Well, the ducks' stay of execution held because we ran out of butchering time last week. But not for long. We will have a freezer full of duck soon enough. Fall is harvest time not only for produce, but for meat, as well. The harvest of produce is finally coming in to our area, after a strange and late spring and summer. So, we have lots of tomatoes, peppers and summer squash this week. We still have plums, too. It's a little too early for apples still, just because of the late summer weather, and the new potatoes aren't in, so we are still seeing storage potatoes most of the time. I am so grateful that oats are back on the menu, though this week we start trying out bananas for Jerome, and a reaction he had this weekend, possibly to his latex rubber bands for his braces, makes us a little more wary.

Rich and I had a fantastic time at the dance on Friday, and got to attend with another couple we know. They drove home that night, but we stayed the night at a hotel, and made a stop at Trader Joe's before heading home to grab the kids so we could go to the gyro and kebab fest. We were planning on staying for vespers after the festival, but we were all so exhausted, that we went home just after it ended. We were home about half an hour before the vespers service even began, and all of us were ready to rest. We are sorry to have missed it, but at least we have the services tonight.

As we slowly head back into our normal school year, we are adding more activity. This week, my Bible study begins again, after a short summer break. I am so grateful for these women, who study and learn and pray with and for me. Speaking of prayers, please pray for our appliances. We have a (delayed) appliance call that is supposed to happen this week (it was supposed to happen a month ago, but they rescheduled) for our fridge, and since then, the power button on our washing machine has also decided to go wonky. So, now we have to deal with both. And, the thermostat on our convection oven has also decided to do something weird. There is never a time for the oven to have trouble, nor the washing machine, but in a big family, it is a real problem. The fridge issue is fairly minor, and we just want it fixed to make our lives easier, but if either the oven or washing machine are out of service, we are in trouble.

• Sunday
  Breakfast: Toasted Croissants with Fried Eggs and Cheese, (Gluten-free Wrap for Jerome), Sliced Apples, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Kofta Mkaouara (Moroccan Kofta with Egg Tagine), Rice, Sliced Tomatoes, Fruit Plate
• Monday
  Breakfast: Steel Cut Oats with Brown Sugar and Raisins, Bananas, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Beef, Pepper and Summer Squash Stir Fry, Jasmine Rice, Plums
• Tuesday - Feast of Saint Cyprian of Carthage
  Breakfast: Fried Eggs, Bacon, Bananas, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: French Farmer's Soup with Fresh Herbs, Croutons, Salad and Fruit Plate or Dessert brought by Bible Study members
• Wednesday - Feasts of Saint John Chrysostom and the Elevation of the Most Holy Cross
  Breakfast: Vegetable Hash Burritos (Gluten-free for Jerome), Grapefruit Halves, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Chickpea Salad Wraps, Sautéed Peppers and Garlic with Fresh Herbs, Fruit Plate
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Toast (Gluten-free for Jerome), Grapefruit Halves, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Cornbread with Sausage Gravy (Gluten-free), Summer Squash Casserole (Gluten-free), Sliced Tomatoes
• Friday
  Breakfast: Peanut Butter Toast (Gluten-free for Jerome) with Honey, Grapefruit Halves, Tea and Honey
  Dinner: Chinese Eggplant in Garlic Sauce, Jasmine Rice, Fruit Plate
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Potluck after Liturgy
  Dinner: Chicken and Andouille Gumbo, Rice, Chopped Scallions, Pepper Sauce

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: Family, Governor Inslee Needs a Frozen Fish to the Forehead, Homemaking, Homeschooling, Homesteading, Menu Plans, Romance and Relationship, Tales from the Kitchen