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.

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. 

EASTER CONFECTIONS

While I was in Philadelphia for the weekend already for the No Kings Day, Sunday was spent visiting a few favorite spots in the city while I was there. How could I pass up a chance at Easter then to not visit Shane's Confectionery? What can be said about this little jewel of the city, in the heart of Old Town? It is very charming and like a step back in time when candy was a luxury treat to get in a candy shop. The shop had all kinds of Easter confections from hundreds of Easter bunnies, jellybeans, clear toy candies, chocolate and sugar eggs and other sweet treats. I could hear my pants expand just looking at the cases of sweets. The store itself is charming and unchanged for years, with wrought iron cases and chandeliers that gas once lit, now electric. Still the shop looks like last century. And this isn't the Candy Shop your thinking!!! Shane's Confectionery is the oldest, continuously running confectionery in the US, established in 1862 I believe. The Shane family took over the business in 1911 till 2010 when the Berley Brothers who own the Franklin Fountain and Ice Cream shop took over. Candies and house specialties are still highly guarded and made right on site, with emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. I got a few things for the Easter basket. If you get to Philly put this place on your list!

Eye candy looking at candy!!!

Another stop was the art museum.... and got a wonderful snap of city hall looking up from Ben Franklin Parkway at dusk before departing the city.

EASTER AWAKENING

 

Never yet was a spring-time,

Late through lingered the snow,

That the sap stirred not at the whisper

Of the south wind, sweet and low;

Never yet was a spring-time,

Come, when the buds forgot to blow.

Even the wings of the summer

Are folded under the mould:

Life, that has known no dying,

Is Love's, to have and to hold.

Till sudden, the bourgeoning Easter!

The song of the green, the pink and the gold. 

-Margaret Elizabth Munson Sangster

A celebration for spring, renewal and nature for us at the Casa du Borghese. Our morning started with hot crossed buns, and we even enjoyed it outside with coffee for our pew. On tap, a lamb roast, with a lemon, rosemary and feta sauce, ginger and honey glazed parsnips and red potatoes, beets and asparaguy! Pear martinis on tap for happy hour.  All with the Lad and mother's nieces and one cousin. The Dame came through with a lovely bounty of flowers to grace the table. All told a lovely day so far.

A Happy Easter and a Joyous Spring to all.

🐇🐣🐇

FROM THE CANDY SHOP

 

This week in the Candy Shop are some very fine Easter Bunnies, to, huh, spread joy and sweetness to the holiday!!! Had they looked like this, I may not have been so petrified to sit on the Easter Bunnies lap!!! These are the work of New York/New Jersey photographer Thomas Synnamon who combines his art of photography and his dabbles in AI, for a unique work. Who want to help get them out of that suit???