Weekend Adventures

Pom Pom had asked a question recently that I have been meaning to answer....

She wanted to know about the fast that we are in right now.

It's a great little summer fast; it is for the Mother of God;

I know that some of my readers may not understand this term;

it was established by the 4th Century AD in an effort to show 

both the humanity and divinity of Christ;

the Virgin Mary gave birth to Christ as fully God and fully man;

the Church at the time was dealing with the Nestorian heresy

which was trying to take a way the name of the Virgin Mary, 

which in Greek is Theotokos 

Theo = God

Tokos = bearer

Theotokos = God-bearer 

(if you want to know more, see here).

***

Of course the Church was getting this also right from the Holy Gospel.

when St. Elizabeth, the Mother of St. John the Baptist,

asks the Virgin Mary:

"But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"

***

Now that this is clear, 

the little summer fast is for the Mother of God,

and is specifically about her death.

While this event is not in the Gospels itself, it is in very 

early Church documents and Church tradition; 

you can read more here on this, to see how she was already 

being written about by the 1st Century and by very early Christians.

If you want to know more, some places to look are

here, here, here and here! 

***

So the Dormition fast for the "New Calendar" Orthodox Christians

(they have Christmas on Dec 25) is from August 1-14, with August 15

being the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God;

the "Old Calendar" Orthodox Christians (who have Christmas on Jan 7),

Dormition fast is from August 14-August 27, with Dormition being August 28th.

It's too bad in a lot of ways that we Orthodox are on 2 calendars,

but these decisions were made in the 1920's in some but not all 

ethnically Orthodox Countries; so we are stuck with the calendar 

split now; the time that the Orthodox calendar is still 'one' is from 

Lent-Pentecost... 

***

Anyway, there's a bit about the fast!

If you are fasting fully (We fast according to our health needs)

this means that you would be abstaining from meat and dairy products.

***

It's really a lovely fast and a favourite of mine! 

And the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ is right in the middles of it!

But that's for another post... :)

We are praying for one of my Husband's Uncles who is in his last hours now,

after a very long valiant struggle with cancer; he is a very Christian man and 

I had the honour of meeting him a few summers ago.

His immediate family is with him, as well as others...and the rest of us are 

surrounding him with prayer....

I got some new books recently!

I am reading some incredible ones right now,

including Donald Sheehan's Grace of Incorruption 

that in time I hope to write on; it's a book one needs to read

slowly or one misses a lot of what is being said; it's a beautiful,

riveting and thought-provoking book.

 We stayed local today for church...not the original plan,

but our AC stopped cooling on Saturday and we had to be nearby for

the hydro company to come and check it out...

only to find out that it had froze up so much that a copper pipe was 

totally white with frost!

So we are carefully defrosting it and trying to make sure that it does not leak into our

neighbour's unit below us (this has happened before!).... sadly! ... 

So we have been having no-bake cold meals...

but it's summer, so lots of wonderful fruit to enjoy!

***

The AC person comes back tomorrow, hopefully everything will be put aright!

***

And that's the latest here!

What's going on in your neck of the woods?

{baking & enjoying} ~ Peach Crisp for the Dormition Fast

I remember that when I was newly married,

Mat. Anna told me that part of being married

was establishing traditions...

*

That has held me in good stead!

Soon it will be two years of Mr. Husband and I being wed!

Last year for the Dormition Fast I made 

this peach crisp. 

I made it again last night...

using coconut oil instead of margarine. 

I love how versatile coconut oil is...

The only thing I would do differently is that I mixed it all

up together in the pan that it baked in.

I liked how I did it last year when the topping was more

unified on top. 

*

But it is still good!

We had a bite of it hot out of the oven but 

are looking forward to having some tonight after dinner!

*

EDIT:

we had some for dinner... I think I will stay with

the margarine and be sure to add a bit more brown sugar (I was a bit skimpy on this)

and more cinnamon; it was just too 'blah'.)

*

I can tell that I am still adjusting to our new home by how

I feel 'homesick' for the times I had 

newly married in our first home.

I know it just takes time and 

I do indeed love our new home!

I think it's just been such a busy summer 

that I have not had a 

lot of time to feel that I have done enough 

to make this place feel 

home...so many changes and all so good 

but everything takes time.

*

Speaking of time...

I am having a hard time staying present within time...

I've already been working on Christmas presents and wrote

a list of all I need to do in the next few months.

*

I am reading a bit more on our most Holy Lady's 

Dormition though and am trying to stay in the present,

in this small sweet late August fast. 

{around the house} ~ light, lace and lovely yellow walls ~ and what August can hold

We have lovely lace valances for our 

Great Room, 

aka Living/Dining Room.

I finally got the window reading nook area valances up!

The other one have been up a few weeks.

We got smaller valences for this area so we could

just make small holes in the back of the valance

to be able to use two valances for the three windows.

After being a bit out of commission last week,

it is so nice to have a project completed!

