Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Craft On: Row by Row
Not a lot of progress this week. I thought I would get more finished on our trip last week, but was busy with things from home, and when we returned was even more busy than I had been before. However, I did start Warda and think it will be finished in time for Mother's Day.
We have a lot of travel this month. Well, not a lot, but a couple trips. One is back to Los Angeles, which delights me, and another is to Walla Walla, which will also be a lot of fun and a good break for me. We are hoping that that break will let us return to some real progress and positive change in the difficult situations we are navigating right now.
I did weave in the ends on my socks, so they are finished, finished, finished. You can see the mismatch of striping on the feet, but they will be in my shoes.
Unfortunately, because of my delays, the newsletter for April is not going out, and there will be a combination April and May issue going out as soon as both Nisseet and Warda are ready for beta. Life is still kicking our tails, though we are trying to cheerfully and prayerfully endure and overcome.
My reading has still been scant. I've read a little in Autobiography of Calvin Coolidge and peeked into Mrs. Pollifax on the China Station exactly once.
If you would like to receive updates and early notice of new patterns, beta knitting opportunities, and great discounts (plus pictures of new yarns, new tools, fun places, neat hints, book ideas, recipes and more) each month, please subscribe to 1,001 Knits. My best, and sometimes my only, discounts go to my subscribers.
Labels: Books, Design, Family, Homemaking, Knitting, Prayer Requests, WIP, Yarn Along
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Menu Plan: April 26 - May 2
I could not decide between this ancient icon and a more modern one, so I have included both. That this is Eastern and the other Western makes it even better. The other is at the bottom of the menu plan.
In the West, it is the Sunday of the Good Shepherd. In the East, it is the Sunday of the Myrrh Bearing Women. In both, He shows His care for us, and how our care for Him is hallowed. That is my meditation this week.
We had a rather busy week this past week, and another busy week of preparation this week. Our friends and family have really come together and brought us so much in support, friendship, and love.
Rich and I have an upcoming trip to Los Angeles with Elijah, as kind of a reward for how much work he has been doing at our home for the past year, much of it without being asked or prompted. He has done so much, quietly, without asking for recognition, and we really wanted to both give him a break and some well needed recognition for all he has done. Dominic and Shawn are coming up to help the girls at home while we are gone, and then we will get to have some time with them, as well. That trip will begin and end with something wonderful, and we are looking forward to it.
This week, however, we will be doing a lot of prep work here at the house, both for our normal quotidian and weekly routines and for our upcoming trip. We're trying to keep on keeping on in the face of our challenges and as the end of the school year comes up more quickly than we anticipate (every year!). Our gleaning season has started again, and we have our first load of asparagus. This week we are cooking a lot of asparagus, but also we are going to make at least some jars of pickled asparagus, which is really our favorite way of eating them as preserved foods. We're just not huge fans of frozen asparagus and definitely not canned. If you have other suggestions for preserving for us to try, I am all ears.
Our parish family is, once again, coming in and holding our family up in strength. They are providing a wonderful dinner from one of our favorite places to eat in town, and some sides and extras to stretch it, as well. God is good. His people are answering the call to serve. We are grateful.
