Easter Dinner Planning 101

Life is busy but holidays come regardless, don’t they? A time to relax with family over a shared feast is something we all look forward to enjoying.

Yet, sometimes life does get in the way of grocery shopping for those big feasts.

I had purchased most of the groceries ahead of time but needed to pick up asparagus closer to the date so it’d stay fresh. Our neighbourhood grocery store was closed on Good Friday. Today—Saturday—I was out of town and on Sunday, the grocery store would again be closed. What to do?

While visiting my Mom, she suggested I might find a market selling it. As we made our way to visit more family, I spotted a large blow-up Easter bunny outside a place called Sarah’s Farm Market Plus.  I knew I had spotted produce there in the summertime. It was worth a try!

My hubby parked the car, and he stayed behind in the car with our granddaughter while I entered the store. I was in Heaven! Flowers of all types and in a kaleidoscope of colours, and an assortment of ribbons and unique gifts. I could easily spend an hour in the place, had I not a young one waiting in the car.

However, the only food items I saw in the store were jars of homemade pickles. I felt a little foolish being hopeful I would find asparagus here. A woman about my age with longish dishwater blonde hair approached me.

“Hi! Can I help you? Is there something you’re looking for?”

A little sheepishly, I answered her, “Umm . . . do you have any asparagus?”

Even though I had just met the woman, she crossed that no-touch boundary between strangers. She grabbed both of my shoulders and while laughing, gently shook me, “Listen to what I have to tell you! The ground is still too cold for planting! Everything we sell here is grown locally. You have to come back in June for asparagus!”

I got it. Locally grown meant no homegrown asparagus for Easter dinner. Not to be found here anyways.

I chuckled as I made my way back to the car. That lady sure took her homegrown seriously! Next time, I’d bring my granddaughter into the store to check out all of the flowers. I would be back. I can’t resist flowers.

We noticed a No Frills grocery store along the way. Tender asparagus spears were purchased. There were 20 people in the 1-8 item lane on one of the busiest grocery shopping days of the year. I didn’t care. I had everything I needed for our Easter feast on Sunday.

“Ping!” A text from one of my sisters.  It was a photo of the special pistachio bundt cake she was making for Easter dinner.

 

I told her I had great plans to make a scrumptious dessert, too but kaboshed that idea when I knew I’d be out-of-town the day prior. No time to bake! I sent her two pics of what had tempted me at the grocery store when I was there on Wednesday.

 

Coconut cream pie and key lime cream pies were to be our dessert and I eagerly awaited it.

My sister suggested I add whipped cream and mini eggs to the cream pies for an Easter dessert.

Perfect! I will gussy them up a bit for Easter dessert.

Happy Easter, my friends! Enjoy!