*

We have at least 4 more boxes in one closet to open, 

plus at least three or so more to deal with...

With all the visits that summer brings,

I have had to accept that some of these things will not be done

until September!

*

I am looking forward to Autumn as many are by now...

my pantry is ready to make, God willing,

apple pies, crisp or cake...

*

But I am looking forward to the sweet days of this August...

we are not in the Dormition Fast until the 14th

and I hope to make a peach crisp towards the end of this fast,

and enjoy this important small fast for 

our Most Holy Lady.

*

We are so blessed to have the seasons of 

fasting and feasting,

for both nourish us in very important ways!

*

For all those in the fast already,

who start on the new calendar of August 1,

blessed fast!

For all those on the 'old' calendar starting August 14,

may God prepare us!

*

As work is always on going for making our homes

suitable places for Christ to come and for the Holy Icons

to adorn and grace our walls,

may we work to make our souls the place where the 

Holy Spirit can be...

Almost the Feast of Dormition

 

Been thinking of how to write...
blogs are tricky and I
worry more than often about
making my life seem what it is not
or what it has not attained to.
*
Anyway, just to say we were not able
to pray the service to the Mother of God
every day like some do during this fast.
{I wrote about this here}
*
I remain convinced that growth
takes time and that we often
wish we were or could do more
than we have the strength for.
*
But I take heart in what,
even if it is small,
we can do.
Like reading a little out of
Fr. John's book after dinner.
*
We are finding that this book
is best to be read very slowly
as it is so packed with
counsel and
spiritual thought.
*
So... I have a lot going on in the next few weeks
involving visits with family and friends.
Not sure that I will be able to do a
yarn along post in the next two or three weeks,
the visits are so wonderfully upon us!
*
I have a lot of things, some new,
for later in September that I look forward too,
nothing life-flipping like last year
{getting married that is}
but new things to do and people to meet.
Katherine wrote about new beginnings today
and I've been reading in many blogs
of all of us seeing the end of summer and
gearing up for a new year.
*
I know I've been on a cleaning spree and want
all to be organized!
This is one part of my and Mr. Husband's life that
we still have not fully figured out
or had the time to
(between church and home
we find our selves very busy)...
Any suggestions on how to use space better
are welcomed! :)
*
Wishing you all a wonderful week!
Soon Mr. Husband will be celebrating the
Dormition of the Mother of God
and having family visit!
It's going to be a full and beautiful week,
God willing! 

On a Saturday...

We continue to enjoy the
wonderful fruits and vegetables of summer
from the farmer's market in our town.

I wore my pink dress and white sweater that
I got for this summer
to the wedding Mr. Husband and I were at
two weeks back...
I ended up wearing my green pashmina scarf as a
makeshift shrug last minute
as I found the church to be quite warm
and when we got back home,
I realized that the white sweater,
that I had saved to wear first to that wedding,
had a huge tear on the top seam,
parallel to the tag!
So we returned it and I ended up getting
this blue sweater instead
(and it was marked down so we returned an item
and got a refund!).
I had been wanting to have a blue sweater
for the Feasts of our Most Holy Theotokos
as her colour is blue.
So now I will have something,
God-willing,
to wear next week for the Feast of Dormition!
Pictured with it is the Ukrainian
shirt that I was given as a wedding present
and have wore to church feasts with
Mr. Husband wearing the one he was given.

Our garden is really just our kitchen window sill
but I love it none the less...

 

Monday will be the leave-taking of
Holy Transfiguration.
Soon Holy Dormition.
Sometimes I think I wish I could slow myself down
and take these in better than I am.
Lord have mercy.
*
Read this the other day and it reminded me of the book
our thoughts determine our lives:

How can we overcome the enmity of our enemies?
By renunciation, meekness and prayer.
Renunciation in everything,
except in faith and purity of life, meekness and prayer,
always and always.
 St. Ambrose writes: "This is the weapon of the righteous ones
that in retreating they conquer,
just as the skillful archers have the custom that by fleeing, they shoot those stronger than themselves."
A brother was offended by his friend but,
nevertheless, desiring peace with him,
went to him to be reconciled.
 However, his friend did not even want to open the door for him
and scolding him from within, chased him away from his house.
The brother then complained to a spiritual father who said to him:
 "Going to your friend to be reconciled, all along the way,
you condemned him in your thoughts
and justified yourself.
I counsel you, even though your friend sinned against you,
 establish the thought in yourself that
you have sinned against him and, in this manner, go to him
 and in your thoughts justify him and condemn yourself."
Thus, the brother proceeded. And what happened?
Just as the brother approached the house of his friend,
he opened wide the door, ran up to him and
embraced the offended brother and made peace with him.
~Prologue of Ohrid for August 10th

Second Thursday of the Dormition Fast

Yesterday not only did I bake
the peach crisp...

But I made one of Mr. Husband and I's favourites:
fried onions and potatoes in olive oil.

