So Saturday on my 30 minute break from "un-named retailer" I was dashing from Duane Reade to CVS Pharmacy looking for Easter basket stuffings. OK, so I'm really late in doing this but I found a noticeable absence of baskets and Easter grass. My dismay and confusion were supported by another shopper who said he had been looking all afternoon for Easter grass, but had come up empty handed. He was from Ohio and we wondered if Easter grass was not a thing here or we were simply too late. I guess we won't find out until next year when we shop earlier. Now to find Cam's annual sheep stuffed animal. Being that I only had 30 minutes to complete this feat you will understand that I was glad to find a sheep at all. It cost 99 cents and I don't think the designer and/or manufacturer has ever seen a sheep. The ears were too low and it had no tail, yet it somehow resembled a sheep more than a bunny, so I purchased it. Luckily, the chocolate bunnies (hollow type) were still in stock and I was able to grab several bags of candy wrapped in pastel foil.
Jeff picked up the egg dying kit, but there were no PAAS to be found so he bought a lesser brand. The dyes were un-even in color, the paint stained our hands, and there were no egg wraps. But we did have a clear crayon to write on our eggs and the stickers were fun so we proceeded in good spirits. I fell asleep long before Jeff and the kids, but Jeff being an awesome Dad hid the eggs in our tiny apartment and filled serving plates with candy and novelty toys as only a seasoned Easter Bunny would know how. An hour and half before church Jeff and the girls were out the door. Jeff had early practice for choir and the girls were doing one last flag drill practice for the ceremony. The service was inspired and joyful. There was a puppet show that was Sesame Street quality for the children's sermon, choral singing with the city's best chiming in, and fellowship to rival any Bible belt potluck.
On our way to lunch we walked through Riverside Park and smelled the roses. After spending the last 18 springs in the mountains I have to say that I love experiencing real spring time in April.
After church we ended up at an Italian restaurant for lunch. My kitchen is just too small to make a feast. It just does not invite cooking. To make this point, understand that the oven is too small to accommodate a full sized cookie sheet, In NYC ordering fully catered meals from grocery stores and restaurants is the norm. Even Hoda Kope (Kathy Lee and Hoda, NBC) talked at Thanksgiving about ordering her complete meal from Whole Foods.
Jordan had to go to work down in Soho at Sabon, so Jeff, Cameron, and I headed to Central Park. The park was crowded with locals, tourist, and holiday merry makers. We saw several ladies that must have been a part of the Easter Parade on 5th Avenue with fashionably large hats full of flowers or feathers, accompanied by lovely spring coats and impressingly high heels. No, I did not take any photos.
Every day is still a struggle in month 10 of our adventure here in New York City. Today I am celebrating having the day off with my family, having a home to hide eggs in, and belonging to a church community to celebrate this holy season with.
Of course tomorrow is another day. I never claimed to be a Pollyanna. I'm just trying to be thankful when thanks are due.
You painted a lovely picture of a happy family enjoying the day!
ReplyDeleteHow sweet. Loved the eggs! Will send you the pictures of our painted eggs over the phone. It sounds like a lovely day. With mine almost the same age as yours: 22, 20 and 16, they still ask for Easter to come to the house. Eriana got a giant stuff bear (52") and made baskets for all. Eriana came from Davis and she and Sadie had an egg hunt. Will bring Kendall his basket when we go down to see him in a couple of weeks. Isn't it fun have the kids all grown up and out of the house? Oh wait, they never left!
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