Bring on the Easter egg hunts, adorable chocolate bunnies, and beautiful pastel colors because Easter is right around the corner – this Sunday to be exact! This month, we check out the latest Easter events and celebrations taking place in and around the Sacramento area. We also share some fun DIY Easter crafts and delicious brunch recipes that you can make in the comfort of your own home. Finally, we take a look at the local real estate market to see how it’s shaping up for spring. Read on for the full scoop!

Looking for some festive ways to celebrate Easter in Sacramento? Check out our top five picks for Easter egg hunts, bunny sightings, and spring activities – all of which are taking place this weekend!

1. Spring EGGstravaganza @ Fairytale Town: (Saturday, April 16 & Sunday, April 17th): Join Fairytale Town for an exciting weekend featuring egg hunts, prizes, spring-themed arts and crafts, and more! Puppet Art Theater Company will also be on hand performing “Bunny Boot Camp” in the Children’s Theater. Tickets are $1 for members and $2 for nonmembers. Showtimes are at 12:30, 1:30, and 2:30 PM.  Plus, visit with Peter Cottontail on the Mother Goose Stage from 10 AM – 3 PM. Professional digital photos will be available to purchase for $5 or take your own for free. Make spring-themed crafts from 10 AM – 3 PM. Learn more here.
2. Easter Bunny comes to El Dorado Hills Town Center: (Now until April 17th): Stop by El Dorado Hills Town Center to capture some “egg-cellent” photos with the Easter bunny himself! Charm Photography will have prints, images, and gift items available on-site for purchase. Check out the available packages and schedule your appointment here.
3. Easter Egg Express: Saturday train rides (Now – April 16th) at 10 am and 1 pm. Sunday train rides (Now – April 17th) at 10 am, 1 pm, and 4 pm: Celebrate Easter on an unforgettable train ride and visit river-side park and boarding station. Kids will decorate their own Easter Egg bag. There will also be games, an Easter Egg hunt, and other surprises! Relax with your family and friends at one of the picnic tables and enjoy the scenery. There’s so much fun that your little bunny will be hopping with excitement. This 2.5-hour experience is fun for kids of all ages. Each ticket includes a 45-minute train ride. Learn more here.
4. Easter Eggstravaganza: (Saturday, April 16th): Join Fair Oaks for the return of a long-standing tradition, Easter Eggstravaganza! Children and their families will have an excellent time with free children’s egg hunts (0-12 years of age), craft station, petting zoo, pictures with the Bunny, and more! Looking for some extra fun? For a nominal fee, enjoy carnival games, inflatables, and an adult egg hunt. Vendors and food trucks will also be on-site! Learn more here.
5. Easter Carnival Variety Show:  (Saturday, April 16th): Dress up in your finest spring and Easter get-ups for a throwback to a softer, pastel world of carnival fun, games, snacks, and live performances of circus, sideshow, and more at Twin Rivers Cider Company. There will be 18 different types of hard cider on tap and food trucks on-site. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Purchase your tickets here.

Looking to kick off the festivities this spring with some fun Easter crafts? We’ve got you covered with five simple yet adorable ideas that everyone can partake in!

1. Golden Easter Eggs: Tired of dunking your eggs in food coloring? Take your Easter egg game to the next level with these gold marbled Easter eggs. Learn how to make them here.
2. Easter Wreath: A good first impression starts with the entryway. And what better way to welcome in guests than with a gorgeous and easy-to-make Easter wreath? This simple yet timeless design sets the tone for spring. Learn how to make it here.
3. Easter Egg Table Centerpiece: Not only do these stand-up paper eggs make for a beautiful centerpiece, but they’re also quite fun to make! You just need some card stock, a hot glue gun, and pretty ribbons and/or bows to complete this craft! Click here to see a step-by-step tutorial.
4. Bunny Planters: Check out these DIY bunny planters! The kids will have fun making them and you can put your green thumb to use. Learn how to make them here.
5. Lolli Pop Bunnies: Need a festive treat for the kids table? How about a fun surprise inside of an Easter basket? Try out these DIY lollipop bunnies! Click here to learn how to create them.

