Today is a cold and beautiful day

I have many people on my mind.

Some are grieving new losses;

I have a thick candle lit right now for 

a brave newly departed Woman of God.

Some are looking for work,

after a long slog of it.

Some are struggling with work 

and family, illness and 

balancing acts that are 

tiring.

This life can be hard.

*

I've been listening to various recording of Lewis'

books of Narnia. 

I must say that these books are not so easy to really 

narrate without a character or two being 

belittled or a situation not having the drama it should.

I guess I spy in some of the narrators a lack of respect for

the book, as if it was just a book for children that

is fluffy or somehow lacking in seriousness and thus I sense 

 a lack of understanding of them.

These books are so important I find.

When I am feeling discouraged it is 

Lewis' books that can often 

give me comfort and 

to see that in Christ there is indeed

hope and comfort, a true encouragement

that gives comfort the meaning of 

fatherly love, courage and the fear of God.

*

I have printed my plans for the Christmas Fast.

I think it will really help me this season as 

I continue to adjust to my new life.

Building in traditions 

and lighting candles really helps.

*

A few weeks ago I had a few hours which for some

reason had seemed really dark or with some deep heaviness.

The candles I light for prayer became even more

meaningful then,

as did Lewis' stories.

*

A good friend and I were talking when we were in BC

this past summer and I asked 

how do we live in light of the surrounding darkness?

as in in light of all that we see in the world today

and he said to read those who have faced the darkness

as Christians and named Lewis as one.

*

We really do need these books to help us.

I thank God for them.

*

I am going to be busy these next few days

with various errands and am a bit tired,

though I honestly don't think it is the relapse mono tired.

More the change of seasons as it is getting colder.

But if I don't post for a day or so,

please don't worry.

I often have things waiting to be posted

but do not at present.

So if you don't hear from me here,

as I just can't predict how things will go in the errand 

and knitting departments

(I am woefully behind), know that I and Mr. Husband

are well and enjoying the last days

before the Nativity Fast starts for us

on Thanksgiving Day.

Many beautiful things before the Nativity Fast

I've picked up O'Connor's book again.
Such a joy to read snippets over breakfast.

Nativity Fast for Mr. Husband and I
begins next week on Thanksgiving Day.
I must say that this Cheesecake got better by the day!

We enjoyed the last of our cheesecake
this weekend!

I made the Dutch Apple Cake again
as Mr. Husband loved it
the first time
and this time I made them into muffins.
Same recipe, just in muffin form,
with one change,
bake for 30 minutes at 375 and check.
*
I took some on the trip to the monastery
that one of my women friends from church
and I did this weekend.
One the way back I lost a filling,
most inconvenient, and it makes
eating things with sugar more complicated
due to the pain it causes.
Dentist appointment already set up for
later this week... 

I took out the vanilla to do the
once a week gentle shake!
It was neat how the vanilla was making it
wonderfully murky down below
while still clear on top.

Once the bottle was tipped, the amber spread
and it looks more like vanilla extract after just one week!

Today I cleaned my lampadas.
It is part of my preparing for the Nativity Fast.

And the cookbook I blogged about this morning came!
{I write some posts in advance, as I did the
one this morning.}

It's here! 

From Alberta, simple days in the late 70's and early 80's.
I felt like my Ottawa was sent to me!

I am so excited to God willing
do the Holy Supper this year!

My Ukrainian family tells me
that I have a Dutch Ukrainian home. :)
I must say that I also have various Romanian
touches in my home as well! :)

I am so grateful for Orthodox cultures
and that I can learn from many of them!

I will not do all of these dishes
but am excited to do a small humble
Holy Supper...

 

Mr. Husband and I were shopping together
a while back and he spied a
GF hot buckwheat cereal
and I must say it is lovely with some tea and honey.
On non-fasting days, milk or yogurt is also good...
*
Wait, {God willing}, till I show you
the very cute Christmas table runner for our
buffet by our window!
I got it at the monastery and it is a lovely white with
red from Greece.
*
I am so excited to do the various Nativity Fast things,
including decorating...
God willing, I am hoping for a beautiful second
Christmas for Mr. Husband and I!
I am so thankful for the opportunity! 

Baking and Breakfast

While Mr. Husband was at work
yesterday
I made a sour cream coffee cake
recipe courtesy of my Grandmother!
*
Recipe:
2 Sticks of butter
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 beaten eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda

Topping:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
*
Put half of batter in 9x13 pan
then put half of topping on
and put rest of batter on top
and then rest of topping on top of this.

And then bake at 325 F for 25 minutes
it was not done after this
so I made the temperature 350, baked 10 more
minutes and it was done.
*
I will know tomorrow how it tastes
as it is going to church!

For breakfast
I made Mr. Husband and I
grilled cheese with turkey slices
(organic)
with the bread I baked yesterday.

 

I used both of my cast iron skillets
for this...
We are consciously using up all our food for
the nativity fast...
*
Mr. Husband and I were given three
beautiful bread trays
including the two in the pictures above.
I use them all the time;
if I toast bread I put it on here
(saves my fingers!)
or baked potatoes...
simple and looks nice on the table!
*
I am really looking forward to the Nativity season
and building new traditions with
Mr. Husband.
*
Meanwhile,
I am hoping to bake blueberry muffins
via Mat. Emily's recipe...
I am hoping to bake them tonight after vespers!