The Weekly Ramble – March 20, 2026

Hello and Happy Friday! Let’s chat Easter planning, reframing, and Jane Austen.

Isn’t that a gorgeous sunrise? I was actually downstairs and peeped it through the back window and had to run upstairs to get a better view. It was a glorious five minutes as the light deepened and shifted, making for a great start to the week.

This kind of picture was common place two years ago, but it seems the great skies have been more rare this last year. Or maybe I haven’t been paying attention?

This week went by in a blur since that Monday morning, with some ups and some downs.

One of the ups was a walk down Memory Lane, specifically the last three Easters. I honestly had no recollection of what we did. I’m thankful for my camera roll and past weekly rambles.

Last year I had planned three meals for the day, but when reality hit, we ended up just having one big snacky lunch in the afternoon. It was simple and easy and totally make-ahead.

I didn’t even remember the carrot cake snafu until I read last year’s Easter ramble. Ha! But, the second carrot cake was divine!

We’ve never done Easter baskets but last year I bought everyone a book. I don’t know how many of them actually got read, so I’ll need to do something different this year.

In 2024, we did a family craft of painting plastic eggs. I think that was a year of high-priced eggs so we didn’t dye any. I shopped the pantry and made an Italian-inspired feast and the kids gorged themselves on Hot Cross Buns.

I was particularly pleased with the kumquat conserva I made. That stuff is super yummy.

In 2023 I kept things extra simple with grilled pork tenderloin, caesar salad, sourdough bread, and roast potatoes for our Easter dinner and chocolates for dessert.

Not pictured: a custom box of See’s candy for myself. Ha!

The kids had never had Cadbury creme eggs (gross) so I bought them some. No one was a fan.

As for this year’s plans, I’m leaning toward more simple fare…as well as a family survey. I do these for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays as well as big trips so it makes sense to do one now. It’s a great way to get everyone’s input. I love learning how their tastes have changed. I’ll let you know next week what they say.

Here’s what else I’ve been doing, eating, listening/watching, and/or reading this past week:

What I’ve been Doing

There was a day earlier this week when things were feeling pretty dismal. Nothing major, nothing that wouldn’t flee soon, but it was a rough morning.

I read my Bible, journaled and prayed, “crashed out” talking with one of the kids, repaired the mess and then I bought myself flowers at Trader Joe’s. I ended up having a sweet talk with the checker, herself a mom who looked like she’d been having a down day. In the end, it was a good day after all.

While the bouquet I assembled didn’t fix everything, it certainly has brightened up the space.

What I’ve been Eating

You know how everyone is really excited with a new batch of granola and then a week later you’ve got dregs? We’re in the dregs.

Unfortunately, the blueberries haven’t been amazing, so granola and berries have been a little lackluster.

Despite my good plans, I’ve not gotten it together enough to meal prep salad and veg so that I can confirm my 800grams a day. I’ve been trying to eat fresh produce whenever I can, though.

What I’ve been Listening/Watching

This week I watched the 1983 mini series Mansfield Park. I wasn’t super pleased with the casting, but enjoyed how true to the book it was. I don’t think modern productions give Sir Thomas a big enough role. He really is a main character.

I caught up on the What Have You’s podcast. The more recent episode has me thinking about “keeping a record of rights”. You know that passage in 1st Corinthians that says love doesn’t keep a record of wrongs?

I’d suggest that it doesn’t keep a record of rights, either, at least not in the sense of a scorecard. Who’s doing things better?

I confess that I have been guilty of that.

What I’ve been Reading

I finished Mansfield Park and have to say it really is underrated. Modern American sensibilities don’t like who Fanny Price ends up with, but it really is such a great lesson on character, child training, humility, and staying true to one’s principles.

10/10 recommend

I skimmed a second book, a modern day Pride and Prejudice, set in Italy, written in Italian, where Elizabeth is a single mom, seduced by Whickham.

I say skimmed because I really didn’t care about the characters enough to read the middle 40 chapters. Ha! It was free to Amazon prime members and a movie will release in May.

Not sure I recommend it.

Alrighty, it’s vacay day and Bryan is patiently waiting for me. Leave me a comment and we’ll chat when I get back!