Christ is born! Glorify Him!

We went to midnight mass for Christmas, and the prayers for the departed were both hard to hear and a comfort. Our priest reminded us that those who have passed before us are up with God rejoicing and that their celebration is more than we can imagine. They are also perfectly able to pray for us there. It was both good and difficult to have a finite end to our intense mourning. Rich stopped wearing mourning and I wore colors for the first time. We prepared our hearts to be joyful. The good thing about joy is that it doesn't preclude other emotions. So, we could be sad and joyful at the same time.

We are looking forward to our 12 days of feasting. Our Christmas dinner is not as elaborate as it usually is, but is still festive. We spent this past week making eleven kinds of candy and Chex mix. I'm planning on making one more kind of candy this week and some cookies. Rich and I have our 15th anniversary this week, too. So, this is a week of great celebration for us. Merry Christmas to you all!

• Sunday - Christmas
  Breakfast: Sausage Patties, Christmas Bread with Cream Cheese, Satsumas, Hot Cocoa with Homemade Marshmallows
  Dinner: : Roast Beef, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Eggnog, Triple Chocolate Cheesecake, Peppermint Ice Cream
• Monday
  Breakfast: English Muffin Breakfast Sandwiches with Fried Eggs, Sausage and Cheese, Cocoa and Coffee
  Dinner: Beef Pot Pie, Leftover Dessert
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: French Toast Made with Leftover Christmas Bread and Eggnog, Bacon, Satsumas, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Herb Roasted Leg of Lamb, Red Wine Sauce, Simple Rice Pilaf, Slow Sauteed Green Beans, Roast Acorn Squash and Onion Wedges
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Creamed Eggs, Toast Fingers, Tea and Honey
  Dinner: Chicken Fried Steak, Biscuits and Gravy, Roasted Cauliflower, Satsumas
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Oatmeal with Raisins and Brown Sugar, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Leftovers
• Friday
  Breakfast: Brown Butter Banana Muffins, Hard Boiled Eggs, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Roast Turkey, Bourbon Gravy, Roasted Broccoli with Garlic and Parmesan Cheese, Steam Sauteed Carrots, Butterhorn Rolls
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Cranberry Oatmeal Pancakes with Cranberry Syrup Cinnamon Rolls with Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting, Fried Eggs, Bacon, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Crab Linguine with Lemon Cream Sauce, Steamed Green Beans, Cherry Pie and Vanilla Ice Cream

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: Christmas, Church Year, Family, Homemaking, Menu Plans, Tales from the Kitchen