Easter Traditions You Will Find in Plains, Georgia

This is why I love Plains, Georgia... small town USA and good ole traditions rolled into one.

Admittedly, there are a few aspects of adjusting to country life here at my Plains cottage in Georgia that I've been slow to embrace. The field mice, bad cell service, and lack of shopping options immediately come to mind.

Beyond that, however, there really is no place like Jimmy Carter’s hometown which is why when it comes to celebrating Easter and Spring, I do think I’m gonna like it here.

When you're in the South, good food and a good tablescape are a must. For me, that always starts with a great Spring tablecloth to set the mood. I like to use one that is good for both indoor and outdoor use so I have options!

As I started thinking through what I would put together for our table this year, I thought it would be fun to share a few ideas with you and also what I like about planning for Easter here at the cottage in Plains, Georgia.

Using cottage style flower pots with pretty flowers (faux or real ones) is a quick DIY you can do as a centerpiece option. This is a unique and fun addition to your Easter table!

Here in Plains, Georgia, some Easter traditions I absolutely love are the use of southern flowers and of course the recipes the ladies serve. I have a couple of Easter recipes I want to share with you from Jimmy Carter's family and friends here in our beloved town. There's a cookbook called Plain(s) & Simple I have featured in a whole article about it here.

"Bunnies are cuddly, the large and the small. But I like the chocolate ones the best of them all."

1. A Southern Easter Menu Preview from Plains, Georgia

I will have my complete menu and tablescape planned out next week, but here's a sneak peek at what I love and have found here in the South.

GLAZED HAM WITH PINEAPPLE AND CHERRIES

Ingredients:

1 bone-in ham

1/2 cup whole cloves

1 (20 ounce) can pineapple rings in heavy syrup

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 can of lemon lime soda

1 jar chopped maraschino cherries

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

2. Place ham in roasting pan. Score the rind of the ham with pineapple, cherries and clove.

3. Coat ham with soda and sugar.

4. Bake uncovered 4-5 hours.

2. Easter Church Service

I've been told by the Carters' that sunrise service on Easter is when every church, regardless of denomination, comes together over by the old Plains High School. Then like any other place, Easter in Plains, Georgia includes going to the traditional service.

Besides going to church for Easter as a kid, I remember picking out my Easter outfit as a young girl was always a big deal. It usually had seersucker or plaid fabric. What about you?

3. Easter Bunny & Hunting Easter Eggs

Such a fun activity for the whole family, I love hunting (and hiding!) pastel Easter eggs.