New Grandkids, Lemon Pies, Peapod and Tomato Salad

Last week, a friend of mine told me that she saw our son's marriage license on Facebook. Hmmm. Well, that's interesting, especially since I didn't know he was getting married. So the next time I saw him, I said, 'I hear you're married now.' 'Yeah,' he said, 'we got married Tuesday.'

So last week I lost two pounds and gained three grandchildren. I know. It's a long story. Sometimes it's hard to wrap your mind around the surprises of life.

 Two of the new grandkids

(Not technically, but certainly for all practical purposes)

Delightful kids.

It was a gorgeous Easter Sunday. We had a great Resurrection celebration at church, followed by dinner with some of our family at our table.

 Lemon Meringue Pies

Like my mom used to make

I decided that once every five years or so, I should make lemon meringue pie, because only homemade lemon meringue pie is like my mom's, except I probably put more lemon zest in mine and perhaps more lemon. I squeezed the juice from 7 lemons for those two 10 inch pies.  It was SUPER lemony. I loved it. I need lemon once Daylight Saving Time gets here. I don't know what it is about the longer day, the robins and redwing blackbirds returning, the snow melting, etc., but it sends me into an intense craving for lemon. Since lemon pie isn't everyone's favorite, I have a whole pie left over, but not because I didn't eat my fair share. (Remember those two pounds? I'm sure I'll see them on the scale tomorrow.)

BUT, it took me two entire episodes of Strong Poison, a Dorothy L. Sayers mystery video (my laptop on the kitchen counter), to get those two measly pies in the oven. I felt like my life was passing before my eyes and all I would have to show for it is two lemon pies. I will not make them again unless I rewrite the recipe that's in the Betty Crocker Cook Book. It would have helped if the recipe had been better organized and some portions done ahead of time.  As it is, the next lemon pie I eat will most likely be from KwikTrip. I can sacrifice a little quality for something that doesn't take 104 minutes out of my life. That doesn't count the clean up time!

SO, ranking lemon pies using the Amazon.com new and used book rating, I'd say that the Homemade Lemon Meringue Pie was NEW. Kwik Trip Lemon Meringue Pie is VERY GOOD. Lemon pie made with lemon pie filling from the store is not even ACCEPTABLE.

This was a super easy and tasty salad, although again I was its biggest fan. I'm sure that everyone would been happier with pizza instead of baked chicken, baked potatoes, and salad, but I refuse to make pizza for Easter dinner. Anyway, this simple salad is a delicious mix of Peapods, Red bell peppers, Grape tomatoes, English cucumbers, Black olives, Olive oil, fresh Lemon juice, Coarse black pepper.

 A favorite part of dinner - for some at our table. :-)

I was pretty sure they'd be a hit.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend too.  Did you get any surprises??

***

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Although I usually forget to do it, there is a chance that this post will be linked to one or more of these great linky parties:  Amaze Me Monday and Inspiration Monday and Mosaic Monday and The Barn Collective and    Treasure Box Tuesday and Vintage Bliss Tuesday and KatheWithAnE and Rubbish Tuesday and Our World Tuesday and Tuesdays at our Home and Tuesday with a Twist and  Knick of Time Tuesday (vintage)  and   Tweak it Tuesday and Vintage Inspiration Wednesday and Ivy and Elephants Wednesday and Adorned From Above  and Artsy Corner Thursday and  All Things With Purpose and Home & Garden Thursday and Good Fences on Thursdays and  Time Travel Thursday and Freedom Fridays and Vintage Inspiration Friday and Simple Saturdays Blog Hop and Saturday's Critters