We are in the countdown to Lent again! Lent is both later this year than it has been recently, but also still feels like it is coming faster. While we follow the western calendar for the dates of Lent and the Paschal feast, that image up there does feel accurate. In just over two weeks, we will be having our doughnut party for Mardi Gras. We are already planning some apple or pear fritters Jerome can eat, if we substitute his gluten-free flour, dairy-free butter or oil, and coconut milk.

I have been remiss in posting recipes here. Part of that has been our exhausted catching up on everything at home and with schooling, part of that has been that I haven't had a chance to get good pictures. My goal this week is to get them posted, even without pictures, and then add the pictures at a later date. The latest date I hope to have them posted is the Sunday before Ash Wednesday.

Also, there is only week to go and Jerome has cheese back entirely! Just in time to take it off his plate for Lent, but he is excited nonetheless. We don't really do the individual giving something up for Lent, rather choosing to take on the sacrifices and disciplines of the Church and fast and pray with Her. We have been growing into our practice, and still aren't as strict about it as the most strict, monastic, rules, are, but we try to fast within our strength. Now that we have no really young children, and I am not pregnant or nursing every two out of three years, this is simpler for our family. If you do not practice this fast (or the Wednesday and Friday fasts), may I encourage you to do so? It is joining in communion with the Church Universal, praying and observing with Her, in solidarity and unity, but also as a way we can make every bite that enters our mouth part of our worship of and devotion to God.

All of our children know that we abstain from certain foods on Wednesdays and Fridays because of Judas' betrayal of Jesus on Wednesday and Jesus' crucifixion on Friday. Every one of them knows that we fast during Lent and Advent as a way to see our need for God, and as a reminder to pray and give alms. Even the littlest of us who cannot fully fast, still know that this is the practice of the Church for our own growth and seek to grow into it. Once it becomes a habit, it is not usually too hard to do (though during the seasons of fasting and abstinence, it does get to be a slog, but that is good, too, just challenging), and forces us to remember to pray, to seek the Lord in the desert, to fast with Him, to identify with those who do not eat because they cannot, and therefore, to be generous with them, as well. We cannot even imaging going back to a time when only our preferences determine how we eat. This small devotion has grown us in ways we could never have predicted. I adjure you to give it a try, with the spiritual advice of your priest or confessor or another spiritual father or mother in your life, making accomodations for your health and strength, and see what God will do in you.

• Sunday - Septuagesima
  Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs, Toast (Gluten-free for Jerome), Sliced Apples, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Beef Rendang, Sticky Coconut Rice, Stir Fried Peppers and Onions, Cara Cara Oranges
• Monday
  Breakfast: Yogurt and Jam, Toast (Gluten and Dairy-free for Jerome), Oranges, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Persian Carrot and Beef Meatballs, Potatoes and Chard, Home Canned Pears, Persian Love Cake
• Tuesday - Feast of Saint Onesimus
  Breakfast: Baked French Toast (Gluten and Dairy-free for Jerome), Canned Spiced Peaches, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Greek Chicken and Rice*, Potluck Vegetables or Salad, Fruit Plate
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Apple Coconut Breakfast Bowls with Almond Butter Drizzle, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Pasta (Gluten-free for Jerome) with Fresh Tomato Sauce and Tuna, Canned Peaches
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Harvest Pancakes, Grapefruit Halves, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Tom Kha Gai with Turkey (Thai Coconut Soup), Sliced Oranges
• Friday - Feast of Saint Pope Leo the Great
  Breakfast: Ful, Shatta, Toast (Gluten-free for Jerome), Oranges, Tea and Honey
  Dinner: Cauliflower Walnut Tacos, Quick and Dirty Mexican Rice, Salsa
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Fried Eggs, Toast (Gluten-free for Jerome), Sliced Apples, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Herb Roasted Turkey, Gravy, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Cranberry Orange Sauce with Toasted Walnuts, Cranberry Horseradish Relish, Steam Sautéed Carrots, Salad, Apple Pie and Chantilly Cream

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, Faith and Morality, Family, Governor Inslee Needs a Frozen Fish to the Forehead, Homemaking, Menu Plans, Septuagesima, Special Diet, Tales from the Kitchen