The Easter Edit: Traditions, Easter Menu, & Spring Dresses

Simple ways we make the day a celebration- recipes included!

Easter Sunday is one of my favorite days of the year. We have a few traditions we started when the kids were little and they have become something I really look forward to. Good Friday through Easter Sunday are the crux of our faith as Christians, so the day feels like a big celebration! The morning is always a bit of a frenzy, so I have learned to set out outfits the night before as well as fill all of their baskets so they are ready to go! We usually aim for a sunrise service/early Mass. Once we get home, we have the kids hang out in a room while Gabe and I hide their Easter baskets.

This is always such a humorous scramble as the kids run all around the house searching for their basket. We hide the little one’s the easiest and make it harder as they get older. It is a joy to see even our teens get so excited and into the search. There have been a few mishaps over the years such as the time Gabe left our joint easter basket in the oven and forgot to tell me to find it. Oh yes. The smell of burnt chocolate and plastic followed by the frantic fanning of the smoke alarm. Legendary.

Our traditions are ones you probably also share - a big brunch, and egg hunt with family, lots of extra sweet and frothy coffees for the adults, triumphant music, and a big feast at dinner. I think this is why it is one of my favorite holidays though - the simplicity of it, which allows me to feel more present to the day.

I love a good hearty brunch for Easter! We do charcuterie style snacking in between, and eat an early dinner. We are traveling this year so the menu will be a joint effort, but these are the dishes we usually make.

EASTER MENU

Brunch:
Cinnamon Rolls
Savory Croissant Strata & Hashbrown Casserole (a good gluten free option)
Fruit Salad - Strawberry, blueberry, blackberries, and mandarin oranges
Orange juice

EASTER DINNER
Brown Sugar Horseradish Ham (Gabe’s recipe below)
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Sautéed green beans
Dinner Rolls
Strawberry Shortcake (Recipe below)

Brown Sugar Horseradish Ham Recipe
Ingredients:
De-boned spiral ham
Sauce Recipe:
3 c. Dark brown sugar
1 c. Horseradish sauce
¾ c. Lemon juice
Instructions:
Combine ingredients in medium saucepan over med-high heat stirring constantly until thickened.
Place ham slices in a 9 x 13 in. casserole baking dish and pour sauce over evenly.
Cover with foil and bake for 30 min. on 375° (Place a cookie sheet underneath in case it bubbles over.)

Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

I share this dessert recipe every year, but in case you are new to our community here you go! It is one Gabe requests for his birthday as well. A favorite around here! You can prep the pudding, whip cream, and strawberries ahead of time which makes the assembly much easier. (I’d post the full recipe here, but substack limits the length of posts so I am afraid I have to re-direct you to our blog.)

I admit I am super picky when it comes to dresses, and it has felt harder than ever to find good options that comfortable and affordable. I searched high and wide for Spring/Easter dresses under $100, and they are few and far between it seems! I did find a few that I absolutely love that would work well for both Spring and Summer.

Eyelet dress / long sleeve floral dress / butter yellow dress / smocked dress / maternity dress / chunky beaded necklace / floral earrings / ruffle sandals / slides

yellow layered dress / white dress / periwinkle dress / floral smocked dress / ruffle sleeve floral dress / purse / wedge sandal / buckle slides

Lastly, if you are in need of some good basket stuffers I have shared several Easter basket guides here!

I hope the Spring weather has found it’s way to you, and that the warm sun and sound of birds brings life back into your week ahead!

Anna