Mid-March is a busy time. If you have kids, spring break is around this time. School and spring activities are in full swing. Maybe work is really challenging right now.

Spring brings a lot of schedule adjustments in my house. And that can be stressful to me – and lots of people around me.

Because of that, I hate to mention one other calendar item, but a springtime holiday is coming up fast. You know the one.

Time to start planning Easter dinner.

What, you say? It’s way too early!

Never.

These things have a way of sneaking up on us and then we have to scramble. Trust me, I have a lot of experience with the scrambling. And holidays are not a time you want to scramble.

So, order your spiral ham now. And, if necessary, learn how to cook a spiral ham now. It’s pretty simple. But you don’t want to test the waters on Easter Sunday. Make sure you have all your ducks in a row beforehand.

See how that extra time might come in handy?

So now that we’ve all accepted that it’s coming up sooner than we think, let’s start to think about what’s on your Easter ham menu.

For your viewing pleasure, here’s a look at mine (I’m in love with it):

• Hickory Smoked Spiral Sliced Ham
• Cheddar Bacon Twice Baked Potatoes
• Carrots with Maple Glaze
• Green Beans in Mushroom Cream Sauce
• Carrot Cake

Doesn’t that sound divine?

I am drooling just thinking about this menu. And shouldn’t we aim to make holiday meals extra special? I mean, what other occasions deserve such loving attention to detail?

Planning ahead now will eliminate the stress that weekend. And then, you can just enjoy that time eating a beautiful meal and enjoying the people around you.

Now that’s a winner dinner!

Easter is almost upon us! And to me, that means the sun starts to shine brighter, spring is approaching and all is right with the world.

Seriously, when I can dig out from underneath the cold and snow I am a much happier person. And Easter is the beginning of that. I am so excited!

I might not be able to pull out my beach attire and flip flops just yet, but Easter lets me know those days are right around the corner. Hallelujah!

Every holiday to me is about food. I can’t help it. And Easter traditionally is the time for hardboiled eggs. It’s just a fact. But sometimes we can have an abundance of them and we’ve got to get creative in order to not waste any.

So, what to do?

Well, make them a part of your Easter dinner for starters. There are so many ham recipes that include hardboiled eggs. Whip up a delicious egg salad with chunks of delicious ham in it. Customize the salad however you like. But those hardboiled eggs make it extra special.

Serve a spiral ham for your main entrée for Easter dinner and serve that salad to go along with it. Delicious!

Use those hardboiled eggs as appetizers before your ham dinner. People flock to them! Get fancy. Use spices. Make them YOUR special appetizer.

Take advantage of this holiday time where the all-important hardboiled egg is a superstar. It doesn’t get much play at any other time of year – so really give it its due with delicious Easter egg recipes!

Part of the beauty of a well-designed meal is its visual appeal, too. Hardboiled eggs really deliver in this category. The sleek white in contrast with the bold yellow makes for an absolutely beautiful display. And that adds enjoyment to any meal!

Enjoy this eggstravaganza!

Will you be cooking for your sweetie this Valentine’s Day?

You really should. In fact, I must insist you cook for your sweetie. It’s very romantic, and with the right Valentine’s Day recipes you’ll hit a homerun!

Don’t go to a restaurant with long lines and impersonal service, parking issues, and specials that run out before you get there. That’s sad.

No, cook it yourself! You can do this! It’s so thoughtful!

I mean, who could resist a mouth-watering meal that’s prepared especially for them? Now, THAT’S love.

But don’t get stressed out about it. I’m going to help you and you’re going to be just fine.

Okay, we all know the way to MY heart is through steak recipes. So, I’ll be sharing some of those Valentine’s Day recipes with you to get the ball rolling. But just make your Valentine’s Day dinner specific to your love and you’ll be golden!

First, you could whip up a delicious filet mignon with this Filet with Avocado Buerre Blanc recipe. White wine? Yes! Avocado? Yes! It’s even got instructions on how to make those beautiful cross-hatch marks on your filet mignon. Presentation is everything and this one has got it all! With directions, even.

How about a ribeye to celebrate your love? This “Tangy & Sweet” Ribeyes in a Pomegranate and Wine Marinade recipe is so impressive. Notice the wine again? It is Valentine’s Day, after all!

You’re going to need a side dish or two to go with your lovely steaks. How about Asparagus with Toasted Hazelnuts? It’s elegant and a nice complement to your steaks. Then, prepare this yummy recipe for Cheese Bread and you will really make it a meal. Perfect.

But definitely choose something that your Valentine will eat. There’s nothing worse than watching someone pick uncomfortably at their food. Especially when you lovingly prepared it!

Whatever you cook this Valentine’s Day, make it special. Your sweetie will appreciate your effort!