Monday, February 27, 2017
Menu Plan: First Week of Lent
We just got home (less than 24 hours ago) from a fantabulous family vacation. We were able to visit with some good friends, stay at some lovely hotels, eat amazing food, go to Legoland, take over a cooking friend's home, enjoy the sunshine and the beach and the ocean, attend church at a cathedral in our communion, commune with our brothers and sisters and visit with friends there, and then returned home after almost 11 days to the frozen north and snow and ice. Nejat has told us numerous times today that she wants to move to California because there is no snow there.
Glory to God, we did not return to a flooded basement! So, even though we hadn't planned on doing our doughnut night this year, since Shrove Tuesday was only a day after our return, we are going to throw it together, anyway. I'm not sure who will be able to make it, but our kids were rather disappointed to hear that I was skipping it this year.
Lent is upon us, and even though we follow the Western calendar, I am pleased that it coincides with the East this year. May both lungs of the Church be united in our lifetime. If you want a refresher on the Lenten fast, it is a Trinity of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. We find it better to fast with the Church than to come up with something to give up specifically, though we have done that as well as the fast. Since we have small children, we are not as strict about the fast as we might be otherwise, we still eat dairy and egg, and occasionally fish, and we eat meat on Sundays. Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday are strict fasts, for at least 24 hours, but we have younger children who may only participate for one or two meals or none at all (in the case of Nejat, for instance), so I still plan meals for those days. We try to keep the stricter rules for Wednesdays and Fridays during Lent, but sometimes cannot do so. However, if you are looking for menu help and meal ideas for Lent, I do post meals and recipes that are meat free.
As we prepare for Lent, we must prepare for self-examination, in that frame of mind, if I have offended you or wronged you in any way, please forgive me and pray for me, a sinner. Have a blessed fast.
- Sunday
Breakfast: Cereal, Bananas, Cocoa and Coffee
Dinner: Pizza at the Airport - Monday
Breakfast: Pancakes with Butter and Blueberry Lemon Preserves, Fried Ham, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Mexican Spiced Beef and Vegetables with Salsa Rice - Tuesday - Mardi Gras
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Toast, Oranges, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Crock Pot Jambalaya with Shrimp and Andouille Sausage, Rice, Hot Pepper Vinegar, Yeasted Potato Doughnuts with Lemon Glaze, Apple Fritters with Cinnamon Glaze* - Wednesday - Ash Wednesday
Breakfast: Almond Butter Toast, Tangerines, Tea with Honey
Dinner: Besan Chila, Harissa, Cabbage Salad, Fruit Plate - Thursday
Breakfast: Creamed Eggs, Toast Fingers, Oranges, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Indian Dal Makhani, Garlic Rice, Fruit Plate - Friday
Breakfast: Honey Almond Butter Toast, Tea with Honey
Dinner: Garbanzo Bean Tomato Soup with Orzo, French Bread, Fruit - Saturday
Breakfast: Cherry Almond Granola with Yogurt and Honey, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Potato Kibbeh, Steam Sauteed Vegetables, Fruit Plate
Labels: Ash Wednesday, Church Year, Family, Homemaking, Lent, Mardi Gras, Menu Plans, Tales from the Kitchen
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Yarn Along: Cast on Another, Why Not?
In the next few weeks, I'm going to have a chance to knit on a plane again. We're escaping our miserable winter for a little while and visiting with friends we haven't seen in a while (my friend Kim's husband and kids) and taking the kids to Legoland. We got a great deal, and this was probably going to be the last chance we had to do something like this with all of them. It's a little bittersweet. Also, flying with eight children is kind of freaking me out a little. So, to prepare, I made sure my knitting purse fit all the things I'd need for travel, including all the knitting I'm bringing on needles. Since I don't want TSA to steal my Leatherman Micra, I took that out of my notions bag already, and since I want no trouble about empty knitting needles, I cast on for Amira's Rainbow Angst, because why not? I've actually gotten a bit of knitting done this week on that, it's knit top down, and I'm through almost all the increases before separating the body from the sleeves. There's been more knitting than normal this week, with progress on Amira, Sirocco (it's missing in that photo up there), and Eve's Leaves. Anyway, I'm bringing three projects with me; Sirocco is staying at home, because it involves too many different skeins of yarn. I had to keep myself from bringing another project, because I have a sweater planned for Jerome, since he's the only person in the house who hasn't had a sweater specifically made for him.
My reading has been a bit limited, but I've done a little in both Sirach study, and A Perfect Red: Empire, Espionage, and the Quest for the Color of Desire. I'm only planning on bringing the study book, my prayer book and a Bible with me on the trip. I don't anticipate a lot of reading time and I'm going to use our travel time for knitting as much as possible.
