Easter Sunday wasn’t just any Sunday, or any Easter — it was also my 50th birthday! I can usually count on rain for my birthday, many years we’ve had snow, but this year the weather looked great for a picnic. We set up the feast at the top of the field. It was cool! (I mean cool, as in nearly cold).

Nicolas and Jean-Pierre bravely wrestled to put up the tent walls in the stiff breeze. We had a good laugh about our folly, toasted my next 50 years, and dug in. There wasn’t too much hesitation when I suggested we move the party indoors for the cake (umm, merci Catherine!) and coffee. Quick as a wink, the site was whisked clean and everyone was warming up indoors.

After lunch we went back to seeding, with only the tiniest champagne buzz.