DEBORAH CROMBIE: Happy Easter to those who celebrate today from all of us at Jungle Red!
I imagine we are all celebrating the coming of spring, even if some of us are only seeing tantalizing hints. We are burgeoning here (such a good word!) The trees are cloaked in green, the Japanese maples are blazing red, and the roses are in their spring full flush. It is glorious!
Unfortunately, this means that the tree pollen is also burgeoning, and that is not nearly as pleasant. At the moment, it's elm pollen, although the pecan will be joining it any day now. Everything around our house is covered in a film of green powder. The birdbath, pond and patio fountain are all scummy and filled with tiny elm seeds. A few minutes outside enjoying the roses means sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes. Apparently the DFW area is way up there on the "increasing allergies" list. I certainly don't remember such an onslaught when I was a child.
It's also mad planting time here, as we try to get things in pots and in the ground so that they can get started before it gets too hot. I brought back some beautiful bougainvilleas from our trip to Round Top. I've never seen that deep orange or the gold before and am looking forward to getting them in hanging baskets on our deck.
Happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteSometime this week we will be planting, too . . . we have roses, tulips, daffodils, and herbs for the herb garden . . . .
What are we eating? Lamb, asparagus, potatoes, Easter egg bread, and Crème Brûlée . . .
Yum, Joan! That all sounds delish!
DeleteEating turkey this year. A little different. But very good. Reading and relaxing the afternoon away!
ReplyDeleteReading and relaxing sounds like the perfect plan, Anon!
DeleteHappy Easter! I love all your flowers.
ReplyDeleteI always host Easter lunch. A few close friends will be here, and my goddaughter comes with her three littles, who are like cousins to Ida Rose. She and I dyed eggs yesterday, another Grammy first. I'm about to poach a five-pound slab of salmon, and the flourless chocolate cake is all ready. I steam asparagus and serve it with a vinaigrette, and guest are bringing vegetables and rice pilaf (we have one gluten-free person and one in the middle of Passover). One of my favorite holidays, except it's supposed to be cold and drizzly all day, so chaos will reign with an indoor egg hunt!
Nothing I would love more than poached salmon, Edith! Enjoy your day!
DeleteHappy Easter! I still marvel at the early greening up and blooming of things here in Florida as compared to Minnesota.It is my second Spring here. I used to go on trips to the nurseries for flowers with friends every year up there and we dared not go until mid- May. We are going to have to replace some things in our landscape beds that didn’t make it through all the freezes we had this winter.
ReplyDeleteChurch this morning, but not the Sunrise service. Having some neighbors over for a mid-day Easter dinner. Then pickleball this evening.
Yes, it must be quite and adjustment for you, Brenda. I envy you being able to over-winter bougainvillea where you are. It can stand up to a light freeze but not the winters we have here in north Texas.
DeleteHappy Easter, my friends. We are in the middle of Passover and I have done the minimal prep and observance but there are still several matzo days left. Enjoy your family and friends celebrations!
ReplyDeleteI made a casserole with matzoh and vegetables last night so my daughter-in-law could dine!
DeleteSometime, I would like to try a proper Matzo ball soup. One of my son's friends mother who lives in Israel sent me her 'easy' recipe, which I tried, and obviously messed up as it was awful. So I wait with great anticipation for someone who knows how to do it properly to make it for me.
DeleteOver the years we've had homemade matzo ball soup but surprisingly the Manischewitz matzo balls are still the family favorite. But, like you I would like to find a recipe that turns out.
DeleteSame to you, dear Judy!
DeleteI am happy to discuss Matzo Balls with any of you, any time! If you can make a delicious chicken soup that your family already enjoys, the matzo balls are easy enough to add. If you need to talk about chicken soup, we can do that, too. Drop me a note here, and we'll find a venue to discuss the balls;-)
DeleteJudy, my first question is can you buy good premade matzo balls. I think they were my problem, not the soup. Just too bland/icky for my taste. I can make a good chicken soup. You might need to note, that there is no longer a large Jewish community around here, so maybe not available. I am not sure the Temple is even active any more - sad to say.
DeleteHappy Easter to those who celebrate.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter, Dru Ann!
DeleteAll those gorgeous flowers Debs! Happy Easter, Happy Passover, happy Spring to every Red! We are going out to brunch this year, and looking forward to it!
