This week the Dormition fast begins. It is a 14 day fast in preparation of the Dormition or Assumption of Mary. The Church teaches us that when it was time for the Blessed Mother to fall asleep in the Lord, all the Apostles were gathered to her deathbed. Just like any person would grieve when a beloved family member was passing, we do so and prepare ourselves by fasting with them. When she was laid to rest, her body was taken to heaven to be with God. There is a tomb, but there is no body. Glory to God. We take the fast much more simply, and still eat dairy and egg (except on Wednesdays and Fridays), to make it a little easier on our younger kids, and there are a few fish days in there, too.

Three of the kids got to go to a church camp last week, and it was so good for them. We are hoping they keep up with the friends they made there. Jerome was able to go visit his brother and sister in law and will be with them for a little bit. My birthday was fun, and even the girls at camp made things for me there.

This has been a rather busy few weeks, and I will have much to share later. This has been a challenging week. Please pray for us. For now, here is our menu. It is cooling down a little this week, actually, which makes me curious about how August's weather will be. So far, the weather shaman is predicting a cooler than average August. I just hope that doesn't mean a shorter fall and colder winter.

• Sunday
  Breakfast: Apple and Raisin Oatmeal Pancakes with Maple Syrup, Coffee and Milky Tea
  Dinner: Potluck at Church, we are bringing Macaroni and Cheese
• Monday - Feast of Saints Mary and Martha
  Breakfast: Oatmeal with Raisins, Brown Sugar and Cream, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Mustard Glazed Corned Beef, Baked Potatoes, Steam Sautéed Carrots with Garlic and Dill
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Corned Beef Hash, Fried Eggs, Fruit Plate, Milk and Tea
  Dinner: Papas con Chorizo, Salsa, Sour Cream, Chopped Avocados, Salad, Fruit Plate
• Wednesday - Feast of Saint Joseph of Arimathea
  Breakfast: Tomato Toast, Fruit Plate, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Pasta with Clam Sauce, Salad, Cherry Limeade Sorbet
• Thursday - Feast of the Holy Seven Maccabee Children, Solomone Their Mother, and Eleazar Their Teacher
  Breakfast: Homemade Cottage Cheese with Avocado, Cucumber, Cherry Tomatoes and Cracked Black Pepper, Fruit Plate, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Araka (Greek Pea and Potato Stew), Fruit Plate
• Friday
  Breakfast: Ful, Sah'awiq, Toast, Vegetables and Olives, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Black Bean, Corn, Tomato and Avocado Salad with Corn Chips to break fast after Liturgy
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Cream Cheese Pancakes with Butter and Raspberry Syrup, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Seafood and Scallion Pajeon with Dipping Sauce, Kimchi, 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, Homemaking, Keeping the Feast, Menu Plans, Tales from the Kitchen