Rejoice! And again, I say, rejoice! This is our little break in the darkness as we prepare for the Light to enter the world. This is a reminder that our fasting and preparation are in joyful expectation of the Lord who has come, and who is coming. He will redeem the earth and resurrect the faithful to life. This is not a fast of strict penitence, but of self examination and preparation to meet our Savior with joy. We are still in the Advent anticipation, and still busy with fasting, praying and almsgiving, but are also taking time to remember the happiness that awaits us in His Incarnation and return in glory. We are planning on putting up our tree with the lights today, as we used to do at our former home, in honor of Gaudete Sunday. We will still decorate it on Christmas Eve, though.

Thank you to those who prayed for the return of Amira's wallet and who have been praying for my health. Her wallet was returned Monday, and it seems like it was more of a mischievous prank than outright theft. That is frustrating, but at least it wasn't malicious. Also, I am improving, little by little, day by day. I have found that when I have added sugar (with the exception of honey), that I am set back pretty immediately. Even a small amount brings on the coughing and exhaustion, so I am limiting it severely. The Advent fast helps with that, but the Saint Nicholas feast did not.

As a reminder, we are a little more relaxed about the fast during Advent, so if you are looking for the strictest meal plans, I will not be as helpful to you. However, we are keeping the strict fast on Wednesdays and Fridays and are doing as much without dairy and egg and fish as we can, with some leeway for our kids (and, this year, for me, too, as I recover), even as we have meat on Sundays (mostly for economia, as we usually provide a shared meal at church with folks who do not necessarily all keep the fast). There are the winter Ember days this week, so we will have a stricter fast on those days, and those who can will fast entirely.

• Sunday - Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)
  Breakfast: Almond Oatmeal with Sultanas (Grain-free Granola and Yogurt for Jerome), Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Slow Cooked Chuck Roast, Herbed Rice Pilaf (using oil instead of butter), Roasted Carrots and Rutabagas, Fruit Plate
• Monday - Feast of Saint Lucy
  Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Salsa, Toast (Gluten-free for Jerome), Sliced Oranges, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Finish Baked Fish and Vegetables, Baked Potatoes with Sour Cream (Cashew Cream for Jerome), Fruit Plate
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Labneh on Toast with Peppers and Olive Oil (Gluten and Dairy-free for Jerome), Chopped Tomatoes, Kalamata Olives, Sliced Apples, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Potato and Poblano Stew (modified for Jerome - no cilantro/coriander, and queso on the side), Fried Tortilla Strips, Mandarin Oranges
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Chick Peas with Onions and Peppers, Toast, Sliced Oranges, Tea and Honey
  Dinner: Fried Cauliflower with Parsley and Pine Nuts*, Taratoor and Toum* Sauce (only the Toum for Jerome), Vegetarian Rouz Bukhari, Oranges
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Yogurt and Jam with Toast (Dairy-free Yogurt and Grain Free Granola for Jerome), Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Vegetable Fried Rice, Oranges
• Friday
  Breakfast: Peanut Butter Toast with Honey, Sliced Apples, Tea and Honey
  Dinner: Mexican Style Walnut "Ground Meat" over Salsa Rice, Oranges
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Black Bean and Sweet Potato Burritos with Salsa, Fruit Plate, Tea and Honey
  Dinner: Puerto Rican Beans and Rice, Oranges

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: Advent, Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Gaudete, Governor Inslee Needs a Frozen Fish to the Forehead, Homemaking, Menu Plans, Prayer Requests, Special Diet, Tales from the Kitchen