I forgot to ask if you were participating in the #yarnlovechallenge on Instagram. There have been a lot of neat and creative posts. You can see what I have posted there by following me.
Also posting to Keep Calm and Craft On.
Labels: Books, Design, Family, Giftalong, Homemaking, Knitting, Patterns, Yarn Along
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Menu Plan: February 12 - 18
This week and next are going to be pretty busy for us. We're getting ready for a pretty big trip with the whole family, so I'll try to post on the blog next week, but I make no guarantees. There's a ton of laundry and organizing and paperwork and last minute school work and scholarship applications going on here before we can leave. Not surprisingly, I am a bit tense about all that needs to be done. Oh, and we have to try to prep a closet in our basement to withstand a leak, should the big thaw come while we are gone. I've been having the kids shovel snow and ice chunks away from our walls and roll giant ice and snow balls out of our yard into the irrigation ditch. Rich came home and saw them by the ditch line with them and asked if they were building snowmen. They told him that they were getting rid of the snow, because I'd told them to do it. Only the little kids are really still excited about the snow at all.
When I planned our menus for last week, I had forgotten that we'd scheduled our monthly dance a week early, so our Saturday dinner is being repeated this week. We're still eating our way through the citrus we bought, too, and we're repeating a few breakfasts as well.
- Sunday
Breakfast: Oatmeal with Brown Sugar with Raisins, Oranges, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Chicken and Green Chile Enchiladas, Rice, Pinto Beans, Tortilla Chips, Guacamole, Salsa, Sour Cream, Apple Crumble and Vanilla Ice Cream - Monday
Breakfast: Toast with Feta Cheese, Za'atar and Olive Oil, Mandarin Oranges, Milky Tea with Honey
Dinner: Braised Lamb Shanks, Steam Sauteed Carrots Spiced with Harissa, Freekeh, Pomegranates - Tuesday
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Toast, Pomelos, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Crock Pot Jambalaya with Shrimp and Andouille Sausage, Rice, Hot Pepper Vinegar, Oranges - Wednesday
Breakfast: Ful, Harissa, Toast, Sliced Oranges, Tea with Honey
Dinner: Indian Dal Makhani, Garlic Rice, Fruit Plate - Thursday
Breakfast: Yogurt and Jam, Buttered Toast, Oranges, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Sliders, Home Fries, Salad, Fruit - Friday
Breakfast: Honey Almond Butter Toast, Tea with Honey
Dinner: Baked Potatoes with Vegetables and Cheese, Salad - Saturday
Breakfast: Pancakes with Maple Syrup, Bacon, Fried Eggs, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Grilled Chipotle Rubbed Flank Steak Fajitas with Grilled Peppers and Onions, Quick and Dirty Mexican Rice, Black Beans, Ice Cream
Labels: Church Year, Family, Homemaking, Menu Plans, Tales from the Kitchen
Tuesday, February 07, 2017
Yarn Along: Eureka!
It still delights me that my knitting goes with my book. I'm simple that way. Do you see that up there, though? That's the neckline swatch for Amira! Eureka! This means that I am ever closer to getting the pattern released this year. I had a couple people working on the top last year, and I'm hoping they are not too weary of the project at this point, so they might finish up in time for me to push for a March publication date. However, an excellent pattern is better than a timely release date. I am trying to remember that.
I made a little progress on Eve's Leaves again this week. Still mostly while Rich drives us to and from church. I think I got one row of the lace pattern done after choir practice this week, too. Only a few rows done on Sirocco, but progress is progress.
Nobody bit last week, so I'll ask one more time: If you would answer a design question for me, I would appreciate it. Please leave your response in the comments. Sirocco is part of a two part collection I had planned for the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019 (one focusing on texture and the other on color). It is actually going to be in the collection put out in 2019. I planned to have all of the patterns in the collections available for sale individually (maybe with one freebie in each as a bonus to those who purchase the whole set), but didn't know if I should release each pattern as it is available, or wait and release them all when their part of the collection is complete. One pattern from the first part of the collection is already available in my store, and putting out Sirocco this year would mean that one pattern from the second part of the collection would also be available ahead of time. I'm okay with that as a preview, but I'm wondering if all the rest should come out as they are ready or not. What do you think?
The girls did have strep and we had an episode of fever induced delusion this week, plus at least one son has caught it. I'm possibly in denial about having it myself. This is all to say that the Sirach study did not get touched this week, either, and I only made a slight dent in A Perfect Red: Empire, Espionage, and the Quest for the Color of Desire. Please pray for our household, that all would rest, and especially that all would be well.
Also posting to Keep Calm and Craft On.
