We had another short trip this weekend. Rich had a class for work to do on Saturday, so he and I popped down to Portland and stayed at an amazing bed and breakfast, Heron Haus, which was built with salmon money at the beginning of the twentieth century. There were so many details to the house that I really like, so I was taking pictures to keep them for our own home. We stayed on the third floor, which was where the servants' quarters were when the house belonged to the Warren family. It was a wonderful place to rest, and even though Rich had to leave for his class too early to join us for breakfast, they packaged it up for him so I could deliver it to him on his break.

I have some good reports and another prayer request. My friend Kim has had much of her speech capabilities restored, which baffles her doctors. She has completed her final round of radiation, and the doctors basically think they have done all they can to extend her life. This restoration has them confused, and we are praying for more of that kind of confusion. We hope for the Lord to work mightily in her and baffle the doctors once more. I am thankful so often that I believe in a God who raises the dead. So, we are thankful for this improvement, and any other blessings that may come. However, Saturday morning, I received a message from my cousin's wife that our aunt (his and mine, our mothers' eldest sibling) had had a stroke, was in a coma in the hospital, and had a brain bleed from the blood thinners. I had to break the news to my mother, which was difficult. Before I really had a chance to communicate with our other cousins, I received news yesterday, that my aunt had died. She was already a widow, and had lost a 19 year old granddaughter to cancer, but is survived by three sons, two of whom are married with children, a daughter, her husband, and their children. She makes the third of six siblings to pass from my mother's family. I am grieving her loss, and am so sad for my cousins and their families, but also I am grieving the loss my children have, without even realizing it, since they had not met her, as they have not met so many of my family. They have not grown up with the summer visits, family stories and all of the laughter and history that I did, and I am sorry for that. It is the reality of living an ocean away on a different continent, but it is a harder reality sometimes. Please pray that God would have mercy on her soul, and for the comfort of her children and grandchildren.

Some friends of ours also lost a family member this weekend, so please pray for the repose of the soul of Eileen, who was mother to Paul and mother in law to Jill. Again, pray for the comfort of her children and grandchildren as well.

We are finally beginning school in earnest this week. We've done some reading and activities and small studies, but we're really serious this week. I decided to start on the first, just to make things a little simpler for us. The boys start up fencing this week, and co-op began last week, so we are at full schedule for this time of year. Michaelmas** is Monday, and Jerome's name day is Tuesday. We always try to commemorate these days with special foods and activities, but also this weekend, several of our children seem to have had a cold, so we'll see if a bonfire is really feasible for Monday night. We will slay our serpent, though.

• Sunday
  Breakfast: Hash with Chorizo, Shredded Potatoes, Onions, Roasted Corn, Serrano Peppers, Diced Tomatoes, Served with Corn Tortillas and Sour Cream, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Papas con Chorizo
• Monday - Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels
  Breakfast: Peanut Butter Toast with Blackberry Jam, Sliced Apples, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Barbecue Beef Casserole, Roasted, Barbecue Seasoned Potato Wedges, Buttered, Steamed Green Beans, Apple Blackberry Crumble Pie, Sweet Serpent Bread
• Tuesday - Feast of Saint Jerome
  Breakfast: Challah with Apple Butter, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Grilled Chipotle Rubbed Skirt Steak, Sautéed Corn, Peppers and Onions, Baked Potatoes
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Ful, Diced Tomatoes, Serranos and Onions, Toast, Mint Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Borani Kadoo (using vegetable broth), Slow Sautéed Green Beans, Jasmine Rice
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Eggs in Beef Bologna Cups, Toast Fingers, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Turkey Pot Pie, Baked Squash
• Friday
  Breakfast: Slow Cooker Rice Pudding with Coconut and Craisins, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Pesto and Ricotta Baked Pasta*, Salad, Fruit Plate
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Pumpkin Pancakes with Maple Syrup, Fruit, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Baked Rigatoni, Salad, Garlic Bread

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.

**Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world -- he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. -- Revelation 12:7-9

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits, who roam through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in praelio. Contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium. Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur. Tuque princeps militiae caelestis, Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos, qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo divina virtute in infernum detrude. Amen.

Labels: Church Year, Family, Homemaking, Homeschooling, Menu Plans, Michaelmas, Name Day, Prayer Requests, Tales from the Kitchen