- Sunday - Sunday of the Good Shepherd
Breakfast: Waffles with Maple Syrup, Sausage Patties, Hard Boiled Eggs, Sliced Pears, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Take Out Teriyaki provided by our Parish, Jasmine Rice, Stir Fried Asparagus, Salad, Oranges - Monday
Breakfast: Arabic Cheeses and Bread Drizzled with Olive Oil and Sprinkled with Za'atar Spice Blend and Aleppo Pepper, Kalamata Olives, Mint Tea with Honey
Dinner: Grilled Bacon Cheeseburgers, French Fries, Half Sweet Bread and Butter Pickles, Grilled Asparagus, Strawberry and Lemon Italian Ices - Tuesday
Breakfast: Hard Boiled Eggs with Za'atar Spice Blend, Bread, Steamed Asparagus, Sliced Oranges, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Double Decker Grilled Reuben Sandwich, Spicy Garlic Dill Pickles, Rosewater Almond Tea Cookies, Pistachio and Cardamom Crescents - Wednesday
Breakfast: Yogurt with Blackberry Jam, Toast, Fruit Plate, Tea and Coffee
Dinner: Pad Thai with Shrimp, Stir Fried Asparagus with Garlic, Soy and Sesame, Honey Tangerines - Thursday - Feast of Saint Catherine of Siena
Breakfast: Fried Egg and Sujuk* Bagel Sandwiches with Za'atar Spice Blend and Syrian Cheese, Sliced Apples, Tea with Mint and Rosewater
Dinner: Afghan Meat and Tomato Sauce with Pasta, Roasted Asparagus, Peanut Butter Easter Eggs - Friday - Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles
Breakfast: Bread with Tahina and Date Syrup Dipped in Sesame Seeds, Sliced Oranges, Tea with Honey
Dinner: Cypriot Halloum, Onion and Tomato Sandwiches, Fruit Plate - Saturday - Feast of Saint Athanasius
Breakfast: Asparagus and Cheese Scramble with Sausage, Toast, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Crockpot Peanut Chicken*, Jasmine Rice, Stir Fried Asparagus, Faux de Crèmes
Labels: Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Fesh'a, Homemaking, Keeping the Feast, Menu Plans, Pascha, Tales from the Kitchen
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Craft On: Knitting on the Road
Material Girl is technically finished, but I still need to weave in the ends and block the pair. I have almost finished the first pair of Nisseet, and hope to have them ready for you soon. Rich and I have been on a work trip, and Nisseet was my main knitting while we were away.
There has been hardly any progress on Qidyssat Katrin, and my vintage blouse is moving, but it is slow going. I've had to redo each section of the cuff on the first sleeve multiple times. I'm finally on the smocking for the sleeve, and hope to be able to keep going without going back from here on out.
This is my next project on the docket, though it doesn't look like much. I hope to have Warda ready for beta knitting in time for Mother's Day, so watch this space for announcements regarding that (or better, subscribe to my newsletter below for the first notice). It will be a quick knit, using laceweight yarn to make a lovely card you can give to the mothers in your life, or for a friend's birthday.
I've only opened Autobiography of Calvin Coolidge once in the last week, ditto for Garden of Truth. A few nights, I have been able to peek into Mrs. Pollifax on the China Station, though.
If you would like to receive updates and early notice of new patterns, beta knitting opportunities, and great discounts (plus pictures of new yarns, new tools, fun places, neat hints, book ideas, recipes and more) each month, please subscribe to 1,001 Knits. My best, and sometimes my only, discounts go to my subscribers.
Labels: Books, Design, Family, FOs, Homemaking, Knitting, Prayer Requests, WIP, Yarn Along
Sunday, April 19, 2026
Menu Plan: April 19 - 25
Christ is Risen! The Lord is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
We have a lot of simple meals this week, because our schedule is really busy. There was a meal we ate last week which we will not make again, but the filling in the dish was quite good, it was the cornbread binding it for which we did not care. The kids think I should make it again using my cornbread recipe instead. I might. It was a shame, as it really was full of all sorts of delicious things, but that cornbread was really awful.
Our church family has been so wonderful, as well. They have been providing meals much more frequently, and taking that burden off of me. This week, one family provided the main course, with the rest of the families bringing the rest. Next week, a family is ordering take out from an awesome teriyaki place in town, and we are recommending that folks bring salads and sides to go with that. Their care for us is so appreciated.
Thank you so much for your prayers. We are on this road for a long while, and are comforted by your companionship through your prayers.
