Sunday, May 24, 2026
Menu Plan: Pentecost Week
Alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord fills the world! Oh come, let us adore Him. Alleluia!
This is the second highest feast of the Church year, the birthday of the Church, herself. It is the undoing of Babel, the empowering by the Holy Spirit of the Apostles to spread the Church throughout the world to every people, tribe, tongue and nation, and the first glimmer of the Holy City that is to come. On Pentecost, the first law was given, and on the new Pentecost, the lasting law was given. Glory to God!
Because of Pentecost, this is a fast free week. That's convenient, because the kids have a homeschool dance to attend and they don't have to try to pick their way though the food there. Depending on how this week goes, I will be trying to making more pickles. Or we will just be eating a ton of asparagus before it dries out too much, and hope last year's supply is enough to get us through next year.
Our Tongues of Flame Barbecue was another success. We had a lot of delicious food and a lot of fun. Again, I am so thankful to our Parish family for their contributions and assistance. We have a busy week coming up, too, not just during the week, but next weekend our deacon is going to be ordained a priest, and we will have quite the full house at church.
- Sunday - Pentecost
Breakfast: Leftovers, Coffee and Tea
Dinner: Charcuterie Plate, Dejaj Meshwi, Kofta Kebabs, Sah'awiq, Basmati Rice, Grilled Garlic Citrus Shrimp, Grilled Baby Octopus with Chimichurri, Soy-Ginger Pork Kebabs with Hoisin Dipping Sauce, Roasted Asparagus, Pasta Salad, Coleslaw, Sliced Canary Melons, Beer, Soda and Juice - Monday
Breakfast: Fried Eggs and Leftover Kofta Kebabs*, Joubneh 'Arabia, Taratoor, Sah'awiq, Sliced Oranges, Coffee and Tea
Dinner: Leftover Dejaj Meshwi, Basmati Rice, Pasta Salad, Ice Cream - Tuesday - Feast of Saint Augustine of Canterbury
Breakfast: Scrambled Egg and Sausage Breakfast Burritos with Salsa, Oranges, Milk, Coffee and Tea
Dinner: Leftovers, Orange Butter Cookies with Grand Marnier Glaze - Wednesday - Feast of the Venerable Saint Bede
Breakfast: Labneh, Za'atar and Olive Oil on Toast, Sliced Cucumbers, Tomatoes, and Radishes, Bananas, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Homemade Pizza, Green Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette, Sliced Mangos - Thursday
Breakfast: Tunisian Sweet Potato Shakshouka with Fried Peppers and Onions*, Sliced Oranges, Mint Tea with Rosewater and Honey
Dinner: Xinjiang Cumin Lamb, Jasmine Rice, Homemade Samoa Bars - Friday
Breakfast: Cereal and Milk, Bananas, Coffee, Tea and Milk
Dinner: Lechón Asado, Black Beans, Cuban Lime Cookies - Saturday
Breakfast: Cinnamon Rolls, Bacon, Fruit Plate, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Cheese Zombies, Tomato Soup with Bacon Crumbles, Orange Rum Cake
Labels: Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Homemaking, Keeping the Feast, Menu Plans, Pentecost, Tales from the Kitchen
Sunday, June 08, 2025
Menu Plan: Pentecost Week
Alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord fills the world! Oh come, let us adore Him. Alleluia!
This is the second highest feast of the Church year, the birthday of the Church, herself. It is the undoing of Babel, the empowering by the Holy Spirit of the Apostles to spread the Church throughout the world to every people, tribe, tongue and nation, and the first glimmer of the Holy City that is to come. On Pentecost, the first law was given, and on the new Pentecost, the lasting law was given. Glory to God!
We were able to have our Tongues of Flame Barbecue at church, and many folks from a Sudanese parish from the Tri-Cities were able to come join us. It was delightful and refreshing. I love to be around them, hear Arabic spoken, sung, and prayed.
This week holds the hottest days of the year, so far. It is supposed to get to nearly 100˚ on Monday, though it is also supposed to cool down a little after Wednesday. We are planning meals so we can minimize the use of the oven or long cooking on the stove. Also, any baking I have is being planned for the mornings when it is coolest.
It is also a fast free week! No need to plan around Lenten days this week, and that will be a delight. We have a lot of food leftover from the barbecue, even after sending some home with parishioners, so we are eating leftovers from that, too. What are your plans for this Pentecost week? Blessed Feast!