ReplyDeleteOh, fun, Lucy! We had gone out to brunch the last couple of years but decided we'd rather do our own thing this year. Are you going anywhere we'd know?
DeleteI envy all your pretty roses! Yesterday in Cincinnati it was 80 degrees; this morning it's 42, with low thirties in the next few days. Our frost date is May 15th, but I usually cheat a week early.
ReplyDeleteShrimp for dinner and pineapple upside-down cake.
After last week's warm, windy, and muggy weather, we had a cold front yesterday that dropped about 4 inches of rain--and hopefully washed away some of the pollen! On this beautiful crisp Easter morning it is 45 degrees with an expected high of 70. It will be cooler all week but no freezes, thank goodness.
DeleteHappy Easter to all, celebrants and not. After all, any excuse for good food is a good excuse, if you ask me. Debs, you line-up with my son in Nanaimo who yesterday sent me a photo of his rhubarb sprouting – Blechhhh to most annoying you! (Your plants in the back seat look beautiful). Our daffodils are still under a sheet of freezing rain – not the stuff I tried to trade you earlier in the week, but another downfall. More is promised for tomorrow – hooray???
ReplyDeleteIt did/does mean that there is no one here for today’s meal, which started out as a ham (I bought one), then a turkey (I bought one), then decided we need a smaller bit of ham for Saturday night as I was serving the turkey today so I would save the big ham, and there would only be six on Saturday with the hot cross buns… Anyway…
Freezing rain on both travel days (5 hrs on the road each way), and one person in the car getting over flu, meant the visit was cancelled. Notes were sent off to Monsiuer le Lapin to ensure that he reset his GPS, and delivered all chocolate to Halifax. (Hope he didn’t poop on the floor – somehow, he always had an accident when our kids were little, and one of the cats scared the jujubes right out of him!)
So, for the two of us, the menu will be the lesser sized ham, a new recipe for scalloped potato/cauliflower casserole, and maybe sweet potatoes – I bought them for the turkey. I have just reviewed two new dessert recipes (found them this morning when I am starving and they look good). One is for a chocolate éclair in a pan (mmm chocolate and another mmm custard) and the other is a lemon cream cheese shortbread dessert – (mmm lemon). I may have to up my Ozempic! (diabetes- forget about the weight loss).
For anyone who attends church, enjoy the music. For me Easter has some of the most glorious hymns.
Margo, we have freezing rain today also, turning to snow tonight. I've been playing Easter hymns from my computer. I'm sorry your plans have had to be canceled. It's just my husband and me here, too. We are having ham (it's nearly 11 lbs but I freeze all leftovers) and mashed potatoes (soon to start peeling) and peas. Joy of the season to you! (Selden)
DeleteMargo, so sorry the weather spoiled your plans. Hopefully you can reconvene a bit later in the spring.
DeleteMargo your food sounds delicious!!
DeleteI am sorry to hear about spoiled plans for family holidays. I hope you all get to see your loved ones very soon.
DeleteSelden, I hope it is one of your lambs/sheep. I have memories of Eunice - first lamber, prolapsed uterus, we kept her over and she was hoggett. The best meat we ever had! (sorry for the squeamish amongst you - farmer thing!) Oops, just reread - you are having ham! Lamb would have been good...
DeleteMargo, I adore lamb but our local (two-hour drive) slaughterhouse no longer takes sheep. Only beef, pork, and venison. So I no longer get lamb. I have slaughtered and butchered a zillion chickens and turkeys but have never slaughtered a mammal. When I do have a lamb die at birth, or I put down an old ewe (a friend with a .22), I carry them into the woods far from the barn for the coyotes. In a day or two there will be nothing left but a wisp of wool. (Selden)
Deletep.s. I sell all my lambs to breeders. (Selden)
DeleteWe made reservations for brunch at a restaurant in Plymouth Harbor and looking forward to it. Returning home for coffee, Easter cake and relaxation in the afternoon. Happy Easter, Passover and Spring to all who celebrate! Your beautiful bougainvilleas are so colorful, Deborah, although I don't envy your pollen season. That green stuff arrives in June for us. HAPPY EASTER TO YOU AND YOURS
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter, Evelyn!
