{Goodbye to the flannel. Hello to the sunshine and thrifted pillowcases to go with my patched sheets. I figured that if I was going to preach to you about the importance of the bedroom, I'd better clean mine too. And change the sheets.
Oh yes, I do things after I tell you about them. If I'm telling, I'm not doing, which is why I don't post every day ;)}
The Easter Triduum was amazing. Having even some of the kids come home felt like a balm after the long weeks of Lent. I know that Bridget was bursting with joy to see the returnees.
So much of how we live the spiritual side of our lives as mothers and wives has to do with how we live the feeding and clothing side. Since that's inescapable, I long ago decided to embrace it. Don't expect anything too deep or, for that matter, very timely, here.
If I show you some things here, maybe next year I can look at them again and remind myself of how much I could have done before, and avoid that panicky feeling that arises as I'm mixing dough, vacuuming long-unused rooms, and sewing an Easter dress (more about that later!).
This could work if I could get a message from the post-event me on what exactly to do…because if I've learned anything it's that I can't figure things out when it's dark and gloomy, i. e. during Lent.
It all came together, however.
For Holy Thursday I made the flatbread I mentioned here. Everyone loved it and it was indeed easy.
Here is the menu, which is usually the same lamb meatball idea with little variations. I liked this year's, because the dips and beets just came out again on Good Friday along with the mujadara, and that's a day that it's better not to focus on cooking.
Flatbread and Pita Bread
Greek Salad
Kofta — I certainly could have made this in the middle of Lent on a Sunday and frozen.
Beet Salad — I could have made the beets days before.
Muhammara — would freeze perfectly
Hummus bi Tahini — I often make and freeze part of it; but why do that just before a holiday? That would be so easy…
Olives— Opening a jar, relatively stress-free, I forgive myself for doing this at the last minute 🙂
This year the schedule was a bit different, so we ate before going to Mass, saving our homemade ice cream for afterward. Didn't get a picture of that, but it was beyond fabulous, even with me not really reading the recipe properly, what else is new: raspberry chocolate-chip... (I added the dark and white chocolate chips, and ended up having to make my own syrup for the raspberries, since I bought the wrong kind and not really enough. However, it was over the top.)
Did I tell you I found an ice cream maker at TJ Maxx for less than half the price on Amazon? I'm only sorry I didn't buy all the five they had…I bet you would have wanted one too 🙂
Margo says
that food looks great!And I wholly agree that our spiritual and physical side are connected the way you explained. Took me a while to realize that.I find myself looking back at my blog for How I Did It – so useful and then I do feel like a real housekeeper with keys at my waist and maids to oversee.
Pippajo says
I have a flat sheet that matches your pillowcase! I think I found it in a trunk in my mother's garage, but can't be completely sure! I'm holding on to it in hopes of somehow fashioning a Spring/Summer duvet cover out of it (a bit of a challenge as it's a full-size sheet and my bed is a queen), but we'll see…All the food looks wonderful, especially the Greek salad! I've decided, after Sunday's triumph, to make lamb a lot more often!And one more thing, isn't it kind of sad saying goodbye to the flannels? It's always bittersweet for me…
Faithemmanuel says
Can we come next year? Oh my goodness- I think Greek food/whatever you have there is the answer to morning sickness! (Also, kudos to Damian Thompson! Gotta love a Brit who has so much sense!) -Faith
Leila says
Margo, I simply must overcome the gray winteriness to do it next year.Pippajo, it was so warm that flannel was repugnant to me. That's warm.Faith, I used to crave that salty sharp food…no morning sickeness, really, but just needing olives and hummus…and yes, thanks Damian Thompson! http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/damianthompson/100033774/journalists-abandon-standards-to-attack-the-pope-you-can-say-that-again/
Deirdre says
I'm sorry I missed that dinner; looks delicious. Also, all the above photos are beautiful! I bet you were glad to have some spring sunshine to brighten up your pictures!
Sue says
I love your bright pictures, and I am drooling over your food. I haven't had Middle Eastern food in much too long. You reminded me that we got an ice cream maker for a wedding present. We didn't bring it over because we were going to be living in an apartment in Tokyo which was beyond tiny. I wonder if it's still in my dad's attic… and if he would send it to me!
Mrs. Reverend Doctor says
No beet salad recipie???Lela'Marie
patches of me says
I have the same set as your pillow case. They are sooo soft. I bought them long ago – long before we knew anything about thread count, etc.
Leila says
Mrs. Reverend Doctor — (Is your name really Lela'Marie? My name is Leila Marie…) — I hesitated even calling it beet salad, but didn't know what else it could be. It's hardly anything but you peel the beets, cut them into cubes, cook them in olive oil until just tender, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and add just a bit of lemon juice. Serve at room temperature. They are really just so yummy…
Mrs. Reverend Doctor says
Yes, that's my "real" name. I was wondering because I can't seem to find a good pickled beet recipie that isn't too sweet and those looked especially good.