- Sunday - Pentecost
Breakfast: Leftover Pizza and Rolls, Coffee and Tea
Dinner: Grilled Lamb, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Bratwurst, Chicken, Sah'awiq, Green Olives, Sides/Salads/Fruit/Desserts brought by Parishioners - Monday - Feast of Saint Columba
Breakfast: Fried Ham, Egg and Cheese Sandwiches, Blackberries, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Leftovers - Tuesday
Breakfast: Salatat Battatas ou Bayd, Blackberries and Cream, Tea and Coffee
Dinner: Steak Frites, Radish and Celery Salad, Rhubarb Cake - Wednesday - Feast of Saints Barnabas and Bartholomew the Apostle
Breakfast: Ham and Sweet Potato Hash, Blackberries and Cream, Milky Tea
Dinner: Bacon and Garlic Crusted Pork Loin, Steam Sautéed Brussels Sprouts and Carrots with Garlic and Dill, Hot Chocolate Cookies - Thursday
Breakfast: Battatas ou Bayd, Fruit Plate, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: One Pan Lamb Kofta and Saffron Rice with Herb and Yogurt Sauce, Lebanese Slaw, Persian Walnut Cookies - Friday
Breakfast: Ham and Eggs, Toast, Fruit Plate, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Sticky Chicken Drumsticks, Sesame Green Beans, Jasmine Rice, Mandarin Oranges - Saturday
Breakfast: Bacon Stuffed Savory Griddle Cakes, Blood Oranges, Sahlab, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Frozen Pizzas, GF Pizza for Jerome, Tomato Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette, Rice Pudding with Orange Curd Topping
Labels: Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Homemaking, Keeping the Feast, Menu Plans, Pentecost, Tales from the Kitchen
Sunday, May 19, 2024
Menu Plan: Pentecost Week
Alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord fills the world! Oh come, let us adore Him. Alleluia!
This is the second highest feast of the Church year, the birthday of the Church, herself. It is the undoing of Babel, the empowering by the Holy Spirit of the Apostles to spread the Church throughout the world to every people, tribe, tongue and nation, and the first glimmer of the Holy City that is to come. On Pentecost, the first law was given, and on the new Pentecost, the lasting law was given. Glory to God!
It is also a fast free week! No need to plan around Lenten days this week, and that will be a delight. On top of that, we should be getting asparagus this week. It is a good week.
What are your plans for Pentecost?
- Sunday - Pentecost
Breakfast: Tunisian Shakshouka (using sweet potatoes), Mandarin Oranges, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Sausage and Beans, Rice, Red Potato Salad, Fruit Plate - Monday
Breakfast: Sausage, Potato and Vegetable Hash, Sliced Apples, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Pasta with Best Meat Sauce Ever (GF pasta for Jerome), Green Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette, Sliced Oranges - Tuesday
Breakfast: Creamed Eggs, Toast Fingers, Sliced Oranges, Milk and Tea
Dinner: Red Beans and Rice, Chopped Scallions, Hot Pepper Sauce, Fruit Plate - Wednesday
Breakfast: Oatmeal with Raisins and Brown Sugar, Milky Tea with Honey
Dinner: Fancy Hot Dogs, Egg Noodles, Steam Sautéed Carrots with Garlic and Dill, Sliced Oranges - Thursday
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Toast, Fruit Plate, Milk and Tea
Dinner: Pressure Cooker Dakbokkeumtang (Spicy Korean Chicken Stew), Jasmine Rice, Kimchi, Mandarin Oranges - Friday
Breakfast: Cream Cheese Pancakes with Butter and Raspberry Syrup, Tea with Honey
Dinner: Broiled Italian Sausages, Chopped Asparagus Salad with Chickpeas and Feta, Sliced Apples - Saturday
Breakfast: Battatas ou Bayd, Sliced Oranges, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Korean Style Beef, Jasmine Rice, Stir Fried Asparagus and Garlic with Sesame Oil, Sliced Oranges
Labels: Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Homemaking, Keeping the Feast, Menu Plans, Pentecost, Tales from the Kitchen
Sunday, May 28, 2023
Menu Plan: Pentecost Week
Alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord fills the world! Oh come, let us adore Him. Alleluia!
This is the second highest feast of the Church year, the birthday of the Church, herself. It is the undoing of Babel, the empowering by the Holy Spirit of the Apostles to spread the Church throughout the world to every people, tribe, tongue and nation, and the first glimmer of the Holy City that is to come. On Pentecost, the first law was given, and on the new Pentecost, the lasting law was given. Glory to God!
Our Tongues of Flame barbecue was wonderful, and we had a lot of fun. I didn't have the energy to make a fancy Pentecost cake, so I decorated strawberry shortcake with 12 strawberry halves for the Apostles and one whole one for Jesus. We had the grill going and wine flowing, wonderful conversation and beautiful weather. It was also our town's spring celebration, so we enjoyed some concerts this weekend, too. Rich has been finishing up much of the planting in the garden, and we are hoping again for a good year of growth.
This is a fast free week, and we are planning to enjoy that to the fullest. I had been planning on making some ice cream for Monday, but we have so much cake left over, that we are eating that. Speaking of cake, the pistachio cake was excellent, but just had too much going on in it. I may try it again, but with some simplifications. Rich said that the recipe read like someone was trying to make a "Arab" style cake and just thought of random ingredients that were eaten in the Arab world, and threw them into the cake. We also picked up our first asparagus order of the year, and are eating loads of asparagus this week. When we get our next load, we will work on making more pickles.
We are heading into the last weeks of school work, the last events of the school year, and it is busy. Graduation parties, dress rehearsals, all of that is going on, plus preparations for the airshow. Please keep us in your prayers.
