It hardly seems possible that 40 days have passed since Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. Now it is Easter and the time to celebrate our risen Christ. Take a little time to reflect on some of those sacrifices you may have made and hopefully they have made you a better person.
Putting aside the religious implications of Easter, I like to think about all those other goodies that remind me of the holiday. First there are the Peeps marshmallows. I just love those little bunches of colored sugar, but if you were to ask my kids their favorite candy at Easter, it would be the peanut butter eggs. Then I so look forward to the pickled eggs and ham.
In West Virginia, it is still a little too cold to have fresh flowers blooming but I love to get the beautiful pink, yellow and purple bouquets. The earth seems to be bursting with new life. It reminds us that no matter what age we are and what events have happened, we must make ourselves adjust to the new life happening around us.
Now I know that you are wondering why I have not spoken about Easter bread. But I saved the best ‘til last. I know that many of you have been eating this Easter delicacy for several weeks. I try to hold off until Good Friday when my fast will allow me to have a couple of slices toasted. But if I were to tell the truth, I just might sneak a bite or two prior to that. You just cannot bake it without taking a taste of it hot and slathered with butter.
Although Easter bread is a family custom to our family, it is not that big gathering that takes place at Christmas. It does not take as many hands to turn out a mess of Easter bread. If I live to be a hundred, and I am on my way there, I will always comment that the Guzzi ladies made the best Easter bread I have ever eaten. I do not know what their secret was, but it was the best.
Several years ago, at our cousins’ Christmas party, my daughter, Lisa, sat my sisters Cathy and Joann down along with me and presented us with a Christmas present. Inside the box was a cutting board and engraved on the board was my mother’s Easter bread recipe in her own hand writing. The minute I saw the first word I knew it was mom’s. You know that is something you do not forget: your mother’s handwriting. The recipe has not changed but to look over it while enjoying a slice of Easter bread just brings back a lot of memories of Easter and my mom.
I will inform you that you can get these boards made at About You Monograms in Bridgeport, but it takes about two weeks. What a wonderful way to preserve a memory.
Well a little update on the eye; after five surgeries it seems to have taken. I do not think that my sight has been affected, but time will tell.
My condolences to the Spatafore family on the passing of Bill. May he now rest in peace.
This past week the Chamber of Commerce had two really nice events. If you are a member,be sure to make plans to attend their next event; if you are not a member, them inquire about joining.
Happy Easter, Happy spring, stay healthy and safe and until next week “Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine.”
