Hello Blog Friends!
Once again I’m planning to publish this a bit later this afternoon after Episode 2 of the Day Camps Cook-Along. At the end of the current 3-episode series I will create a special “Wednesday Words” Cook-Along post sharing all the photos and comments we have received, watch for that on March 23rd 😊.
This first week of Lent has been fuller than usual, largely because I always seem to take on a number of extra projects and activities during this Holy Season. I can blame this proclivity on my long-time Parish Priest Archdeacon Martin who always preached that “giving up something for Lent” was often a cop-out and that it was much more important to think of things one could take on, whether they were for personal spiritual formation and education or were acts of service and/or encouragement for others.
This Lent in the Day Camps world we have 2 special projects- the Cook-Along, whose theme is “Signs of Hope” and whose purpose is to build community among families from across Canada who have been involved in Day Camp programs, showing them that we at CTM are still very interested in their lives.
The second project is the Team Alumnae “Artful Lenten Study Program” that will run on 3 Saturday afternoons in the second half of Lent and centres around a series of videos containing interviews with artists who share how their personal faith impacts their work. There will then be an opportunity for everyone to follow a Prayer Intention using art. At the end of each session we will regroup and share both our creations and our thoughts and prayers. So far 5 people have signed up and I am working on badgering a number of others, as is Mae Anne who is the official Day Camp committee badger 😊.
Along with the Day Camps Lenten programs I also agreed, at the invitation of our Bishop, to take part in a Lenten Course studying the Book of Acts. It is presented online through the Montreal Diocesan Theological College and runs on Tuesday evenings throughout Lent. The first lecture aired this past Tuesday evening, following immediately upon the heels of a two hour online Diocesan Council meeting, barely giving me time to gulp down a sandwich in between 😊.
In other personal rituals, I am of course writing Pysanky this Lent, as I have done for close to 30 years. My intention this year is to spend a portion of my time, while working on the eggs, in prayer for the people of the Ukraine during this horrific crisis as their lives are being torn apart by the invasion of Russian troops. I also spend part of my Pysanky time watching Morning Prayer or Evening Reflections from Canterbury Cathedral, both of which have included many prayers for the Ukraine.
Of course during office hours there have also been annoying things like filling out online forms for an organisation through which we receive one small yearly donation. The amount of virtual paperwork required to fill out our “cause portal” was disproportionate to the amount of the donation but since every little bit helps I forged ahead and was finally delighted when I hit the “submit” button and it was accepted!!!
This morning my office week has extended into Saturday as I met online with 5 staff members from CTM’s Junior Youth Camp who need to fill out forms for Police Records Checks. As a registered charity CTM is blessed to be provided with this service from the Montreal Police Department (SPVM) free of charge but the form is unilingual French language and so people often need help filling it out. Even one small error results in the form being returned to us then the application has to be redone and submitted over again. I really hope that this group will have made copies of 2 pieces of photo ID, which they also need to send to me, along with their completed forms. I will then fill out various sections, sign off, and mail the package to the SPVM, praying fervently there are no errors 😊.
Outside of CTM work there has been the eternal shovelling and today is no exception as we are currently receiving another 10-15cms of snow so it looks as if part of my Sunday will be spent outside with a shovel. There was also the aforementioned Council meeting, meaning that I had minutes to type up and send off to the clerical secretary for her to check them over and make any changes. Somehow, before next Tuesday I also need to complete my course homework of reading the first 7 chapters of the book of Acts. AGH!!
In between everything else I have managed to complete the birthday crowns for two of my Godsons, since a friend has offered to take them to Ottawa next week when she goes to visit here sister there and will deliver them for me along with the extremely belated Christmas gifts for the family plus a birthday gift for the boys’ Mum.
Today I am squeezing in my baking between Google Meets and am making my first batch of Hot Cross Buns, a huge Lenten favourite around here 😊. I also have GF bread to make for my friend, Sue and I am baking a batch of Fairy Cakes to freeze for future High Teas.
Right now I must break off for the Cook-Along but first I’ll just quickly add this week’s recipe …
Sardinian Linguine
- 12 oz. Linguine
- 1 small bunch broccoli, broken into florets
- 1 tin sardines, packed in olive oil
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 clove garlic, sliced
- 1 cup toasted bread crumbs
- ½ bunch cilantro, chopped
- 1 tsp. chilli flakes
Heat the olive oil in a deep sided skillet and sauté the onion and garlic for 5 minutes until softened, add the sardines with their oil and break them up with the back of a spoon then turn the heat down to Low. Meanwhile cook the linguine, adding the broccoli during the last 2 minutes of cooking time and drain, saving 1 cup of the pasta water. Add the linguine to the pan with the sardines over Medium Low heat. Stir in ¼ cup of the pasta water and half the breadcrumbs and cilantro. Add more water, enough to coat the pasta with a thick sauce. Divide into individual bowls, topping each with some of the reserved breadcrumbs and cilantro. Sprinkle with chilli flakes to taste and serve immediately. Serves 2, generously.
Episode 2 of the Day Camps Cook-Along went really well today. All 6 children had super time, and the Irish Soda Bread, straight from the oven, looked delicious 😊