- Sunday - Pentecost
Breakfast: Fried Eggs and Bacon, Fruit, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Tongues of Flame Barbecue - Dejaj Meshwi, Bratwursts with Sauerkraut* and Grilled Onions, Hot Dogs with Green Tomato Dill Relish, Texas Twinkies, Grilled Asparagus, Strawberry Shortcake, Apple-Cream Cheese Bars, Wine - Monday
Breakfast: Leftovers, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: DeFrisco's Chicken Sandwiches, Grilled Asparagus, Leftover Cakes and Custard, Cherry Ciapirissima* - Tuesday
Breakfast: Crème Brûlée French Toast, Bacon, Fruit, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Ham, Scalloped Potatoes, Roasted Asparagus, Fruit/Side Dishes/Dessert brought by Bible Study members - Wednesday
Breakfast: Soft Boiled Eggs with Asparagus and Bacon, Sliced Oranges, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Ham and Asparagus Strata, Fruit Plate - Thursday - Feast of Saint Justin Martyr
Breakfast: Sausage, Potato and Vegetable Hash, Fruit, Tea with Honey
Dinner: Chicken Dijon, Herbed Rice Pilaf, Salad, Fruit - Friday
Breakfast: Yogurt and Jam, Toast, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Grilled Lamb Chops, Persian Chopped Salad, Arabic Style Rice Pilaf - Saturday
Breakfast: Blueberry Lemon Ricotta Tea Cake to break the fast after Liturgy
Dinner: Beef and Broccoli, Jasmine Rice, Lemon Pudding Cakes*
Labels: Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Governor Inslee Needs a Frozen Fish to the Forehead, Homemaking, Homesteading, Menu Plans, Pentecost, Tales from the Kitchen
Sunday, June 05, 2022
Menu Plan: Pentecost Week
Alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord fills the world! Oh come, let us adore Him. Alleluia!
This is the second highest feast of the Church year. It is the birthday of the Church. Pentecost is the undoing of Babel. It is the empowering by the Holy Spirit of the Apostles to spread the Church throughout the world to every people, tribe, tongue and nation. We will have our Tongues of Flame barbecue with our church on Sunday, and enjoy a fast free week. The barbecue is a potluck, so we will see what lovely gifts people bring to share.
We have only two more weeks of official school before we take a summer break. Amira will be a graduate, and I am so proud of her, but I am also a little sad that she is grown up. While she figures out what her future should look like, we are glad to be home for her still. She has a couple opportunities this summer that will help her make her way in the world, and her brothers and sisters will also be doing some work in our neighborhood, earning money and learning skills for themselves.
Since this is a fast free week, there are no vegan days, but we are still trying to live within the limits of the grocery store prices and what we have at home. So, there is still soup and there are still legume based meals. Jerome is doing super well with the re-introduction of lentils, and again, I think his triggers are probably environmental. His doctor did say that this was more a hard reset than an indication of actual food allergies (though she suspected the banana might be a true allergy, and we already avoid lima beans because of reactions he has had in the past).
We are being more frugal because of the prices from inflation and supply chain issues brought on by the policies regarding the big C. If you aren't looking at my posts on frugality, you might want to take a peek and see if there is anything there that might help you. I did my bi-weekly grocery shopping Friday and found that the organic sweet potatoes were actually cheaper per pound, just by a little, than the conventionally grown ones. Especially since they were root vegetables, I thought that was important, and so bought the organic bag. There were a couple potatoes with dings in them that would degrade them quickly, and the produce lady marked the bag down a dollar on top of that, so it pays to point things like that out and ask. Since I didn't buy chicken because it was so expensive, and almost didn't buy bacon, because of the same reason, I am pleased with the deals we did find. I was able to get bacon, because they had pre-cooked, naturally cured bacon, for a dollar less than the price we used to pay for the same quantity of bacon. We are so grateful for how the Lord has looked after our family so well during these vexing and trying times. I see Him in every discount sticker and am reminded how much He loves us.
- Sunday - Pentecost
Breakfast: Mexican Eggs Benedict with Chorizo and Avocado Cream, Sliced Oranges, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Grilled Lamb Chops, Grilled Hatch Chile Sausages, Grilled Asparagus, Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting - Monday
Breakfast: Creamed Eggs with Toast Fingers (Gluten-free for Jerome), Sliced Apples, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Enfrijoladas, Cuban Rice, Oranges - Tuesday
Breakfast: Sweet Potato Hash with Chopped Ham, Sliced Oranges, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Cream of Onion Soup with Bacon, Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette, Home Canned Pears - Wednesday
Breakfast: Battatas ou Bayd, Sliced Apples, Tea with Honey
Dinner: Italian Sausage and Potato Bake, Bread (Gluten-free for Jerome) to sop up the delicious juices, Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette - Thursday - Saint Columba
Breakfast: Slow Cooker Bacon Cheese Potatoes, Sliced Oranges, Tea with Honey
Dinner: Lamb Ribs and Beans, Arepas, Fruit Plate - Friday
Breakfast: Tunisian Shakshouka (using sweet potatoes), Home Canned Pears, Tea with Honey
Dinner: Pasta (Gluten-free for Jerome) with Bolognese Sauce, Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette, Canned Peaches - Saturday - Saint Barnabas the Apostle
Breakfast: Cream Cheese Swirled Cherry and Mixed Berry Coffee Cake (Gluten-free for Jerome), Sausages, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Pastitsio (Gluten-free for Jerome), Chopped Salad, Blueberry Cheesecake Gelato
Labels: Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Governor Inslee Needs a Frozen Fish to the Forehead, Homemaking, Keeping the Feast, Menu Plans, Pentecost, Prayer Requests, Tales from the Kitchen
Sunday, May 23, 2021
Menu Plan: May 23 - 29
Blessed feast! This is the second highest feast of the Church year. It is the birthday of the Church. Pentecost is the undoing of Babel. It is the empowering by the Holy Spirit of the Apostles to spread the Church throughout the world to every people, tribe, tongue and nation. We are having our Tongues of Flame Barbecue again this year! It's not as big and extensive as they have been in the past, but we are doing it, which makes me so happy. One of these years, we will also do a talent show to show off our gifts of the Spirit.
