Christ is Risen! The Lord is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

In the Antiochian Church, there is no fasting for all the Paschal season, not just the Octave. Our priest here has said, that though he would never tell anyone that he must keep the Wednesday and Friday fasts during the Paschal season, as the Bishop has spoken on this, and he would never go against the Bishop, that the people in the Middle East suffer much more than we in the west, and need more relief than we do, so he still keeps those fasts. So, as a way of still celebrating as we are permitted, but also acknowledging the truth of what our local priest has said, we have been eating fish, dairy, and egg on Wednesdays and Fridays during the season as a compromise, while still continuing our celebration. We are enjoying all the dairy and fish!

Jerome had an immense relief from his eczema that was nearly miraculous. Unfortunately, he has found that wheat/gluten triggered both stomach problems and skin issues. So, we are back to trying to eat as gluten free as possible for him. In general, though, we are trying to avoid gluten free breads and products, and just having him eat things that are naturally gluten free, like rice and potatoes, or loads of vegetables.

Our freezer cooking continues apace, and we are busy making room for more ducks and turkeys to be butchered and, we hope, a couple lambs and maybe a hog. Our poultry are producing quite well, and we are in a luxury of eggs, which helps with our feasting right now.

• Sunday - Final Day of the Paschal Octave and Divine Mercy Sunday
  Breakfast: Ful, Duqqus, Sah'awiq, Toast, Strawberries, Milk and Tea
  Dinner: Guinness Beef Stew With Cheddar Herb Dumplings, Marinated Tomatoes and Onions, Guinness Chocolate Bundt Cake
• Monday - Feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary
  Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Sausage Links, Mandarin Oranges, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Chili, Cornbread, Cookies
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Cottage Cheese Bowl with Cucumbers, Tomatoes, and Kalamata Olives, Fruit Plate, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Chicken Paprikash, Rice, Salad/Sides/Desserts brought by Bible study members
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Migas, Salsa, Sliced Avocados, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Greek Stuffed Tomatoes with Feta, Roasted Yellow Summer Squash, Sliced Oranges
• Thursday - Feast of Saint Pope Leo the Great
  Breakfast: Sausage, Potato and Vegetable Hash, Fruit Plate, Milky Tea
  Dinner: Pressure Cooker Dakbokkeumtang (Spicy Korean Chicken Stew), Jasmine Rice, Kimchi, Fruit Plate
• Friday
  Breakfast: Turkish Menemen, Toast, Fruit Plate, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Cream of Poblano Soup, Fried Tortilla Strips, Crema, Mandarin Oranges
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Gatayif, Bacon, Sliced Oranges, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Gumbo, Rice, Pepper Vinegar, Scallions, Chocolate Ricotta Cake

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 (this may be later this time because of our holiday feasting and rest).

Labels: Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Fesh'a, Homemaking, Keeping the Feast, Menu Plans, Pascha, Tales from the Kitchen