Easter Joys

Ready or not, Easter is this Sunday! Having an April babe, I remember being very pregnant around this time last year. As Easter approaches again this year, I'm finding that I still have the sweetest memories of bringing our new baby home to all of our cheery Easter decor, Benjamin finding eggs with his adorable cloth Pottery Barn Kids Downeast Outfitters Easter basket, blowing bubbles, wearing preppy stripes and plaids, and the smell of spring in the air...oh, how I love spring! 


I had been wanting to create something with Grant's hand or feet prints ever since last Christmas when I pulled out a plate we had created a couple of years ago with Benjamin's hand prints as reindeer antlers. But, with the pottery studio Color Me Mine (I used to work there!) being so far away (locations in Ogden and SLC), I didn't have a chance during the busy holiday season. So, a couple of weeks ago I came up with this idea to do with his feet prints, I mean, bunny ears. 
  

I simply painted the bottoms of our 11 month old's feet with a paintbrush, then had my parents hold him upright so that I could stamp the ceramic plate with them. I then created the bunny face using their paint pens. I like that it looks like the bunny is both smiling and winking! ;)

I also personalized the back with his name, date, and age and gifted to all the grandparents.

Of course we had to keep one too. 

We're keeping the rest of our Easter plans pretty simple by going to church, then back here for brunch with my side of the family. I've had fun picking out outfits for the boys and as I've said before, H&M is where to go for the kiddos! Here's some pics of some of the cute spring things they're carrying right now for boys...

 

Now to round out this post (I think a little on decorating, fashion, and eating makes for a good read), here's a yummy and super easy quiche recipe perfect for Easter brunch! Btw- I came across this recipe in a Smiths marketplace ad. Turns out they have quite a few good recipes...click here for more, as well as here for a cute and festive Easter treat, and here for an article on Easter Foods and Their Meanings. I also just came across this how-to for bunny napkin folding!


Hash Brown Potato Quiche
3 cups frozen hash brown potatoes
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 cup cooked ham, chopped (I used Morningstar Vegetarian Bacon)
1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 cup bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
1 jalapeno chili finely chopped (optional, I omitted and thought it still tasted great!)
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper


Preheat oven to 425. Pat the frozen potatoes over the bottom and up the sides of an ungreased 9" pie plate. Drizzle the butter over the potatoes, and pat them securely into place. Bake for 25 min. Reduce oven temp. to 350.


Next, layer the ham/bacon, cheese, bell pepper, onion and jalapeno chili over the baked crust. Whisk the eggs, milk, salt and pepper in a bowl until blended and pour over the prepared layers. Bake for 25 min. or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Serves 8.