Hello Blog Friends
As we head into the home stretch of summer the light changes in the morning and evening and one knows that fall is on the way.
Thomason and I set out each morning around 730 am. Along our route we pass a large CEGEP (junior college in Québecoise terminology ) and, starting this week, students were returning to classes with the previously silent building now being abuzz with activity. Elementary and High School students still have a few more days of vacation but soon everyone will be back in class. My own focus has turned exclusively to autumn planning and to the various aspects of the 2023 Day Camp Program while all my spare time has been devoted to preparations for next week’s slew of visitors!
On the Day Camp front I have now happily secured both the speaker and worship leaders for the Fall Team Gathering. I put together a flyer for the event and have posted it on social media as well as sending email notices to many Alumni. As far as the 2023 Program goes we now have an artist working on the logo for “Something to Celebrate!” plus volunteers have been secured for 2 sections of the Manual- ZOOOM and Scrambler/Climber Small Groups. Although all of the above is just a drop in the bucket, at least it is a start and I am extremely thankful that there are obviously friends of Day Camps willing, still, to “climb onto the train”😊.
As alluded to before, preparations are also underway for next week’s visitors. In addition to Steven staying here for 2 nights and (hopefully!) several visits with my dear friend Michelle, a few days ago Victoria was in contact with me and she and her 3 boys (my Godsons) expect to be passing through Montreal NEXT WEEK en route to Nova Scotia and will be dropping by for at least a snack, if not a meal. I will be especially pleased to see my eldest Godson, William as his birthday is August 24th. I have painted a special gift card and would like him to open in person as I have not visited with him and the family for a whole year! I so wish that each delightful encounter was not tinged with dread as Thomason’s anxiety issues manifest themselves with excessive barking, panting and clinging to me, all of which is just SO STRESSFUL.
Wednesday I had a short visit with Bishop Mary and the Vicar General who had kindly taken time to come and witness a document I needed to sign. Then yesterday I did have a lovely lunchtime visit with Mae Anne (a member of the Day Camp Committee). She was able to give me a first hand report on the recent Day Camp at FFBCM, her home church as well as updating me on her job plans for the coming academic year. Mae Anne works as a special needs counsellor at an elementary school and also co-directs a program for youth at risk, which runs out of 2 branches of the YMCA. Thomason was no more appalling than usual during our lunch and nothing got broken, which is my base goal for all visits, particularly those involving the use of china and food 😊.
There really hasn’t been any time for crafting this week, although every evening I knit a few rows on my lovely hand-dyed yarn shawl and last evening completed the lace border and cast off, so now it is time to get back to work on Christmas gifts. It is getting increasingly difficult to know what to make for my 4 Godsons, the eldest of whom is now a teenager, a lot more thought will need to go into that problem 😊.
Since I mowed the lawns on Thursday afternoon this morning, after Thomason’s walk, the garden just needed a quick whiffle. After next washing the floors and doing a complete dust and mop of the house I’ve now set up for a small bake. Tropic Aroma Cake is on my list as I promised Michelle a slice, however I am out of cocoa powder and am loath to substitute baking chocolate for fear of messing up a time honoured recipe. The jury is still out on that one. I do plan to make batch of bagels and also need to bake Sue’s GF bread, because Wednesday she will be returning from a short trip to England and we arranged that her husband would pick up the bread so she could have some waiting in the freezer when she gets home.
Well I had better get going on with the bake so let’s have our recipe!
Although summer may be on the wane, it is always time for ice cream treats 😊. I recently watched this video about making gelato and it inspired me to try a batch with some oranges I had on hand. I was pleased with the results, it is super easy and does not require an ice cream maker. Do give it a try.
Orange Gelato
- 5 Navel oranges
- 4 Tbsps. raw honey
- 7oz. whole milk
- 3 Tbsps. Elderflower Cordial
- OR substitute more honey plus
- 1 Tbsp. Orange flower water
Peel the oranges and carefully extract all the flesh, discarding pith and pips. Place in a shallow dish and set in the freezer. Meanwhile heat the milk and stir in the honey to dissolve completely. Strain the milk through a fine sieve into a jug with a pouring spout and pour into an ice cube tray or muffin tin. Freeze for several hours. Once the fruit and milk mixtures are frozen, combine everything in the bowl of a food processor or blender, adding the cordial. Pulse carefully and use a wide spatula to dislodge any hard pieces that stick to the blades. Continue blending until smooth and creamy. Transfer to a container with a tight lid and freeze until set. Remove from freeze and place in fridge for about 30 minutes to allow for easier scooping when serving. You can use this same process to make any type of fruit gelato. If well sealed it will keep in the freezer for several months.