So far… April = Awful

It’s only April 4th and it’s already been an awful three days. I’m not sure if it has something to do with making a major life change on April 1st, or if that is just a foolish coincidence.

We moved my Mom and her 90-year-old husband, Bill, into assisted living on Monday and it’s been downhill since. I went to their house early yesterday to pack up more stuff to take to them, loading my car to the brim.

I arrived at their new place and only carried in one load before it became apparent that I was going to need to take Bill to the ER. I spent about 3 hours there with him, got him some anti-anxiety meds, and took him back. I wasn’t able to unload even one more thing because I had to get to work.

I dropped him off with a caregiver and headed home to put on some clean clothes and makeup. I was driving to work with my fully packed car when I was forced to slam on my brakes to avoid hitting the large truck in front of me, whose driver had just slammed on his brakes. The three cars in front of the truck weren’t so lucky, they rear-ended each other!

Oh, did I mention that there was an ironing board on the very top of all the stuff in my fully packed car?

No? Well, it came flying towards the front of the car and was literally an inch from slamming through the windshield.

The seat belt’s shoulder strap in the back seat is the only thing that prevented that from happening! I know, CRAZY!

If this continues, there may be fewer posts this month. I don’t know how I’ll keep up on cooking and posting while trying to help out with all this life drama too. We shall see.

OK, enough of the trauma drama… how about a nice little look at my calm, colorful, and relaxing appetizer set up for Easter brunch?

It was a gorgeous day, so of course, we ate outside. I placed my moss runner on the French buffet table and filled glass containers with crudites.

Two types of purchased hummus, from Trader Joe’s, were lovingly scooped in martini glasses.

I made a sweet dip for the homemade “edible arrangement” of fruit.

It was just me and 4 men for brunch… Dave, my Dad, Connor, and his friend Patrick… and the guys gobbled it all up.

They enjoyed the appetizers and played board games while I worked the grill and got the rest of the meal ready, all while sipping my first cocktail since Peggy’s birthday party, over a month ago!

More on Easter brunch recipes and the tablescape in future posts. Until then, here is the easy fruit dip…

Quick Fruit Dip

8-ounce package cream cheese, room temperature
7-ounce jar marshmallow creme
1 small (individual size) strawberry yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix together with a hand-held mixer. Cover and chill until ready to use.

Makes about 2 cups

I’m off to take another shot at getting my car unloaded, wish me luck!