EASTER TIME!!! 

As a gal who is not in the best of places with her Catholic faith, I am hesitant to write about Easter. However, I do have my faith (no worries to those who think I won’t get to Heaven!) and I do participate in “online” Mass with a group led by a priest friend and several lovely people. So I do get my weekly time with God.

That being said, I have always really enjoyed the ritual of Holy Week. Palm Sunday’s ritual, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and especially the Easter Vigil on Saturday evening, when catechumens were welcomed into the church. The faith that filled their hearts was contagious and the congregation was reminded of their Catholic roots.

Somewhere, I’ve lost my love of Holy Week, but I’m okay with it. I still feel these days are special and I treat them that way, but I am in a different place and I’m okay. I don’t really know when the change occurred, but it’s here and although I believe I’m still on a faith journey, I am just fine.

Now, Easter has always included traditions and in our house, it is the tradition of BOOBIES! *Spoiler Alert! I am speaking of the cookie we affectionately called boobies…or boobiegalora (honestly, I think my Italian relatives made that up, so I grew up believing it. Boobie is the short version…hmmm.

My Dad is happily spending today making them. He’s in his element, carrying out the tradition of his Mom and aunts. The kitchen is not totally out of order, but I’m telling you he is a little crazy when it comes to his boobies! He has his system and seems to perfect it a little bit more every year!

He has a real process…on the calendar! Color the eggs on Tuesday, make and bake boobies on Wednesday, package as needed for friends/family on Thursday, store the leftovers for our household! We do not wait until Easter to eat them, but when Dad has his snack after breakfast or before bedtime, a piece of the boobie will be eaten!

Now, boobies are not my favorite food. In fact, they are rather bland to me! The cookie is a very basic shortbread dough. Then it is molded into whatever shape you want. In my opinion, it is better to just stay with the basic and not get too fancy. After the cookie is molded (by hand), the colored, the RAW egg is placed in the center and then they are cooked for 20-25 minutes. No worries…the egg will cook while the boobie is baking. WAIT, WHAT? Yes…the egg cooks in the oven.

Once the boobies are removed from the oven, they are set out to cool. Then, a simple white frosting will go on the boobie and they will get a sprinkling of colored sprinkles! That’s it…that’s the boobie I speak of.

Now, as you may have gathered, the boobie is always a hit with coffee or milk. But the comments and jokes are even better! “Chuck, your boobies look great!” “Those are the best-looking boobies yet!” “Hey Chuck, do you have any boobies??” And so on! Believe me, these boobies are real and they are spectacular!!

I prefer to save the eggs to make egg salad. The boobies are not tempting for me! Some of you have had the privilege of enjoying the Marcellino boobies! The rest of you will just have to be curious! I can serve boobies if you come to visit! In the meantime, eat your heart out!

I have my Easter bags (no baskets here!) prepared for family. I took a trip to Muth’s Candies and stocked up on everyone’s favorites so we are good to go! Our gathering will be small but relaxing as we have ordered from Paul’s Fruit Market and will supplement with some of our favorites! Guess what we’re having for dessert???? BOOBIES!!!!  The dining room will be complemented with the Easter tree (note the chicks and furry Easter Egg on the tree!).

Pictures attached are Dad’s boobies, (stop me!) before and after, and my favorite fellas with the Easter Bunny!!

May you have a safe and blessed Easter and I wish you all my love!!!