Hello Blog Friends!
As is always the case, the Season of Advent seems to be whizzing by at breakneck speed and here we are at the weekend of Advent 3. At least this week was not quite as manic as last since, with Carols & Cocoa now put to bed for another year (will we try again in 2024???) and another committee member leading tomorrow’s Alumni Advent Study Program I have had more time to catch up with other ongoing Day Camps work, as well as the regular “office-type” duties.
Monday did include a fair amount of C&C follow-up as I wanted to send personal notes of thanks to everyone who had taken a lead role and to the last minute presenters who had sent in videos at the eleventh hour.
By Tuesday I had launched into creating the PowerPoint that is central to the Advent program as I wanted to send it off to Christopher (who will be leading tomorrow), so he could add any slides he wants to use. We will be exploring Pardes as this week’s sacred reading practice. This practice has it’s roots in Judaism’s Talmudic studies and the word “Pardes” is actually an acronym for the four types of questions posed as we study a passage of scripture. Our reading this week is Matthew 1:18-25 “Joseph’s Dream” wherein the angel visit’s Joseph telling him that he should go ahead and marry Mary as the child in her womb is God’s son.
Wednesday I did share the PP with Christopher after which I turned my attention to finding a speaker for the winter online Team Gathering that will be happening on February 3rd to celebrate the Feast of Candlemas. I have spoken to couple of people who have agreed to pray about it so now I just wait and pray too, that the right person will accept the invitation. 😊.
At our committee meeting 10 days ago we even considered a date for a Mini Retreat in Lent. Easter is exceptionally early in 2024 so this event would happen in March and it will be challenging to find just the right person to lead it. I have one person in mind who I think would be excellent but the timing might not work for them. More on this in future posts.
Outside of time in my virtual office I have been crocheting 2 Amigurumi forest animals- a badger and a fox, to add to a small lap quilt, featuring those and other animals, which I have sewn for a small pair of siblings whose parents are dear to me. The badger is done but the fox is proving challenging as I could not find a pattern for one that is the same size as the badger and so have to adapt a larger pattern, all of which has meant quite a lot of ripping out and starting over 😊.
Over the week, various people have been come around to walk Thomason, for which we are both extremely grateful. This evening Victor will be driving in again from Brossard (a suburb just south of the city) and with only just over a week until Christmas Eve I think I might just have his wife Jillian’s gift ready for him to take home to her, in case I do not see her before Christmas Day.
Today I have decided to bake after lunch since I plan to make a seasonal treat of Yorkshire Pudding for my dinner and will time the baking so it can be the final thing I pop in the oven. The rest of my list includes GF loaves for Sue, Matcha Latté Cookies (new recipe spotted on the New York Times App), Porcupines (a very old Christmas recipe from my Nana’s cookbook) and three plain wholewheat loaves useful for sandwiches and toast.
So now it is off to the kitchen to get started, but before I go, here is the porcupine recipe. You can also find it in the log archive but it is worth repeating. In true Yorkshire fashion I recommend serving them with a slice of strong Cheddar 😊.
Porcupines
- 1 cup chopped dates
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup shredded coconut
Combine the dates, nuts, butter, sugar and egg and mix well. Wet your hands and form the mixture into approximately 1 dozen equal portions, shaping each into an oval. Roll the porcupines in the coconut, until generously coated. Place, at least 2” apart, on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until well browned. Watch they do not burn. The porcupines are likely to spread while baking. As soon as they come from the oven, quickly use 2 spoons or your fingers to reshape them before they cool. Allow to cool on the baking sheet. These freeze well (if they aren’t gobbled up immediately 😊)