bunny napkins, and cleaned up all the Christmas leftovers on the front yard.  😂

We made the trek to church with our baskets of Easter food to be blessed.  This was a new tradition for us and I waited until Saturday morning to look up what it entailed. 

So... the baskets weren't as traditional as they will be next year! It was interesting see that it is a Polish tradition dating back to the 1300s, and people definitely went all out with keeping it traditional! 

Speaking of tradition, I am still trying to weave more heritage into holidays. I have done a lot with the Polish side, but the German side needs work and I know it.  

Here's a first attempt at Kremowka Papieska, aka Papal Cream Cake. It was a favorite of St Pope John Paul II, so we figured it must be good.  It was. 

In the back, we have Apfelkuchen, German apple cake.  The recipes very greatly,  so we borrowed a family recipe from some friends and it was fabulous. Almost like an apple pie, but less sweet with no spices.

In the front,  Noah's choice as it is his last holiday at home(!!!),  White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake.  It tasted as good as it looks. 

On to the kids' favorites! Tomb Cookies. Micah was still at the altar server retreat, and Noah was out with friends, but Jonah joined us!

Jonah lectured Elijah about the potential severity of salmonella poisoning. 

And 2 minutes later... clearly he wasn't super worried.

The Tomb is sealed!

Then these two dyed eggs while I put Judah to bed.  

Finally! Easter morning! Jude liked the cookies!

EJ liked his Nutella.

And then this guy here came over.  And cleaned the top of my fridge! Anything above my eye-level tends to be neglected and I won't share how gross it was!

Dessert was delicious, as was the picture-less dinner. Of note, the Martins' fabulously decorated carrot cupcakes and all the china rinsed and neatly stacked by, you guessed it- Eric! (He's about to retire and I told him he's welcome here anytime!!)

My personal favorite was definitely the Kremowka Papieska. It was incredible.