Our weather is warming up, so we are having more cold/cool meals for dinner now. Still keeping up with Jerome's dietary restrictions, and keeping two meatless days each week. I hope our menus and recipes help you if you are looking for allergy friendly foods, or eating with the Church, or simply looking for something different for dinner or breakfast. I found a biscuit recipe that is vegan and gluten-free, so I am using that to make some breakfasts this week.
Alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord fills the world! Oh come, let us adore Him. Alleluia!
- Sunday
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Cheese (Scrambled Chickpeas with Peppers and Onion for Jerome), Cara Cara Oranges, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Herb Grilled Chicken, Hot Dogs, Grilled Cauliflower Steaks, Grilled Peppers and Red Onions, Red Potato Salad*, Other Salads and Sides brought by parishioners, Lemon Almond Pentecost "Birthday" Cake with Strawberries and Cream (Coconut Cream for Jerome) - Monday
Breakfast: Polenta with Maple Syrup, Blood Oranges, Tea with Honey
Dinner: Garbage Management (AKA Repurposed Leftovers) - Tuesday
Breakfast: Yogurt and Jam, Toast (Strawberry Coconut Yogurt and Gluten-free Toast for Jerome), Sliced Apples, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Bratwurst, Pepper, Potato and Onion Bake, Bread (Gluten-free for Jerome), Pickled Beets, Mustard, Fruit Plate - Wednesday
Breakfast: Apple-Coconut Breakfast Bowl with Honey Peanut Butter, Tea with Honey
Dinner: Eggplant Gyros*, Turkish Flatbreads, Fruit Plate - Thursday - Feast of Saint Bede
Breakfast: Biscuits and Jam (Vegan and gluten-free for Jerome), Fruit Plate, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Cold Cut Sandwiches, Green Salad, Chips, Pickles - Friday
Breakfast: Cereal and Milk (Grain-free Granola and Coconut Milk for Jerome), Sliced Apples, Tea with Honey
Dinner: Chickpea Shawerma Rice Bowls, Fruit Salad - Saturday
Breakfast: Biscuits and Sausage Gravy (Gluten and dairy free for Jerome), Blood Oranges, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Persian Lamb Shanks, Saffron Rice, Persian Chopped Salad*
Labels: Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Governor Inslee Needs a Frozen Fish to the Forehead, Homemaking, Menu Plans, Pentecost, Special Diet, Tales from the Kitchen
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Menu Plan: Week of Pentecost
Alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord fills the world! Oh come, let us adore Him. Alleluia!
This is the second highest feast of the Church year. It is the birthday of the Church. We cannot have our tongues of flame barbecue, or a talent show to show off our gifts, but we can go to church! We will celebrate as we can. It has been eleven weeks since we have been able to meet in a church.
Pentecost is the undoing of Babel. It is the empowering by the Holy Spirit of the Apostles to spread the Church throughout the world to every people, tribe, tongue and nation. This week also includes the feast of Justin Martyr, who said, "We used to hate and destroy one another and refused to associate with people of another race or country. Now, because of Christ, we live together with such people and pray for our enemies." These both seem to be the best responses to the cruelty and and fear of our world.
- Sunday - Feast of Pentecost
Breakfast: Corned Beef Hash, Fruit, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Grilled Hamburgers and Hot Dogs, Potato Salad with Kalamata Olives and Lemon Dill Vinaigrette, Watermelon, Strawberry Pentecost "Birthday" Cake - Monday - Feast of Justin Martyr
Breakfast: Labneh, Za'atar and Olive Oil on Toast, Oranges, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Pork Tacos, Black Beans and Roasted Corn, Salsa Rice, Roasted Pepper Salsa - Tuesday
Breakfast: Peaches and Cream Oatmeal, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Saucy Sour Cream Meatballs with Green Beans, Egg Noodles - Wednesday
Breakfast: Banana Pear Quickbread, Tea and Honey
Dinner: Ricotta Rapini Ravioli with Butter Tomato Sauce,Salad, Crème Brûlée, Bread, Fruit - Thursday
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Cheese and Toast, Sliced Apples, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Ranchero Beans and Rice, Fruit Plate - Friday
Breakfast: Peanut Butter Toast with Honey, Fruit, Tea with Honey
Dinner: Tortilla Casserole with Refried Beans, Quick and Dirty Mexican Rice (with oil and vegetable broth) - Saturday
Breakfast: Caramel Apple French Toast Strata (using Mascarpone and Hazelnuts), Bacon, Milk & Coffee
Dinner:Grilled Leg of Lamb, Arabic Rice Pilaf, Chopped Salad, Lemon Feta Dip, Shabboura*, Pistachio Cream CakeDinner with Friends - Bringing Asparagus Dish
Linking to Menu Plan Monday
Labels: Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Governor Inslee Needs a Frozen Fish to the Forehead, Homemaking, Homesteading, Menu Plans, Pentecost, Quarantine, Tales from the Kitchen
Monday, June 05, 2017
Menu Plan: Pentecost
Blessed Pentecost to you all! We celebrated this second highest feast of the Church Year yesterday with lots of delicious food cooked over fire. Rich and I provided the grilled food and the potato salad, and the folks at the Anglican church provided all the rest. The Catholic church we attend in the morning has its church picnic this coming Sunday, which means that the beginning of church picnic season has begun!
