Easter Feast

For Easter this year, I was invited with Joe to his mom's house (Lauren was still with Norm and Kathy in Nevada).  It was the first time I met Mary (aka Grandma Mary) and as was the case with his kids, I was way more excited than nervous.

Before I could spend time with Mary, however, I had to get past the man of the house.

Theodore.

Theodore is a Maltese who definitely rules the roost and is unbelievably attached to Mary.  Don't you even think of trying to cuddle him if he's already in her arms or anywhere in her vicinity.  He'll make it quite clear you are not to mess with all 6-or-so pounds of him.

Joe figured out pretty quickly how to mellow Theo out, though.

A few licks of a good Merlot, and.........................................

Voila!  Punch drunk puppy.  (Caution: kids, do not try this at home)

Mary was an incredibly gracious hostess.  To say that she cooked up a storm for Easter lunch was an understatement (and all for only 6 people)

I tasted homemade Armenian specialties I had never heard of (and can't repeat the names of at the moment, sorry).  The only word to describe everything was:  Yum!

I also learned about the Armenian egg cracking game.  The goal is to take a hard boiled egg and tap it against your opponent's egg.  Whoever's eggshell cracks first loses.  

[Joe with his brother George]

Fresh baklava for dessert:

Afterwards, we were more than happy to just sit, digest, and enjoy each other's company.

When it was time to leave, out came the Tupperware we had brought from home.  Yep.   Apparently anyone that comes to Mary's house is told to bring empty food containers.   Nobody is allowed out of the house without at least 2 days worth of food.  Which, with our busy schedules, suited us just fine.

Needless to say, it was a great afternoon.  I felt blessed to have been welcomed so warmly into Joe's family home and for being included in such a special celebration.