Easter Joy!

“Twas Easter-Sunday.  The full-blossomed trees filled all the air with fragrance and with joy.” ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Good morning, everyone! I hope wherever you may be, this finds you enjoying this most beautiful of seasons, and that you have plans for a lovely, peaceful Easter Sunday.

I don’t know about you, but Easter has rather crept up on me this year.  I am going to blame it on the weather.  Until just the past few days it has been quite cold, and there isn’t much blooming, with the exception of a few daffodils.  However, if  you also feel like you may have a few loose ends,  are scurrying about with regard to plans for your Easter table, or wondering what to give as a token of love and appreciation for someone special ~ take heart.  I am sending along a few ideas. All of which can be quickly arranged, easily transported, and materials are readily available at garden centers this time of year. 

 

First, and a favorite are: Sweet Tete~a~Tete daffodils. They are a miniature daffodil, an early season bloomer, are perfect for an Easter table, or to take as a small gift.  They are most always available in small pots at garden centers and grocery stores.  They can easily be placed in a grapevine nest or basket. Afterwards, they can be planted in the garden ~ spring blooms for years to come. 

Don’t you love this grapevine centerpiece?  It is simply a woven basket, filled with any  gorgeousness of your choice, and placed in the middle of a grapevine wreath.  It doesn’t get much easier than that.

Here is another example of the same type centerpiece.  It is filled with a cute bunny, greens, and a nest of eggs.  The possibilities of this type of arrangement are never-ending.

Another of my favorites for an Easter table are pansies.  I enjoy seeing a fairly large container of them for the center of the table and a small cup or mug at each place setting.  Because they come in such a wide variety of colors, they are easily paired with almost any color scheme.

Now that you have a few easy ideas for dressing your table, I am sending a tried and true dessert recipe.  I really can’t tell you why, but I associate coconut with spring. Although, in the deep south, a coconut cake is often served at Christmas.  But, really this recipe is great anytime of the year.  It is an elegant~looking cake (4 layers), but so easy to prepare.  It is a perfect choice for any special occasion, especially if you are making last minute plans.

Fresh Coconut Cake

1 Box Duncan Hines Butter Recipe Golden Cake Mix

2 packages fresh frozen coconut

1 cup sugar

1 and 1/2 cups sour cream

1~9oz. container cool whip

Directions:

Prepare the cake according to package directions.  Bake in 2 layers.  Let the layers completely cool.  Slice each one, making 4 layers.

Filling and Frosting:

Thaw coconut completely.  Reserve 1/2 of 1 package to use on top of the cake.  Add sugar to sour cream and mix well, then add coconut and mix again.  Place 1st layer on serving plate.  Add a layer of filling and a layer of cool whip.  Repeat with 2 more layers.  On the top layer – use cool whip only.  Spread remaining coconut(not mixed with sour cream and sugar) on top of cool whip. Cover cake well and refrigerate over-night before cutting and serving.  Enjoy! 

CLOSING THOUGHTS

“I think of the garden after the rain;  And hope to my heart comes singing, at morn the cherry-blooms will be white, and the Easter bells be ringing !” ~ Edna Dean Proctor,Easter Bells

“For I remember it is Easter Morn, and Life and Love and Peace are all New Born.” ~ Alice Freeman Palmer

 

Wishing you and all those you love, a glorious Easter weekend !

 

Many Blessings,

Sandra

 

Photos:  Martha Stewart.com, Pinterest and Facebook

 

 

 

8 thoughts on “Easter Joy!

  1. Beautiful images for the beautiful season and my favorite – spring. I did notice on our walk yesterday (warmer temps) that hyacinths as well as tulips throughout the neighborhood, and my JPM rhododendrons are in bloom. But you’re, right, it’s been such a cold and wet spring so far, it seems it will never come to its finest potential.
    Happy Easter, Sandra.

    1. Rita, spring is my favorite season also and this one is clearly taking it’s time to arrive. Thanks so much for your visit and wishing you and yours a lovely Easter !

  2. Another lovely post, Sandra. Beautiful photos, and that coconut layer cake, oh my, I’ll have to be trying that one day soon. I hope I’ll find the fresh frozen coconut around here, not familiar with it. Many wishes for a blessed Easter weekend. Brenda xox

    1. Brenda, thanks so much for your visit and kind comments. I find the fresh frozen coconut in the freezer section with the frozen berries. Not all of our stores carry it, but it is always with the frozen berries. If you like coconut you will love the cake.
      Wishing you and yours a beautiful Easter !

    1. Laura, thank you so much for your visit. I hope you enjoyed your time with me. Linking to the Spring and Easter Joys party was a first for me – hope I did everything correctly.

      Wishing you and yours a lovely Easter and do come again !

  3. Sandra, what a beautiful post. Daffodils and pansies are definitely perfect for tables or gift giving! The coconut cake recipe is similar to one I bake. It was a gorgeous Saturday with temps in the low 70’s, perfect for outside activities! Happy Easter!

    1. Pam, so happy for your visit. I do imagine spring is in all her glory in your area. We have rain today and snow on the way for tonight.
      Wishing you and your family a most beautiful Easter !

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