Since we ended up going to the Seattle Passport Office, and took the entire day there, and had forgotten the time of a birthday/going away party on Saturday, a couple meals are back on the menu this week again. However, we vanquished the bureaucracy, and I came home with my passport!
- Sunday - Pentecost
Breakfast: Mexican Scramble with Cheese, Toasted English Muffins, Fruit Plate, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Tongues of Flame Barbecue - Grilled Lamb Kebabs, Grilled Skirt Steak, Grilled Garlic Saffron Chicken, Hot Dogs, Green Hot Sauce, Harissa, Cool and Creamy Potato and Pea Salad, Hummus and Veggies, Pasta Salad, Spinach Salad, Chinese Cabbage Salad, Hashbrown Casserole, Fudge Covered Rice Crispy Treats, Layered Bars, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Molasses Cookies, Strawberry Shortcake - Monday
Breakfast: Peanut Butter Cinnamon Toast, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Chef Salad with Salami, Hard Boiled Eggs, Cold Roasted Asparagus, and Cheese, Ice Cream - Tuesday
Breakfast: Dutch Baby Pancake with Strawberries and Cream, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Not Texas Chili with Shredded Cheese, Chopped Red Onion and Sour Cream, Cornbread - Wednesday
Breakfast: Ful, Toast, Harissa, Strawberries, Tea with Honey
Dinner: Falafel, Khoubz Araby (Pita Bread), Harissa, Veggies and Olives, Strawberries - Thursday
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Toast, Fruit Plate, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Cottage Pie, Roasted Asparagus, Salad - Friday
Breakfast: Peanut Butter Toast with Honey, Sliced Apples, Tea with Honey
Dinner: Crisp Lentil and Potato Cakes with Vegetable Veloute, Roasted Asparagus, Salad - Saturday
Breakfast: Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole, Fruit, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Pasta with Meat Sauce, Garlic Bread, Salad
Labels: Church Year, Family, Homemaking, Menu Plans, Pentecost, Tales from the Kitchen
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Menu Plan: May 15 - 21 (Such as it is)
Our schedule has just been slammed and I don't even know the point of making a menu plan this week. So, here is what we have eaten so far, and one extra meal that I planned for Friday. You can check out my recipe index to find other ideas. I have to apologize to the folks who have left comments over the past week and a half, I will get to them as soon as I can.
We had a small Pentecost feast to celebrate the second highest festival of the Church Year. Nejat has celebrated her third birthday this week, as well. Since our schedule has blown up for us, though, there will be no knit night at our house this week and someone else is hosting our lesson and dance this weekend.
- Sunday - Pentecost
Breakfast: Oatmeal with Raisins and Brown Sugar, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Tongues of Flame Barbecue of Beef and Pork Fajitas, Salsa Rice, Black Beans, Chips, Salsa, Cupcakes - Monday
Breakfast: Fried Eggs and Toast, Sliced Apples and Oranges, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Salami Sandwiches, Cherry and Pear Tomatoes, Roasted Asparagus, Fudge Brownie Cake - Tuesday
Breakfast: Chilaquiles with Avocado, Bananas, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: - Wednesday
Breakfast:
Dinner: - Thursday
Breakfast:
Dinner: - Friday
Breakfast:
Dinner: Pinto and Poblano Soup, Tortilla Chips, Salsa, Sour Cream - Saturday
Breakfast:
Dinner:
Labels: Birthday, Church Year, Family, Homemaking, Menu Plans, Pentecost, Tales from the Kitchen
Monday, May 25, 2015
Menu Plan: Week of Pentecost
We are not fasting this week, because of the feast of Pentecost. Then, we are back on our normal schedule of abstinence in our diet. Rich has been enjoying the Paschal season quite a bit and says that his pants are telling him it is time to return to some fasting and abstinence. I'm actually feeling pretty good about maintaining a good diet and exercise, even with our feasting, and have either lost weight or maintained my weight each week.
The heat is back, so we have fans going in the house and ice water in our cooler outside for the kids to drink while they play. We're doing a lot of grilling and quick meals, slow cooker meals, and so on, so as not to heat up the kitchen too much in the afternoon and evening.
Remember that the Psalms are according to eastern numbering in our daily Bible reading, also I Kings is the original designation, it is I Samuel in western Bibles (II Kings is II Samuel in the west, III Kings is I Kings, and IV Kings is II Kings).