Bring on the brunch! From mimosas with a twist to savory frittatas, we’ve put together a list of recipes that will be sure to impress “every-bunny”.

Festive Drinks: Get the party started with bright florals, tart fruits, and delectable flavors in these Easter-inspired cocktails!

1. Peep This: This peep-inspired Easter mimosa is sure to be a brunch favorite with pink lemonade, champagne, and assorted peeps. Get the recipe here.
2. Spicy Bloody Mary: Every Bloody Mary bar needs a spicy option, and this recipe is the perfect option to fill the spot. Learn how to make this cocktail here.
3. Cranberry Cava Cocktail: This simple, two-ingredient cocktail incorporates cranberries to add a fresh, spring-y aura to the drink. Get the list of ingredients here.
4. Chocolate Egg Martini: This cocktail takes a grown-up spin on a child’s favorite with sweet vanilla and creamy advocaat. Get the recipe here.
5. Ginger Peach Soda Mocktail: This non-alcoholic recipe is a great mocktail for an Easter brunch, or could be punched up with a little vodka or another spirit. Learn how to make it here.

Brunch Bites: These brunch-inspired dishes will take your Easter celebration to the next level.

1. Hash Brown Nests with Portobellos and Eggs: With crispy hashbrowns, cheesy eggs, and crumbled bacon, what’s not to love about these hash brown nests?
2. Easter Frittata: This Easter Frittata is loaded with feta cheese, asparagus, and eggs that come together perfectly to create a hearty main dish. Pair with a light salad to complete your meal.
3. Eggs Benedict Biscuit Cups: Looking for smaller bites? These egg benedict-inspired biscuit cups are great for when you are serving a large crowd.
4. Sweet and Savory Crepes: Create a crepe station with these easy-to-make homemade crepes. Add toppings like berries, whipped cream, jellies, veggies, and more!
5. Slow Cooker Ham: There are tons of ways to cook ham but making it in your slow cooker might just be the easiest! Plus, it holds in all the moisture from that brown sugar glaze. Get the instructions here.

Desserts: Don’t forget the dessert! Make Easter “eggs-tra” special with these holiday-inspired treats.

1. Meyer Lemon Bunny Cookies: Switch up your normal sugar cookies with these lemon zest-infused bunny cookies, which are almost too adorable to eat!
2. Bird’s Nest Cookies: These easy chocolate nests are made with chocolate, peanut butter, and chow mein noodles, then finished off with candy eggs. The perfect Easter dessert!
3. Marbled Egg Sugar Cookies: Here’s one way to keep your kids busy while they wait for the Easter bunny to arrive. Get the recipe here.
4. Chick Cupcakes: Be sure to make extra of these almost too cute to eat chick cupcakes as they very well may “fly” off your table.
5. Bunny Oreo Balls: This no-bake dessert is the perfect way to hop into spring! Learn how to make them here.

Wondering how the Sacramento housing market is shaping up for spring? According to The Sacramento Association of Realtors “March ended with 1,366 sales, a 26.2% increase from February (1,082). Compared to one year ago (1,292), the current figure is up 5.7%. The median sales price increased 3% from $540,000 to $556,000. This figure is up 15.6% from March 2021 ($481,000). The Active Listing Inventory increased 18% from February to March, from 890 units to 1,050 units. Compared with March 2021 (918), inventory is up 14.4%. The Months of Inventory remains .8 Months. This figure represents the amount of time (in months) it would take for the current rate of sales to deplete the total active listing inventory. The Median DOM (days on market) remained at 7 and the Average DOM decreased from 17 to 15. “Days on market” represents the days between the initial listing of the home as “active” and the day it goes “pending.” Of the 1,366 sales this month, 89.2% (1,218) were on the market for 30 days or less and 95.5% (1,304) were on the market for 60 days or less.”