This pan was my parent's.
The handle fell off again yesterday and
I distractedly put the handle on upside down.
But I think it is funny,
so it stays.

The potatoes were wonderful and
there is enough of both the
potatoes and mushrooms for another meal!

We are loving the summer tomatoes. 

The peach crisp!

This morning it stormed...
was so wonderful to light candles in the
grey of the morning.

Lampadas never cease in their
light and giving of hope...

Our little Dormition Icon...
with St. John and St. Phanourios

It all points back to Christ...
His Cross, the light of His Resurrection... 

 

I think we are all praying that we will
be revived,
that like the flowers, that
our lives too will bud forth with fruits...

Peach Crisp for the Dormition Fast

We had blessed peaches
from the
Feast of Transfiguration.
A friend had given me a Lenten cookbook
as a wedding gift...
It has this recipe in it:

I love how it mentions peaches for the
Dormition fast!
I added a bit more peaches to this
and thus more of the flour mixture.

5 peaches.

Spices...

It was so good to bake again!

It turned out pretty well!

 

The only thing I would want to change
is that I missed having the oats that I have used
when I make apple crisp...
and perhaps a different margarine...
*
It is wonderful however to have such wonderful things
to make during the fasts!
And to have some particular to days and seasons.
Such a blessing from God,
to have a home that can practice one's faith in peace.

Today

Lampadas are lit.
Small icon for the fast of Holy Dormition that we are in.

Mr. Husband taught me a new way
to make corn on the cob in a hurry.
Take the pre-shucked still husked corn
(not cut in half or anything that would keep
the husk from being broken),
soak it with running water from kitchen sink
microwave as such for 3 minutes.
Steamed corn in 3 minutes.
Careful as it will be hot.
Cool slightly, shuck the still hot corn and
enjoy.

We are enjoying fruit salad.
I need to get more fruit for a basket for the
Feast of Transfiguration that is
DV this Monday.

Cleo is sitting by my chair as I type.

Mr. Husband remembered how
some pray special prayers during this fast.
I found the following here:
"Many churches and monasteries in the Russian tradition will perform the Lenten services on at least the first day of the Dormition Fast. During the Fast, either the Great Paraklesis (Supplicatory Canon) or the Small Paraklesis are celebrated every evening except Saturday evening and the Eves of the Transfiguration and the Dormition.^[1]"
 

We are constantly seeking to find ways
to build a life together that
involves prayer, the fasts and feasts and living our lives
rightly...
*
I am reading more of Dave Ramsey's book
which I still struggle with on terms of the goal of being rich
rather than the goal of seeking Christ's kingdom and
using what we have for this purpose
but or on the other hand
I can see how this book is really
important for many people...
to know how to do budgets, his encouragement to not give
into peer pressure when buying things and
learning to wait and not have instant
gratification in terms of purchases
and basically not living a fake life,
i.e. one that makes one appear to be what they are not.
Our world here in North America is crazy that way and
I can see how this book is important.
I, being decidedly North American, like how he talks about
baby steps and having a plan.
*
It's one thing Mr. Husband and I both like:
plans, goals and communication towards them.
*
We are hoping to get Elder Paisos' book on family soon
as we want to keep reading things on
marriage and family.
We have a good young marriage of almost one year
and we want to keep working on things so that
our marriage will grow into many years,
God-willing...
*
And so it goes, on day three of the beautiful short fast
of Holy Dormition. 

The Fast for us begins

The Dormition fast is only 2 weeks long,
which means the
new calendar / old calendar difference of 13 days
means that the Orthodox among us,
including Mr. Husband and myself,
only fast for one day together for this beautiful
summer fast.
*
We began the fast yesterday,
Wednesday,
while Mr. Husband was working from home.
*
I was so ready for this fast.
While it signals the near end of summer,
I am ready;
ready for a bit of stability,
ready for hot tea and beautiful leaves.
*
But at the same time
I must savour where I am.
And so we are here,
at the beginning of the beautiful fast
for the Mother of God and
her dormition.

With the fast this year
came Mr. Husband's purchase of some sweet corn.
I made it for our lunch;
we are realizing that having a bigger meal at lunch time,
esp. for those days Mr. Husband works from home,
works best for us.

Thank God a dear friend gave me this cookbook
for my wedding.

Quickly I saw how to cook
sweet corn.

It was so wonderful.

Vegan 'butter' for the corn
and salt and pepper.

I've been reusing the jars we
got from the wedding this past weekend.

I got some organic green grapes.

Using some lovely wooden napkin holders
I got years ago in Halifax.

Enjoying some farmers market tomatoes.

 

Organic greens, carrots and potatoes.
*
We are so glad to be home,
to be eating our fasting fare and
it is so wonderful to have the
Dormition fast with us.
*
For this fast I am off of FB and
am trying to limit my computer time
a bit more.
*
It takes time to reorient one's self to being home
after being gone for nearly 2 weeks.
*
One step at a time,
with God's mercy and the prayers
of the Mother of God....