Asparagus and Gravy over Toast

My mother taught me how to make this old-school treat, and it is so yummy!

For the Nativity Fast this year, my focus is quick and easy, and this fits the bill.

Asparagus and Gravy over Toast

Ingredients:

1 can of asparagus spears – drain and reserve liquid
2 TBS oil
3 TBS flour
Asparagus liquid plus enough water to = 1 ¾ cups
2 TBS soy sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
5-6 slices of bread

Steps:

1. Over medium heat, warm oil and then flour and stir, stir, stir until it browns – about 5-10 minutes.
2. Slowly add liquid, whisking to avoid lumps.
3. Bring to a boil, reduce to low and simmer gently for 15 minutes to thicken.
4. Add the soy sauce, season to taste with salt and pepper, and simmer another minute while you toast the bread and warm the asparagus in the microwave.
5. To serve, place toast on a plate, top with asparagus spears and then gravy.

This gravy is also good made with any kind of veggie broth and served with any kind of pasta, rice, potatoes, peas, etc.

I adapted the gravy recipe from The Modern Vegetarian Kitchen by Peter Berley.

For Phyllis

Gifts from God

* 8 lb and 6 oz of precious baby boy.

* 4 year old big sister singing "O Gladsome Light" to her baby brother.

* 8 year old Little Builder, who had once said "I'm not happy about this" when he found out I was pregnant, holding his little brother and saying "I'm thankful he was born."

* meals from family and friends to make our evenings easier.

* dappled light gently shining on my orange rocking/nursing chair.

* colored leaves, a beautiful view outside for someone who is confined inside for awhile.

* healing, rest, love.

St John of Shanghai and San Fransisco Doll

The doll for my newborn son is finished, the socks for me for the hospital are knitted, and the key for my substitute teacher at school is turned in.


All that is left is for some contraction action to get started...


"Look with compassionate eye and deliver me, Thy handmaiden, from pain. Lighten mine infirmity in the time of my travail and grant me fortitude and strength for birth giving, and hasten it by Thine almighty help."

"They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength."

Letters from Father Seraphim

I am thankful for time to read this week. Letters from Fr. Seraphim has been a blessing, both encouraging my heart and allowing me to feel close to Fr. Seraphim again, as I did when reading Father Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works.



Paschal Encouragement from page 112:

May the joy of our risen Savior be abundantly with you on these bright and radiant days of Pascha, and may you ever preserve the grace which you have received as a free gift from Him! Let no temptation overcome you, no darkness cloud your path, and no trial come upon you in which you do not immediately turn to Christ our All-merciful God, Who has trampled upon death and abolished the power of the devil.

Remain in Christ's grace and He will guide you all to salvation. Remember the end of our life, the never-setting day of Christ's Kingdom, and you will know why you are alive and for what you are striving. Christ is Risen!

Gifts from God: Help along the Journey

A good allegory of the Christian struggle and a good lesson for my family's particular place in life's journey, Hind's Feet on High Places, by Hannah Hurnard.

A blessed saint to inspire my faith. You can listen to the book here and find a literature lesson to go with this book here.

Hope for peace in my spirit, from St. Seraphim of Sarov, who encourages us to labor to acquire the peace of the Holy Spirit.

Gifts from God

* students doing what I ask them to do, without bad attitudes

* good weekend with 16 students on the big yellow bus for a Speech Tournament

* house blessings!

* voice mail from little 3 year old and 7 year old, "have a good day Mamma - we love you!"

* unexplainable peace, the "peace that passes all understanding, that shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."