easter 2012

first off, yes - the easter balloon arrived as it does each year. a few days early, actually, leading one to believe that the easter bunny was intending to be busy on the actual holiday - or perhaps out of town.  regardless, the balloon became easter sunday decor and the attached carrots were beribboned and hung as a front door ornament. the little girl was present for all of this and was quite taken with the tradition.

speaking of tradition, i am not one to deviate from long-standing holiday menus. easter is always ham, my mother's delmonico potatoes (aka "cheese potatoes"), asparagus and dessert is always strawberry shortcake on warm buttermilk biscuits. but this year, the little girl requested chocolate cake. with candy eggs on top, a chocolate bunny, and a big strawberry. i can't help but wonder if a new tradition may be in the making.