This week holds the last major feast before the end of Lent, the Annunciation. I love that the Annunciation closes the week begun by the feast of Saint Joseph, that the heads of the Holy Family are celebrated so closely together. It is Elijah's birthday, and we were always so glad to have everyone celebrating with him on his day. We have always thought about Saint Joseph and the Blessed Virgin taking special care of him.

I had such a whirlwind at the end of last week that I didn't get a chance to post the recipes, so I will be doing that this coming weekend.

Next week begins with Laetare, and that will be a precious break for us before the final push in Lent and Holy Week. It has been a challenging time all around us, both in our family and in the world of those we love. We are, again, trying to focus on simpler meals this week, but especially to focus on the internal life that we need to nurture.

Please pray for us, and we will pray for you. May your Lent strengthen you.

• Sunday
  Breakfast: Leftovers, Strawberries, Coffee and Tea
  Dinner: Cauliflower Shawerma with Herbed Tahina Sauce, Basmati Rice, French Fries, Toum, Shatta with Olive Oil, Olives and Sliced Vegetables, Sides/Salads/Fruit brought by Parish
• Monday
  Breakfast: Steel Cut Oats with Raisins, Pistachios and Sheera, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Shredded Potato Stir Fry, Jasmine Rice, Mandarin Oranges
• Tuesday - Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos by the Archangel Gabriel
  Breakfast: Tomato Toast (no toast for Jerome) with Toum, Strawberries, Tea with Honey and Coffee
  Dinner: Stuffed Rockfish, Herbed Rice Pilaf, Green Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette, Chocolate Cloud Cake
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Chickpeas with Veggies, Toast, Grapefruit, Mint Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Za'atar Roasted Cauliflower, Vegetarian Rouz Bukhari, Cubed Mangos and Sliced Strawberries
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Peanut Butter Toast with Honey, Sliced Apples, Tea and Honey
  Dinner: Baked Potatoes with Faux Cheese Sauce and Roasted Vegetables, Sliced Oranges
• Friday
  Breakfast: Apricot and Coconut Cream Overnight Oats (in jars for Jerome and Yasmina), Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Seafood and Scallion Pajeon with Dipping Sauce, Kimchi, Rice, Date and Orange Salad
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Ful, Harissa, Bread, Chopped Chopped Tomatoes, Onions, Radishes, and Olives, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Crisp Onion Pakoda Sandwiches (GF bread for Jerome), Toum, Balela (no cheese), 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