An Easter Filled with Bunnies and Blessings

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An Easter Filled with Bunnies and Blessings

By Paula Deen

Easter has always been a special time for me. When my boys were young, we’d dress up and go to church and then go out to eat a big breakfast. They’d shovel the food in their mouths because they wanted to get home to go through their Easter baskets. I just adore puttin’ together Easter baskets. It’s in my blood. See, my Aunt Peggy and Uncle George owned the Toy Houses in Georgia, and Aunt Peggy made every Easter basket they sold. And they were the most beautiful baskets. Every toy and chocolate bunny was arranged just so. She taught me how to put a basket together like no other—the kind that children never forget.

Back when Michael and I were first dating, Easter was approaching and I remember asking him if his children ever had a beautiful Easter basket. He said, “Well, I always did the best I could—I put a bunch of candy in a basket.” I decided then and there that I was going make Michelle and Anthony, who were 16 and 19 at the time, real Easter baskets. As you know, impressing teenagers is no small task. I spent a bloody fortune. But it was so worth it when those kids lit up at the sight of their baskets overflowin’ with a lot more than plain ol’ chocolates and Peeps.

It gets difficult trying to outdo myself every year, but I think this Easter is going to top ‘em all. I’ve already got things picked out for my grandson Jack’s basket. There’s so much, I may need two baskets just to hold it all. And that’s not even the best part. See, I’m fixin’ to surprise him with some real live baby rabbits and chicks! Like all kids, he just loves animals. One of our favorite places to visit is Oatland Island Wildlife Center just down the road. They have all sorts of animals, like wolves, bison and even a cross-eyed possum. But Jack and I like the barnyard best of all. He pets the goats and bunnies and gets a kick out of me tellin’ the turkeys and pigs that I’m gonna cook ‘em up (funny thing is, they seem a little nervous when I come around). Course, Jack’s parents told me I’m not allowed to give him anything that has a heartbeat, but I’ll keep the bunnies and chicks here in my chicken coop. That way, Jack and I can enjoy those precious little things together.

And of course, you can’t have Easter without an egg hunt. We get dozens of eggs straight from our coop and dye them the most vibrant colors. Oh my gosh, we have egg salad for days. But when you grow tired of that, I have a number of wonderful Easter recipes for you. Try my Boiled Egg Casserole, for a new twist on all of those boiled eggs that you’ll be bound to have. I like to keep my side dishes easy and fresh for Easter, like a true taste of spring, so I usually whip up something like this wonderful Corn and Asparagus Salad. And, just like the egg salad, I aways have leftover ham, which is perfect for my Ham Salad that Michael and I use in sandwiches, or just as a little snack! For dessert, everyone loves my Grandma Hiers Carrot Cake. For me, it’s a reminder of my childhood and how special family gatherings are. It also makes for a pretty focal point on your Easter table!

While I adore all the cooking and egg huntin’ that goes along with Easter, I never lose sight of what Easter is really about. My favorite tradition is going to a sunrise service on Tybee Island. I think the beach is such a spiritual place anyway. You know, standing on the shore under that big sky, you see God in all his grandeur. It makes me feel very small, but my heart feels as big as it ever has.

I hope y’all have an Easter just like mine—one that is chock-full of beautiful baskets, precious bunnies and countless blessings.

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Reader Comments:

Paula: Was Aunt Peggy's maiden name Englehardt by chance?

By Jim Kelleher on October 13, 2011

Hi Susan, Here is the recipe you're looking for: http://www.pauladeen.com/recipes/recipe_view/meemaws_texas_tumbleweed_candy

By Jonathan Able on April 27, 2011

Hi Susan, Here is the recipe you're looking for: http://www.pauladeen.com/recipes/recipe_view/meemaws_texas_tumbleweed_candy

By Jonathan Able on April 27, 2011

I wanted to know the name of the recipe of the cookies that was aired on the food network on April 23,2011. The cookies had potato sticks and butterscotch chips thats all I caught. If you could email me the receipe or the name. Thank you for your time I really like watching your show when I get a chance.

By susan thompson on April 24, 2011

The Bunnies are beautiful!Love watching your show on Tv, and enjoy your magazines!You are the greatest!

By Ann Souza on April 24, 2011

Dear Paula I love reading all your articals, and your sons also. Most of all I love all your recipes and that Southern drawl Mimi

By Mimi on April 24, 2011

Paula I watch your show all the time your a great cook,I love when your son's come and cook with you.I'm 62yrs.old,married for 9yrs. and I'm always looking for something new to cook I've cooked and baked alot of your recipes and let me tell you they were awesome.Well god Bless you and your family this holiday and take care.

