Easter came and went, and with it, another memorable family gathering—one filled with laughter, good intentions, and one very stubborn ham.

You’d think by now, I’d have Easter dinner down to a science. After all, I’ve tackled everything from burnt biscuits to mashed potatoes that could double as cement, but this year? This year, I met my match. The Easter ham refused to cook.

More on that in a bit—first, let’s talk about everything else that’s been keeping me on my toes this week.

This Week in the wilderness

My to-do list is looking more ambitious than ever. I don’t know what it is about this time of year, but suddenly, I’m convinced I can clean the entire house, revamp the garden, and become a well-organized person all at once. (Spoiler: I cannot.)

• Attempted another round of spring cleaning. I did make progress, but somehow, my junk drawer is still a disaster zone.
• Planted new flowers. This time, I’m hoping they survive longer than a week.
• Made a grocery list and actually stuck to it. (A miracle, honestly.)
• Tried a new recipe. The results were questionable, but edible, so I’ll call it a win.

And, of course, there was Easter dinner—which brings us to The Great Ham Incident of 2025.

Life at Shady Pines free range seniors

It all started like any other Easter. The table was set, the side dishes were coming together, and the ham—the glorious centerpiece of the meal—was placed in the oven, ready to transform into a caramelized, honey-glazed masterpiece.

Except… it didn’t.

Two hours passed, and the ham was barely warm. Three hours? Still cold in the middle. At this point, I started questioning everything. Was my oven broken? Did I accidentally buy a ham made of indestructible materials? Was this some kind of holiday prank?

Meanwhile, Ma and Uncle R had opinions.

Ma: “Are you sure you turned the oven on?”
Me: “Yes, Mother.”
Uncle R: “Well, in my day, we just put it on a spit and roasted it over a fire.”
Me: “Are you suggesting I build a bonfire in the backyard?”
Uncle R: “Wouldn’t be the worst idea.”

After four long hours, the ham finally—finally—decided to cooperate, but by then, everyone had already loaded up on side dishes. So what was supposed to be the star of the meal became leftovers before it was even served.

Lesson learned: Next year, I’m making a backup plan. Or maybe I’ll just let Uncle R handle it over an open flame.

Hot Flashes & More the joys of midlife

I don’t know what’s more unpredictable—my oven or my own body.

🔥 Woke up sweating, but somehow still cold.
🔥 Started a sentence, forgot what I was saying halfway through. Twice.
🔥 Found my glasses… on top of my head.
🔥 Got irrationally excited about a new laundry detergent.

At this point, midlife is a comedy I didn’t sign up for. If my brain and my body could just sync up for once, that would be great.

What’s Cooking for dinner tonight

I started meal planning to help me in the grocery store a little more. We shop monthly and well lets be honest sometimes I don’t buy enough of something or I buy too much of something else. So, I thought I would share what our dinner plans are for next week and see what you think.

1. Monday: Turkey and Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie
2. Tuesday: Eat Out
3. Wednesday: Baked Potatoes with Chili and Cheddar Cheese
4. Thursday: Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli
5. Friday: Pan-Seared Trout with Lemon Butter and Wild Rice
6. Saturday: BLT Sandwiches with Chips
7. Sunday: Roast Chicken, Stuffing, Roasted Vegetables, and Strawberry Shortcake

A Moment of peace and quiet

After the ham fiasco, the post-Easter mess, and surviving a week of chaos in general, I needed a little escape.

So, I made a cup of tea, found the coziest blanket I could, and ignored my phone for an hour. Just me, the sound of the birds outside, and a much-needed moment to breathe.

Of course, my peace didn’t last long—because as soon as I emerged, Uncle R asked, “So, what are we having for dinner? Not ham, I hope.”

I might need another quiet moment after that.

Storied Conversation a little book chat

Did you know I write more than one blog? Well I do and here are a few highlights from Storied Conversation. Please note that clicking any of the links below will take you away from Rita Reviews. I just wanted to let you know but please click away and give these blogs some love as well. You never know what you may find.

Final Thoughts: Ham, Laughter, and a Little Chaos

This week reminded me of a few things:

🐷 Always have a backup plan when cooking a holiday meal.
🔥 Midlife is a wild ride, but at least it’s entertaining.
☕ Sometimes, a quiet moment is the best thing you can give yourself.

As for next Easter? I’m considering just making reservations.

Until next time, friends!

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