- Sunday - Pentecost II Kings 18:19-19:44, Psalms 93:16–23, Proverbs 20:11–15, Luke 17:1–19
Breakfast: Nacho Breakfast, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Grilled Lamb Kofta, Grilled Salmon, Grilled Lemon-Saffron-Yogurt Marinated Chicken Legs, Grilled Italian Sausage, Grilled Hot Dogs, Grilled Zucchini, Grilled Onions, Grilled Tomatoes, Cool and Creamy Potato and Pea Salad, Green Hot Sauce (for the lamb and chicken), Home Cured Olives, Veggies and Dip, Grilled Pineapple with Ice Cream - Monday II Kings 20-21, Psalms 94, Proverbs 20:16–20, Luke 17:20–37
Breakfast: Sausage and Egg Scramble with Cheese, Toast, Sliced Apples, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Leftovers, Salad - Tuesday - Feast of Saint Augustine of Canterbury II Kings 22:1-23:7, Psalms 95, Proverbs 20:21–25, Luke 18:1–17
Breakfast: Oatmeal with Apples and Cinnamon Sugar, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Italian Sausage, Chard, Beet, and Potato Skillet, Salad - Wednesday - Feast of the Venerable Saint Bede II Kings 23:8-24:25, Psalms 96, Proverbs 21:1–5, Luke 18:18–43
Breakfast: Chorizo Breakfast Casserole, Sliced Nectarines, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Lamb Kofta, Rice, Green Hot Sauce, Radishes, Sautéed Arugula with Garlic and Lemon, Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette - Thursday III Kings 1:1-2:25, Psalms 97-98, Proverbs 21:6–10, Luke 19:1–27
Breakfast: Yogurt and Jam, Buttered Toast, Sliced Apples, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Ranchero Beans, Salsa Rice, Fruit - Friday III Kings 2:26-3:27, Psalms 99-100, Proverbs 21:11–15, Luke 19:28–48
Breakfast: Pepper & Sausage Brunch Strata, Sliced Oranges, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Beef Stew, Buttered Noodles, Marinated Cucumbers and Onions - Saturday III Kings 4-6, Psalms 101:1–15, Proverbs 21:16–20, Luke 20:1–26
Breakfast: Waffles with Butter and Maple Syrup, Bacon, Peaches, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Grilled Pizzas, Coleslaw, Fruit Plate
Labels: Church Year, Family, Homemaking, Menu Plans, Pentecost, Tales from the Kitchen
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Menu Plan: June 12 - June 18
So, today's meals include red and grilled food to help us celebrate and give our children some tangible lessons in the holiday and Church year. Our menu this week involves some of our own garden produce, even though we were late with much of our planting. We have loads of garlic greens and scapes growing, so those will be in our meals. We're eating our radishes and some of our early greens. I was able to get two freezer meals put away last week. This week's menu seems to only have one meal that looks like it will both freeze well.
I'm really proud of Elijah. He is learning out to help in the kitchen and has become much more diligent and interested in learning to cook more. Since this is a week full of celebrations for us (both Rich and Dominic's birthdays are on Saturday), he wanted to learn to make chocolate muffins for his father, since Rich's birthday is mostly subsumed by Dominic's.
- Sunday Pentecost
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Freshly Toasted Croutons, Strawberries and Sliced Oranges, Milk
Dinner: Grilled Rack of Lamb, Grilled Asparagus, Creamy Herbed White Beans, Rhubarb Custard Cake - Monday
Breakfast: Oatmeal with Cinnamon Sugar, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Pastitsio (Freeze Half), Sauteed Swiss Chard with Garlic Scapes - Tuesday
Breakfast: Honey & Oat Flapjacks, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Slow Cooked Chuck Steak, Steam Sauteed Carrots and Asparagus, Cracked Wheat Pilaf, Rhubarb Fool - Wednesday
Breakfast: Slow Cooker Rice Pudding with Coconut and Dried Cherries, Mint Tea with Honey
Dinner: Cream of Asparagus Soup, Biscuits, Fruit Plate - Thursday
Breakfast: Dutch Baby Pancake, Milk and Coffee
Dinner: Austrian Kucherlkraut (Beef and Sauerkraut), Sour Cream Noodles, Roasted Asparagus - Friday
Breakfast: Cherry Almond Granola and Milk, Coffee
Dinner: Eggs in Purgatory, Pasta with Garlic Scapes, Salad - Saturday
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs, Fruit Plate, Chocolate Chip Muffins, Milk, Coffee
Dinner: Pepperoni Pizza Puffs, Marinara Dipping Sauce, Spinach Salad, Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Frosting
Bought:
Salad Greens
Asparagus
Rhubarb
Strawberries
Pepperoni
Labels: Church Year, Family, Homemaking, Menu Plans, Pentecost, Tales from the Kitchen
Friday, June 04, 2010
Seven Quick Takes: June 4
1. APB for Bob:
Bob is Jerome's baby. Bob has been loved so much that his arm came off. Several times. Jerome first found Bob at a KayBee toy store outlet in Woodburn in 2008. He fell in love right away and wouldn't put Bob down. By last spring, Bob already had his arm in a sling (various glues having been tried and failed). We were in Woodburn again, then, so we thought we'd pick up a replacement Bob. However, the store had closed up a week or two before we got there. We've since tried many other ways of fixing Bob. The last fix didn't last a day.
Jerome loves Bob. Bob is one of the most real toys we have in our house. We have emphasized how God loves people no matter how well or unwell they are and that a parent loves his child no matter what is wrong with him, but it makes it hard for Jerome to play with Bob. He talks to Bob and kisses him and tucks him in and tells him stories, but he can't keep Bob in his room.
