Showing posts with label God's mercy is ever-lasting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's mercy is ever-lasting. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 05, 2018

St Nicholas Day Eve (Part 1)



Today was spent getting ready for tomorrow's lunch,
including baking a cake, lots of dishes washed, getting out the
bowls and platters for food...and doing the cookie bags!
I love giving cookies away for St Nicholas day! 
DV lots more pictures tomorrow! :)
***
St Nicholas day vespers was lovely.
My Husband exceptionally had to work late and was not with me.
I missed him. 
But we plan on both vigil and liturgy for St Nicholas day 
on the 19th at our far-away church, so that's lovely.
***
I have heard of so many dear ones with either very sick
or recently reposed loved ones.
Our prayer list grows 
but we hope also our love grows, even if imperceptible. 
***
I love St Nicholas so very much.
***
May God have mercy on each of us and help us
in the many struggles that we face.
May He comfort our hearts
and carry us through....
***
"But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
    Cush and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
    and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
    nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
    I will bring your children from the east
    and gather you from the west.
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
    and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
    and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
7 everyone who is called by my name,
    whom I created for my glory,
    whom I formed and made.”
italics are mine.

Monday, September 17, 2018

Dinner, belated, for St Phanourios + wedding anniversary (with chicken baked in cream and other delights!)








St Phanourios bread - used the butter and brandy recipe found here, for the first time.
Only change is that I put powered sugar on top.













+Patrick's chair and sweater put in a shadow box.



After liturgy and lunch, we went out for tea with our Munchkin and his Mom!
Then we got stuck in traffic but made it home by about 3 PM.
A bit of a mad-dash race to finish everything.
I had done as much prep as I could.
The chicken I doubled the sauce; NOTE: fed 8 adults, 1 child. If 8 adults, have more than
4.5lbs chicken as there was only a little left.  It worked great.
Chicken baked in cream is simple and tastes incredible!


This wine was a gift a few years ago.  Wonderful to use it for our special dinner!
































I don't know if you can see the napkin's design... my best ones...
I pretreated them with two things (shout and biz), soaked in water
and washed... all stains (well but one) came out, I was very pleased!




That was a few intense days of meal prep etc.
It was so lovely, with dear dear NJ friends.
And we were showered with flowers and I could not have been happier!
And our far-away church priest did a moleben to St. Phanourios and
it was so special, beautiful and encouraging! 
***
We have some shifting unbloggable worries that are going to,
I think, increase in intensity soon - but - with God we will make it through
and we have a lot of support which is wonderful.
Also my parents-in-law are coming and I get to do a tea with them and two
of their friends on Saturday and I am so excited for this!
And in early October my parents come (we hope to go to the VNA rummage sale!)
and that will be a lot of fun, God willing!
***
I was able to polish our silver-tea set and clean our candle stick holders
so I am all set for more company!
Today was more cleaning and laundry.
And more tomorrow. 
***
I am so thankful for all the blessings God has given us!
I keep thinking,
more blessings than troubles....