We are in the home stretch of Advent now. Christmas Adam and Eve are upon us this week and we are so excited. I keep forgetting that it is only a week until Christmas, though, and while I have most of our gifts ready, not all of them are. And I am a little concerned. But we have 12 days of Christmas, and 40 days of the Christmas season. It will be alright.

Our plans for the Christmas tree changed a bit, because we had an opportunity to get one from the west side, and so we took that opportunity. Also, we had to move some menu items around last week, so that means we have a couple repeats this week. Since Saturday is a strict fast day until evening, we will make a light breakfast for Nejat and maybe Mariam and call that good.

Gluten and wheat have been going really well for Jerome, so that means that he may only have to avoid lima beans and bananas strictly. That is not such a bad thing, as neither of those are his favorites anyway, and we are grateful to God that it it looks like he will be able to eat normal bread shortly after Christmas! Oysters went alright, but as he doesn't love them, he probably will only eat them occasionally, bubt that means that the foods he loves so much will largely be available to him. Glory to God!

• Sunday - Fourth Sunday of Advent
  Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Croissants (a tiny bit for Jerome), Raspberries, Milk and Coffee, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Brudet (Croatian Seafood Stew), Soft Polenta with Parmesan, Crackers, Vegetable Tray, Oranges
• Monday
  Breakfast: Vegetable Hash Burritos with Salsa, Sliced Apples, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Mediterranean Braised Vegetables, Rice, Mandarin Oranges
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Chickpeas with Onions and Roasted Peppers, Sliced Apples, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Kusheri, Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette, Sliced Oranges
• Wednesday - Feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle
  Breakfast: Peanut Butter Toast with Honey (Gluten-free for Jerome), Sliced Apples, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Vegan Dan Dan Noodles, Mandarin Oranges
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Steel Cut Oatmeal with Chopped Apples and Raisins, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Fried Shrimp, Vegetable Stir Fry, Jasmine Rice, Fruit
• Friday - Christmas Adam
  Breakfast: Apple Coconut Breakfast Bowls with Peanut Butter Drizzle, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Faux Meatloaf, Onion Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Fruit Plate
• Saturday - Eve of the Feast of the Nativity
  Breakfast: Tahina and Date Paste on Toast (Gluten-free for Jerome), Sliced Apples, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Pasta Trapanese, Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette, Fruit Plate

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, Family, Fasting as a Family, Governor Inslee Needs a Frozen Fish to the Forehead, Homemaking, Menu Plans, Tales from the Kitchen