Arrrgh!!!

Easter dinner will be held here for about half of my family. At the moment we're expecting 24 people, but that number will change back and forth until we have eaten. There are always unexpected changes, and we just go with the flow. Those who can make it will be fed, and those who can't will get take home meals.

The menu is listed below. I think in honor of Dear Husband there will be Mozart playing quietly in the background during dinner. I hope to steal all the young adults and have them to myself at one table, if they'll let me. They are of an age when they might prefer to mingle with the adults.....a rite of passage in our family.

Saturday and Sunday will seem odd because Dear Husband, the person I so depend on to pull off our gatherings, will be in Florida. Our son was a part of the largest group of Bears fans to gather outside of Chicago, in the Orlando area. They are holding a golf tournament on Saturday, and it's been named in his memory. So, DH is going to fly down to play in the tournament, and will fly home Sunday morning. Luckily, my youngest sis and her family will come late Saturday evening, and my oldest sis will come early on Sunday to be sure we have things under control. *G*

Elegante Mother and I found tablecloths in pastels to cover two of the tables. I'll use antique crocheted mats on the third table, and each table will be set with a different pattern of china. I'm going to do a bouquet of tulips for one table centerpiece, and two small arrangements of spring flowers for the others.

I think I have the schedule in place to get everything done, but we'll see how it turns out. Truth be told.....I'm the only one who will notice if not everything is done to my expectations. My family tells me to relax, and I have...a little. I'm NOT going to use paper plates, though!

I know that I've rambled on about preparations, when actually, the gathering of my siblings and their families are really what's most important to me. I love having family around me, and working with them to prepare a meal. I wish it was possible to do it more often, but as the family grows, each person is pulled in two or more ways. I choose not to make the kids feel bad if they can't attend a gathering here, but that doesn't mean I don't miss them when they are away.

So, this Sunday, we will celebrate life, and family and I will tuck the memories away to savor in the future. I'm blessed, I know.