I LOVE EASTER. Food, family and friends, Easter bonnets and children tumbling along the lawn in search . . . and a visit to my friend Jane Myers
An Easter visit to Jane Myers Perrine's Butternut Creek!
Perrine’s small town tales of Butternut Creek.
Jane’s (an ordained minister, btw) books are getting rave reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, who proclaimed her series funny, romantic, and honest, and as a small-town Texas girl, I can tell you, PW got it right! You’ll giggle and cheer for Perrine’s well-meaning, match-making “Widows,” (the Queen Bees of the town’s little congregation) as the crafty pair set their sites on both the new bachelor minister and a wounded Iraqi war vet (who stole my heart).
So, without further ado, welcome to Easter on Butternut Creek!
Easter starts early in Butternut Creek. At least, that’s what Rev. Adam Jordan thinks because he has to preach at the sunrise service which begins at six o’clock.
He actually did get to see the sunrise earlier as he set up chairs in front of the porch of the Victorian parsonage.
Only a small crowd of hardy folks shows up that early. As he begins the short meditation from the steps of the porch, he counts eighteen people. Miss Birdie, the pillar of the Christian Church, is there. A sprinkling of Episcopalians, Methodists and Presbyterians fill the other folding chairs. After that, they head off to their churches and Adam will join his kids for breakfast.
Hector and Bobby set up the big wooden cross in front of the sanctuary. Before the ten-forty-five service starts, the members of the congregations will cover it with flowers. Behind the communion table, hangs a new banner which proclaims, “Hallelujah.”
Mercedes Rivera will host her family for lunch after the service, all her brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces as well as her children and their kids. And while everyone attends an Easter service, Ouida Kowalski, Adam’s neighbor, frosts the cake shed made the day before and covers the top with chocolate chips and bright yellow peeps. George and her daughters will love it and she’ll take half to Adam.
By afternoon, everyone will be sleeping off their dinners. After that, some will join in a game of basketball at the park while others sit on the porch and wave at friends who stroll by.
Easter in Butternut Creek. Always the same and always special.
Chocolatey, sunflower Peep Cake, straight from the Welcome Committee of Butternut Creek!
Jane Myers Perrine
Tales from Butternut Creek from FaithWords/Center Street
The Welcome Committee of Butternut Creek April, 2012
The Matchmakers of Butternut Creek Fall, 2012
The Wedding Planners of Butternut Creek 2013
janemyersperrine.com
Easter Sunday Potluck Peep Cake at Butternut Creek!
- 1 package (18-1/4 ounces) yellow cake mix
- 2 cans (16 ounces each) chocolate frosting
- 19 yellow chick Peeps candies
- 1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- Prepare and bake cake according to package directions, using two greased and waxed paper-lined 9-in. round baking pans.
- Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely; carefully remove waxed paper.
- Level tops of cakes.
- Spread frosting between layers and over the top and sides of cake.
- Without separating Peeps and curving slightly to fit, arrange chicks around edge of cake for sunflower petals.
- For sunflower seeds, arrange chocolate chips in center of cake.
TIP: Take pictures of this cute cake, ’cause it’s not gonna last long!
Thank you, Kit! As usual, everything you create is beautiful. I’m so glad you asked me to write about Easter in Butternut Creek and I’m afraid I’m going to have to bake that cake. Looks delicious and easy to do. Perhaps we could use candy corn at Halloween?
Jane! You had literally hundreds of hits! Well done! And candy corns would make such a cute sunflower–great idea! And thanks for playing along
Dear admin: Thanks so much for inviting me. You’re a doll to work with! I had such a great ime.
Jane
It’s been lovely having you–you did great!
~kit
The book sounds wonderful, Jane, and so does the recipe!
April! Thanks for stopping by–wasn’t Jane wonderful?
Hey, April! Good to see you. Love your books!
Jane
Just started The Matchmakers of Butternut Creek last night. So far, I am loving every single character!
Thank you, Irene. Hope you really enjoy it. Kit and I thank you for dropping by and hope you’ll bake the cake and save us each a slice.
Me too, Irene–isn’t Jane so talented?
Jane,
I’m loving Butternut Creek already. I doubt I’ll make the Peep cake. Would rather spend my time reading your book.
You’re a dear, Chris, and I really hope you enjoy Butternut Creek–but that cake looks awfully good.
Thanks from coming by, Chris!
Jane, Kit, this isn’t fair. You both have me salivating. I’m aching to read the first Butternut Creek book, but I’m determined to hold off until your Austin autographing, Jane. And, Kit, how can I diet with you supplying such tempting goodies?
Me too, Janece. I’m quickly getting my annual “Easter Spread” because I bake like a maniac this time of year before it gets too stinking hot
Jan, have you looked around this site? Kit has the most fun recipes that look yummy–which I don’t need at all but it’s fun to look Thanks for dropping in. I appreciate it greatly.
Thank you, Jane–I’m thinking we all need to have a little ARWA potluck?
Thanks for stopping by, Jan! This cake is just too much temptation! Kit is so clever with her ideas and she found the recipe and picture.
Thank you, Jane
It’s been fun–we should do this more often!
I don’t even read recipes since I don’t really cook, but the picture looks yummy! I’m so happy for you Jane, and I can’t wait to read the 1st book in this series!
Thanks for swinging by Alexa! How’s the book going?
If you don’t cook. Alexa, just dip peeps in chocolate although they do sell them that way as well. Thank you so much for leaving a comment. Good to see you!
mmmm, Jane, sounds wonderful!