Happy Easter 🙂  The Easter Bunny hopped about round here last night, dropping off Easter eggs and sweet goodies galore.

The first thing I had today was some gin.  Yes, I really did.  But fear not, this is not some new addiction I am battling with as I hit the bottle first thing in the morning.  I was transferring some of the Damson Gin (which I blogged about making here ) I made in September to smaller bottles.  I bought these beautiful bottles in the kitchen shop in Cranbrook called County Cookshops.  County Cookshops is two small shops at the top of the High Street and packed inside is everything I have ever needed.  If you are local, go a and visit next time you need something for the kitchen

I just instinctively tasted some and then decided how very wrong that was, to drink a spirit before a cup of tea!  I tried it again tonight and it really is rather good.  I made one with orange in and one without.  They can be drunk neat, like a liquer or mixed with soda or tonic water and served with a thick slice of orange.

Breakfast was Eastery – a hot cross bun, boiled egg and a strawberry and banana smoothie.

The smoothie is Harvey’s smoothie of choice and is just strawberries, banana and almond milk.

8 years ago we were in Holland for Easter and were served a toasted fruited bun with cheese in it which I loved.  I enjoyed my breakfast hot cross bun so much I had another one with cheese in it – a slice of Comte.  Absolutely delicious – you should try it sometime.  Cheese and hot cross buns are yummy.

At lunch time we headed to Vicky’s as she was hosting a party to celebrate her husband Peter’s birthday.  Happy birthday Peter.

Vicky organised a hog roast with a fantastic spread of side dishes.

It was fantastic.  I like hog roasts anyway and this one was particularly good.  The meat was tender and succulent and the crackling was super crispy.  There was home made apple sauce, a delicious stuffing, Dauphinoise Potatoes, green salad and coleslaw.  There was more too, including a whole salmon but my plate was full!

I really enjoyed every mouthful.  The pork was tip top and so was the potato and stuffing. It was one of those meals I could have eaten again but I saved room for dessert instead.  On the tables were these pretty baby bottles of grape hyacinth and daffodils – aren’t they cute?

Dessert was served at the table and I had pear and almond crumble with custard which was wonderful, followed by chocolate birthday cake.

Vicky always hosts amazing parties and this was no exception.  There was plenty of wine which I enjoyed while I chatted to some lovely people I have not seen for ages like Ben and Sam and Caroline and others who I see more often and always enjoy seeing, such as Jane and Mirella.

The boys, large and small, played cricket, as did some of the girls.  I carried on chatting and drinking.

I drank too much and ate too much today but hey, it’s Easter Sunday and I was at a party. I would say tomorrow will be better but I am out for lunch again.  Tuesday will definitely be better – it is already planned.