Spring has arrived and with it, one of my most favorite holidays of the year: Easter. In addition to its religious significance, for me, Easter has always been a time when the family gathers together in celebration. As a child, after church, we would join with aunts, uncles and cousins at Grandma’s house, where we would be the subject of Pa’s endless videotaping and photographing of our coordinating Easter outfits (Yes, Dad even joined in on the coordinating theme, whether it was a denim or a plaid.) We would then enjoy a delicious meal topped off by dessert – which often included my Aunt Jack’s famous coconut lamb cake.
While living my single life in Miami, my aunt and uncle were close by, helping continue the traditions established in Cleveland many years earlier. We’d head off to church, then return home for a leisurely afternoon of eating, talking and searching for our baskets (Even in my 20s and 30s, they would still hide a basket for me on Easter morning.)
Now, married and with children, Easter traditions continue to be my favorite. The kids are excited about the arrival of the Easter Bunny, wondering how much chocolate they will receive. The girls are excitedly planning which pretty dress they’ll wear to church, and I’m readying to bake several loaves of my Grandma’s famous Easter bread – a Czech tradition.
This spring, we have been lucky enough to watch new life emerge. Several weeks back, I spotted a hummingbird continually returning to the tree directly outside our kitchen window. When I finally took the time to see what was up, there she was, sitting on her nest. When she flew away, I spotted two jelly-bean sized eggs inside.
The family has been glued to the window, watching one of the eggs hatch, and mama hummingbird tend to her little one. As I write this, mom is spending less time sitting on the nest, as the baby is filling out – occasionally fluttering here wings as she readies to set out on her own. It is truly a wonder to watch, just two feet on the other side of our window, and reminds us of all the wonders of life that the season brings.
Spring – and Easter – has always been a time to reconnect with friends and family, and emerge from a cold, wet and dark winter. What better time than to celebrate with some food.
Our spring table has been graced with some of the delicious spring vegetables – from endive and spring onions, to asparagus and avocado – all brought to us from our CSA box. Eating with the season has given us a wonderful perspective of all the ‘new life’ that comes with the weather changes.
Here are a few of our favorite seasonal recipes:
Grandma’s Bohemian-Czech Easter Bread
