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. Last week, we were able to take a tiny, overnight, road trip to visit a priest friend and his wife, while Rich did some work meetings. It was great to bring most of our kids with us and just break up the monotony of life right now. Since Rich's meetings didn't start until later in the morning, we could ease into the day and start with morning prayer with them, as well, before we all went our different directions. Spring is springing much more on the west side and it was such an encouragement to our spirits.

Spring is starting to catch up here, too, and Rich is working hard to finish pruning the fruit trees before he loses his chance. I've rearranged some things on the menu, and will post the recipe for the bisilla on the blog this week. Also, this week, we have the first birthday of the year in our household. The kids keep growing up, and it is bittersweet. We love to see the adults they are becoming, but miss their little faces and voices.

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

• Sunday - Feast of Saint Gregory of Nyssa
  Breakfast: Ful, Sah'awiq, Bread, Chopped Vegetables and Olives, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Mediterranean Braised Vegetables, Rice, Fruit/Sides/Salads brought by Parish
• Monday
  Breakfast: Steel Cut Oats with Chopped Apples, Raisins, Brown Sugar and Cinnamon, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Fried Cauliflower, Arabic Style Rice Pilaf, Taratoor, Depression Era Wacky Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Frosting
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Apple Coconut Breakfast Bowls with Peanut Drizzle, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Black Bean Chili, Chopped Onions, Cilantro, Avocado and Jalapeno, Fried Corn Tortilla Strips, Fruit Plate
• Wednesday - Feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great
  Breakfast: Rice Pudding with Coconut Milk, Dried Raisins, Blueberries, Cranberries and Cherries, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Kung Pao Broccoli and Cauliflower, Garlic Fried Rice, Sliced Oranges
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Peanut Butter Toast with Honey, Sliced Apples, Tea and Honey
  Dinner: Vegetarian Bissilla* and Rice, Shatta, Salad, Sliced Cara Caras
• Friday
  Breakfast: Potato and Vegetable Hash, Salsa, Fruit Plate, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Thai Mussels with Jasmine Rice, Stir Fried Peppers and Onions, Orange and Date Salad
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Lenten Pancakes, GF Lenten Chocolate Chip Pancakes for Jerome, Fruit Plate, Coffee and Tea
  Dinner: Pasta (GF for Jerome) with Tomato and Eggplant Sauce, Salad, Garlic Bread (with olive oil), 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: Birthday, Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Fasting as a Family, Homemaking, Lent, Menu Plans, Tales from the Kitchen