There are many beautiful icons of the Temptation of Jesus, but this painting by Duccio captures the essense of our Lenten journey with Christ in the desert. After being driven to the desert to fast for 40 days and be tested (not as a trick or pop quiz, but to model for us and to teach the way we make our spiritual battle), He commands Satan away, with the angels waiting to attend Him.

Our first full week of Lent is upon us, and it is good. The bright sadness has begun. This week began with Dominic and Shawn's wedding, though, which was full of unmitigated joy. The wedding went off with a hitch, and we have a new daughter in the family. We are so happy to join our family with hers and welcome her to our family.

This week is a relaxation week for us, a little decompression for everyone after all the busy-ness of the wedding. Rich even took the week off so we could all be together. This week, we are able to enjoy much more seafood than is normal for us during even Lent, and we are taking advantage of that as we take this break. We commemorate two of our favorite saints this week, saints from the earliest of the Church, from whom we learn so many of the things we still observe today. May we grow to be like them.

Please pray for us, and we will pray for you. May you have a holy and blessed Lent.

• Sunday
  Breakfast: Pancakes with Syrup, Fruit Plate, Coffee and Milk
  Dinner: Carne Asada and Carnitas, Cilantro Lime Rice, Black Beans, Corn Relish, Salsa, Sour Cream, Green Salad, Wedding Cake, Sparkling Cider and Wine
• Monday
  Breakfast: Black Bean and Potato Burritos with Salsa, Sliced Apples, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Pasta Trapanese (using sunflower oil), Salad, Fruit Plate
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Granola Bars, Fruit, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Quick Sesame Noodles with Panfried Shellfish Mix, Fruit Plate
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Oatmeal with Dried Cherries, Brown Sugar, Cinnamon and Coconut Milk, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Crab Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette (using sunflower oil), Fruit Plate
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Vegetable Hash and Salsa, Sliced Oranges, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Asian Style Chickpea Salad, Mandarin Oranges
• Friday - Feast of Saint Polycarp
  Breakfast: Peaches and Coconut Cream Overnight Oats, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Mussel Stew, Rolls, Orange and Date Salad
• Saturday - Feast of Saint Matthias
  Breakfast: Peanut Butter Toast with Honey, Sliced Apples, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Vegetarian Ranchero Beans, Salsa Rice, 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: Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Fasting as a Family, Homemaking, Lent, Menu Plans, Tales from the Kitchen