The past week has been ludicrously warm here in Montreal with temperatures reaching up to 19C.
While walking Wil I have met people dressed in everything from winter coats and scarves to shorts and sandals, all a bit wacky. However the latter “summery” attire keeps me focused on the work of planning Day Camps for summer 2016!
Progress is being made on the Program logo, there have been enquiries from a couple more new host churches and preparations for the Coffeehouse are coming together all of which has kept the office busy as has advertising for the upcoming November Crossroads Service.
This month we also have a Board meeting plus this afternoon Victoria will be holding an SYC Staff meeting at the house, and that means the Huyers are here for the weekend!! Last evening the annual SYC Disney Movie Marathon took place so some of the staff set to attend today’s meeting will be slightly bedraggled as everyone stays up all night at the marathon!!
I have been deciding which hot drinks to make for the Coffeehouse and today for the Staff Meeting, I’m serving the usual Autumn fare of Hot Apple Cider accompanied by my homemade Caramel Popcorn. Hopefully there will be enough popcorn to take along a bag for snack time at church tomorrow.
Our church community was saddened by the loss of a baby this week so we are not holding our scheduled All Ages Gathering instead the children and toddlers will have a joint session while the adults take time to grieve and pray for the family of the little one. It seemed the right decision to make at this time as we come together to share our sorrow.
Afternoons this week, much of my “spare” time has been spent in raking and garden work, with a half day devoted to clearing up the Bishop’s garden and readying it for winter. Strong winds yesterday brought down many more leaves so the raking season is not yet at an end by any means!
There has also been time to do some alterations on two of the Bishop’s mitres and Christmas knitting projects continue apace as does my Christmas mini-cupcake baking! Each year I choose a theme for Christmas baking gifts and this year my plan is to make 12 kinds of mini-cupcakes and to package the assortments in clear egg cartons. Three varieties down, nine to go! I did my baking yesterday in order to leave today to enjoy the general chaos of a “Huyer invasion”, with the prerequisite floor covering of Lego pieces, little boys chasing each other from room to room, baby bottles in the fridge etc.!
Before I wrap up and check that the Apple Cider is ready it’s time to share a recipe. In preparation for weekend breakfast with everyone I made an Apple Platz. This is an old Mennonite recipe and a good way to use a bunch of apples, which are so plentiful now.
Apple Platz
- 2 cups flour
- 3 tsps. baking powder
- 2 Tbsps. sugar
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 egg
- 1 cup milk
- 2 Tbsps. butter
- 5 tart apples, peeled and sliced
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Cut in the butter, as if making pastry. Add the beaten egg and milk. Beat thoroughly until well blended. Spread batter in a parchment lined 8×12 shallow pan. Press the sliced apples over the top and sprinkle with extra sugar and some cinnamon. Bake at 400º for 25 minutes.