By Delores Taylor on April 24, 2011

Just wanted you to know that I always bake the boneless Smithfield smoked pit ham that I buy at Sam's. I rinse it off with cool water, remove the string and put it in a cooking bag. I make a glaze using a jar of Apricot Jam, Wylie's Sweet Potato Spices, and some Coca Cola. Pour it over the ham and heat it in the oven till hot. Smithfield ham is the best!!! Happy Easter.

By Pam Zinsmeister on April 24, 2011

Life is crazy and things like this remind us why we do what we do for our family. My oldest is 20 and youngest is 2, they both expect a basket made just for them and to their taste! Oh and the middle daugther 17 just likes it all! Have a wonderful blessed Easter!

By Cherie on April 24, 2011

Loved your memories of Easter! My most treasured memory was 30 plus years ago when my two kiddos were young (me TOO!!). I would put mittens on,dipped in baby powder, and make 'bunny' paw prints all thru the house and up to the kids bedrooms. They would get up on Easter morning and would be more excited about tracking the paw prints than their candy. It was just a thought one year that served MANY HAPPY EASTER'S!!! Linda

By Linda Meeks on April 21, 2011

By Linda on April 21, 2011

i watch your show everyday at 12:oopm and 12:30 pm i am trying to find the recipe for the potatoand confectioners suger easter eggs i saw it on Monday April 18 at 12;30 but cant find it i want to make them for my grand daughter for easter can you help me please i just think your are the greatest person and love watching you and your sons everyday

By Penny M. Stauffer on April 20, 2011

Have a wonderful easter with your family and a cookin of a year

By Anonymous on April 20, 2011

hey paula deen

By donavan on April 15, 2011

Hi Paula, I have to be one of your biggest fans. I have several of your cookbooks and use them often. I enjoy your stories about your grandson. I have a little grandson also and enjoy watching him grow up. I would like to share my favorite chocolate cake recipe. I started baking this when I was 8 y/o. I always made this for birthdays for all family members. COLD WATER CHOCOLATE CAKE 1 1/2 C sugar 1 stick butter 1 tsp baking soda 1/4 C baking cocoa 2 C flour 2 eggs 1 C COLD water 1 tsp vanilla Cream sugar and butter together. Add rest of dry ingredients. Use only cold water. I hope you enjoy this as much as my family has. Julie Robbins

By Julie Robbins on April 15, 2011

I don't think I stopped smiling during the entire time I was reading this. I absolutely love Tybee beach and can't imagine how beautiful it would be for an Easter morning service. My fiancee laughed the first time I gave him an Easter basket, but I think he quietly looks forward to them now. I actually find him looking around this time of year trying to see what I might have stashed away. Just curious to see if you do anything different or fun with your brown eggs when to are coloring them? I love to let a little of the natural color show in them. Happy Spring...and many blessing to you and yours this Easter. Peggy

By Anonymous on April 15, 2011

You nevery disappoint in your commentaries, and this one is my favorite! My 7 children are nearly all grown up now, and they don't like to do the whole egg hunt any more (teenagers get that way). Despite their age, they do look for that special basket that will be the centerpiece for the dinner table on Easter morning, and they enjoy putting together the menu for the day.

By Tamela Quijas on April 11, 2011

Dear Paula, Your Easter stories really warmed my heart! Thank you for being bold enough to remind us that Eastern has a real meaning. I am expecting my first grandbaby in August, and am crocheting her an Easter basket in which I will put her first Easter bunny and a little pot to grow her first flower. I know I will be given the "nothing with a heartbeat mom" command also. So looking forward to trying your Easter recipes. Thanks again for all the time you put in your web page. My best wishes for continued blessings, Pamela

By Pamela Lewis on April 10, 2011

Paula, You NEVER disappoint. Love the lop-eared bunny and the others too. We have a solid white one called "Coconut" and she's a doll. Lots of fabulous ideas!!!

By Sweet Tea with Cindy on April 09, 2011

Love the Easter post and the trip down memory lane. Getting that special outfit for Sunday, a corsage from Daddy, and there were always two baskets: one from the bunny and one waiting for me when I got to my grandmother's house. And, didn't you always take a bunch of pictures, guess we all wanted to show off how good we looked! I often had my birthday around Easter - so many years my celebration coincided with Easter dinner with all the family together. My cake was an Easter egg, or a lamb, or some variation of angel food (still my favorite)...happy times.

By Paula B.D. on April 08, 2011

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An Easter Filled with Bunnies and Blessings