It's almost Easter! How did that happen? I feel unprepared. I seem to remember confidently declaring here, at the start of the month, that I was going to bake a Simnel cake this Easter. Well, that hasn't happened for lots of reasons, which are mainly that I have had not had the time or the will to think about it, I don't really care for almond paste, and I still have half a Christmas cake sitting in a tin in the kitchen. I don't want to make or eat fruit cake right now.
But what I am doing, what I have done this Easter is...eat mini eggs, lots of them. Probably too many. I made chocolate nests with the children at Angus's nursery and then again at home with Angus and I learnt that the combination of shredded wheat and melted chocolate looks charming but tastes disgusting. I dug out my felt Easter egg garland and the birdboxes I made last year. I experimented with my new bell jar, fiddling around with little arrangements and generally enjoying myself. Cards have been made and posted, a large chocolate Hello Kitty Easter egg has been purchased for Bella and a chocolate dog for Angus. I have attended and clapped at Easter "sing-a-longs" and learnt that the song "Little Peter Rabbit Has A Fly Upon His Nose" has three verses, yes three.
What else? The snow is slowly melting. I have a nice bruise on my left hip where I slipped on the ice (on the way to the pub - I hadn't even had a drink!) last night. It's still cold but when the sun peeks out and the wind drops you can feel a little warmth, just for a moment. The evenings grow longer and lighter. And I am washing, ironing, packing and writing lists, ready to travel down south to see family at the weekend. Tomorrow there will be coffee and hot cross buns at a friends house and on Sunday there will be church and a big family lunch. There is a long weekend ahead of us to enjoy and savour.
So no, I have not made a Simnel cake but I've had lots of fun doing other thing instead. Next year I'll make one. Definitely. What are you plans this Easter weekend?
I wish I had attended the sing along! I love the egg bunting. I intend to by a Kloche just as soon as I have furniture to put it on! Did you get it in Rocket St George? xxxx
ReplyDeleteMarks and Spencers! That's how uncool I really am.
DeleteSince when is marks and sparks uncool!! ;0
DeleteAlso - no such thing as too many mini eggs xxxx
ReplyDeleteHi Gillian, you made me smile....I'm addicted to mini eggs at the moment and also I felt some warmth from the sun, just for a nano second, this morning.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter , hope you have a lovely trip.
Jacquie x
I love all of your images you have made me feel very excited about the build up to Easter x
ReplyDeleteHi Gillian, I'm addicted to the mini chocolate speckled eggs! It's looking very lovely and Eastery at your place. And I totally relate to running out of time, maybe if I start Christmas preparations now I'll have a chance of getting everything done by then. Have a wonderful weekend! Mel x
ReplyDeleteyour nests look great, and the bird houses are just so cute!
ReplyDeletePretty, pretty. I can't get enough Mini Eggs. I may need to buy more before they go away for the year.
ReplyDeleteVery Easter. I love the pictures. They look so good, and the cakes look yummy!
ReplyDeleteOh your decorations are so cute! Who can resist those little chocolate eggs. I certainly can not. I am sorry about your hip. I hope it heals quickly. I also hope this dratted winter weather moves on quickly and bright warm sunny days come round. Happy Easter have a lovely time with your family.
ReplyDeleteMini eggs are my very favorite!! I could eat bag after bag...good thing they only come out once a year!! It sounds like you have a lovely Easter weekend planned. We are having lunch with my family on Sunday at my Grandmother's house and an outdoor Easter egg hunt ( if it doesn't rain!) Enjoy visiting your family and Happy Easter! The bird boxes are adorable!
ReplyDeletelooks pretty, and pretty organised to me! We managed....to get sick, and miss all the easter egg hunt festivities today AND only just remembered a few chocolate eggs! Never mind decoratiins!! I'd say you are doing pretty darn well in my book!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty Easter displays. I think I like Easter because it is simpler than Christmas and there is less pressure to bake, make, buy etc...
ReplyDeleteThree verses?! Love the look of your Easter garland - it makes me want to go and dig out crafty bits and make something similar!
ReplyDeleteMini eggs are so addictive - I have a packet in the cupboard that are earmarked for topping a chocolate cake tomorrow but still I keep snaffling them, whoops!
Enjoy your family and friend filled long weekend x
Happy Easter, love your shots.... have fun .
