In preparation for the Dormition Fast

Well, I'll let you read other blogs like this series for spiritual preparation.


All I'm offering is kitchen help. Watch this video for a tutorial on how to make crab(cooked), cucumber & avocado sushi rolls. Yum!

Here's how to make the "sushi rice"


I must say that I am looking forward to starting The Most Holy Theotokos Study on Evlogia Katherine has created.

Gifts from God: Other Mothers Part 2

From my own mother's garden transplanted to mine - lantana, so easy to keep alive!



MammaJuliana often reminds me to hit the thrift stores. When I realized recently that Little Builder's swimsuit was left at the Grandparents' house, we headed to Goodwill for a $2 replacement.



Alana at Morning Coffee includes the Farmers Market in her weekly routine. We are so blessed to have our little market here in our little city.



Once again, thanking God for the blessings of other mothers.

Gifts from God: in the Kitchen

I have met a new friend, this parchment paper. She barely lifts a finger, effortlessly releasing these artisan loaves.


No more scraping bottoms of loaves from the pan.

No more piling up a 1/4 inch layer of corn meal (or regular flour for prosphora) under my loaf in order to prevent the finished loaf from sticking to the pan.

No more unintended flat bread from the dough sliding and spreading out on a greased pan.

Just brown loaves of goodness, sliding off the pan onto the baking rack.


Gift from God #638: Parchment Paper

If anyone knows a reason why one couldn't use parchment paper under prosphora, let me know! I can't wait to use it when it's my next turn to make it!

Birthdays and Namedays

Sylvia was pondering how to go about celebrating these two special days, and we didn't have to choose yesterday. Little Builder had a birthday and our Toddler had her Name Day - St. Elizabeth the new Martyr - so we had one big celebration with two cakes.

Little Builder wanted to have the party at his beloved Sunday School teacher's house, so we grilled burgers, hit balls off his new tee, played in the slip-and-slide, and enjoyed each other's company. Our church friends are so gracious to help us make these days special.




Here's the semi-truck cake a little closer.

Grains Swap

Michelle mentioned that Ma Torg is hosting a Vegan Recipe Swap, and this week’s theme is Grains.


If you love your crockpot, try this on Wednesday:


Crockpot Grains


Ingredients:

* 1/4 cup millet - uncooked
* 1/4 barley - uncooked
* 1/3 cup brown rice - uncooked
* 1 cup onion - chopped
* 1 cup green pepper - chopped
* 1/2 cup carrots - finely chopped
* 1 16 oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
* 1 8 oz can tomato sauce
* 1 16 oz can tomatoes - drained - reserve liquid
* 1 1/2 cups corn
* 1 tsp dried oregano
* 1 tsp dried basil
* 1/2 tsp garlic powder
* salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in crockpot. Add water to reserved tomato liquid to equal 2 1/2 cups. Stir into grain mixture. Cover and cook on low setting 8 hours. Stir before serving.

This recipe was contributed by Marie from the Radiant Recovery Community Forum.

From Lean and Luscious and Meatless, by Hindman and Snyder

Oh, Soybean

You not only offer scrambled-egg substitute and Moo-less Mocha Pie.

You also are not bad in the shell, steamed and ready to be popped open by adventurous fingers.



And after supper is over, you sneak over into the category of craft supplies, marking states on vinyl placemat.

Gifts from God: Other Mothers, Part I

Since school has dismissed and I have more time at home, I have been using your ideas all week long.

Thank you to my mother, my sister, and my dear friend Maria, for demonstrating for me how simple it is to treasure my children's artwork and use it to warm our home.

Thank you, Emma, for felt ideas.


Thank you, Katherine, for detailed directions and suggestions on studying our Faith using Lesson Books. We did our first entry yesterday for Pentecost.

Thank you Elizabeth, for helping me figure out how to help Little Builder over that hump of doing the copywork! (I asked him - draw first, then write)


Thank you, She Who Must Be Obeyed, for the lovely moments of music at snack time.


Thank you, Sylvia, for reminding me that I'm supposed to be kissing that icon on the way out the door.


Thank you, Meadowlark Days, for rhubarb bread.