I have decided to give myself a week off from menu planning. Why? Because three out of four of our boys are at their grandparent’s house right now. This means that I only have three people to cook for. The three of us remaining at home do still have to eat, and in fact, since it’s just Matt, Asa, and me, I may even make some extra special meals. But I see this as being a very laid-back week. There’s not even a little piece of me that feels like making a plan. And so…I rebel. :)

Do you ever feel that way when some of your family members aren’t home? Planning and cooking a big meal three times a day just doesn’t seem as necessary when the whole family isn’t here, for some weird reason.

Since I’m down three kids, I plan on taking a little vacation from the “norm”. What kind of vacation am I taking, you ask? The kind of vacation that includes painting a house, getting extra writing done, cleaning out closets and cabinets, and you know – other very “vacation-y” type activities that can be done much more easily when you are neither cooking for a crowd nor doing boat-loads of laundry.

Kudos to my dad and his lovely wife, Tacy, for being the ones who are making it all possible this week. I already miss my kids so much that I find it’s best if I don’t think about it too hard. Denial about my true feelings is a happier place to be. I know they are having a wonderful time with grandparents. (And they are probably enjoying ice cream every night before bed…)  :)

Asa did request Homemade French Fries this week saying,
“It will be much easier for you to only make fries for three of us instead of six…” 
He’s so thoughtful. 
And yes, all three of us will enjoy not having to share the fries like we usually do!

If you typically look at my menu plan each week to help you figure out what your family is eating, go ahead and sift through my archives of menu plans to see if you can find something that looks good.

Right now, my non-menu making self is going to take a nap. I figured that would be a good idea before I started my painting and writing filled vacation… :)