I still have a post in the drafts file about our trip and Elijah's birthday surprise. There is also a Finished Object Friday post that never made it out. I'd like to say these will get done this week, but with all of the Holy Week preparations, I cannot make that promise.

There are more meat fast days this week and a strict fast for Good Friday, which only Rich will be observing. This is the pinnacle of the Church year that we are approaching and we are excited and awed, even now, even after years of celebrating and meditating on the passion and suffering of our Lord and the joy and hope of His resurrection.

In the meantime, we are going through a tough time during this Holy Week as well. It is nothing I can discuss at the moment, but if you would be praying for our whole family, I would appreciate it. In fact, please pray for everyone involved, which extends beyond our family. We have some tough decisions down the pike, coming sooner than we expected, and there are circumstances that might push us one way or the other out of frustration or reaction rather than prayer and discernment.

This past week's meals were shifted all around because we had some things going on during the week that we didn't expect as well as something I'd forgotten.

• Monday: Blackened Chicken Salad (with half the honey and pepper jack instead of mozzarella), Garlic Bread, Pineapple (we have still not managed to make this because of our schedules lately)
• Tuesday: Bacon and Vegetable Quiche, Salad
• Wednesday: Mejeddarah, Crisp Onions, Yogurt, Lemony Salad (we were invited to our neighbors' for dinner Saturday, so this was put off)
• Thursday: Macaroni & Cheese, Fruit, Carrot Sticks
• Friday: Fiesta Casserole, Salad
• Saturday: Shrimp Salad Sandwiches with Avocado (there is a great deal on wild caught, cooked shrimp)
• Sunday: Paschal Feast - Two Herb Roasted Legs of Lamb, One Grilled, Butterflied Leg of Lamb, Hummus, Khoubz Araby, Laban bi Chiyar, Harissa, Tabbouleh, Potato Salad with Kalamata Olives & Lemon-Dill Dressing, Waraq Ounab, Braided Paschal Bread with Red Eggs, Triple Chocolate Cheese Cake, Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake with Lemon Sauce and more! I know I will end up making more than this and other people will bring their offerings to the meal as well. (Someone bring deviled eggs, please!) We'll have wine and sparkling cider and all the kinds of foods we haven't eaten during Lent. I'll post links to the recipes later, but I'm actually typing this at the time stamp below and I am tired.

If you want a recipe, ask and I will provide it as soon as I can.
What is on your menu this week?

I will post my pantry and fridge clean out items sometime tomorrow, when I post the recipe links. Thank you for your patience.

Here are my Fridge and Pantry Clean Out lists. Again, these are only for dinners and will not include anything bought specifically for the meals or within the last week.

Freezer:
Chicken Thighs
Legs of Lamb
Ground Lamb
Pine Nuts
Blueberries
Garbanzo Beans
Pie Crusts (I made these a bit back, and will use them for the quiche)


Fridge:
Lettuce
Celery
Carrots
Chard
Butter
Cheddar
Pepper Jack Cheese
Parmesan
Milk
Yogurt
Homemade Mayonnaise
Tahina
Eggs


Pantry:
All Dried Herbs
All Spices
Salt
Onions
Garlic
Potatoes (from our garden last summer)
Rice
Elbow Macaroni
Bulgur
Black Beans
Lentils
Diced Tomatoes
Tortilla Chips
Flour
Sugar
Olive Oil
Soy Sauce
Vinegar
Mustard
Honey
Worcestershire Sauce
Red Wine

Fresh Basil from a Pot
Fresh Rosemary from the Herb Garden
Fresh Thyme from the Herb Garden
Fresh Mint from the Herb Garden

Labels: Church Year, Family, Holy Week, Homemaking, Lent, Menu Plans, Prayer Requests, Tales from the Kitchen