Roasted Cauliflower, A New Addition to the Easter Chaos on Mt. Pleasant Ave.

The Easter tradition continues, although it is no longer on Eastman and this year the family stayed in Syracuse. Even so, the Kellys and the Prelis came over and Michael was home, so we had ourselves a feast (and have enough food to feed the Isgar and Barnwells, too).

I had the ham in by 9 a.m. and I focused next on my potatoes. Guess who put a tablespoon of confectionary sugar in the creamed potatoes instead of flour? This guy! Well, I neutralized it with other ingredients and after they cooked down Kaitlin said, "I think these are actually better with the sugar."

Also had asparagus and others brought carrots, macaroni & cheese, and chicken. It definitely was abundant.

I finally opened Chitunga's Christmas gift, too, so we had a little Basil Hayden to sip (man, that is nectar of the Gods). It needs to be mentioned that four dogs also ran the house whining, crying, wanting inside when outside and outside when inside - wouldn't have it any other way.

But I will say, I will be moving to many baked cauliflower summer dishes as they are really good (absorbing all the flavor of the spices you put on them. Sponge vegetables, I tell you).

I'm glad every day isn't a holiday. From shopping, to preparing, to serving, to cleaning, to entertaining, to desserts, to cleaning again - phew! It makes for a day.

It also makes for a true appreciation for all the relatives of yesteryear who managed to host these parties and to my sisters and mom for all the times they've opened their house for me. And once again, I was please to use Grandma Vera's linens to line the table, just as she did every Easter. It makes it that much more special.