DeleteGorgeous! (No one wants to see my backyard.)
ReplyDeleteEarly April here in northern Ohio is always hopeful after the winter cold--the leaves peep out on trees, the understory greens up in the woods, early-flowering trees blossom! But nothing yet as colorful as your flowers, Deborah! Gorgeous pops of color and I can almost smell those roses from here :-)
ReplyDeleteWishing a very happy day to all who celebrate this season in whatever form! We'll be gathering at my older sister's this afternoon--a bittersweet day for us all as it is our younger sister's birthday as well. She was gone much too soon and sudden early February. She would have brought something decadent, preferably chocolate, for dessert and much much laughter.
Sending hugs, Flora. Holidays after losing a beloved family member are hard.
DeleteThank you, Karen, all hugs welcome.
DeleteSending hugs, Flora. You and your family will be in our thoughts. XX
DeleteFlora, sending hugs and love to you and your family. My son’s father-in-law’s birthday is this weekend. He died suddenly in 2020, three days before we went into lockdown. His children are spending the day together. ♥️ — Pat S
DeleteThank you, Deborah and Pat S. My oldest nephew and his wife brought their pooch, 10-year-old Dobby with them. Her antics put a smile on everyone's face today.
DeleteHappy spring! Happy Easter! Blessed Pesach! It's a beautiful, slightly chilly day here in Cincinnati, perfect for Steve and my daughter and son-in-law to move Zak into his own, first apartment. Red letter day.
ReplyDeleteAfter the movers are all done (I have come too far in my PT to chance anything so rash), everyone but Zak, who has to work this afternoon at his restaurant job, will come here for dinner. We have had asparagus growing in the garden for less than a week, and there's enough for a meal for four. Accompanying that delicacy will be Chicken Provencal, from a recipe Ann Mason shared with me. Using fresh tarragon from my garden.
Debs, we have a Paris Baguette here, it is right across the parking lot from where my grandson has been living. I suspect my daughter, who is providing dessert, will get it from there. Their stuff is SO good.
That gold bougainvillea is really unusual! In Nairobi there are bougainvillea everywhere, some as big as two-story buildings, and we have been lucky enough to be there when they were in glorious bloom. Very like the rhododendrons of the Pacific Northwest. But as many different colors as I have seen, no gold.
The day after we got back from Nice in January a local Paris Baguette opened so my husband was able to keep doing morning baguette runs.
DeleteWe used to have several true European bakeries in Cincinnati, with lovely pastries. One is still going, but they no longer sell the real thing. PB is a welcome addition to our choices.
DeleteKaren, is that chicken recipe from the NYTimes? I think I saw it. Yum. Congrats to Zak! Such an exciting time of life for him!
DeleteI so wish we could over-winter the bougainvilleas--I love them so much. I had a croissant and coffee from the new Paris Baguette the other day so am looking forward to trying the carrot cake!
Happy Easter!
Yes. It sounds delicious.
DeleteKaren
April 5th is also the International Day of Conscience, established by the U.N. six years ago to emphasize the important role of personal conscience in the quest for global; peace. The past year has been a scary one for anyone with even a modicum of moral fiber. May we take this time -- as well as the holiest day on the Christian calendar -- for reflection and for voicing our values in the hope that our children and our children's children will be able to live in an era of peace, harmony, and universal respect.
ReplyDeleteJerry, thank you for sharing. I learned something new today.
DeleteThank you, Jerry. I'd like to think that these two days coinciding might bring a cosmic rumble of change...
DeleteHappy Easter to all who celebrate. On this dark, windy, and rainy day here in the mountains, I have been listening to that most joyous hymn, "Jesus Christ is Risen Today," on repeat. Winter is in retreat here -- all our snow cover has ebbed -- but we had flurries yesterday and are due for more tonight, tomorrow, Tuesday (high of 26°F, low of 10°), and Thursday. We often have snow flying in mid-May so I try to be patient. It's only an aggravation because the minute the flurries stop, the blackflies move in. (Selden)
ReplyDeleteSelden, our plague is mosquitoes, and I'm surprised we haven't seen any yet. Oops, I probably shouldn't have jinxed us...
DeleteSelden - I agree it is a most joyous hymn. It was always the introit to the Easter service, and although I no longer attend service, it does for me signify all that is Easter.
