The rhythm of Lenten days is now falling into place. Of course weekday mornings (barring blizzards) are devoted to the work of Day Camps and/or CTM in general, and there is more than enough of that to do so I often find myself back at the keyboard or most certainly on the cell, at all hours of the day and night. But really that is my joy; to be linked with this large group of dedicated souls, sharing in a common purpose and direction.
This week more church applications have arrived and thus acceptance letters with their attendant documents must be sent out to the Coordinators.
Monday evening we held our monthly committee meeting and out of that time a whole list of follow-up work was formulated. Everything from contacting prospective Retreat Speakers and Workshop Leaders to planning of various Spring events from the April Team Gathering to the Coffee House, Crafts Day, Liturgical Dance recording etc. etc. etc.! Wow! Even writing that list gets my adrenalin pumping!!
Wednesday I also posted our monthly Guest Blogger column, do read it, Michelle is a real treat!
Somehow Lent is always a time with lots of extra reading. At least one addition is always made to my daily devotionals. This year it is a fascinating year-long book “Women of the Bible”. There are other books too, at present I’m reading everything from “H is for Hawk” to “Orphan Train” and seem to be staying up later every night to devour extra literature.
February is flying by and looking ahead there is the clear realisation that March marks the last month of the winter in which the majority of my activities take place indoors. By some point in April (God willing!!) the snow will have gone and garden work will begin but for the next 6-8 weeks, apart from shovelling and all my daily Wil Walks, activities happen indoors.
My first dozen Pysanky is about half completed. This week the anchor appliqués have been finished and now must be hand sewn onto the Layreaders’ preaching scarves. Two new hats have been knitted, both in shades of purple that will
take me from winter into spring and last evening I cast on the little girl’s cardigan I have been commissioned to knit. It is done on very fine needles and will be a long slow project but at least a start has been made.
Today is an extra baking day (after MORE early morning shovelling) because I’ve been asked to provide caramel popcorn and hot apple cider after Crossroads tomorrow evening and the popcorn is slowly baked in a low oven.
Any moment now Natalie is popping over to watch me work on the Pysanky. Past Easters have given her completed ones but she has never seen how they are crafted.
For the Day Camp Committee Meeting on Monday we celebrated with a belated Chinese New Year dinner the main course of which consisted of Chicken and Coconut Soup served with Steam Buns. The soup comes together quickly and is delicious so I’m sharing it as this week’s recipe.
Asian Chicken and Coconut Soup
-
8 cups chicken broth6 kefir lime leaves
- 3 lemongrass stalks, fresh or dried
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 1- 2” piece of fresh ginger root, peeled and sliced
- 1 large raw boneless chicken breast, cut into thin strips
- 1 red pepper, slice into thin strips
- 4 spring onions, sliced
- 8oz. button mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cans coconut milk
- 2 Tbsps. Asian fish sauce
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- 2 fresh limes, cut into wedges
In a large pot bring the chicken broth, onion, ginger & lime leaves to a boil and then simmer for 20 minutes. Strain the broth, discarding the solids and return to the pot. Bring back to the boil and stir in the coconut milk, chicken, mushrooms, spring onions, red pepper & fish sauce, reduce to a simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes until chicken is thoroughly opaque.Serve with lime wedges and cilantro. Makes 4-6 servings.