Easter Feast Adventures

Why, yes, folks, I am more than a week (okay, fine two) late in posting our Easter festivities.

Better late than never, though, eh?

Yeah, I didn't think so either.

Anyway.

I was REALLY excited to play Easter Bunny this year. It was my first time, and although we forwent (yes, I think I just made that word up) baskets, I was very excited to put out the treats the night before. When we woke up in the morning, I played the part of very excited younger sibling, hopping in to announce, "IT'S EASTER! THE EASTER BUNNY CAME!!!"

The Easter Bunny was very kind to us, bringing (for Michael) Lemon-lime gatorade and two kinds of Starburst jelly beans (he couldn't find the right flavor for a long time, but that's another story), V8 Splash and Sweetart bunnies, chicks, and ducks for me, and a variety of Hershey's chocolate and Mound's eggs for the family.

My parents and younger brother were in sunny California for Easter weekend, so Michael and I decided to host my sisters and future brother-in-law for Easter dinner at our apartment. This created a series of adventures. I love adventures.

Adventure 1: Table seating. Michael and I have exactly 4 chairs to our name and we were to have 5 people there. You do the math.

Solution 1: Move kitchen (folding) table to the living room and place it in such a way that two people can sit on the couch (loveseat). Because the table was so snug, we put the food out buffet-style on our computer desk. We even decorated with personalized Easter egg napkin rings and (although not pictured) a beautiful slice of lemon on the edge of each cup that looked amazing with the tropical-colored juice we had. I love being a newlywed.


Adventure 2: preparing a rather elaborate meal with limited counter space (as in about two feet of counter space) and no dishwasher

Solution 2: use all parts of the kitchen--stovetop, table, step stool, chairs, sink...even floor (with covered food) and washing 7 batches of dishes before guests arrived. Michael was such a trooper.
Adventure 3: Repairing a badly damaged lemon bundt cake that like a stubborn two-year old threw a fit and somehow stuck to the pan although it was VERY well greased and floured.

Solution 3: Coconut and lots of icing. This is more complicated than it sounds. The first bag of powdered sugar I used tasted like taco seasoning for some reason, so that gooey taco-vanilla mess had to be discarded and a second bag opened for a second try, which--thank my lucky Jupiter--worked.

**As a side note, Michael had to zest and juice (by hand) 7 lemons for that cake. I know...superzester.

Even through all the adventure, dinner was a FANTASTIC success!!! My sister Elisabeth (and her fiance Tyler) made a ham that was sooo good. None of us Lynn girls had ever made a ham, so we were all very impressed. We grew up in a house where we just didn't eat much meat, and ham was a "once or twice a year" food that our mom made. Michael was...well... incredulous that none of us knew how to prepare ham. (It's not our fault!)

Anyway.

The ham turned out great (and Michael and I even got to have some delicious leftovers complete with a barbeque glaze). My sister Jordan brought the world's most absoutely amazing fruit dip of all time ever, which we served with apples, pears, strawberries, bananas, and grapes. Mmmm.

For side dishes, we had twice-baked potatoes and caesar salad in parmesan cheese cups. (Although the lemon cake was supposed to be my crowning joy, I was REALLY pleased that the parmesan cheese cups turned out...especially since my uncooperative cake did not).

After dinner, we dyed Easter eggs, tried on bridesmaid's dresses (for Elisabeth's wedding next week), and called my parents to wish them a happy Easter. As usual, Michael's creative abilities TOTALLY TRUMPED mine and his eggs looked fantastic. After making sure everyone had some leftovers to take home, we all said goodbye and Michael and I put our very stuffed selves to bed.

I love Easter.