So what does this mean? For one, while the market is still very competitive, the active listing inventory is increasing, which will steadily create more opportunities for buyers. And as for sellers, while mortgage rates are climbing, there is still a great demand for houses in the Sacramento market, which is reflected in the steady rise of sales prices.

March is in full swing and lucky for us, Sacramento has a lot of Saint Patty’s Day celebrations in store! Read on for a full lineup of local events and activities, plus ways that you can celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day at home. We also take a look at the conflict in Ukraine and how it might affect the U.S. housing market.

Looking for some festive ways to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day in Sacramento? Check out our top five picks in and around the city!

1. St. Paddy’s Yappy Hour (Thursday, March 17th): Yappy Hour is back! Wear your green-colored attire and join the Sacramento SPCA at Hop Gardens from 4 pm to 7 pm. The best part? You can enjoy great beer, food, and raffle prizes while also supporting animals at the Sacramento SPCA.
2. Bottomless Green Beer at University of Beer (Thursday, March 17th): Join University of Beer in Sacramento for $17 bottomless green beer special from 6-10 pm with the purchase of an entree.
3. Saint Patrick’s Day Sights and Sips Cocktail Cruise (Thursday, March 17th & Saturday, March 19th): This year step aboard City Cruise’s St. Patrick’s Day Sights & Sips Cruise in Sacramento for an unforgettable day. Open to all ages! Experience a 1.5 hour cocktail cruise on the Sacramento River and cruise the day away with friends and family while soaking in Sacramento’s skyline views. Featuring St. Patrick’s Day décor and live DJ entertainment. Themed cocktails and small bites are available for purchase.
4. Old Sacramento Waterfront St. Patrick’s Day Hunt (Now through Thursday, March 17th): If you’re looking for a fun activity for the whole family this St. Patrick’s Day, join the Leprechaun Hunt at the Old Sacramento Waterfront – going on now through Thursday, March 17th. Pick up your activity pages at the Old Sacramento Visitor’s Center or download here to print your own to search for ten Leprechauns hidden throughout the Old Sacramento Waterfront. Each Leprechaun will have a corresponding, secret word that families must fill in on the activity pages to move onto the next hidden Leprechaun. Don’t forget, you’ll need to fill in each clue to solve the secret code at the end. Once complete, email the secret word by March 17th to info@oldsacramento.com for a chance to win!
5. Shamrock Hunt at Hagen Community Park (Saturday, March 19th): Come out for a free family event at Hagen Community Park from 10 am to 12:30 pm. Children can hunt for shamrocks hidden by leprechauns and there will be prizes, activities, and vendors! Learn more here.

Do you plan on celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day in the comfort of your own home? From appetizers and mains to creative cocktails and desserts, we’ve put together a list of fun recipes that will be sure to impress your St. Patty’s Day crew.

Festive Drinks: Get the party started with these festive beers, mixed drinks, and mocktails!

1. Green Beer: It wouldn’t be Saint Patrick’s Day without green beer. With just one drop of food coloring, you can make your own. Get the recipe here.
2. Irish Coffee: You may not be Irish but your coffee can be…Celebrate the occasion with this Spiked Irish Coffee!
3. Lucky Charms Shots: Try out these “magically delicious” shots with Bailey’s Irish Cream and Lucky Charms!
4. Shamrock Sour Cocktail: Whiskey sour gets a festive makeover by going green.
5. Jameson Jello Shots: Saint Patrick’s Day isn’t complete without jello shots! Have a “shamrockin’” good time with these Jameson Jello Shots.
6. Fuzzy Leprechaun: This yummy fruity cocktail is made with peach schnapps, blue Curacao, and vodka. Learn how to make it here.
7. Lime Sherbert St. Patty’s Day Punch (Non-Alcoholic): This delicious lime sherbert drink packs a punch! Learn how to make it here.
8. Irish Car Bombs: This staple St. Paddy’s Day drink doesn’t need an introduction…End the night with an Irish Car Bomb!

