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.

• Sunday - Gaudete Sunday
  Breakfast: Baked Oatmeal with Chopped Apples and Walnuts, Leftover Pies, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Pasta Trapanese, Vegetables, Ice Cream
• Monday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Chickpeas with Onions and Roasted Peppers, Sliced Apples, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Faux Meatloaf, Onion Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Fruit Plate
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Vegetable Hash Burritos with Salsa, Fruit Plate, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Baba Ghanooj, Hummus, Khoubz Araby, Shorbat 'Addas, Mandarin Oranges
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Peanut Butter and Honey Toast (Gluten-free for Jerome), Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Shrimp Creole, Rice, Sliced Oranges
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Steel Cut Oatmeal with Chopped Apples and Raisins, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Creamy Avocado Pasta with Cashews, Fruit Plate
• Friday
  Breakfast: Apple Coconut Breakfast Bowls with Peanut Butter Drizzle, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Vegetable Korma, Basmati Rice, Mandarin Oranges
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Lenten Banana Muffins, Shrimp and Vegetable Salad in Lemon Vinaigrette for Potluck Breaking the Fast after Liturgy
  Dinner: Irish Boxty, Fried Eggs, 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, Gaudete, Governor Inslee Needs a Frozen Fish to the Forehead, Homemaking, Menu Plans, Tales from the Kitchen