It’s turned out to be a really lovely, lovely weekend.
On Friday night, we went to a musical presentation called “He is Jesus Christ” where we felt proud to know Ralphie – her solo was unbelievable (she’ll tell you it wasn’t any thing amazing, of course, but I’m here to tell you that she is wrong). We went to this same program last year and it’s really a great Easter event.
After the program, we headed over to the Lauritzens, where we played a terrific game of Bohnanza (“terrific” meaning I won, of course) and then kept them up talking until nearly one a.m. We’re sorry. But really, it was too fun to stop.
Yesterday, as I mentioned, we rode our bikes down by Town Lake in Austin for about an hour and a half, enjoying the gorgeous weather. We certainly weren’t the only ones – there were just a gazillion people out.
We stopped at UT on the way home so that Bart could get a few books from the library and we also wandered over to the gym to check out the three outdoor recreation pools; we’ve committed ourselves to spending at least a few days a week down there this summer. Check that out – you know you’d be there every day too!
On the way home, we decided that there was no use in going home and sitting around on the computer after having such a lovely afternoon, so we took the last of our Olive Garden gift card and split a giant entree. When the waiter brought it (on one of those huge huge Olive Garden platters that could fit a whole roast pig), I joked that it looked kind of small. He looked a little horrified until I assured him I was joking. Poor guy. I shouldn’t have joked around about something so serious.
After dinner, we hit up the dollar theater and saw National Treasure 2 which was amusing, although not as amusing as the first one.
Bart had announced earlier in the day that we were going to celebrate Easter in style this year and so we went to the grocery store and bought a bag of mini Milky Ways (there was a coupon that someone had left on the bag, cut from some magazine, so we felt that our choice of cavity causers was well-picked), two large candy bars and a bag of gummy worms. When we returned home, we divided the Milky Ways and Bart hid half of them in the laundry room/TV room and I hid the other half in the study.
We also set the table for breakfast with the tablecloth and napkins my mom had made and sent us as an Easter gift earlier in the week. You can’t see the napkins closely enough to tell, but they have little bunnies on them and they are pretty much the cutest things you’ve ever seen.
I got up early this morning and made rolls (I went back to bed while they were rising, of course, because while it’s ridiculous to get up at six a.m. on a Sunday, it’s even more ridiculous to get up and stay up). Bart and I had a little Milky Way hunt before church, although we ran out of time and had to resume the candy search a few hours later.
After church, we went to B and Ralphie’s for Easter dinner (B’s sister and her family were also there). Last year, Ralphie had invited us to Easter dinner at church (obviously, we looked lonely) and so this year, I’d emailed her suggesting they invite us over again and promising to bring along baked goods if they’d do so. They are good friends to keep letting us crash their parties.
I brought the rolls I’d made and the famed banana cinnamon chocolate cake and, between you and me, I’m pretty sure they’ll invite us back again because it was a DANG good cake.
Anyway, Bart’s now napping off his Easter dinner and I’m thinking that tomorrow is Monday again and I have a presentation to give so perhaps I should look into that.
Hopefully your weekend has been as full of friends and fun as ours has been. Next week we’ll have to stay home and stare at the wall to counteract the fun we’ve had over the last few days.
Packrat says
Happy Easter!
True friends can’t crash parties; they are always welcome.
I would sooo want to spend every day at one of those pools. Do they let middle-aged, out-of-shape people in? (Unfortunately, I live about a 1000 miles away.)
Your mom must be very special. I never get around to doing things like that for my kids. Poor abused children 😉
Oh, your rolls look beautiful.
Nina G says
Thanks for sharing your fun Easter weekend with all of us! And I’m proud to see that you folded the napkins! A true event. Your table looks lovely — or festive as Grannie would say. Wish we had been there to share your meal with B&R, but we’ll see you next weekend and that will be fun too. Bart, you are looking quite buff — you should frame that 2nd picture. Janssen you look l beautiful, like a young Carolina Herrera (sp). Have a great week until we see you!
Jeanelle says
I own Bohnanza but have only played it once and didn’t quite get it (there were too many people there playing and talking so it was hard to follow.) I need to try it again, obviously. Your weekend sounds like it was fabulous and I love that you guys had a candy hunt today.
Heather says
Rick and I used to hide candy for each other. Now we have to share some with the kids. Sounds like a wonderful Easter!
Jennifer Lee says
Did I tell you that I tried the cake? Fabulous. You did not exaggerate its wonderfulness.
You weekend sounds wonderful and the weather looks enviously nice.
Sheyenne says
I love the table all set up nice with the little Twix bars in the bowls! And until you said that you were hunting for candy, I thought you guys each took your half and hid them where the other couldn’t find them and have more than their share! Glad you were nicer than that. 🙂
Whitney says
Happy Easter!!! 🙂
Melanie says
Is that your school or a resort? Those pools look fabulous! Happy Easter.
Becca and Ty says
I think you’ve convinced me that I need to buy a bike.
you’re adorable
RA says
We spend Easter with friends, too, and it’s so much fun. It sounds like you had a great weekend.
On a couple of unrelated notes:
1) What is this Bohnanza game? I have never heard of it and I am totally intrigued.
2) Er, what kind of shoes are you wearing in the first photo? I am scouting out for good walking shoes…
3) Look, it’s the green dress I voted for during the holiday party poll! Better late than never, right? So cute!
-R- says
You guys look so cute and outdoorsy!
Those pools do look fun. I would go all the time, and the college students would be like, “Why is that chubby middle-aged lady hanging out at our pool?” But I would go anyway.
Sounds like a fun Easter!
Packrat says
Sorry, but I have to correct something in my first post. I said I live about 1000 miles away. Make that over 2000 miles! Guess I won’t be dropping by for a dip in those beautiful pools.
Jess says
Oh cool pictures! I’m glad you had such a great weekend.
Ralphie says
Thanks for always making me feel good Janssen. For that reason, I will always keep you around.
audrey says
What a fun weekend! I am jealous of those pools and may be stealing your milky way hunt idea next Easter, just fyi.
David & Sammy says
What a fun Easter weekend! And you’d be crazy not to spend your summer in those amazing pools!
chelon:) says
sounds like a lot of fun! you actually got someone to take your picture together and it turned out cute!! 🙂 i NEED the recipe to that cake, it sounds wonderful! i also want to come visit you this week. i will be in contact…xoxo
Miriam Higginson says
I am so jealous of your beautiful weather – I’m all thrilled that our snow is ALMOST melted! I have to admit we had the most laid back easter of our entire marriage…it actually kind of felt good.
The Dynamic Trio says
YEA!! Finally picturs!! You guys are a very handsome couple. 🙂 You and your bikerides…man, i need to get a bike. It’s like my mouth is watering for a bike ride!
Le Petit Chic says
What a wonderful Easter weekend! And can I just say how jealous I am that people were wearing shorts and I had my fleece jacket on? Must. Move. South.
Britt says
It looks really warm where you live.
Carly Jane says
I LOVE your red kitchen/dining room walls. LOVE THEM. And your Easter breakfast table was beautiful :). What a fun weekend!
Beck Family says
That table looks amazing, I’m all about the presentation!
I love the way you’ve decorated your house. I love the red paint in the kitchen, and the black and white pictures on the wall. Wow, great job! I wish I could see it in person.