We are entering the three day observance of Hallowtide. While there is fun with Halloween (Hallow's Even), we also remember those of our Christian brethren who have gone before us and are praying at the throne of God on the Feast of All Saints. We pray for the souls of all who have died and ask God to save them on the Commemoration of All Souls (on Sunday, November 2). The dates for these are different in the East than in the West, but that difference was observed even when the Church was unified.

We have had an extended fall here, so while we still have mornings below freezing, our daytime temperatures are still liveable, and our trees didn't get suddenly frozen before they could change colors. I am trying to appreciate that. Fall is difficult for me here, as it is a reminder of the impending misery of winter.

Because of that extended season, though, we have been able to continue putting more food up than we normally can at this time of year. That is a blessing. It is good to remember those blessings. In honor of that harvest time, we are hosting another Melting Pot-Luck as our way of propagating positive interactions with our neighbors. I'm not making the German food this time, just the Arabic food: Waraq 'Ounab, Baba Ghanooj, Khoubz Araby, Duqqus, and maybe Basbousa.

Jerome will be with some friends a state over this weekend, so we are a little freer to make foods with gluten and that don't need to be easily eaten by someone on a no-chew diet. I am also getting ready for a long trip. It is the longest I've ever been away from the kids and longer than Rich and I have been apart since we were married. I'm super excited, though sad that we couldn't manage to bring everyone. Anyway, I'm preparing the house, meal planning, showing Rich how I do the shopping and why, as well as trying to have things ready for the kids while I am gone. I will be home for Christmas, but Rich is taking care of a lot that I normally do. We are having our Thanksgiving dinner the Saturday before Thanksgiving, because of the preparations I need to make for my trip, though. Please pray for safe travel, for my family while I am gone, and that all goes well for everyone.

• Sunday
  Breakfast: Breakfast Burritos, Plums, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Eggplant and Lamb Casserole with Yogurt Topping, Baba Ghanooj and Tamis, Sides/Salads/Desserts from Parish
• Monday
  Breakfast: Granola Bars and Yogurt, Sliced Apples, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Leftovers, Pineapple
• Tuesday - Feast of Saints Simon and Jude
  Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Sausage, Toast, Grapefruit Halves, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Beef, Pepper and Eggplant Stir Fry, Jasmine Rice, Fruit Plate
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Tomato Toast, Grapefruit Halves, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Zaalouk*, Rice, Sliced Watermelon
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Spinach and Cheese, Home Fries, Plums, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Arabic Beef and Vegetable Soup, Tamis, Pluots
• Friday - Vigil of All Hallows' Eve
  Breakfast: Peanut Butter Toast and Honey, Sliced Apples, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Roasted Cauliflower and Eggplant, Mount Athos Tomato Rice, Pluots
• Saturday - Feast of All Saints
  Breakfast: Apple Bourbon French Toast, Sausage Patties, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Pepperoni, Pepper, Pineapple, Olive, Red Onion and Tomato Pizzas (GF Pizza Soup for Jerome) and Leftovers from our Melting Pot-Luck

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 try to follow up separately with a weekly recipe round up on Saturday.

Labels: All Saints, Church Year, Family, Homemaking, Menu Plans, Prayer Requests, Tales from the Kitchen