DeleteSo wonderful to hear from you all! Happiest of everything… It is very cold and windy here, the ducks are on the pool, and we are making a rack of lamb. The tulips are just about coming up, leaves only, so we have a while until there are flowers here. So much love to you all!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to photos of your glorious tulips, Hank, whenever that may be. Ours are finished here, I think. Not that we have any in our garden, because tulip bulbs make the best squirrel snacks...
DeleteHank, did Flo & Eddy ever show up?
DeleteKaren
They did! YAAY! WIth much drama, as they brought "friends" who are not actually very friendly, and we have duck fights from time to time. I try not to get involved, since it's nature, but the desire for territoriality and the arrival of the mating season seem to have clashed this year. Crossing fingers things settle down. But at least they are here! Whew.
DeleteAnd oh, Debs, we put netting over the planted tulip bulbs, and the squirrels just stood there and laughed at the stupid humans before they chewed right through it. And yesterday I saw a chipmunk just wriggle underneath the edge of the netting like it was a cozy blanket, and dig away. We shall see what survives.
DeleteHappy Easter, Debs! I love your gorgeous photos, especially that cake and the flowers. In Nordic countries, they celebrate Easter with Easter crime books, meaning they read crime novels during the Easter Holidays. This year I noticed Royal Maundy Thursday was the day before Good Friday. Since hot cross buns are eaten once a year on Good Friday, I decided to celebrate by eating a hot cross bun, which was yummy. Looks like we will have sunny weather later today on Easter.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter to all who celebrate.
Diana, it seems the Nordic countries celebrate everything with reading crime books. Maybe this is why there generally peaceful nations?
DeleteHot cross buns on Good Friday are hugely popular in the UK. Every bakery and pastry shop will have them. Yum. Happy Easter, Diana!
Happy Easter to those who celebrate and Happy Passover to those who are in the middle of that wonderful festive season. Thanks for the pictures Deb! Everything's blooming here and there are always more weeds to pull.
ReplyDeleteI'm exhausted and happy after going through Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil last night with my church community. I'm part of the Immigrant Welcoming Congregation team and we hosted the Easter Vigil after party last night. We "sponsored" empanadas made by our Venezuelan family and had Andean music from Tito and his group. Add brightly colored table cloths and tissue paper flowers and you have dancing and fellowship. The other tradition that keeps me staying up past my bedtime for the Vigil is our after-communion hymn. We sing I am the Bread of Life, and at the chorus we raise our hands in the air and hold hands with our neighbors, reaching across the aisles. I'm told the tradition started in 1986 at the funeral of one of the young people who died in the Mt. Hood climbing tragedy. Although it's pretty un-Episcopalian, it feels like a way of connecting more deeply with each other.
Today it's more church (Portland Brass Quintet provides music on Easter morning) and then a family celebration with ham and potatoes and good conversation.
Love to all the JRW community in this season of new life!
What lovely Holy Week celebrations, Gillian. I love the Maundy Thursday service but have lapsed a bit in my attendance the last few years. Is yours sung? So moving. Happy Easter to you and your family!
DeleteYes, ours is sung (and our choir is amazing!) I love the stripping of the altar and sitting in the darkness at the end, as you said, so moving.
DeletePS.. Jackie and Shadow have one little eaglet who will probably eggzit its shell today....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE
ReplyDeleteYay! So happy for the second clutch.
DeleteWill take a look at Jackie and Shadow. Meanwhile in Big Bear, CA another eagle couple have little eaglets https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWmsMbmD0A1/
DeleteOh dear mea culpa!! When I watched the news about the eagles - I thought they said their names were something else. But, they are Jackie and Shadow. Same proud mom and pop.
DeleteNow watching Jackie and Shadow! Thanks, Gillian!
DeleteJust a couple miles from our house, along the Ohio River, Bonnie & Clyde are watching over three eggs, in turn observed by the Eagle Camera – Cardinal Land Conservancy https://share.google/bYj9Kw8qK6KQbMsxO
DeleteIf you go to 8:06 this morning on the Big Bear Eagle Cam 1, you can see the little bobble head completely out of the shell now. So precious!
DeleteLove all the eagle cams! Also I am keeping up the live camera feed from Artemis II.
