Happy Independence Day, a day early! We are excited to celebrate tomorrow, and will also be celebrating our graduates over the past couple years. It's a long overdue party. We have a birthday this week, and that will be loads of fun, too. We are now more than halfway through the family birthdays this year.

Thank you for your prayers. Jerome's skin is actually, after all this time starting to look a little better, even with hay season on and even with the summer heat and aridity. It took a friend returning from six months at school seeing him and remarking on it for us to notice as well. He's still struggling, but he is improving. Glory to God!

Between the food testing and the braces and the fasting and feasting, we have been adjusting a lot of meals and menus. We are still eating largely out of our freezers, and it's been a good thing. The folks at church are so good and take care of each other. This week, we decided to go in together for a charcuterie and fruit dinner. It's perfect for the hotter weather we are finally starting to see. I took my own advice and said yes when we were offered a few boxes of asparagus last weekend. That gave us a lot of tasty side dishes through the week. One of my friends, who comes to knit night, brought over cherries from her tree, which were lovely and delicious. We are truly blessed with abundance and love by God.

• Sunday
  Breakfast: Chocolate Chip Pancakes with Maple Syrup, Strawberries, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Snack Tray, Fruit Plate
• Monday
  Breakfast: Smokey Hangtown Fry (Gluten-free and with Shrimp for Jerome), Sweet Potato Home Fries, Mixed Berries, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Graduation Party (Amira's and all the ones in our family that we missed because of Covid, plus our almost daughter's) and Independence Day Potluck - Bring Cool and Creamy Potato and Pea Salad, Berry Mascarpone Cake
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Yogurt and Jam, Toast (Gluten and Dairy-free for Jerome), Grapefruit Halves, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Stuffed Dover Sole with Wine and Cream Sauce, Herbed Rice Pilaf, Salad and Fruit/Dessert brought by study group members
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Potato and Vegetable Hash with Salsa, Fruit Plate, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Leblebi (Moroccan Chickpea Stew), Rice, Green Salad, Koulourakia
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Slow Cooker Rice Pudding with Cranberries and Coconut, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Grilled Reuben Sandwiches (Gluten-free for Jerome), Pickles, Red Potato Salad, Fruit
• Friday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Chickpeas with Onions and Peppers, Home Canned Pears, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Potage Parmentier, Brazilian Cheese Bread*, Green Salad, Chocolate Cloud Cake with Chantilly Cream
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Toast (Gluten-free for Jerome), Canned Peaches, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Graduation Party for Friend - Bring Blackberry Hazelnut Crumble

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: Birthday, Family, Governor Inslee Needs a Frozen Fish to the Forehead, Homemaking, Menu Plans, Prayer Requests, Tales from the Kitchen