And it’s another cold one!!! This morning there is a frostbite warning in affect however I still intend to bundle up and run some errands.
As mentioned in my last post, this week we held our monthly Day Camp Committee meeting. We were able to cover a lot of territory and since then I’ve spent my office mornings following up on ideas and suggestions coming out of our conversations.
We spent time talking about the progress of the Program Manual and Planners as well as discussing locations for the Training Day Camps (one of last year’s places has let us know they would prefer to take another Day Camp Week this summer) and of course prospects for Team Members and Leaders.
Next Sunday (Jan. 27th) we will be holding the special planning meeting for the 2019 Team Training Retreat week. Because the Retreat will be undergoing a real transformation we decided to hold an extra meeting just to focus on this one topic as the amount of detailed planning required cannot be fitted into an ordinary committee meeting agenda. With Jessica’s white board and coloured markers on hand we expect to be able to make great progress and move forward with a concrete scenario for that extremely important week of training. We have asked our Prayer Support Group to pray for us that day as it is our earnest desire to create a plan that is pleasing to God and that will best equip our Teams for their summer missions. I am so thankful for such a great group of dedicated committee members who give so much of their time and talent in volunteering and enabling this ministry.
In other news this week, there have also been enquiries from several more host locations so it is certainly looking hopeful that we will have a full schedule of communities to go to in 2019. Fortunately one of the files Jillian has sent me since our meeting is the Day Camp promo bookmark for the coming summer and I shall be getting some printed ASAP -bring on TEAM MEMBERS!!! 😊
As you will see from the meagre photo gallery, the cell phone situation is still unresolved, however the plan now is that Victoria will be bringing me her old iPhone next Thursday when she and the boys come to Montreal for the CTM board meeting. At this point it really isn’t worth sending it by Canada Post and it is probably safer too to do it this way. So I’m practicing my patience skills, as there really is nothing else to do at present and I am so grateful that I do not have to buy a used iPhone because even refurbished ones are quite costly.
This week’s photos should be credited to Jillian and Steven who have both taken a few pictures at my request!
Besides all things “CTM” I have been able to catch up a bit on sewing projects, making 2 new winter aprons for myself and sewing a birthday gift for a special friend whose birthday is coming up next month. I’ve also really caught up on listening to the various podcasts to which I am subscribed. Over Advent & Christmas I listen almost exclusively to seasonal music CDs. I also really prefer to listen to podcasts using ear-buds attached to my phone because I’m usually dashing from room to room and hate to have to constantly hit the pause button when using my laptop, however it is only a small inconvenience for a short time and it has been well worthwhile catching up.
A couple of days ago I received one more puppy photo from the breeder. As you can see the baby Labradors are beginning to look a bit more like puppies and less like shiny furry lumps! If things go according to plan, I shall be bringing Thomason Grenfell home just 4 weeks today! Oh my goodness life is about to change quite radically 😊
Well part way through this post I made a short foray into the extreme cold to get some essential groceries only to discover that my favourite (and only!) organic grocer is closed until TUESDAY due to electrical problems. I feel terribly sorry for this small store as losing weekend business will I’m sure be a big financial blow to them.
Now I’ve warmed up a bit and had a mug of coffee I guess I’ll have to head over to the CO-OP and see if I can find a few of the groceries I need, although I was there yesterday afternoon and so am well aware that they do not have everything that is on my list. Sigh, maybe I shall need to rethink tonight’s dinner menu.
Before I bundle up again I thought I would share last night’s recipe. Steven and I really enjoyed it, good winter comfort food, with lots of healthy ingredients!
Cod and Kale Pasta
- 1 large cod filet, cut into chunks
- 2 tsps. vegetable oil
- 8 oz. farfalle pasta
- 1 14oz. tin diced tomatoes
- 2 Tbsps. tomato paste
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and grated
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 large clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/4tsp. sea salt
- ½ tsp. chilli flakes
- 2 tsps. lemon zest
- 4 cups fresh kale, torn into pieces
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan
In a large heavy bottomed pot heat the oil and brown the chunks of cod for 5 minutes or until just cooked, remove to a bowl. In the same pot sauté the onion until translucent then add the garlic and sweet potato and cook for another few minutes. Add the herbs, salt, lemon zest, pasta, vegetable broth, tomatoes and tomato paste, stirring well and scraping up any brown bits on the bottom of the pot. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer until the pasta is just al dente, about 8 minutes. Add the kale pieces in batches, stirring just until wilted. Fold in the cooked cod and heat for a few minutes. Remove from the heat and garnish with the Parmesan.
Serve immediately, serves 4-6.