Easter bits, pieces

That super huge full moon a month ago when the moon was at its closest point to Earth (something which happens every 18 years) heralded this shift in weather and we are now settling into that sublime, clear spell before winter is fully with us.
Easter is calculated by the moon which is why it can vary so much from year to year. This year it is late and it feels like we are all overdue for a break from stress and bickering.  The country too!
It is one of my favourite holidays. The first real time out of the year — and where it is close to the Independence holiday like it is this time, it offers the opportunity of a welcome week off. Also the harvest is in and there is a feeling of abundance with all the fresh produce on offer.
Other goodies associated with Easter are eggs, and chocolate.  Easter in the Northern Hemisphere is a spring holidays and the egg is a pagan symbol of the rebirth of the Earth in celebrations of spring and was adopted by early Christians as a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus. The oldest tradition is to use dyed or painted chicken eggs, but a modern custom is to substitute chocolate eggs, or plastic eggs filled with confectionery such as jelly beans. These eggs are often hidden, allegedly by the Easter Bunny, for children to find on Easter morning.
Hot cross buns are a favourite goody in my house and for the first time in years it feels like they are a reasonable price again — US$2,80 for 6 at Athienitis. Under US$2 at other spars. And they are okay. But I am also planning to make some at home.
They require a soft, yeasty dough enriched with butter, eggs and spices and fill the kitchen with a wonderful welcoming scent. One year I baked them in a National Parks cottage in the Vumba and forgot a vital ingredient — the eggs perhaps — and we ended up with hot cross biscuits.
Otherwise this week has been about snatched bits and pieces, needing to connect with friends and colleagues before the holiday. So I snatched a couple of very good muffins with a colleague at the Olive which has now opened up a pretty new space in their garden on brick paving under a shady drooping celtis.
The tables are delicate wrought iron and decorated in pastel ice cream colours. The muffins are large — a meal in themselves and make a nice fast breakfast or snack. I chose banana and muffin, and my colleague went for the savoury spinach and parmesan. (US$3) He was already ‘coffeed’ out by 9am but I managed a good cappuccino.
Helping a friend house hunting found us passing Vanilla Moon in Emerald Hill so we snatched there an early lunch of shared fish and chips. The salmon stack we had wanted was not on the menu (salmon not yet delivered) — but the battered tilapia was delicately cooked and served with good chips (US$10).
Vanilla Moon offers freshly cooked good family food. The burgers are recommended and there are a variety of wraps and stacks with good combinations all around US$10.
I have indulged in expensive chocolate eggs (decorated with spots like my guinea fowl) from Veldemeers magical chocolate shop — a real treat — and am packing my hot cross bun ingredients and heading for the hills.
Wishing us all a safe and peaceful Easter holiday.
– g.jeke@yahoo.com