Good Friday, Easter

Good Friday Supper. 
As tradition in our family, we come together on Good Friday and eat the last Lenten meal of the season together.  We pray and we eat.  I believe that those two things, when shared with loved ones, forms a special bond that goes beyond familial ties. I am so grateful for my family but mostly for their true friendship.

"There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship" Thomas Aquinas

 My dad made these crosses which we gave to each family.  In these days when crosses are worn for fashion, the world is desensitized of their true meaning.  We, as Christians, should not stand for it.  The cross is more than a symbol of our faith. More than a relic that is tucked away in a corner of our home. It is our spiritual journey.  It is our redemption.  The ultimate sacrifice. It is from the cross that Divine Mercy is received.  So I hope that my loved ones cherish these crosses as such.

Alright, {insert lightheartedness here}.  Well, what could be more perfect than a gleeful Luc?  He was so excited during prayer, he could not contain himself!

Cari made this special Pane di Pasqua which was so delicious!  Of course, this is an Italian traditional Easter bread but we don't discriminate.  In fact, this may be adopted as a staple in our meal.

My mom made the traditional Capirotada.  A special Good Friday dessert made with toasted (or fried) bolillo (similar to French baguette), which has been soaked in an aromatic syrup made from piloncillo (brown sugar cone), cloves and cinnamon, then layered with dried fruits, nuts and aged cheese, and baked.  I can't even describe how good it is and it's a good thing that I only eat it once a year!

Easter.
We spent Easter at David's and Jeanette's house.  Alexia, who just discovered jelly beans, by the look on her face, she, herself, doesn't want to be discovered.

Of course, David takes his cooking very seriously and always aims to impress and never disappoints. He made a delicious stuffed pork tenderloin.  Wow!

David and dad have a little farming venture going on.  I think one day we will see them at our local farmers market.

Sweet mulberries.

Lot's of things going on here, chili plants, strawberries, asparagus, heirloom tomatoes...by the way, did you know that asparagus take two years to grow? 

This one is a ghost chili plant in honor of my hubby.  Ghost chilis are said to be the hottest chili on earth!

And David has gone a little crazy with the bonsais.  Here are some bonsai redwoods in training. He's got a lot of patience.

This is a mini forest of maples

And in our graduate class, a mature maple and ficus.

I bet you thought I forgot about dessert.  Are you kidding?  We were treated to Demetri's special homemade liege Belgian waffles.  Truly, a treat.  They are truly a treat. 

Speaking of treats, my friend Charles (Jeanette's brother) gifted me this book.  Can't wait to start reading it.  And I thought only kids got gifts on Easter!

Blessings!!
SC
xoxo