Safer at home Easter… with family and friends

Sheltering in place, safer at home, quarantined–many of us will be restricted this year with less food options and less people around, but that does not mean you can’t have your loved ones with you this Easter. Some of you may not have this option, and might be in the thick of loss, working long hours in hospitals, or dealing with ill loved ones, and if so my heart goes out to you. One thing is for sure, this year’s Spring holidays will be different in so many ways. Maybe we will talk with loved ones over the phone, or over video chats, but for many, the day will go by like all the others with a groundhog day feel. But, if you are just home managing kids, or with a small family unit and you are able and motivated, you can still have your loved ones to join you. Here’s how…

First, break out the old photos and place them framed or unframed at the table, out to enjoy and connect with. Use those vintage tablecloths and dishes from your mother and grandmother. Doing so reminds us of family who gifted those to us and encourages memories and silly stories to be told. This year don’t we need that even more? It may be difficult to see just a photo and not the actual person if they are missed, but it’ll also hopefully help us feel closer to them. Whatever your religious or spiritual beliefs may be, whether you normally celebrate with a big or small group of family or friends, the holidays give us a reason to gather. This year, let’s celebrate those that have passed, or those far away that we will be missing that are usually sitting at the table by placing their photo there. It’ll be a way we can still gather together this year.

So, go ahead and spread out the photos, the spring chicks, bunnies, and pretty tablecloths, even the china from grandma. Nothing needs to be perfect or matching You will probably have to try new, simpler recipes and you may not have pretty fresh flowers. Be casual, or not. Get out of your pajamas, or don’t. Call your loved ones, maybe share a virtual celebration. Easter is usually a relaxed Spring celebration–less of the chaos of shopping for gifts at Christmas, or other busyness of Thanksgiving or holidays you may celebrate. Share this lovely holiday with your favorite people….and their faces at your table.

This year it may be more important than ever if you can to go through your typical traditional family holiday rituals, like setting the table as if your family and friends were still coming for dinner. It might make you feel closer to loved ones and have some form of normalcy. It won’t be the typical gathering you are used to with the full spread of food and family, but you also won’t have the usual guest preparations of house cleaning and dishes to do either.

OUR EASTER UNDER QUARANTINE MENU

As far as dinner, we have a whole chicken some salmon in our freezer which will be lovely. Also on the menu, my spring quiche with a gluten free potato crust and a lovely beet side salad. And of course an Easter cake using the Williams Sonoma bunny mold my mother-in-law bought me 10 years ago that I use every year. (That is if we can find sugar by Sunday!) Recipes to follow soon. HAPPY EASTER AND HAPPY SPRING! Stay well friends.