- Sunday - Feast of Saint Alphege
Breakfast: Nacho Breakfast, Mandarin Oranges, Tea and Coffee
Dinner: Salumi and Crackers, Ravioli and Tortellini with Pasta Sauce, Salads, Cookies and Brownies, provided by our Parish - Monday
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Pancetta and Cheese, Toast, Fruit, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Mustard Glazed Corned Beef, Colcannon, Steam Sautéed Peas with Garlic and Dill, Fruit Plate - Tuesday - Feast of Saint Anselm
Breakfast: Fried Eggs, Corned Beef Hash, Sliced Oranges, Coffee and Tea
Dinner: Turkish Pasta with Meat and Yogurt, Green Salad, Leftover Treats from Pascha Basket - Wednesday
Breakfast: Yogurt with Blackberry Jam, Toast, Fruit, Tea and Coffee
Dinner: Vegetarian Ranchero Beans, Rice, Fruit Plate - Thursday - Feast of Saint George
Breakfast: Arabic Cheeses with Bread, Olives, Mandarin Oranges, Mint Tea with Milk and Honey
Dinner: Italian Meatball Sandwiches with Provolone and Sauce, Fruit Plate - Friday
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Toast, Sliced Oranges, Milky Tea
Dinner: Jeddo's Tuna Sandwiches*, Pickled Asparagus, Mandarin Oranges - Saturday - Feast of Saint Mark
Breakfast: Croissants bi Za’atar ou bi Joubneh, Fruit, Cold Cuts, Hard Boiled Eggs, Olives, Tea and Coffee
Dinner: Fried Koubbeh, Tourshi Makhloot, Harissa, Duqqus, Dibs Rumman, Knaffeh
Labels: Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Fesh'a, Homemaking, Keeping the Feast, Menu Plans, Pascha, Tales from the Kitchen
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Craft On: Tax Day Knitting
Life is still going on and we are coping as best as we can right now, in our exhaustion and sorrow. I'm not really interested in talking about it on this blog or on my social media, but if you know us, or have an idea of what is going on, I'm are happy to talk to you privately. However, I'm still having a hard time focusing. Any progress I make is a positive right now, in my opinion. So you aren't worried, everyone is healthy, all of us are alive, and nobody is getting a divorce. There are just some hard things happening and we could definitely benefit from your prayers.
My designs are taking a little backseat to life, though I do hope I can get back in the game and work on them more diligently when we get through the roughest parts. So, besides these socks, I am still working on Qiddysat Katrin and Nisseet, and I hope to have Warda ready in the middle of May. If I do this right, it might be ready for beta knitting in time for folks to give it to someone for Mother's Day. The sleeve on my vintage styled blouse is still awaiting my attention, and I'm hoping to get to it tomorrow night at sit and stitch.
I haven't picked up Autobiography of Calvin Coolidge at all. Garden of Truth is still on my nightstand, and I peek in it here and there. The only thing I've really been reading, besides my prayer book and Bible, and much more slowly than I had been before, is Mrs. Pollifax on the China Station.
Linking to Unraveled Wednesday
If you would like to receive updates and early notice of new patterns, beta knitting opportunities, and great discounts (plus pictures of new yarns, new tools, fun places, neat hints, book ideas, recipes and more) each month, please subscribe to 1,001 Knits. My best, and sometimes my only, discounts go to my subscribers.
Labels: Books, Design, Family, Homemaking, Knitting, Prayer Requests, WIP, Yarn Along
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Menu Plan: End of the Paschal Octave
Christ is Risen! The Lord is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
Life is still hectic here, and we are so grateful for the prayers and support we've had from our community. Because of our reduced household size, we had a lot more leftover this year, and had a few schedule shifts that mean that we have repeats this week. So far, we don't have as much on our schedule this week, so I am planning a lot of desserts and treats. We will see how that changes.
Our church family is coordinating meals with us for after church, and we are filled with gratitude for their assistance. Our hearts are so full from their love toward our family.
Again, if you are inclined, please keep us in your prayers.
