The Christening – Crosstalk Ministries Day Camps

As usual the past week has been full of a number of Day Camp related activities, plus the many twists and turns of life at the Taylors’. Plans for the NOVEMBER 3rd!!!! Coffee House seem to slowly be taking shape and NEXT SATURDAY will be the Fall Team Gathering so both thoseevents are looming large on the calendar. It looks as if we will have a good turn out at the Team Gathering, I’m not quite sure if my plea for “healthy, if not totally organic” food has been heard, that remains to be seen when the dishes arrive for the
Supper. I intend to make a large pot of Crockpot Enchiladas and will also be contributing watermelon and the ubiquitous Fall drink- Hot Apple Cider.

One of the whole crew to whom I wrote about the McGill Research Project has actually signed up- Hallelujah! and Daniel says it will not be too late to make a final plea at the Team Gathering, which I intend to do.

I’ve also been forging ahead with the 2013 Program Manual and have designed some new “Connections” for the Creative Connection chapter. I still have not been inspired by the perfect song for the Liturgical Dance so I’m actually praying about approaching a couple of friends who write songs to see if we might commission (sadly without financial remuneration!!) an original piece, which I think would be amazing if we can pull it off… More on this venture!!

On the home front, I am preparing to welcome Scott, a Youth Leader from Ireland who arrives on Monday for approx. 8 weeks. Klara is away at a soccer tournament in B.C. so I have this weekend to prepare for my great expedition to Ottawa to attend the Christening of my Godson Alexander Anthony. This important event occurs tomorrow morning so today I have been organising for the 7am (ugh) departure time tomorrow.

I offered to bring coffee,fruits, and baked goodies as suitable “food bribery” for my chauffeur, Mark, and co-travellers so right now I’m baking some double- chocolate scones. I have also packed plums, apples and marmalade muffins and I’ll be making a thermos of coffee VERY early in the morning. Of course I also need to pack the special Wil bag (yes, he is coming too), as no-one apparently, is available or willing to take him out during the 8 or 9 hours we will be away. Wil loves car journeys so I’m packing the Wil bag with his
collapsible water dish, several very large carrots, a blanket and a paw towel (in case of rain).

And I cannot possibly drive for six hours without my knitting so I’ve packed that too!!! Then there is my gift for Alexander and a small gift, also, for his brother William, who is my other Godson ( I know, I know, I’ve mentioned this point many times before!)

During the week I also made a special wrist cuff/button bracelet as a Birthday gift for my friend Barb. I delivered it first thing this morning, as today is her actual birthday and enjoyed a cup of coffee with Barb and Ian before walking with Wil for groceries (Wil had light refreshment of 2 carrots)

The quilt top is completed and I’m now agonizing over whether to order wool batting on-line or settle for cotton batting which I can get locally. I’m tempted by the eco-friendly wool but cannot find a nearby
supplier, it is quite a dilemma. And so the week draws to a close but I’m not going to post this until I’ve been to the Christening as I’m sure here will be something of interest to share.

Maybe I’ll complete today’s part by inserting the scone recipe, seems like a good choice for today!

Double Chocolate Scones

½cup, plus 2Tbsp sugar
2¼ cups flour
3 Tbsps. cocoa powder
1½ tsps. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
½ cup chocolate chips
1 egg
½ cup plus 2 Tbsps. heavy cream
10Tbsps. butter or margarine

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa,baking powder and salt. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with a few larger lumps. Fold in chocolate. In a small bowl whisk together egg and cream. Pour over other ingredients and fold together with a rubber spatula, just until combined.

Turn out onto a well floured surface and form into a rectangle approx. 10cms wide and 2½cms deep. Cut into 10 triangles and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350F. Brush scones with remaining 2Tbsps. of
cream and sprinkle with remaining sugar.

Bake for approx. 30mins. or until a knife placed in the center comes out clean. Coda- The Christening

So now it is 615 pm Sunday. We got home just after 4pm, after leaving at 7am- a long day! The Service was very well attended and the tiny storefront church was bursting at the seams. I was proud to “stand-up” for Baby Alexander and I earnestly pray that the Lord will grant me opportunity to be positive force in his Christian formation, as he grows into the person God is calling him to be.
Wil enjoyed the long car ride. I did not enjoy having to turn out in torrential rain to give him a good long walk after we got home. I’ve just eaten a simple supper of grilled cheese and apple sandwiches, with one of the Butter Tarts I baked yesterday for my dessert.

A very full day, but it was truly a Blessing to be a part of Baby Alexander’s, and all the Huyers’, special Sunday.