So, now we're looking for a Bob that we can use to replace the arm. An organ donor. Sort of. If you have seen a Bob, please let us know and we will buy him, pay for shipping, so we can finally fix Bob so Jerome can have him back.
2. We have had a chance to travel much more frequently since our move. Rich's work has sent him to various meetings and conferences, which means we don't pay much for the travel either, since at least one hotel room, mileage, Rich's meals, etc are paid for already. It's been a nice way to vacation inexpensively. A couple times, Rich and I have been able to go on our own, too, which has been a nice treat for us (and incidentally, is also less expensive, because we only need one room, one extra meal, etc). Most recently, we were able to visit a kitschy vintner's village near us that we've always meant to visit. It is a tourist trap. It is a little collection of winery shops and restaurants. It was a cute place, though, and we had a great dinner and walk. One of the places we looked in had a great restaurant we'd like to try another time that specializes in local foods. Anyway, Rich took a couple pictures of me while we were there that I actually liked. Here is one:
3. Yasmina's has some pretty cute names for her siblings and herself:
Azander, Donick, Elijy, Amiwa, Womy, Mina
4. Our boys are definitely turning country. Aside from the menagerie they are building up by trapping creatures on our property, Jerome announced to us the other day that he wanted a gun rack for his bike. Well, not exactly, but he said he wanted a gun on his bike so he could shoot bad guys and deer. I told him that he could only shoot the deer after he knew how to dress them. Rich said that the pants were particularly difficult.
5. Jerome does not have a firm grasp on how the Eucharist is distributed. We tend to have the children go first, with us accompanying them. Since we've been without a home church, we were limited as to when we could receive until Fr. Michael visited us and left us with a large amount of reserved sacrament, so we could at least distribute it after Morning Prayer or visiting another church on Sunday. A few Sundays ago, we stayed home and did Morning Prayer, and Rich started distributing the Eucharist. He started with Yasmina. Just because he did. Afterward, Jerome was telling her that she received first, because she is the prettiest. To which she responded by grinning and doing a pirhouette and saying "I prettiest!"
6. This is a restaurant we want to visit. They have printed on their menu: The Nanny State of Washington wishes us to remind you that eating food is very dangerous especially if it is raw or undercooked. Please ask your server about any menu items that you may be worried about.
7. Yasmina is also very bossy. One of her first sentences involved her coming into the kitchen holding a book and saying "Read my book!" So, this past week, she has been bossing me around as per usual. One morning, as she was ordering me to come lie down with her, I told her she was a very bossy little girl. She smiled and answered "I know. Daddy told me!"
Labels: Church Year, Family, Humor, Pentecost, Seven Quick Takes
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Pentecost Traditions
For those who do not know the history of this feast day, it is the second most important holiday in the Christian year. It is a commemoration of the Holy Spirit descending on the disciples of Jesus in the upper room and sending them out to do the work given them. It is, in many ways, the birthday of the Church. Pentecost is the 50th day after Resurrection Sunday, so it always falls on a Sunday, but it is a moveable feast like Easter, as it is dependent on the day of Easter. This year, it is May 31st. It is also called Whitsunday, for the white clothes worn by catechumens who were baptized during Easter.
There are many traditions associated with this day. The liturgical color for Pentecost is Red, for the Holy Spirit, all feasts of the Holy Spirit, as well as feasts of martyrs, are red. So, it is common to wear red on Pentecost. It is a memorial also of the distributing of the gifts of the Spirit, so there are many traditions involving dishes using the same number of parts as there are gifts. The church from which we were married had a talent show for Pentecost, so the parishioners could display the gifts God had given them. One church we attended decorated with red, yellow and orange balloons, which the children took home with them after church.
For the past six years, we have hosted a Tongues of Flame barbecue at our home on Pentecost. It seemed like a fun and appropriate celebration, since the Holy Spirit appeared as tongues of flame over the believers in the upper room. We basically barbecued any kind of meat including that from fish and fowl. Other people brought side dishes, appetizers and desserts, we provided the meat and drinks. This has been a fun way to remember the day.
The church year is set up so people will remember each event, rather than just hoping that they will pay attention to each one on their own. The reminders are perfect for families and children, as they are sensual: We see the colors, we smell the incense or holy water or anointing oil, we taste the food, we hear the bells, we touch the crucifix or other holy objects. It is also physical in that we do something with our bodies as we pray. There are particular passages of scripture that are read for particular holidays, there are songs sung on those days. These all help teach and tie together what and who each celebration or memorial is about, so that we get a better understanding of it.
Our children especially have enjoyed the ways we have brought the Church Year home. This is not just something we do at church, it is something we live each day, in our homes and lives. Our family has been blessed to travel a bit more lately than we have over the last year, and in that time we have visited other churches. Although we have enjoyed the services (for the most part), they were not liturgical, didn't follow the Church's calendar and afterward we found ourselves having a greater appreciation for that Church year. Rich commented to me after one of our visits to another church that he was so glad that we had the cycles of the Church year to anchor our daily life. We didn't have to try to come up with something to prepare ourselves at the last minute, each day was a preparation for the next day, the next holiday, the next season.