- Sunday - Final Day of the Paschal Octave
Breakfast: Leftovers, Coffee, Tea and Milk
Dinner: Cold Cut Sandwich Bar, Salad Bar, Pickles and Veggie Trays, Chips, Cookies, Desserts - Monday
Breakfast: Arabic Cheeses with Bread, Chopped Veggies, Sliced Apples, Milky Tea
Dinner: Macarona bi Laban ou Lah'm*, Green Salad, Gatayif - Tuesday
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Bacon, Toast, Strawberries, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Turkish Tantuni, Ezme Salad, Limoncello Crème Brûlée - Wednesday
Breakfast: Yogurt with Blackberry Jam, Toast, Fruit, Tea and Coffee
Dinner: Poblano Cornbread Casserole, Ricotta Cake with Lemon Curd - Thursday
Breakfast: Fried Egg and Sujuk Bagel Sandwiches with Za’atar and Joubneh 'Arabia, Oranges, Sahlab, Coffee and Tea
Dinner: Pan Fried Gnocchi with Sausage and Tomato Sauce, Green Salad, Homemade Samoa Bars - Friday
Breakfast: Fried Halloum, Chopped Tomatoes, Olives, Bread, Canned Peaches, Mint Tea with Honey
Dinner: Pasta and Salad Business Dinner - Saturday
Breakfast: Italian Bacon and Romano Pasqua Bread, Cheeses, Oranges, Coffee, Milk and Tea
Dinner: Lamb Plov, Green Salad, Limoncello Zabaglione
Labels: Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Fesh'a, Homemaking, Keeping the Feast, Menu Plans, Pascha, Tales from the Kitchen
Saturday, April 11, 2026
Craft On: All Knitting Bright and Beautiful
Right now, the only knitting I can really focus on is the simplest projects. I was trying to match the color striping on the socks, and did pretty well on the cuff. However, I realized I started on the wrong color on the heel, but have decided that since it will be in my shoe, I am not re-doing it. So, this pair of socks is close to finished, and I will be getting back to Nisseet as soon as I can.
Between my exhaustion and aging eyes, it is hard for me to see well enough to pick up the stitches correctly and my focus is so divided that I can't do it while talking to others or watching anything. Perhaps I will get to it Monday, and finally get them finished. The next step will be finalizing the pattern and getting it ready for editing. That also requires focus, so you can see why it's been delayed. It's just been a tiring and challenging time for us. Again, I seek your prayers. It's nothing we can fully discuss publicly, but it isn't a secret, so if you know me, you can contact me about it.
I started the sleeve on a vintage inspired knitted blouse pattern from a 2004 IK that I've wanted to make since it was published. The whole focus issue is making it more difficult for me than it ought to be, but also the pattern does not notate RS or WS on the graph, and there is an instruction for a specific increase which is a little unclear. On the increase, I've just kind of decided how I will do it and will do it consistently, so that is fine, but I have to rip back because of the no indication of RS on the graph, because the first row isn't the right side, and it really messed up my set up.
Qidyssat Katrin is more than half way finished, and I'm on the much simpler side of it. However, again, because of all that is going on, I am careful to work on it when I am most rested, with full light, and few distractions. Which means I haven't worked on it nearly as much as I wanted. These four projects are all I am permitting myself to even consider or work on right now. Too many more, and I would not be able to get anything done. Of these, two are designs and two are other people's designs. Two are fairly simple, two more complicated, which gives me a simple and a more complex project for my "work" week and the same for the weekends.
Though I have read a little in a lot of books, I haven't really sustained much in any. I was trying to finish a happy little murder, but the library took it back before I could finish it. Maybe next week I will have more.
I was too late to link to Unraveled Wednesday
If you would like to receive updates and early notice of new patterns, beta knitting opportunities, and great discounts (plus pictures of new yarns, new tools, fun places, neat hints, book ideas, recipes and more) each month, please subscribe to 1,001 Knits. My best, and sometimes my only, discounts go to my subscribers.
Labels: Books, Design, Family, Homemaking, Knitting, Prayer Requests, WIP, Yarn Along
Sunday, April 05, 2026
Menu Plan: Bright Week
Christ is Risen! The Lord is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
Traditionally, the eight days of the Paschal Octave have absolutely no fasting in them. You will see plenty of meat and dairy and eggs this week! In the Antiochian jurisdiction, there is no fasting during the entire Paschal season. Our local priest does not contradict this, but does caution that this relaxation of the normative rule was approved in a place and time where Christians are already suffering incredibly, on a daily basis, and that we in this country could probably do with more exercises of our faith and spiritual strength, though he would never state that we must keep the fast during that time. In our family, we have decided that on the Wednesdays and Fridays of the Paschal season after the Octave we will still refrain from meat, but will enjoy fish, dairy and eggs, wine, and oil. In this way, we can enjoy the looser dietary rules, while still respecting the spirit of restraint our local priest mentions.
A few of the dishes we normally make for the feast, we will be making later in the week for a potluck and for other meals. It was remarkable how much sooner we were able to finish yesterday because of that.
East and West are a week apart this year. We won't celebrate again for another two years. This is a sadness for us, especially as our family crosses East and West, but one day we will celebrate together always. Blessed Feast!
