We are now in the second full week of Lent. It's already a time of growing. I have a family member who helps me greatly with my spiritual maturity and discipline. Perhaps that is why God has sent her into my life.

We are busy with preparations for our garden. Spring is on her way and we are eager to greet her. None of us are really fans of winter, so basically for half the year out here, we are sad and indoors. Now, we are planting seeds, repotting plants, getting ready to butcher turkeys, getting ready to buy some new fruit trees and trying to get the ground prepared for planting. We are hoping to buy a lamb that a friend will raise for us this next year, and possibly even go in with them on a milk cow to get fresh milk each day.

We've also been busy with house projects and organization. We have some trouble areas, and are trying to get on top of them, along with ongoing projects that need to be finished. The goal is to have our house as we want it within the next two years. That way, either we have a house we like and can continue living in it as we wish, or we can sell it and move on to another property that better suits us. So, we sort of have a hard deadline. What we're short of is time to work on the house. We're thinking Rich is going to have to take some vacation time and just stay home so we can get them finished.

In any case, here is the menu for the week. I don't think we have any repeats. There is a great deal of excitement this week, as we open birthday season in our family. Amira turns eight this weekend. Her birthday party will be Sunday, with her little lady friends arriving for a luncheon with fancy party sandwiches, potato salad, raspberry milk, a chocolate layer cake with raspberry filling and frosted with whipped cream and cream cheese frosting and tea to drink with it. Rich asked if he could come to the party, and I said he could if he wore a hat and white gloves. I believe there will be a viewing of Anne of Green Gables and much giggling as well.

• Sunday
  Breakfast: Hard Boiled Eggs, Khoubz Araby (Pita Bread), Satsumas, Milk & Coffee
  Dinner: Grilled Pizzas, Sliced Oranges
• Monday
  Breakfast: Oatmeal with Dates, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Eggplant Gratin with Tomatoes and Feta
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Sliced Oranges, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Four Cheese Lasagna, Garlic Bread
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Peanut Butter Toast, Sliced Oranges, Tea & Honey
  Dinner: Winter Vegetable Pie, Fruit Plate
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Creamed Eggs with Toast Fingers, Milk & Coffee
  Dinner: Roasted Salmon with White Wine Sauce, Steamed Potatoes and Green Beans with Butter and Herbs
• Friday
  Breakfast: Peanut Butter Toast with Honey, Sliced Oranges, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Tomato Dal (using olive oil in place of butter), Brown Rice
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Whole Wheat and Oat Breakfast Cake, Milk & Coffee
  Dinner: Cashew and Bean Stew, Cornbread

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