Labels: Books, Design, Family, Giftalong, Homemaking, Knitting, Patterns, Yarn Along
Sunday, February 05, 2017
Menu Plan: February 5 - 11
The produce man came through for us this week and we have pomelos, mandarin oranges, cara cara oranges, cucumbers and dates. On top of that, we had a great deal on fish and shrimp, so those will show up in our menus over the next month or so. Especially as we count down to Lent. I'm trying to decide if I should keep them in the freezer until then, or if we should just put them in the menu as I feel led. Either way, our schedule is such that most of our meals have to be fairly quick except for weekends. There are a few repeats this week.
- Sunday
Breakfast: Oatmeal with Brown Sugar with Raisins, Bananas, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Lamb Kofta in Tomato Sauce, Harissa, Laban bi Chiyar, Saffron Rice Pilaf, Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette - Monday
Breakfast: Slow Cooker Rice Pudding with Craisins and Coconut, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Slow Cooked Chuck Roast, Baked Potatoes, Sliced Tomatoes and Cucumbers - Tuesday
Breakfast: Baked Oatmeal with Pear Sauce, Coffee and Milk
Dinner: Souvlaki, Marinated Cucumbers and Onions, Freekeh - Wednesday
Breakfast: Ful, Harissa, Toast, Sliced Oranges, Tea with Honey
Dinner: Pan Fried Mackerel, Spiced Roasted Cauliflower, Cucumber Salad, Pomelos - Thursday
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs, Breakfast Sausage Links, Mandarin Oranges, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Mongolian Beef, Stir Fried Veggies with Garlic and Sesame Oil, Rice, Fruit Plate - Friday
Breakfast: Honey Almond Butter Toast, Tea with Honey
Dinner: Indian Dal Makhani, Garlic Potato Naan, Fruit Plate - Saturday
Breakfast: Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole, Grapefruit, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Crock Pot Jambalaya with Shrimp and Andouille Sausage, Rice, Hot Pepper Vinegar, Oranges
Labels: Church Year, Family, Homemaking, Menu Plans, Tales from the Kitchen
Wednesday, February 01, 2017
Yarn Along: Symphony of Red
Most of my knitting this week has matched my book. Though I did a little work on Eve's Leaves while at driving to and from church and at choir practice, mostly I worked on Sirocco. I also started a swatch to see if the method and calculations my TE came up with will work with the neckline on Amira. This means that I likely won't be able to release it on Amira's birthday, but I'd rather have a well written and clear pattern than a rush job to make a date I set.
If you would answer a design question for me, I would appreciate it. Please leave your response in the comments. Sirocco is part of a two part collection I had planned for the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019 (one focusing on texture and the other on color). It is actually going to be in the collection put out in 2019. I planned to have all of the patterns in the collections available for sale individually (maybe with one freebie in each as a bonus to those who purchase the whole set), but didn't know if I should release each pattern as it is available, or wait and release them all when their part of the collection is complete. One pattern from the first part of the collection is already available in my store, and putting out Sirocco this year would mean that one pattern from the second part of the collection would also be available ahead of time. I'm okay with that as a preview, but I'm wondering if all the rest should come out as they are ready or not. What do you think?
I don't think I announced the release of Ziyad here. Please take a look. It is a great hat, and a simple pattern sized from infant to large adult (and I mean large, pay attention to the finished measurements). If it's still frozen where you are, you can make one for yourself, or a bunch for your whole family. Or, if you are better at planning for Christmas than I have been lately, you can get a head start (ha!) on next Christmas. Even with Nutcracker busy-ness and my exhausted life, I was able to finish the adult large in a short amount of time. The gracious knitters who previewed the pattern for me all finished in a day or three, depending on the size they chose.
My reading time has been limited over the past week and a half. Between homeschool responsibilities, household chores, and new activities for both me and the kids, it's made for less time to do something that requires that much focus. Also, Mariam may have strep, and it looks like Amira may have caught it as well, so we haven't had much sleep around here. Please keep them in your prayers. We're waiting for the results to come back. I don't think I picked up my Sirach study at all this week, which is sad, because it is so quick and short, I've just been that busy and exhausted. I've been reading A Perfect Red: Empire, Espionage, and the Quest for the Color of Desire, which I am thoroughly enjoying, but I read it at night, so it's slow going. Again, this is too bad, as I've learned a lot from just the few pages I've managed before falling asleep. Seriously, I read a paragraph or two, then my eyes swim, and I turn out the light. It will take me a year to finish at this rate.
Also posting to Keep Calm and Craft On.
Labels: Books, Design, Family, Giftalong, Homemaking, Knitting, Patterns, Yarn Along
