What's that proverb that man plans and God laughs? Well, so much for getting back to normal last week. We had a sick week instead.

We continue apace with the freezer and shelf cooking, however. This week, a huge ham, a fairly large turkey, some pre-made dishes, and some beef for soup are all coming out for our meals. Next week, the plan is to pull a pork loin out, too, which helps free up more room for turkeys, chickens, and geese, who are on the last couple weeks of death row, here. We have a lot more fruit drying going on and we should do some fruit and tomato canning, but we will see how we can fit it in this week.

Normally, I plan week by week. Actually, it's more like one week with a tentative plan for the second week, which then gets a little modified depending on what didn't get made or what schedules were shifted, what fresh produce was in need of use or was available in our garden or from our gleaning group, and so on and so forth. This month, I have tried to plan for the whole month, with some room for vegetables and fruit that we get through sales, our garden and fruit trees, and our gleaning club. I even planned all the breakfasts. There is room to move things around, and to add the produce that is fresh and available. We're trying to keep cooking from what is home to bulk up our Thanksgiving and Christmas budget, as well as rotate stock at home.

All of us are on the tail end of illness, but are feeling much better now. We are praying for a more normal week this week. Please keep us in your prayers. God is so good to us.

This past week, I ended up only buying half the eggplant we needed for the next two weeks, because the price was ridiculous for small, sad eggplant. I figured I could watch for sales or better ones and make an extra trip to the store in time for the following week, and instead our gleaning group leaders remembered how we are always on board for eggplant, and saved aside some especially for us that were given to the club. So, for the old price of two large eggplant, I received the two small ones we bought and three more. The Lord takes care of us.

We have finally had two or three mornings below freezing here. Just, but still below freezing. It is cold. The fires have been going this week. We are hoping that we have watered our maple enough that it will turn lovely colors before the leaves all freeze off of it. Our mornings are forecast to be below freezing just about all of this week. The heat is on in our bedroom, and sweet Rich put the heated mattress pad on our bed so I won't die. Winter is coming. I'm trying to be grateful that our fall lasted longer than it normally does.

• Sunday
  Breakfast: Pancakes with Maple Syrup, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Ham, Summer Squash Casserole, Salad, Green Tomato Dill Relish, Green Tomato Chutney, Peaches and Nectarines
• Monday - Feast of Saint James of Jerusalem
  Breakfast: Ful, Duqqus, Sliced Cucumbers, Toast, Sliced Peaches, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Herb Roasted Turkey, Bourbon Gravy, Potatoes Au Gratin from Freezer, Cranberry Horseradish Relish from Freezer, Cornbread, Roasted Mixed Vegetables
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Labneh with Diced Tomatoes, Za'atar and Olive Oil, Toast, Nectarines, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Leftover Casserole, Cranberry Horseradish Relish, Salad/Fruit/Dessert brought by Bible study members
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Wheatena with Raisins, Brown Sugar and Coconut Milk, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Lentil and Eggplant Curry, Arabic Style Rice Pilaf (made with oil and water), Beet and Herb Salad with Grapefruit and Lemon Dressing, Nectarines
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Ham, Potato and Vegetable Hash, Sliced Apples, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: After Thanksgiving Soup, Challah Bread*, Peaches
• Friday
  Breakfast: Peanut Butter Toast, Sliced Apples, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Creamy Avocado Pasta with Cashews, Green Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette, Fruit Plate
• Saturday - Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles
  Breakfast: Savory Parmesan French Toast with Hollandaise Sauce, Sausages, Fried Ham Slices, Fruit Plate, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Arabic Beef and Vegetable Soup, Tamis, Peaches

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, Governor Inslee Needs a Frozen Fish to the Forehead, Homemaking, Homeschooling, Homesteading, Menu Plans, Prayer Requests, Shelftember, Tales from the Kitchen