What’s the best way to celebrate the birthday of someone special? Cookies, of course! Presents wrapped in bright colors are also welcome, but first come cookies, followed by singing off-key and finally come the presents. This order must be maintained because something sweet always shows the way to something spectacular.

I started planning Easter cookies right after Valentine’s Day and couldn’t resist this small rabbit cookie cutter and his carrot-shaped companion. They simply had to be part of this year’s Easter Parade of Sugar-y Sweets. As real bunnies are known to do, the cookie version quickly procreated and became more than 100 decorated critters, each holding its own small DOT carrot. Before long, a bunch of little bunny-size carrots joined the parade. Happy Easter!

“April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.” William Shakespeare

Several years ago I visited a Butterfly Garden near Charlotte, SC. It was the most amazing experience. When you enter into the garden, which is an enclosed space, you can actually feel the silence. The butterflies glide through the air gracefully and if you’re very still they will land on you as if you’re a natural part of their world. There are no words to describe the peace and wonder that surrounded me as these magnificent and beautiful creatures went about their business.