Aidan's Lenten Fast

Daddy talked to Aidan Shrove Tuesday night about giving up something for Lent, in preparation for Easter. Since Aidan could not think of anything, Dad asked him to pray about it. Today at lunch we had the following conversation:

Aidan: I'll give up eating.

Mom: You have to stop growing to give that up.

Aidan: I'll give up watching movies.

Mom: Aidan, you hardly watch moves.

Aidan: Oh, yeah... I'll give up eating dessert (with plate of the last crumbs of king cake in front of him)...no, wait, I'll give up going to school.
I'll give up saying "Why?"

Mom: Dad told you never to stop asking why.

Aidan: Oh yeah... I'll give up kissing.

Emma: I'll give up blowing bubbles. I will not give up kissing or hugging.

We'll find something appropriate...

Seventh Day of Christmas Party

There were four priests at a New Year's Eve party...
And here is the menu:
Foos Christmas Pesto Torta
Naan (with kalonji)
Dhaniya Chutney
Dark Mango Chutney
Masala Chai (Caffeine & Decaf)
Caramelised Onion, Fruit & Nut Pilau
Mango Chicken
Pork Vindaloo
Punjabi Dumplings in Yogurt Sauce
From the Bar:
Martinelli's Original Sparkling Cider
TJ's French Market Pink Lemonade
TJ's French Berry Lemonade
Italian Blood Orange Soda
Raspberries & Champagne
Many concoctions from the shakers of Mr. B & Mrs. Bradley
And for Dessert:
Pistachio, Saffron & Cardamom Kulfi
Shahi Turka

The Soup is On!

We started doing Soup Suppers during Lent the first year of our little church plant. A few years ago, we added Soup Suppers to our Advent season as well. The onions are braising, the beans are simmering with the ham shanks, and two out of three are in a nap. I found a little interesting history about one of my favorite soups:

Senate Bean Soup

Bean soup is on the menu in the Senate's restaurant every day. There are several stories about the origin of that mandate, but none has been corroborated.  According to one story, the Senate’s bean soup tradition began early in the 20th-century at the request of Senator Fred Dubois of Idaho.  Another story attributes the request to Senator Knute Nelson of Minnesota, who expressed his fondness for the soup in 1903.

Or, for a little more excitement:

Legend has it that in the early 1900s powerful House Speaker Joseph Cannon came in for lunch one day, looked at the menu, didn’t see bean soup listed, and exclaimed, “Thunderation, I had my mouth set for bean soup. From now on, hot or cold, rain, snow, or shine, I want it on the menu everyday.” And, so it is. Every day of the week, every month of the year, Senate Bean Soup is on the menu at all 11 Capitol dining rooms.

Fondue - pronounced [fahn-DOO] Rules

“If a woman drops a cube of bread into the fondue, she has to kiss all the men; if a man drops the bread cube, he has to buy a bottle of wine. If the person drops a cube of bread for the second time, he or she must host the next fondue part,” according to Hamlyn Press, publishers of The Fondue Cookbook.

or

One of the most popular Fondue customs is if a lady loses her bread cube in the Fondue she owes the man to her right a kiss. If a man has such a mishap when dining in a restaurant, he should buy the next round of drinks. At home, he owes his hostess a kiss!

or

Fondue tradition states that if you drop the food off of the fork, and into the pot, you have to kiss the person next to you.

Another fun Fondue tradition is to leave a thin layer of Fondue at the bottom of the caquelon. By carefully adjusting the heat, this layer will form into a crust known as "la religieuse" - the religious one. Lift it out and distribute among your guests. It is considered a delicacy.

Happy Father's Day

Between normal Sunday duties and trying to get a school trip with the choir together for our provincial/diocesan synod, I don't think the Father of our household ended up with a very relaxing or fun Father's day. We did enjoy a family BBQ at the inlaws in between the craziness, though.

Ode to Father:

What Aidan & Emma love about Daddy

He prays to God
He does eat grapes
He drinks milk
He does eat strawberries
Because he's a priest
Because I get to sit in the front pew with Dad
Because he wears the priest clothes and his cross
Because he is a good priest
He gives me stuff and plays with them with me
He tickles me...And me
Going out to lunch w/ him
Because Daddy is so handsome
And he makes coffee
Because he is so good
Because he takes care of the house and me and you and mom
He tries to keep the house clean
He makes surprises for mom
Because he is a good father
Because he takes care of us
He works a lot with the school
He takes care of Lizzy
He buys milk for us and helps us make pancakes
I get to work with him a lot
He gives us airplane rides on his feet
He plays with me every night and every day

Foos Family, Est. 1996

In 10 years, Many Blessings

kids: a boy and 2 beautiful girls

a house to call home: Shreveport, San Luis Obispo, Indian Valley, East Shore of Lake Almanor and Hamilton Branch

Countries visited: England, Scottland, Wales, France, Italy, Mexico (does Juarez count?)

vehicles to get around: Saturn, pick-up truck, pathfinder, caravan, camry, suburban

Lunch Chat with Aidan

Aidan: I know what Daddies do best.
Mom: What?
Aidan: They do work...and build houses.
(Papa used to build houses)

Aidan: When I get married, I am going to find a wife who always obeys God.
(Tuesday night at Bible study we talked about Samson)