Easter Feaster

EASTER FEASTER

Creating New Traditions with Family + Friends

by Paulette Wooten

Sunday, April 16, 2017. Nashville, Tennessee. Noon. Kim and I had every one of the bases covered to pull off a pleasant Sunday lunch. Our guests had each gone to an Easter service before they rolled in with their fave drink and tasty side dish.

A minister with a shepherd blessing to consistently track down the one lost or the falling behind wallflower and carry them into the discussion, a University Communications Chief to share the latest on every current event, a writer and humorist spouting quippy jokes and sharing chuckling loud stories, a children’s entertainment creative director, and since we are in Nashville… as expected, a prolific songwriter. Along with Kim, who covers the artist category by being Grammy nominated and me, a professional musician and wanna-be gourmet chef. We were a mixed-matched group blended for the first time for an unofficial Sunday lunch club with two things in common: good food and good company.

A few of us had been gathering on random Friday nights for months sharing pizza and wine and throwing in a weeknight grill-outs to watch the Nashville hockey team, The Preds, anticipating the long-awaited playoffs for the Stanley Cup. We were still newcomers in ‘The Nations’, an area of Nashville undergoing rapid revitalization. Our neighbors, Greg and April, had been acquaintances but our paths had only crossed through the music industry. Somewhere between the late night hockey games and pepperoni we stumbled upon the deeper meaning and importance of loving "your neighbor."

I remember it just as I recall all my new annual pastel Easter dresses with matching lacy ankle ruffle socks and white patent Mary Janes. Standing with our friends laughing and gabbing around the kitchen island, opining over the culinary-perfected charcuterie board, April’s signature tangy fresh strawberry and blueberry spinach salad and trendy bottles of Rosé. The freshness of the Spring is tocelebrate.

The Treehouse + Co Retreat in Franklin, TN

Credit: The Treehouse + Co

I remember what each guest's side dish and wine choice was, I remember what I was wearing, down to the necklace I bought specifically for my white linen shirt, I remember how the table was decorated but I cannot remember the main meal, which I prepared, except for the delectable deviled eggs made by our dear friend Sue Buchanan. What I do recall is that I had no plans for dessert since several of our guests had to leave after the meal to go to their next party. After saying goodbye, we returned to the table until everyone was stiff and needed a walk and a nap. The atmosphere felt like a first date, the one where you're really into the person and want to think of places to go to extend your time together. As we moved into the living room to finish the white wine, I thought things were coming to a close.

By then it was 4:30. And yet, no one seemed to want to leave. The conversation elevated us all to the heights of satiation, but I could tell we all needed some actual sustenance if it was to continue. I pulled out the leftovers, and nibbling began. I made my way to the pantry bulletin board, where I keep all my go-to recipes.Awww, yess — Flourless Chocolate Torte. I made sure I had all the ingredients and quickly and quietly put it together. By this time, Greg had figured out what was happening He snuck down to their house, grabbed a couple of bottles of wine from his "save-for-a-specialoccasion” stash.

By 9:00 the party wound down. We were full. Overflowing actually. Full of good food, full of significantconversation, full of...friendship.

It felt like a memorable beginning to something pretty special And it was.

Traditions are born when hearts beat in unison, when the richness of a moment overtakes you, and you can hardly wait for the encore.

It was the first “Easter Feaster.” Can’t wait for the next one!

W W W . T H E T R E E H O U S E A N D C O . C O M