As usual around here, we are whizzing through Lent at breakneck speed! On Ash Wednesday, 40 days seems like such a long road but as I set out along it and add in all the special daily disciplines it seems that the days fly past. Part of me loves to hurry towards the joy of Easter but the other half really does want to go slowly and take time along the journey.
The chunk of time in which that really does happen is the hour set aside for crafting Pysanky. Time does slow down then and this year I’ve been listening to the music of Taizé or putting on a podcast either of which has really helped to carve out a sacred space in my day 😊.
There continues to be a healthy amount of activity as churches are still sending in application forms or at least letting us know that forms are on the way, all of which is really good news!
I do wish the prospective Team Members would be equally on top of things. Sigh, how does one get people to APPLY?? I guess next week I shall have to take to Facebook again and try sending some individual messages in the hopes of attracting peoples’ attention!
A small amount of progress has also been made in baking for the Retreat. I am trying to do at least one item each time I bake in the hopes of gradually making an impression on the humongous list. Time will tell! So far I’m focusing on baking breads. Last year I used over 15 kilos of flour baking for the Retreat!
Next week I’m hoping to make a start on crafting notecards for the summer. Each year I write personal prayer letters to all the Team Members plus at the end of the Retreat there are thank you notes for all the staff, workshop leaders and speakers, in total there need to be over fifty cards so it is good to come up with a design and just make a whole ton of them at the same time. More on this next week!
As previously mentioned, my afternoons currently include a chunk of time devoted to Pysanky although in the past few days the sewing machine has been on deck as I first completed the felt Birthday Crowns for two of my Godsons, then sewed some more spring “Project Bags” and finally began the very important task of making Jessica’s wedding outfit 😊.
With the Icelandic Socks now out of the way I knitted a pair of slippers out of some special wool that one it supposed to felt after the knitting is complete. Of course the felting process works best
in a washing machine and since I no longer possess one a pot of boiling water on the stovetop has to suffice. A couple of years ago I had quite good success felting some Alpaca Fishermen’s mittens but this wool does not seem to be responding very well to boiling. Not quite sure what to try next??
in a washing machine and since I no longer possess one a pot of boiling water on the stovetop has to suffice. A couple of years ago I had quite good success felting some Alpaca Fishermen’s mittens but this wool does not seem to be responding very well to boiling. Not quite sure what to try next??
This post is being written on Friday afternoon as I await the arrival of my three Godsons who I’m looking after for the whole weekend while their mum and dad attend a Retreat. All is in readiness for the invasion of small beings but I doubt there will be much time for blogging tomorrow except for hitting the “Publish” button!! Fortunately I have managed to recruit three Day Camp groupies who will be popping in for short stints tomorrow and Sunday to lend a hand, mostly so I can dash out for walks with Wil since no one seems to be available to walk him for me (read –there are very
few people in the world who are anxious to risk life and limb attempting to walk Wil!!!) But before we head off for this afternoon’s walk it is time for a recipe. It seems this section of the blog is getting a lot of traffic these days from former Team Members now out in the world and doing their own cooking so I’m trying to include some simple but tasty dishes to fit that category of chef 😊.
few people in the world who are anxious to risk life and limb attempting to walk Wil!!!) But before we head off for this afternoon’s walk it is time for a recipe. It seems this section of the blog is getting a lot of traffic these days from former Team Members now out in the world and doing their own cooking so I’m trying to include some simple but tasty dishes to fit that category of chef 😊.
One evening this week I made a riff on couscous dish and enjoyed it one night for dinner and the following day for lunch. So here goes…
West Coast Couscous
- 1 cup whole wheat couscous
- 4 oz. cooked ham, cut into strips
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 Tbsps. olive oil
- ½ a large green pepper, diced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 4oz.Gouda cheese, shredded
- 2 spring onions, shredded
- Hot sauce for serving
Bring 3 cups of water to the boil and add the couscous, remove from the heat, cover and let sit for 10minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside. Meanwhile heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion and green pepper and sauté until both are softened. Stir in the ham and parsley and cook until the ham is warmed through. Add the couscous and reduce the heat to low, fold together until well combined. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top and remove from the heat. Place a lid or large plate over the pan and leave for 5 minutes to allow the cheese to begin to melt. Serve in bowls, garnished with scallions and with hot sauce on the side. Serves 2-4.
Those socks are BEAUTIFUL! – Nancy
You would not believe how ghastly they were to knit !!!!