Saturday:-
My original title for this post was going to be “The Team Gathering” because that is, largely, what I intend to report on. However, this is also Thanksgiving Weekend. In the last couple of days I have been feeling gloomily sorry for myself as I came to the sad conclusion that, I think for the first time in my life, I will be eating Thanksgiving Dinner alone and thus not cooking or eating turkey or even roasting a large chicken (far too decadent a choice for one person). Soon after the gloom settled over me, like the wet weather
we are also experiencing, I began the work of setting up for the Team Gathering,, which will be starting in approx. 3 hours. I set out plates, wrapped cutlery in napkins, assembled my casserole of enchiladas and set a gallon of sweet apple cider to heat.
And then it struck me…….THIS is my Thanksgiving!! Yes, I will be alone tomorrow and Monday, but tonight the house will be full of young people, of foods from all over the world (the Agustins are bringing
Sinagang!) and best of all there will be a time of Worship. How Blessed I am to still have this home in which to host these evenings. I have so much for which I need to give Thanks.
In French “Thanksgiving” is “Action de Grâce” I love that, because it turns this holiday from a static noun into a living verb, Thanksgiving should not just be about the groaning table with Turkey and Pumpkin Pie, marvellous and delicious as those items are. It is about the ability to prepare those good things, to share them with family and friends to look back on the year that is nearly over and to give Thanks to our Lord for all our Blessings. To be honest, I would still like to cook a turkey ( I LOVE turkey) but my heart is also very full of “Thanks” and I am now eagerly anticipating the evening to come, upon which I will report tomorrow!!!!…………
Sunday….
And now it is Sunday afternoon. The Team Gathering is only a memory, and a very pleasant one!
Janice used my cellphone camera to take all these pictures, which give a pretty good flavour of the event, so I will let them tell the story! Joanne spoke very well and her talk and activity seem to engage the whole group.
Janice, Josiah and Michael all made a contribution to the evening through their musical accompaniment to our singing, and everyone brought lots of food so no one went home hungry!
The Crockpot Enchiladas seemed to be a popular choice on my part so here is the recipe. It is worth the effort of preparation and generously serves 8!
Crockpot Enchiladas
- 1 cup each cooked pinto and black beans
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 cup shredded carrot
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 2 cups chopped tomatoes (could be a 28oz.can)
- 1 lb. ground beef
- ½ cup chopped green pepper
- 1 cup each shredded mild and strong cheddar
- 1 tsp. chilli powder
- ½ tsp. ground cumin
- ¼ tsp. ground pepper
- ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1/3 cup water
- 7 large flour tortillas
In a large frying pan, cook beef, onion and green pepper until beef is browned and vegs. are tender. Add beans, corn, carrot, tomatoes, spices and water. Bring to the boil and simmer for 10mins.
In a large crockpot layer-1cup cooked filling, 1 tortilla & 1/3 cup shredded cheese. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used. Heat for 5-6 hours on low setting or until heated through.
Serves 8.