ReplyDeleteI want Easter at your house. Broke up from school yesterday so dramatic things happening at mine today... Everything looks so beautiful, you are so talented x
ReplyDeleteLove your Easter displays. Happy Easter lovely lady! xo
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter. I was supposed to finish work early yesterday and finish off the Easter shopping but that didn't happen - whoops! So we shall have to make do with what's here. I don't fancy giving up my Bank Holiday to go shopping! My son still has sports commitments this weekend - rugby and cricket but it will be nice to have a bit longer being home. I might even get in the garden if the sun appears!! x
ReplyDeleteHello Gillian,
ReplyDeleteYou had no time for the Simnel Cake (normal, you're a busy mum!).... but you did inspire me to make one (finished the top at 6 this morning!!) so that counts (I'll send you some LOL!!). So thank you for the inspiration. As for the marzipan... I made some (really easy) using lemon juice which tastes amazing - although tastes nothing like 'old fashioned' marzipan (which I also don't like!) but my niece and I can't stop eating it - lucky I had enough this morning!
The nests look so delicious, they will be gone before you know it!
Have a wonderful Easter 'down South' with all the family.
Ivan x
Have a lovely time with your family. We are mostly having a quiet one though I'm meeting friends for lunch on Monday. Sewing, crafting and baking interspersed with as little housework as I can get away with are on the cards for us. x
ReplyDeleteThree verses to Little Peter Rabbit? The twins sang me a second verse the other day which they can only have got from nursery. And I thought there was only one ;-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter, your weekend plans sound lovely. We're off to family for a long weekend xx
your easter decorations are lovely! i love the garland, but not the thought of shredded wheat and chocolate!!! enjoy your visit and easter lunch. Your geometric cushion turned out rather nice! Heather x
ReplyDeleteLove your pictures ... the spoon licking is brilliant ... have a Happy Easter ... Bee xx
ReplyDeleteI love your Easter photos! I have eaten too many mini eggs too, but they are so delicious! Love your sweet Easter garland.
ReplyDeleteM xxxx
There's Simnel cake here (almost, it's still in the oven)! I hadn't opened the big bag of mini eggs but then I read your post and, well, you can guess the rest. Wishing you and your family a lovely Easter.
ReplyDeleteGosh, your house looks lovely with all the Easter decorations. We're not up to too much this weekend. So far we've had a walk on a very windy beach, lunch out and a run around the Botanical garden. Enjoy your Easter! x
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photographs, happy Easter to you and your family xxx
ReplyDeleteSo was it Nigella that inspired you with the nests? I think she uses Shredded Wheat - truly awful stuff and not allowed in our house. Tastes and looks like sawdust.
ReplyDeleteWe made nests today too, but it's always cornflakes in this house.
Enjoy your Easter down south!
I adoore you egg bunting and must put it on my long lists of makes! wE HAVE BEEN BBUSY CRAFTING, BUT NO SIMNEL CAKE FOR US, WE MAKE AN EARLY CHOCOLATE ONE AND
ReplyDeleteLook delicius! A very inpiri g easter. Fabulos blog
ReplyDeleteIela
I always use Cornflakes when I make Easter Nests, though I must say that Shredded Wheat looks more nest like. Have a lovely Easter weekend, the sun's shining here today.
ReplyDeleteGosh I've missed such a lot since I last popped by. I've just caught up with a few posts - you've been busy! Loving those painted eggs with flowers in, they look lovely and springy. Bella's unicorn make made me smile. As a teacher I see the parents faces when the children go out of school with the most amazing imaginative creations. Some are full of interest and sadly some sigh and mutter about recycling bags. I love that they're so confident they truly believe they can create anything.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter Happy family
Ellie
x
Oh my
ReplyDeleteyour eggs and nest are so yummy
I would so totally do what that kid did with the ladle
of course when no one is looking.
Gillian,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a manic run up to Easter for you and your family!
M&S rocks in my humble opinion ;)
Leanne xx
That bird picture is stunning. I have a little birdwatcher who would love one, I'm adding it to his birthday list. I think we will be making some sort of chocolate nest with mini eggs in it too, and doing Easter egg trails around the house. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteLovely Easter post. I am glad your enjoying the run up to Easter. Have a lovely break. Xxx
ReplyDeleteThose nests are darling.
ReplyDelete