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, Faux de Crèmes

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 (this may be later this time because of our holiday feasting and rest).

Labels: Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Fesh'a, Homemaking, Keeping the Feast, Menu Plans, Pascha, Tales from the Kitchen