{Fast Food ~ vegan} ~ a fast hot dish + smoothie and solidified liquid sunshine

Sauteed in extra virgin olive oil:

~garlic

~ginger 

~baby bok choy

~baby tomatoes

~clams drained from small can

*

Cooked: rice noodles 

Mix through and serve!

New fave Smoothie: *strawberry, *banana, yogurt, kefir or coconut milk,

organic cocoa, milled flax seed, shredded coconut, carrot, *small 

box of frozen spinach (as much of all of this, organic)

(*frozen, right from my freezer into the blender)

The brightest deep yellow candles here

are from St. Tikhon's.

When I got them, I was dazzled by 

how bright they were,

I kept telling Mr. Husband they

were like liquid sunshine.

However, really they are 'solidified sunshine' as the wax

is not melting :)

These will last me a long time, of course

and it is so so wonderful to have

candles to light by my icons for prayer.

*

We are in the middle of the Apostles Fast,

so vegan eating as health allows

and seeking to go towards health

through prayer, ordered eating and being aware

of what day it is.

I find reading daily stories of Saints

a great lift and orientation to me

in terms of eternal reality:

our days are full of the past, of heroes of the faith,

of Saints, a great cloud of witnesses!

Monday

I really appreciate it that my blog community

appreciates and sees the beauty

I seek to create in my teas.

*

It is a learning curve for me,

to put together a good tea

and be a good hostess.

**

In time I may read up on the etiquette of hosting dinner parties

and teas, from how to prepare the food,

the table;

am also interested in learning more about conversations

and engaging everyone in the party according to who they are.

***

Meanwhile the tea yesterday was lovely

and I am already dreaming up

other tea / lunch / dinner

party ideas.

At least I am not shy

and certainly not of showing my tea party pictures!

:)

**

In other news, I got an A+ on my quiz!

(I got two wrong verb endings wrong

but still a grade of A+,

I'll take it!!)

*

The test today was a bit more difficult

but I know I passed and did

fairly well.

*

Much more studying to be done this week!

*

Today is the beginning of the Apostles' Fast.

Wishing everyone a good beginning.

So glad it is Sunday tomorrow!

Yesterday I made the above pasta;

artichoke, penne noodles, Fia's Pasta Sauce

(from a slower cooker book I have),

mozzarella cheese,

spinach.

Turned out well,

made lots.

We are slowly gearing up for the Apostles' fast!

I am preparing a tea for tomorrow

with a few of my friends;

hope to post pictures of it, of course!

It was a fight against anxiety about the future;

I am glad I have church to strengthen

and encourage us in our struggles.

I am relieve that it will be a fasting time,

I pray that I can quiet my heart...

Wishing you all a wonderful Sunday and

for all who are Orthodox,

a good beginning to the Apostles' Fast!

Early Summer

Wow.

I don't think I realized how much I love summer sunshine!

I love winter sunshine but summer is special too.

It cooled down a bit though, to my delight.

(I find the high humidity tiring).

Today I ran into an old neighbour from my last apartment building;

she has cancer and I did not know.

Am so glad I know now - please say a prayer for her.

I am working on staying in the present

and it sure is nice to do this.

Lot less stressful;

my old neighbour talked to me all about this -

how she is not going to worry about tomorrow but just do

what has to be done today.

She got really sick with the chemo;

she was surprised how many people are in the hospital with cancer.

May the Lord have mercy on us all;

in the beautiful days of summer many still suffer.

*

It is a good reminder as I go through

these days of waiting

on applications.

*

Enjoy today.

Pray.

Repent.

Follow the guidelines of the church

(one of my friends jokingly said the Church says we HAVE to have meat tomorrow

on Friday because it is a fast free week!).

**

I am putting together a nice tea for a few of my friends

right before our next fast.

***

May we seek God in all times and in all places.