- Sunday - Pascha/Fesh'a
Breakfast: Paschal Braided Bread, Pascha Cheese, Scotchicanese Eggs, Strawberries and Sliced Oranges, Hot Chocolate and Coffee with Chantilly Cream
Dinner: Olive Tray (with Kalamata Olives, Green Baladi Olives, and Orange Stuffed Green Olives), Tourshi, Tourshi Makhloot, Deviled Eggs, Herb Roasted Green Lamb, Hummus, Baba Ghanooj, Muhamarrah, Khoubz Araby, Harissa, Sah'awiq, Duqqus, Fatayir bi Sabanich, Sambousak, Sambousak bi Joubneh, Laban bi Chiyar, Khoubz Araby, Red Eggs, Baq'lawa, Red Wine, Proseccot, and Sparkling Cider, with Guests bringing other hors-d'ouevres, drinks, and desserts. - Monday
Breakfast: Leftover Scotchicanese Eggs, Bread, Olives and Tourshi, Strawberries and Oranges, Hot Chocolate
Dinner: Leftovers, Fattoush, Leftover Desserts - Tuesday
Breakfast: Pascha Cheese Stuffed Pascha Bread French Toast, Bacon, Sahlab and Milk
Dinner: Muffroom and Muhamarrah, Rice, Leftover Desserts - Wednesday
Breakfast: Farmer Breakfast Casserole with Sausage, Fruit, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Grilled Hot Dogs, Cool and Creamy Potato and Pea Salad, Peep S’mores - Thursday
Breakfast: Fried Egg and Sujuk Bagel Sandwiches with Za’atar and Joubneh Arabia, Fruit, Sahlab, Coffee and Tea
Dinner: Crockpot Peanut Chicken, Jasmine Rice, Peanut Butter Easter Eggs - Friday - Feast of Saint Leo the Great
Breakfast: Bacon, Cheese and Egg English Muffins, Fruit, Coffee, Milk and Tea
Dinner: Waraq 'Ounab, Harissa, Tabbouleh, Gatayif - Saturday
Breakfast: Italian Bacon and Romano Pasqua Bread, Cheeses, Fruit, Coffee, Milk and Tea
Dinner: Fried Koubbeh, Tourshi Makhloot, Harissa, Duqqus, Dibs Rumman, Knaffeh
Labels: Bright Week, Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Fesh'a, Homemaking, Keeping the Feast, Menu Plans, Pascha, Tales from the Kitchen
Wednesday, April 01, 2026
Craft On: Knitting in Holy Week
Just because of the life we have led over the past few weeks, and specifically our schedule of this past week, I have not finished either the Niseet mittens or mitts. I am about 750% through the mittens, and about 60% through the mitts, so they should be finished soon enough. Instead, I picked up these UFO socks, and finished the second cuff entirely, and will be able to finish the second foot in the next day or two of liturgies and other meetings.
Please continue to pray for us. Our whole family could use your prayers. This is such a busy and intense time, both spiritually and materially, with all the physical preparations for the Paschal feast, and all the rigor of the services this week, and with the other things going on in our family life right now, it is heavier. It feels like we are going through our own passion. We are looking forward to the joy of the Resurrection and await a resurrection in our lives, as well.
In easier news, Saint Patrick is now available in its expanded version, though I haven't started knitting the larger shawl yet. You can find it on PayHip, Ravelry, and LoveCrafts. If you use the coupon code PaddyIntro, between now and the end of the day, fake Pacific time, April, 4, 2026 on either PayHip or Ravelry, you will receive 25% off your purchase.
Autobiography of Calvin Coolidge is seeing a little progress. A friend gave me a copy of Garden of Truth as encouragement, and I am tripping my way through it.
Linking to Unraveled Wednesday
If you would like to receive updates and early notice of new patterns, beta knitting opportunities, and great discounts (plus pictures of new yarns, new tools, fun places, neat hints, book ideas, recipes and more) each month, please subscribe to 1,001 Knits. My best, and sometimes my only, discounts go to my subscribers.
Labels: Books, Design, Family, Homemaking, Knitting, Prayer Requests, WIP, Yarn Along
