Easter Craves & Savors

What is Easter without loved ones? The last four Easter weekends were spent in Palm Dessert with my bf’s family, including my bf’s mom, aunt, sister, brother in-law and adorable niece and nephew. The last three Easters we participated in La Quinta Resort and Club’s Easter festivities, which include an Easter egg hunt, face painting, jumpers, performances, Easter bunny photos, and more. All of the children at the event are entertained for hours, and it’s great for families. All of the children, and adults can also indulge in the popcorn, sno-kones, and cotton candy that are offered to all attendees. We always have a great time, especially because we know the twins always have a great time.

My bf’s mom makes sure that there is never shortage of food, and she is an amazing chef. All weekend long, and also on most holidays, we are spoiled with food that will likely lead to regular cravings. In addition to the food platters comprised of seafood cocktail, crackers, cheese, and fruit from Bristol Farms, she cooked lobster, wild rice, and a vegetable medley with cheese that is unbelievable. Every meal is like a feast.

The best part of the weekend; however, is the time we are able to spend with one another. From Friday night, sitting and talking at the Patio table, to eating together and bonding, to enjoying time with the twins and marveling at how much they have grown, there is never a dull moment, since all of these moments are colored with love. While doing common things like sitting on the couch watching television together while eating berry sorbet and some not so common things like watching my bf throw up in the air two three year olds while playing in the pool, all of these things will become lasting memories to be appreciated and oh so savored.

Easter Brunch Cravings at bluEmber

When we’re craving so many things for Easter brunch, what’s better than a buffet? After Easter Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Rancho Mirage, by bf and I headed to meet the rest of his family for brunch at blueEmber in the Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa. For the first time ever, we had to listen to the sermon outside though a doorway since the church was at maximum capacity. There were over 300 people in the church lobby alone. We had direct access to hear the mass from one of the back doors, but all of that standing in the dessert sun really built up an appetite. Luckily, we had reservations for a brunch buffet and big-time cravers, such as myself, were able to eat as much as our hearts desired.

The seafood station was filled with pacific coast oysters, snow crab legs, crab claws, mussels, poached shrimp, and a selection of smoked salmon. The salad station offered heirloom tomato, buffalo mozzarella, pesto bordeaux spinach, shaved radish, dates, grilled green beans, cous cous, grilled artichokes, olive tapenade, tabbouleh, chopped parsley, cucumber, truffled mushroom, grilled asparagus, baby swiss chard beets, pickled carrots, walnut brittle, blue cheese, chilled seafood, shaved fennel, picholine olives, assorted greens, artisan cheeses, and a variety of vegetables and dressings. The soup station had clam chowder and smoked chicken soup with small bread bowls, and the carving station had a chef slicing pork steamship and beef wellington. There was a station of hot items, including farmers market roasted vegetables, organic squash, short rib hash, roasted potatoes, crab cake benedict, brick oven chicken, pan roasted barramundi, grilled ratatouille, and hedgehog mushrooms. All children ages 5 and under (which applied to the twins) ate free, and there was a children’s buffet with mini pizzas, spaghetti and meatballs, chicken tenders, lasagna, and local vegetables. There was also an omelet station, where chefs made custom omelets with an assortment of vegetables, meats, and cheeses. There was plenty of fruit, and the dessert station was out of control! On display were french belgium waffles, seasonal berries, cafe tiramisu, cheesecake, apple tart, white chocolate mouse, mini french pastries, creme brulee, panna cotta, rasberry and chocolate cake, chocolate pralines, chocolate truffles, mini hot cross buns, and chocolate covered strawberries.

The bluEmber Brunch buffet had a great variety, and since the weather was beautiful, dining on the patio was that much more enjoyable. Not to mention, the resort is beautiful and offered an Easter egg hunt for the children (which was the 3rd egg hunt this weekend for the twins). For family fun in the sun, the desert rarely lacks in sunshine and it’s resorts always cater to families so like this weekend, the fun never ends.