Bring on the Appetizers: Looking for some tasty appetizers to go with that green pint of Guinness? Check out these St. Patty’s Day approved dips, bites, and sliders.

1. Corned Beef and Cabbage Sliders: This ridiculously easy app is taken to the next level with Guinness mustard. Learn how to make it here.
2. Pretzel Dog Beer Cheese Dip: You can’t go wrong with beer, cheese, and pretzels. Click here to make this crowd-pleasing app.
3. Irish Potato Nachos: If you haven’t tried Irish Potato Nachos, you’re missing out. What’s not to love about a heaping pile of crisp potatoes slathered in shredded cheese and topped off with crunchy bacon and fresh chives? Get the recipe here.
4. Bacon-Wrapped Cabbage Wedges: When in doubt, add bacon. The best part? These bacon-wrapped cabbage wedges get bonus points for being low carb. Learn how to make them here.
5. Irish Pub Cheese Recipe: This creamy cheese pairs well with pretzels, pita chips, or sliced veggies.
6. Saint Paddy’s Dill Dip: Serve this delicious dip with raw vegetables or crackers of your choice.
7. Spicy Whiskey BBQ Sliders: Doctor up your favorite BBQ sauce for St. Paddy’s Day by adding onions, jalapeños, and Irish whiskey. It’s the best way to serve these mini sliders.
8. St. Patrick’s Day Rainbow Veggie Platter: Impress even your pickiest Leprechauns with this Rainbow Veggie platter!

Mains: These Irish-inspired dishes will take your Saint Patrick’s Day celebration to the next level.

1. Soda Bread: Can someone pass the bread? Learn how to make this quintessential Irish side here.
2. Corned Beef in Beer (Crockpot): Let your crockpot do the work by trying out this tasty Corned Beef in Beer recipe.
3. Irish Cabbage and Bacon: There’s nothing boring about this cabbage dish, which is loaded with bacon, onions, chicken broth, and mustard seeds.
4. Irish Pan Haggerty Potatoes: This classic Irish potato dish is loaded with sliced potatoes, bacon, onions, and of course, cheese. Check out the recipe here.
5. Irish Stew: This traditional comfort dish features tender lamb, hearty carrots, and lots of potatoes.
6. Irish Shepherd’s Pie: A Saint Patrick’s Day meal is not complete without a heaping serving of Irish Shepherd’s Pie. Get the recipe here.
7. Irish Pub Salad: You can’t forget your greens! Incorporate this Irish Pub salad into your menu. It’s loaded with eggs, cheese and topped with tarragon dressing.

Desserts: Don’t forget the dessert! Consider making one of these holiday-inspired treats.

1. Pot O’ Gold Cups: These little brownies prove that you don’t have to go to the end of the rainbow to find the perfect St. Paddy’s Day dessert.
2. Lucky Charm Eclaires: This nostalgic treat is not only adorable with the Lucky Charm garnishes but it’s also delicious. Get the complete recipe here.
3. Green Velvet Pops: Forget red velvet — green velvet will be your new favorite rich (and holiday-appropriate) cake pop flavor.
4. Irish Chocolate Pots de Creme: Not only is this dessert gorgeous but you can also make it ahead of time in just minutes! Add two tablespoons of Baileys for that Irish touch. Check out the recipe here.
5. Shamrock Shake Cupcakes: This minty cake topped with fluffy whip cream mousse is what dreams are made of! Get the full recipe here.

Wondering how the conflict in Ukraine may affect the U.S. housing market? According to Housing Wire, it may lead to lower mortgage rates in the short term. “While mortgage rates trended upward in 2022, one unintended side effect of global uncertainty is that it often results in downward pressure on mortgage rates,” said Odeta Kushi, deputy chief economist of title insurance firm First American. “The 10-year Treasury yield is down today, likely in response to the worsening Russia-Ukraine conflict, and mortgage rates may follow suit.” Read the full article here.