MOOD BOARD

Another Easter has come and gone, and the dinner last night went successful. I dare say the best I ever made. with no leftovers but some lamb. A dinner of roasted lamb with thyme and rosemary with a feta sauce.... with all the veggies dishes along with it since three of my cousins are vegetarians. The honey glazed parsnips were particularly a favorite. Thank heavens I had the foresight to take today off...I'm exhausted, just a few more days till the family return to their respective corners of the US along with the Lad. Hosting is tiring children! Our magnolias here are in full swing and star of the show currently, and I learned a few interesting facts that I never knew before, like magnolia trees date back to the age of the dinosaurs, with fossils showing they first evolved roughly 95 to 100 million years ago. They are considered "living fossils" and are among the earliest known flowering plants. The trees existed alongside dinosaurs, and their structure has remained largely unchanged for millions of years and now considered the oldest flowering species in existence. I also learned that pollination is done not by bees, but beetles! Because they evolved before bees, magnolia developed thick waxy petals to withstand pollination by beetles, which was needed to protect the flower from the insects' mandibles. 

Facts use them as you wish.

And my Easter message to the President!!!

Happy Monday All on this sunny morning.

EASTER SUNDAY

In and around the Casa du Borghese this Easter weekend. The above is in the park across from the Casa du Borghese. A lovely promenade had...and the beginning of what looks like a promising spring season in the gardens, along with a few touches of Easter finery. Now on to getting the lamb dinner started. It's been a wonderful weekend so far all told.

Happy Easter...and enjoy the delights of Spring.

FROM THE CANDY SHOP

A sweet little confection in the Candy Shop today! Might even fit in a Easter Basket or a bed! Ryan Cooper is a insta boy, but has launched his own personal coaching business called Cooper Fit where he encourages and educated from a distance. I'm drawn this hotness, but he gives me a slightly naughty bad boy vibe I like, and he clearly doesn't mind being a little or a lot revealing! Who need a creme filled Cadbury egg when Mr. Cooper is in the room???

GOOD FRIDAY....

...and Hot Cross Buns!

I'm not a religious person, but every Friday is a good Friday in my book! It's the end of another week and the weekend is coming, a nice long one too. But yes, today is indeed Good Friday and for me that means my first Hot Crossed Bun! I made two batches last night for the forthcoming family were getting. Hot cross buns are a spiced, often fruit filled sweet buns marked with a cross, traditional eaten on Good Friday to mark the end of Lent in Christian tradition, The cross symbolizes the crucifixion of Jesus, while the spices represent those used during his burial. They are a beloved Easter symbol of faith and renewal and to the forth coming spring. My grandmother and aunt made them every year, so I keep the tradition going, I guess. I think I read they originated from 12 century monks and it was believed that buns baked on Good Friday would never go moldy and possess healing and prospective powers. Who knows but go to a market or farm stand in PA and I bet you'll see tons of these buns. I use my aunt recipe, a pretty much run of the mill recipe found online, but we add in dried raisins, cherries and dates and almonds, along with nutmeg and a pinch of cinnamon. I had two today!

Of course, many also think of my other hot crossed buns, but they are served to my special friends! Just because it's Good Friday you didn't expect me to behave, did you? I'm always cheeky.