I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the Threeness, through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.

Tomorrow is the feast of Saint Patrick. We actually have several feasts this week, and then next week have the feast of the Annunciation, a few of which permit us to enjoy fish. There is so much to read about Saint Patrick's life and his confession is available online, as well. We have so much to learn from the lives of our elder brothers and sisters in the faith and we should model our faith on theirs. I encourage you to read about their lives and read their words.

The feast of Saint Joseph is also this week, who is a particular patron of our family. We love the Holy Family, and Rich especially loves Saint Joseph. I love that the feast of Saint Joseph is the first day of the "week" which ends with the feast of the Annunciation. It is fitting that the bethrothed share this week.

We are eating simpler meals and cooking as much as we can from our pantry and freezers, and filling in with fresh produce. The oranges this year have been fantastic. We certainly appreciate these simple foods so much more during fasting seasons. We are breaking the fast a little this week with some dairy for the feast of Saint Patrick, and we will do the same for the Annunciation. Then, we will have Laetare Sunday two weeks from now. Those breaks are a blessing. They allow us to fast within our strength. We had a little eggplant this past week, but the kids were asking where all the eggplant was, as we were in Lent, and they were looking forward to all the eggplant. So, tonight's dinner is eggplant again, and I'll find another way to fit it into our menu this week or next week.

We are praying quite a bit during this Lent. Between what is going on in the Middle East, and what is going on in this country, as well as many friends with cancer and other health issues, it is a praying time and Lent is the perfect time for that. Please pray for us, and we will pray for you. May your Lent strengthen you.

• Sunday
  Breakfast: Lenten Tropical Muffins with Peanut Butter, Fruit Plate, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Zaalouk*, Rice, Sides/Salads/Fruit brought by Parish
• Monday - Feast of Saint Patrick
  Breakfast: Cinnamon Nut Raisin Bread (GF for Jerome) with Peanut Butter, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Colcannon Fish Pie, Steam Sautéed Peas with Garlic and Tarragon, Sliced Oranges
• Tuesday - Feast of Saint Cyril, Patriarch of Jerusalem
  Breakfast: Apricot and Coconut Cream Overnight Oats (in jars for Jerome and Yasmina), Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Florida Style Black Beans, Rice, Cubed Mangos
• Wednesday - Feast of Saint Joseph
  Breakfast: Black Bean and Sweet Potato Breakfast Burritos with Salsa, Bananas (Apples for Jerome), Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Spanish Fish Stew*, Bread, Chopped Salad, Blackberry Sorbet Bars
• Thursday - Feast of Saint Cuthbert
  Breakfast: Peanut Butter Toast with Honey, Sliced Apples, Tea and Honey
  Dinner: Thai Coconut Rice Salad, Sliced Oranges
• Friday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Chickpeas with Veggies, Toast, Grapefruit, Mint Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Creamy Avocado Pasta with Cashews, Date and Orange Salad
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Fluffy, Vegan Peanut Butter Pancakes (GF for Jerome) with Apricot Preseves, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Pasta Trapanese (GF for Jerome), Garlic Bread (with Olive Oil - GF for Jerome), Salad, Sliced Oranges

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