{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!

{visit to St. Tikhon's Monastery} ~ the guest house

It is hard to recreate a space one has visited in person...

the guest house at St. Tikhon's 

was lovely.

*

I had it all to myself (!) and while I have a home

with Mr. Husband, have put on teas, dinner parties etc., 

when I got to the guest house it was like

I was young again and playing house.

*

The kitchen sink and window above it I failed to take a picture of.

It was so lovely and simple;

white paint for window sill and frame,

metal a two section sink,

the cutest clear glass dishes, a red scrub brush with white 

bristles, a working microwave and electric kettle. 

A lovely 4 to 6 person wood table with bench and two chairs,

with two more chairs off to the side... 

Lovely icons...

The room I stayed in, roomy, light and cozy.

The Our Father/Lord's Prayer,

perfect for a dining area.... 

It was good to be away from home,

and to have a bit of space.

*

It's been a lot going on, from hosting dinners, teas and

the sudden death of Mr. Husband's godson,

the many layers of adjustment that everyone is going through.

*

I was feeling like I was in great need of a rest

and at least I got a little respite here...

*

It made me want to go to a monastery for a longer visit this summer

but as God wills.