Holy Week

Reflections, Family Traditions, and Hosting Preparations

---

Reflections for this week

---

This past Sunday, March 29th, marked the beginning of the seven-day lead-up to Resurrection Sunday, a week known as Holy Week. Growing up, we focused on the significance of three days in particular:

Sunday — Palm Sunday: Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem
Good Friday — The crucifixion of Jesus Christ
Resurrection Sunday — Jesus is resurrected, the covenant is fulfilled, and we are granted unadulterated access to God

There is something about Holy Week that feels equal parts sobering and exhilarating. It holds both the weight of sacrifice and the promise of redemption, asking us to sit in the tension of what occurred and what was ultimately won.

If you are like me, it is easy to lose the message in the midst of the noise. The noise is not always bad in itself, but it can become distracting when it pulls our focus away from what this week is meant to hold.

For me, this week is about love. Not the easy kind. Not the kind we throw around casually. A costly, intentional kind of love.

A King stepped down from His throne and into our world. He did not stay distant. He took on our everyday and lived among us. Nothing we face is unfamiliar to Him.

And then He went to the cross. Not by accident, and not without purpose.

What was carried out through jealousy, hate, cowardice, and pride became the very means of our redemption. In His death, sin was dealt with once and for all, past, present, and future. And in His resurrection, everything changed.

Because of Him, we are offered forgiveness, a new identity, and peace with God. Not something we earn, but something we are given through faith in Him.

And because of that, this world is no longer all there is. We have a place with Him.

We have hope.

---

Family Traditions

---

One of the best parts of being an adult is getting to carry on the traditions you loved and start new ones for your own family.

One thing Bubby and I always laugh about is our families’ insistence on calling Easter “Resurrection Sunday,” because as we were reminded multiple times, “it’s not about an Easter bunny, it’s about Jesus!” hahah. And now, here we are, doing the exact same thing.

Another tradition that was unique to my family was that, instead of Easter baskets, my sisters and I always received a new purse for Resurrection Sunday. Which, honestly, Bubby, explains a lot.

I’ve basically been in training since childhood. One new purse a year 😂

I definitely plan to keep that going with Kinsley. And now that I have a son, I need to figure out the male equivalent… a watch? a wallet? a pocket square? We’ll see.

---

Hosting Easter Dinner

---

The Theme

I’ve mentioned before that Bubby and I almost always host both of our families for the big holidays, and Easter, or Resurrection Sunday, is no different. This will be my third year hosting this particular dinner, and each year I try to raise the bar just a little more.

One thing I’ve started doing is giving each year a theme and announcing it to our families ahead of time.

In 2023, it was lemons 🍋

In 2024, it was olives 🫒

And drumroll… this year’s theme is whimsy ✨

While my sisters laughed at my theme — RUDE. I chose whimsy because it captures wonder and delight. A slight deviation from my food-centric themes but when you’re the host you can make these sorts of decisions.

---

The Menu

This is semi-finalized, meaning I’ve sent it out for general approval, but I’m still deciding on the specifics.

Appetizer — Homemade sourdough with dips and crudité

I’m thinking of making another butter croissant sourdough loaf, but this time using Kerrygold Garlic & Herb Butter in place of regular butter to make it a little more savory.

My baby sister is bringing Cowboy Caviar for one of the dips. I’m making a Boursin and cherry tomato dip, along with an olive oil and balsamic mix… which feels necessary.

---

First Course — Crab Bisque

---

Main Entrées — Creamy Spinach Stuffed Salmon and Roast Chicken

---

Side Dishes — Shrimp Scampi over angel hair pasta, Crispy Rice Caesar Salad, and… maybe a potato situation

This is where I’m stuck.

Do we need both pasta and potatoes? Probably not. But I also don’t want the table to feel like something is missing.

Do I keep it simple with just one starch, or do I commit and do both?

---

Dessert — Whole Foods Berry Chantilly Cake + TBD baked goods

---

The Setup

I am not the craftiest girl, but I can be when I want to be. So for decor this year, I’m attempting the viral paper chains to hang from our dining room light fixture and along the walls.

EXHIBIT A:

I’m thinking olive green and yellow for the color palette.

I’ll also be reusing this gorgeous sage/olive green plateware we bought last year that I’m still obsessed with. The goal is to add a new set each year, but it just didn’t happen this time, and that’s okay.

I also commissioned Cassidy Huhn on Etsy to paint all of my guest placards in watercolor, which I’m very excited about. This is what her work looks like, and I cannot wait for everyone to see their place setting.

For Crabsgiving in November, my baby sister hand-painted a “Happy Crabsgiving” banner, which was incredible. Before asking her to do one for Easter, I came across the viral faux hand-painted banners from Walgreens and thought… this might save everyone (i.e. her 😂) some time and energy.

@k8_wyatt

KATE WYATT on Instagram: "How I print custom “faux” handpainted…

I’m considering having one made with either the menu for the day or one that says “Happy Resurrection Sunday.” Still deciding.

So this is what I’m working with so far. I still need to finalize what the full tablescape will look like, but we’re in a good place.

If you have any ideas I should add, send them my way.

---

Well, with all that being said, I am wishing you a great Holy Week and a jubilant Resurrection Sunday.

The eggs, the fellowship, the perfect Sunday best outfit, the tablescape, they’re all well and good, but don’t miss the Cross in the middle of it all.

(It’s not about the bunny, after all.)

In the middle, with love,

— KSH