Joy! It is Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent. This is a little pause in the fast to remember to await our Lord with joy. We are still in the Advent anticipation, and still busy with fasting, praying and almsgiving, but are also taking time to remember the happiness that awaits us in His Incarnation and return in glory.

We celebrated this break in our fast by eating all sorts of treats today that we normally don't have during Advent. The rest of the week is still a normal week of the Advent fast. Also, there are three Ember days this week. These are days of fasting and praying that occur each season, for increase of faith, for conversions, for increase in vocations and for special intentions. If you are not fasting from meat on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, these are days to do so, or simply increase your fasting. If you are already fasting from meat, either make the days vegan or fast completely from food. If you cannot fast from food completely, fast from one or more meals that day. These are days especially dedicated to prayer. Begin with penitence. Generally speaking, since Wednesdays and Fridays are traditionally meat fast days anyway, so during Ember days, they would become full fast days. Fridays are even supposed to be full fast days during Lent for those who are able. Obviously, Good Friday is a complete fast day. Christmas Eve is a meat fast day, regardless of what day it falls during the week, the fast is broken at the evening mass. Jesus presumed we would fast and pray regularly. Fasting is not an option as a Christian, but something we are expected to do.

Oh, in the interest of preserving your faith in the internets, we did not have the fish tacos on Saturday, but Rich baked some halibut steaks with salt, champagne vinegar, safflower oil, thyme, smoked paprika and panko. He served it with rice and steamed green beans. It was delicious. Also, on Friday, it turned out that we didn't have as many eggs as I thought we did, so I made a kind of spanikopita themed bread pudding which was also wonderful. I'll post both recipes soon.

Enjoy this week's menu and feel free to ask any questions.

• Sunday
  Breakfast: Oatmeal with Brown Sugar, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: : Slow Baked Chuck Roast, Baked Potatoes, Apple Pie


• Monday
  Breakfast: Baked Cranberry Walnut French Toast*, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Vegetable Beef Soup, Artisan Bread, Pineapple


• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Dutch Baby Pancake* with Powdered Sugar and Lemon, Bananas, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Indian Summer Gratin, Clementines


• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Toast and Almond Butter, Apple- Apricot Sauce, Tea and Honey
  Dinner: Spanikopita Bread Pudding*, Oranges


• Thursday
  Breakfast: Oatmeal with Raisins and Brown Sugar, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Italian Sausage and Potato Bake, Bread to Sop up the Juices, Clementines


• Friday
  Breakfast: Granola, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Green Bean Soup, Whole Wheat Rolls


• Saturday
  Breakfast: Pancakes with Syrup, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Carrot Sticks

What is on your menu this week? If you want a recipe, ask and I will provide it as soon as I can. If there are any starred recipes, I will follow up separately with a weekly recipe round up on Saturday.

Labels: Advent, Church Year, Ember, Gaudete, Homemaking, Menu Plans, Tales from the Kitchen