We are emerging from what feels like the black death here. Rich and I were down for the count. The children went through it pretty quickly, but we had responsibilities that had to be taken care of and pushed through, much to our detriment. I could give an accounting on what we ate last week, but that seems pointless. We did eat.

We had a lovely birthday party for Amira, which kicked off the week, then kind of went down hill from there. Because of our deep sickness, there is a lot that has not been done and just does not look like it will be done. There is too much urgent to go back to make up for the lost time at this point. I'm sorry about that. In any case, I am just now emerging from the fog of illness, fever and pain, to rejoin the land of the living.

Alexander and Dominic did an admirable job of holding down the fort and taking care of simple meals and the bare minimum of running the house, including morning prayer and basic chores, so Rich and I could rest. It got so bad that I ended up calling the children with my cell phone, because I couldn't even make my voice loud enough to be heard through our bedroom door, and even if I could, the coughing spasms that would wrack my body when trying to do it wasn't worth it.

So, here is our menu for the week. Sunday was a rough day. We had brunch and dinner. I basically spent every last bit of energy I had on Sunday to make the St. Patrick's day meal, which was appreciated, but took a lot out of me. We didn't do much for the feast days this week. Amira pulled out the St. Joseph's staff they made last year for his feast. We have a great love for St. Joseph here, so I was a little sad we couldn't do more. I'm just glad that this didn't strike while we were in Holy Week.

• Sunday
  Breakfast: Asparagus and Boursin Frittata, Sliced Oranges, Cinnamon Pastries, Hot Apple Juice
  Dinner: Corned Beef with Brown Sugar and Mustard Glaze, Colcannon, Oatmeal Bread
• Monday
  Breakfast: Cream Cheese and Bagels, Sliced Apples, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Pasta with Tomato and Olive Sauce, Mandarin Oranges
• Tuesday - Feast of St. Joseph
  Breakfast: Coconut Pancakes, Sliced Mangos, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Fish Sticks, Baked Potato Wedges, Roasted Cauliflower
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Oatmeal with Cinnamon Sugar, Bananas, Ginger Lemon Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Pasta with Garlic, Greens and Toasted Walnuts, Steam Sauteed Broccoli Raab
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Yogurt and Strawberry Jam, Buttered Toast, Ginger Lemon Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Black Bean and Tortillas Casserole, Avocado, Sour Cream, Salsa and Roasted Pineapple
• Friday
  Breakfast: Almond Butter Toast, Sliced Oranges, Ginger Lemon Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Root Vegetable Casserole, Green Salad, Fruit Plate
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Spinach and Egg Strata, Milk & Coffee
  Dinner: Garlicky White Bean and Chard Soup, Whole Wheat Rolls

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 recipe round up on Saturday.

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