Well here we are at the Feast of Pentecost, and everyone appears anxious to dive into Summer! Of course, being Montreal, we had a frost warning last evening and it was 3°C when I got up this morning, so we are not quite there yet! But flowers are blooming and grass is green (so appropriate since green is the liturgical colour for the Season of Pentecost!) and as long as we all wear cosy sweaters, we are fine for the present.
It was a short week, with the Victoria Day holiday last Monday, and,as previously mentioned, I spent the whole of that day “Changing the Decorations”. With some of my earnings from feeding my friend’s cats I was able to purchase a new Fair Trade Dhurrie carpet for the front hall, which really brightens up the entrance, I love it! The balance of the week has been spent in a combination of computer-based office work and kitchen-based baking for the Training Retreat!
There were several packages to send out to host churches and even a couple of Team Acceptance letters to write. Slowly, oh so slowly, we have climbed to 7 Team Members. This morning, Steven, from MCF, brought over a young man who is sort of interested. He seemed like a very suitable candidate, but needs to talk with his family and also check on other commitments, which could interfere with his signing up.
It is terribly difficult to be optimistic about meeting the ideal goal of 18 Team Members, with only 5 weeks left to go before Training begins. Daily I wrack my brain for others to approach, there are about 5 potentials, but nothing concrete. However, I am stoically continuing to bake for 24 people (which includes Retreat Week staff), with the two baking sessions this week having produced-2 dozen bagels, 2 large cinnamon loaves, 5 baguettes and 4 dozen lemon squares. I’m already onto my second 5 kilo bag of flour! Throughout the week I’ve tried to make some space for garden work, Thursday I got the lawns mown and early this morning tackled the monthly “edging” of all the beds. The allium are in bloom, there are waves of lily of the valley and the irises are waiting to pop!
Not much time for sewing this week,
although I did make two new pillow covers for the studio using a gorgeous piece
of fabric given to me a while back by Jill.
although I did make two new pillow covers for the studio using a gorgeous piece
of fabric given to me a while back by Jill.
Plus I spent one rainy afternoon re-stencilling
the dining room floor’s faux carpet.
Tomorrow afternoon Jessica and I are rendezvousing at Isaiah 40 to begin the task of Supply Inventory and the packing of Team Supply tubs. Once that is done we will walk home and cook an Asian meal together for supper.
This afternoon I was excitedly awaiting the arrival of the Huyers, en route from Ottawa to Sherbrooke and my first opportunity of meeting 6 week old Andrew, my littlest Godson but, alas, it looks as if they are running very late and may have to drive straight through to Sherbrooke. They will be staying here next weekend so it is only one more week to wait, but I cannot help being disappointed.
So as the afternoon wanes I have been busy making a corn chowder for dinner, since it is still REALLY cold around here. It is way too early for fresh corn but I’m sure I will try it again later in the summer with local cobs.
Summer Corn Chowder
- 3 cups corn kernels, fresh or frozen
- 6 slices bacon, diced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 tomatoes, chopped
- 2 small red peppers, chopped
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 1 small bay leaf
- 2 tsps. chili powder
- pinch sugar
- 2 Tbsps. flour
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Heat a large pot and fry the bacon until crisp. Stir in the flour and allow to bubble for 2 minutes. Add the vegetables and spices plus 1/2 cup of the milk,stir well, scraping up the brown bits on the bottom of the pot and cook at a gentle simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in the milk and cream and continue to simmer over low heat for another 10-15mins. Add salt and pepper to taste and ladle into chowder cups. Serves 4-6