The Good Shepherd’s Garden Party :: Week Two

by | Apr 23, 2012 | Good Shepherd's Garden Party | 6 comments

Welcome to the Lord’s Table

How good a thing it is, how pleasant to behold,
when all God’s people live in peace, like sheep within one fold.
As perfume, by its scent, spreads fragrance all around,
so life itself will sweeter be where unity is found.

This afternoon we had our 2nd Good Shepherd’s Garden Party for this Easter season!   I didn’t put much any planning into this week’s party since my mind had been focused on an extra cranky baby and a certain seven year old’s birthday, and by yesterday I was pretty much wiped out from another crazy week.   Thankfully I knew that this would be a pretty easy week to pull together, with a few modifications to the menu.    When we got home from Mass I took a look in the fridge and decided that this week would be the perfect opportunity to finally dye some Easter Eggs and try and make Italian Easter Bread!

Here are a few pictures from this week’s party:

~ The Table and Chairs ~

After nothing but rain for weeks, the past few days have been GORGEOUS!! I just couldn’t bring myself to set the dining room table for our party. Instead I had the boys pull down the cushions and set up our “table and chairs” on the front porch. We were going to finally eat outside!

~ More Chairs ~

In the meantime, I had Snuggles and the girls pull a couple barstools chairs over to the island to dye some Easter Eggs.  I had remembered pinning an idea for using Muffin Tins to dye Easter Eggs, so we gave it a try…  What a pain!!!  We had to keep turning the eggs, to get them in the dye, and there really isn’t enough room for much dye {PLUS AN EGG} in each tin.   Next time I will buy a Jumbo Muffin Tin just use cups! 

~ The Bread ~

As I mentioned above, this year we made Italian Easter Bread!  It ended up being much easier to make than I expected and turned out beautifully! It bakes up incredibly soft and sweet, and reminded my children of the Portuguese sweet rolls they enjoy at our local St. Anthony’s Festa each year. We will be making these again, for sure!


Didn’t they turn out pretty?!?! 

~ The Honey ~ 
Delicious Monastery Creamed Honey, for with our Italian Easter Bread.  
~ The Wine ~ 

This year, rather than making our own, we enjoyed the two bottles of Sparkling Raspberry Grape Spritzer that had been forgotten chilling in the laundry room fridge. 
~ The Fruit ~

Leftover strawberries…  
~ The Milk ~

… and Whipped Cream, from Chiquita’s birthday party on Friday!  

(I haven’t forgotten about posting pictures from her party… there is just too many to sort through, and I just haven’t made the time to do so.  Soon!  We had such a great time!)   

Sometimes the simplest parties, without too much planning, turn out the best…  Don’t you think?

 Be sure to visit Catholic Cuisine to share pictures from your own Garden Party!
(I’ll have the link-up posted by tomorrow morning.)

6 Comments

  1. Karen

    thank you, thank you, thank you, for putting these plans together. My children are enjoying these Garden Parties!

    Love the idea of eating outdoors – unfortunately, the rain you have had has finally made the east coast!

    blessings
    Karen

    Reply
  2. Nicole

    So fun to eat outside! We were quite chilly here ourselves. I loved the simplicity of this week. And those bird's nest – so cute to tie in with dyed eggs!

    Reply
  3. mel

    Jessica, when do hou do yout tea parties and liturgical year stuffs? I am having a hard time finding the best place to work these things into our day/week anymore and I am curious about what others do. Do you usually do your liturgical picture books and all during those times to or do you save those for another time?

    Reply
  4. Jamie Jo

    Great job Jessica, as usual!! I love how you modify it every year too. I also like how you are organized enough to do it on Sunday–wish I were!! hahah! It will have to be today or tomorrow!

    I think my 5 year old would get such a kick out of setting the table and planning special foods, I'll put her in charge!!

    Reply
  5. Jamie Jo

    OH, I forgot to come back and leave a comment on that post with little Bud, Simeon's favorite toy is also that same moose!! We'll have to bring it to the hospital for him!

    Reply
  6. Jennifer Elia

    Ok, I have decided that I definitly need to do these garden parties next year. What a great experience for the kids.

    On the topic of next year, I was looking through your curriculum plans and was just wondering which hands-on resources from Handwriting Without tears you used. There are so many on the website, I'm not really sure where to begin but I think it would be a good program for my little guy who will be doing pre-K next year. Thanks.

    Reply

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Father in heaven, grant me the grace to appreciate the dignity which you have conferred on me. Let me realize that not even the Angels have been blessed with such a privilege—to share in your creative miracle and bring new Saints to heaven. Make me a good mother to all my children after the example of Mary, the Mother of your Son. Through the intercession of Jesus and Mary I ask your continued blessings on my family. Let us all be dedicated to your service on earth and attain the eternal happiness of your kingdom in heaven. Amen.


Our Family

Sean & Jessica, Captain-24, Ranger-22, Twinkle Toes-21, Chiquita-19, Snuggles-17, Rose-14, Bud-12, Grace-7 and Joy-5 (blog nicknames)

A Little About Me

Hi! I'm Jessica, a Roman Catholic wife and home educating mother to our nine children. I was home educated myself, along with my eleven younger siblings. I have a special devotion to St. Therese, through whom I have been given much help and many blessings--the beautiful "Shower of Roses" that she has sent my way! Here I will record a few of the blessings I treasure. Please remember that what you see here is just a little glimpse at our lives, so please say a prayer for us, as we continue to strive for holiness.

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