A Birthday, Easter, and a Meal Plan

It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of an era.

My baby is turning 11. 

Uncle Matthew and baby Emily Jane

For 10 years, Matthew has been the "baby" of the family. But with the passing of another year, I've been informed that he is officially a tweener and would appreciate being treated as such.

That means, "No more calling me the baby, mom!"

Then he begins his next sentence with, "Momma..."

This is going to be one long week. For everybody.

In honor of the tweener, I am making some of his favorite meals this week. Mostly it is just so I can hear him say "Thank you Momma", before crawling up on my lap, tucking his when-did-they-get-so-long legs underneath, to snuggle. But some if it is to appease my guilt. I've been in denial for the last 43 days, which is exactly how long Matthew has been counting down to his special day, and have refused to go birthday shopping for him. Not that I won't, but I'm just not ready.

Really, his birthday is less about him and more about me and my needs.

I need to him to stay the baby! 

In other news, our chickens have been dropping eggs left and right. We let our chickens out every morning to free range and every evening we have egg hunts. The hay pile is a favorite place, but so is the bushes, woods, under the coop, in the stickers....well, you get my point. They are everywhere! Just this morning, in the coop, we got 17. That's before the hunt.

Any ideas as to what's on the menu?

Here's what's cookin' this week...

~Monday~

Scrambled eggs & bacon

Toasted cheese on sourdough, tangerines

Lentil burritos, Caesar salad

~Tuesday~

Egg & sausage burritos (with cheese, salsa, and corn tortillas)

Tuna salad on sourdough, bananas

Chili, Sweet Cornbread

Mr. Reece's Eat Your Heart Out Cake, chocolate ice cream

~Wednesday~

Poached eggs over toast

Chili nachos

Baked ham, Macaroni & Cheese, green beans

~Thursday~

Baked Eggs

GF Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins, Yogurt Smoothies

Shredded, barbequed beef sandwiches, coleslaw

~Friday~

Ham & Swiss Strata (new)

Creamy Tomato Soup, cheese & crackers

Buttermilk Fried Chicken, GF pasta salad, carrot sticks

~Saturday~

Maple Walnut Scones

Thai Cashew Chicken, brown rice

~Sunday~

Granola

~Easter dinner~

Grass-fed Prime Rib

Organic Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Roasted Asparagus

Ambrosia

Angel Eggs

Angel Food Cake w/ Strawberries and fresh whipped cream

For more meal planning ideas, visit Menu Mondays at Organizing Junkie.