Easter at Casa Rice |

A month back, sending out the invite for our annual Easter party I felt so ahead of the game. Warp speed ahead (it feels like that is the only speed these days) to this past weekend. I realized, between a few late night non-profit events, that I needed to pull it together for the guests we are hosting.

Photo by Evan Janke

More than any other holiday, Easter is the one where I stake my claim as hostess. Friends and family haul on over to Casa Rice with empty egg hunt baskets waiting to be filled, humoring my addiction to springtime entertaining. I’ve learned over the years to stick to my mantra of keeping it fresh, simple and sophisticated. But hey, we are celebrating the abundance, beauty and new life of spring, so there is a little room for extravagance…another glass of Champagne while the kids hunt for the 163 eggs hidden in the backyard?

What I’ve learned when hosting a crowd this size is make it a buffet, fill that table with room temperature offerings and show off the simple springtime flavors of the garden.

Photo by Evan Janice

I do get at least a couple brownie points for being ahead of the game on centerpieces. A couple weeks ago on a whim I planted strawberry plants in some of my favorite little pots. So easy and they are still looking so sweet and spring-y that I’ve decided to line the table with them, tucking in some egg cups filled with eggs the girls dyed.