The Church, in her wisdom provided Lent to prepare for Easter, so we didn't have it sneak up on us, we don't have to cram all of Holy Week and Good Friday into Easter Sunday, when we should be rejoicing in the resurrection, not recalling the crucifixion. Our Christmas season begins with Christmas day, not the day after Thanksgiving, focusing on the Incarnation and Nativity, not the Macy's window or how many presents are under a tree. In much the same way, Pentecost is a reminder of the Spirit which empowers each believer as well as the authority given to the apostles (and their successors, the bishops) and the Church. It is the close to Eastertide. Ascension day (and the eight days following it) is a mini-season within the Paschal season, but it is Pentecost that empowers us to go forth and do as Christ commands.
Celebrating it in a tangible way, like our feast, is a way to tell our children about what we believe, not just in a Bible lesson or a sermon at church, but when we are sitting in our house, walking by the way, lying down and rising. We have had opportunities to see our children's faith in action recently, and we cannot help but notice how our daily piety and practice has affected them. We are pleased to see how much has seeped in to their very beings, by being immersed in a life that is oriented toward God, around His Church.
Labels: Church Year, Faith and Morality, Pentecost
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Tongues of Flame
I made a pot of stuffed grape leaves (waraq 'ounab), about 80 of them. We barbecued a chipotle rubbed flank steak, chicken breasts marinated in lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, salt and pepper, polish dogs, bratwurst, cheese bratwurst, and two legs of lamb, which I butterflied in five seconds with the knives our butchers use to slice up the carcasses of meat in the shop, rubbed with a paste I make of garlic, salt, fresh rosemary, oregano, thyme, mint, chives, and parsley. I had marinated another flank steak in a bourbon and brown sugar marinade that I got from the new issue of Fine Cooking, but we were all so full, that we just saved that to grill for last night's dinner. We didn't have any shrimp or fish this year, but we also had a smaller turn out than normal.
People brought coleslaw, baked beans, carrot sticks, the bratwursts, cakes, cookies, and we had sodas, coffee and the fancy pants wine we bought over Easter break. A friend also brought a sweet German white wine. Except for the buns, we didn't have bread this time around, and not much in the way of chips or other side dishes, but we still really enjoyed the food. We were all pretty much in need of a post-food nap, and the children all ran around outside and worked off their lunches/dinners.
I mentioned before how Rich is a serious meat eater. This was a perfect meal for him. It makes his dedication to the biweekly meat fasts so much more admirable. It's not much of a sacrifice for me, and I make a conscious deliberation to focus on Judas' betrayal and Christ's crucifixion, as well as trying to make personal penance on those days. I follow the Church's teaching on dietary rules in obedience, and also because I do like meat, so it is something I would normally eat during the day, even if not for every meal. Rich, though, I think spends much of his penance on not eating meat. He works right next door to the airport restaurant, and they are invariably grilling burgers or cooking up prime rib while he's at work on Wednesdays and Fridays, and the wind blows all the smells toward his office. It takes quite a bit of fortitude on his part to abstain from meat on those days. The hardest part for me is being near a teriyaki place every Friday and smelling their food. It's really the only time I am challenged in my determination to eat meatless. Since Sundays are always little feast days, remembrances of Pascha, we can eat as we wish on those days. Having a major feast on a Sunday is a great treat, especially for Rich who sacrifices so cheerfully something that is so difficult for him during the week, and even more so during Lent. The man lives for Bright Week and the 12 days of Christmas, in which there is absolutely no fasting permitted.
One of the things we love about the Church's liturgical cycles is how it makes the events of our faith something we live out daily and weekly and monthly and annually. It is a good way to help our children understand the faith, as well as making the holy days and events tangible and not just something we've read about. Jessica Snell writes about this in her blog, how as a homemaker and mother, she is able to live the church year in her home and with her family. She wrote a great article in Touchstone about living the church year at home and the blessings and graces that are available as a mother and wife practicing at home with her family.
This life provides a backbone and rhythm to our faith life which then defines the structure and pattern of our life as a whole. It is cyclical, as we observe the same seasons, events and holidays each year, but each year it is a reinforcement and an opportunity to delve deeper into the life of faith and into the mind of God. Contrary to many people's assumption that it is rote and meaningless, it is rote the way that knowing one's name is, the way that knowing that 2 plus 2 is 4 helps you understand other math problems. The cycles, feasts, fasts, physical prayers like the Sign of the Cross, genuflecting for the Presence, or bowing to the cross, the daily lectionary and prayers, do not make God more remote, but instead imbue one with a foundation of faith and a consciousness of God in daily life. Doctors have studied alzheimer's and senile dementia in many populations, but some of the more interesting studies to me have been in closed populations such as convents. These women often forget everything about their lives and what they know, but in the depths of their minds, out of the foundation of their souls, the words that come out are the Lord's Prayer, the Hail Mary and the Glory Be. I've talked to people and read about elderly men and women who cannot remember who their family is, but can still recite the Nicene Creed. This is their base, this is what they know without having to think about it.
I shudder to think what would come from my mouth, if I could not control it. Rich and I have talked about how to develop a heart and mind that will produce the creeds and the prayers rather than abusive language and angry expostulations. Living the life of the Church is part of how we do that. It is part of the foundation we are laying in our children. We do not want to be bitter old people, we do not want to meet our maker with only rottenness and anger in our hearts. We want to go out of this world with the words of Christ and the Church in our minds, on our lips and in our hearts.
Labels: Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Pentecost
