just another morning here

Lovely first day of holidays here. Steve went off to work relatively early, while the girls and I got up a bit later, but in time to go to town for a little bit of shopping, and to see the re-enactment of the Crucifixion on the Cathedral Green. We successfully bought Abbie a dress for her Y6 prom, and dashed to Tesco for rolls for lunch, then watched Jesus being crucified – I find it very moving. Some small children behind us really did get upset when they nailed his hands and feet as it was very realistic.

Anyway, after that we dashed home and I made some rather nice roast parsnip soup, so there was a choice of that or Heinz tomato soup from a tin when my parents and brother came for lunch. They’re down to look at a car or two at the garage this afternoon but decided to come and see us too

As I write, Joe’s singing his way through a Passion Service; I did want to go but I’ll have to save it for next year. Hoping to pop in for evensong instead. In the meantime, the girls are baking simnel muffins for when Grandad and Nanna come back for a cup of tea, and I think I might watch The Sound of Music!

Must admit I quite like this newfound enthusiasm for baking; she made a rather nice looking Easter Bunny lemon cake yesterday, and we haven’t been allowed to cut into it yet!

As an aside, I was surprised to find that I haven’t used Good Friday as a post title before now, in 7 years of blogging – strange, but I haven’t!

Steve’s mum is really good at making little treasure hunts, and today’s was no exception. We had a big cooked breakfast, an Easter egg hunt in the garden, and then a relaxed day doing nothing much.

Feeling a bit heathen as we didn’t get to church at all – mainly because Steve and his dad left at lunchtime so we only had the morning for family things. They are off for a track day tomorrow (Steve’s idea of a great b’day pressie for Russ – see, I’m not the only one round here who gives presents with an ulterior motive!), so I’m in for a quiet evening once we get home.

I have really enjoyed having Easter outside of the school holidays; I know some people have moaned about it but to me it’s felt like much more of a treat!

We spent the morning mainly at home, I took Steve to work, everyone did some music, Anna went out to meet a friend, and I had a friend round for coffee.

After lunch we went out for a walk at Haldon with more friends; I fancied doing a geocache and they have a GPS so they were the perfect companions We actually found two, on different trails at the Forest Park, and it was good fun. The rain had stopped and there was even some sunshine!

Afterwards we picked Steve up from work; Rich, Becca and Josh came back for a curry, bringing pudding and wine with them, so it was a lovely afternoon. Early nights all round before school/work tomorrow.

Spring (no snow here), hope, new life, the celebration of the crux of my faith, time with family and usually plenty of food and chocolate, makes for a good Easter!

We had a lovely day, from the hot cross buns and Grand Prix start to the morning, through church where Josiah did a short drama with his friend Billy as part of the service, and then a pleasant afternoon spent at Grandma & Grandpa’s house along with Steve’s sister and her family.

And home in time to watch the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, which I’m really enjoying; it is totally doing justice to the book, in my opinion