DeleteThe photos from the Artemis II are amazing. I can't believe the size of the capsule but looks like they are doing just fine in cramped quarters - of course they've trained for that.
DeleteHappily all of the Midwest pollen hasn’t triggered allergies so I’m planing to get out on a trail today and enjoy all of the green.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy, Lisa!
DeleteSo you are not Lisa in Long Beach today? You are really Lisa Somewhere in the Midwest, avoiding pollen? 😁 — Pat S
DeleteYou caught me, Pat S! I have been moving around so much the last week that I thought it might be too confusing. I think I updated once to Lisa in London when I was Heathrow. Since then I have been in San Jose and Indianapolis for basketball and Arkansas for family. I will be returning to Lisa in Nice in a few days.
DeleteDebs your yard is beautiful despite the tree pollen!! I love your bougainvillea - so many bright colors.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter to everyone, and happy Passover.
Happy Easter, Anon!
DeleteFrom Celia:
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter, Happy Passover
On the first day of Passover our activities director set up a Passover afternoon for with all the foods and I found the gefilte fish homemade was delicious. She had also researched the Holliday and had 4 pages of facts. It turned into a fun afternoon with the Jewish participants educating the east if us so Shalom to all.
Devs your garden and baskets look wonderful. I shall do baskets for my daughter fir Mothers Day as I won't be at home.
Happy Easter, Celia!
DeleteHappy Easter, Celia. — Pat S
DeleteDebs, all your flowers are so beautiful. It must feel so relaxing to sit out back and enjoy all your special choices and your work, or it will be when the pollen isn't doing its bit. Today we are taking barbecue, chopped mutton and sliced pork, with potato salad and green beans and chips. We are taking this to my daughter's house. Oh, and the pickles you can only buy at the barbecue place we prefer. Our neighbor is one of the managers at the barbecue restaurant, and he brings us stuff all the time. So nice. He brought us a big pan of ham slices and cheese earlier in the week. Oh, and I'm taking my chocolate cherry cake, which I have to go do the icing for in a few minutes. The chocolate icing recipe I use is so delicious; I don't think it can be beat. I can brag because I got the recipe from someone else. So, we will go eat with my daughter's family and probably play a game or two after we're through stuffing ourselves. I really like the game part. My daughter's three dogs will no doubt be excited for company, but they don't do too much begging. Ashley has taught them well, and they can't eat the barbecue anyway. I have to admit I miss my mother's country ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans (cooked with a dollop of bacon grease), corn pudding, and rolls. Dessert was transparent pie. Oh well, my family likes the barbecue, and my daughter can't get good barbecue where she lives (or so she says), so we bring their favorite.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter to all those who celebrate. It's a beautiful, sunshine-filled, warm day here.
Happy Easter, Kathy! What is "transparent" pie? Our local butcher shop, which also owns two restuarants, has the BEST pickles. We buy a tub every couple of weeks and munch our way through them!
Deletehttps://www.npr.org/2026/04/05/nx-s1-5771772/an-author-and-former-detective-on-norways-easter-tradition-of-reading-crime-fiction
ReplyDeleteI just listened to this story on Weekend Edition Sunday on NPR. Author and former detective Jorn Lier Horst explains that in Norway, Easter is celebrated by reading crime fiction. Right up our alley as mystery/crime fans.
Anon, I heard some of that too. So interesting. He said he had been a homicide detective, but in his area of 500K people, they often only had one homicide a year.
DeleteThat's an amazing stat Gillian.
ReplyDeleteOur daughter and her fam lived in Bergen, Norway for over a year and found Norway to be very safe and had almost no crime.
Your flowers are gorgeous, Debs! I made a lemon poundcake for today but as I'm on deadline and the Hooligans are working it's a quiet day for me and the Hub :) Happy Easter to all who celebrate.
ReplyDeleteHappy Spring, Passover and Easter to all. My husband is working today (Tax Accountant) so I will surprise him with an angel food cake for dessert when he gets home for dinner. Besides the cake, we’re having ham, mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus. And I will be celebrating the Norwegian tradition of reading crime fiction (a book suggested on this blog this week!) which I apparently celebrate every day! Take care, everyone. — Pat S
ReplyDelete