Well, if you were looking for the nutball soup recipe, you noticed that it wasn't posted Saturday. I was going to do a try to get that posted first, but I will just have to add it to this week's recipe post.

We used to go to Superbowl parties at other people's homes and hang out by the snacks while everyone else watched the game. Now, we just stay home, make snacks ourselves, and have a little anti-Superbowl party. I cannot say how much I appreciate that Rich is not a sports fiend. We watched Labyrinth, ate snacky foods, and Rich and I fell asleep. We are still in serious sleep deprivation due to Nejat's not sleeping much at night. She slept through the night exactly once this week. We could still use your prayers. As could she.

Today is the last day of the Christmas season. It is the Feast of the Purification, when Saint Mary came with the infant Jesus to the temple for her purification and His presentation. It is a feast of light, and it is traditional for churches to have candle light processions and for candles for the year to be blessed on this day. The Light of the World was made known on this day. I love that this is a feast celebrated together by both East and West. I love the idea of rest that is given by God and the Church for women after childbirth, and the welcoming back into communal worship with the rituals of the purification and, now, the churching of women.

This means that we are inching closer to Lent again. Our diet will be nearly all vegetarian during that time, so we are enjoying our meat and treats for now. Our Bible reading plan begins in February, so I will begin posting the references with each day. These are not the lectionary readings, but a plan to get through the entire Bible in a year.

• Sunday Genesis 1-3, Psalms 1-2, Proverbs 1:1-5, Matthew 1
  Breakfast: Oatmeal with Brown Sugar, Bananas, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Pepper and Pepperoni Pizza Bread, Celery Sticks, Chips and Pickle Dip*, Muddy Buddies
• Monday - Feast of the Purification Genesis 4-7, Psalms 3-4, Proverbs 1:6-10, Matthew 2
  Breakfast: Toast with Cream Cheese, Fruit, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Papas con Chorizo, Minneolas, Gingerbread Dusted with Powdered Sugar (in Our Christmas Tree Ring Pan)
• Tuesday Genesis 8:1-11:9, Psalms 5, Proverbs 1:11-15, Matthew 3
  Breakfast: Cranberry Pumpkin Muffins, Yogurt, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Borschty, Buttered Noodles, Tomato and Red Onion Salad
• Wednesday Genesis 11:10-15:21, Psalms 6, Proverbs 1:16-19, Matthew 4
  Breakfast: Slow Cooker Rice Pudding with Coconut and Craisins, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Potato and Poblano Stew, Whole Wheat Rolls, Minneolas
• Thursday Genesis 16-18, Psalms 7, Proverbs 1:20-24, Matthew 5:1-20
  Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs, Toast, Fruit Plate, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Provençal Gratin of Sausage, Tomatoes, and Zucchini, Sliced Radishes and Tomatoes
• Friday Genesis 19-21, Psalms 8, Proverbs 1:25-29, Matthew 5:21-48
  Breakfast: Granola Bars, Cinnamon Apple Sauce, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Gratin, Cracked Wheat Pilaf (using mushroom broth instead of beef broth), Marinated Tomatoes and Onions
• Saturday Genesis 22-24:49, Psalms 9:1-17, Proverbs 1:30-35, Matthew 6:1-18
  Breakfast: Pancakes with Maple Syrup, Bacon, Fruit, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Mongolian Beef, Stir Fried Peppers, Broccoli, and Onion, Rice, Minneolas

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, Menu Plans, Prayer Requests, Presentation, Purification, Tales from the Kitchen