After a few slightly cooler days, with even a little rain this week, we are now back under another Environment Canada Heat Advisory. Thursday evening, when I saw the warning on my phone, I decided to switch around my Friday morning plans and mow the lawns before it got any hotter! Apart from a cloud of tiny midges that circled my sweaty head non-stop, I got the job done but I’m not sure that baking today is such a great idea either. Sigh.
This week began with a CTM Board meeting (via Zoom) on Sunday afternoon. A lot of time was spent talking about fundraising ideas as, with no income from Camp ministries, we really need to work on finding funding. I’m afraid small, traditional things like bake sales just won’t cut it and think it might be better to explore grants that are sometimes available through foundations, we’ll see what happens.
Monday evening was a Day Camp committee meeting (via Google Meet) when I was able to update everyone on the response to Terrific Tuesdays and when we also continued our on-going discussions about the future of Day Camps. I have been tasked with drafting out 3 potential scenarios, which will then be passed on to the committee members for critiquing. After the last week of Terrific Tuesdays the plan to is send out a short survey, accompanied by details of the 3 options so we can get some feedback from our constituency as to preferences.
Of course throughout the week I try to carve out time to work on the next TT post as I am still loading it on 2 separate platforms, which means making sure both versions include every component. I do enjoy making the weekly craft samples, that’s more up my alley!
As far as other crafting goes, I continue to churn out masks and have made 14 more this week with 7 more promised for next, although I did squeeze in the sewing of a gift for a special friend who celebrated her birthday on Wednesday.
The daylilies have finally taken off in the garden; I think they needed some water so even though we did not have a ton of rain it was enough to boost them into bloom. Yay!
I also had TWO visitors this week, WOO HOO!!! Jillian came for lunch on Wednesday and Jessica on Thursday, almost like old times, although minus the constant text and calls from Teams out on the road.
Jillian and her husband left on Thursday for a short visit with her sister Janice in BC so she acted as my courier delivering the 4 masks I made for Janice and her husband Matthew.
Even though it is super hot and sticky today I do really need to bake some scones, cupcakes and rolls so I guess I had better close off with a recipe and head to the kitchen.
When Jessica came for lunch we had curried chicken salad buns, chai, fresh pineapple and cashew brittle bars.
These bars are no-bake and are an excellent option in hot weather!
Cashew Brittle Bars
- 1 ¼ cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup cashews
- 3 Tbsps. unsalted butter
- ½ cup turbinado sugar
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 Tbsps. agave syrup
- 1 Tbsp. molasses
- ½ tsp. coarse sea salt
Line a 4 ½ -by-9-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving a 1” overhang on each long side. Toast oats and cashews in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring often, until aromatic and just starting to turn golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl.
Add butter, sugar, cinnamon, syrup, molasses, and salt to the skillet, and cook over medium heat, stirring, until butter melts and mixture bubbles, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour hot mixture over oats and cashews, and stir to combine.
Transfer to loaf pan. Using a spatula, press mixture into an even layer. Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes. Remove chilled mixture from pan and turn out onto a cutting board. Cut into 1” bars. Makes 9 bars.