Hello Blog Friends!
Fortunately, last week’s snow has mostly melted away and signs of spring are appearing! I have even seen a couple of intrepid robins, woot, woot!!!!
The push continues to reach our anticipated goal of ten Day Camps and, each morning, some of my office time has been allocated to approaching potential host communities. There have been a couple of enquiries and I pray they might bear fruit 😊.
Part of the week has also been occupied with working on the Extended Day Program manual (EDP). This document may not be needed in 2024 was it is an optional resource, offering exactly what the title suggests- content for extending the classic, 5-hourlong program to a full 8-hour day. Last summer only one community purchased the EDP but, as one of the enquirers has asked about it, we feel it best to have a manual ready to go, should the need arise. We do have EDP versions for several of our program themes but not for Signposts so it falls on me to invent some suitable crafts and other activities in line with the theme 😊.
Monday, Jillian and baby Amelia joined me for lunch and we did “talk shop” for part of our visit as Jillian is making some of the craft samples and is also responsible for adding song lyrics to the daily PowerPoints as well as embedding the puppet videos. She may need to record a new tutorial for people who will be running the PowerPoints, although the one she made last year may still prove to be relevant, that point is still under discussion!
With the AGM looming (it will take place Sunday, April 21st) each day this week has also brought some info from our Treasurer as I added last minute documents to the “reminder” emails, which I sent out yesterday. I certainly hope, that all the right people have now received all the right documents; it’s a bit stressful making sure everything is perfect!
Thursday I finally was able to welcome DC committee member, Mikaela to lunch. We had several aborted visits due to bad weather or her inability to take an extra-long lunch break from work but, finally, everything lined up and she was able to comeJ. I made Shakshuka with feta and, for dessert, we enjoyed lemon pistachio squares. It was so nice to visit in person, which we had not done since before Christmas.
Yesterday the final AGM reminder was emailed to all the members of CTM along with a link to the Google Meet. I made sure to test the link before sending it since sometimes Google has a habit of informing me that the link is only of use to those with access to Drive, which causes a huge kerfuffle as a second link then has to be created, AGH!!!
When not dealing with office woes, I have continued with spring-cleaning as well as some sewing projects. On afternoon I touched up paint in the living room and on a couple of other days made some cute Moon pants with a matching headband for a soon to be five year old in my acquaintance J. The next project will be both birthday and anniversary gifts for a close friend. Happily I’m on track with all the “alumni baby” gifts and have just started the sleeves on the stripy pullover, which is the last garment on that list.
If the good weather holds, the coming week will include one of my biggest spring chores, that of washing all the windows and curtains. At present the forecast is looking propitious but that can always change!
Of course today I’m focusing on the weekly Bake. It is an extra ambitious one as both tomorrow and Monday there will be visitors joining me for High Teas. As previously noted, it always seems that visitors come in “clumps” no matter how hard I try to space out my invitations 😊. Never mind, I’m sure both tea parties will be enjoyable.
Right now, with most of the baked goods out of the oven, I need to turn my attention to setting a special table for tomorrow’s Tea and so had better close off with this week’s recipe.
One evening this week I decided to make a stir-fry with pork meatballs. It was pretty tasty, so do give it a try.
Pork Meatballs Stir-fry
- ½ lb. ground pork
- 1 tsp. grated fresh ginger
- 1 tsp. rice vinegar
- 2 tsps. Tamari
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp. tapioca starch
- 4 oz. Cremini mushrooms, sliced
- ½ a large red pepper, julienned
- 2 green onions, diagonally sliced
- ½ cup chicken stock
- 2 Tbsps. Tamari
- 1 Tbsp. tapioca starch
- 1 tsp. rice vinegar
- 1 tsp. sriracha
- 2 tsps. toasted sesame oil
- steamed rice
- fresh cilantro to garnish
Combine the meatball ingredients and form into small balls. Chill while preparing other ingredients.Whisk together the sauce ingredients and set aside. Heat a wok or cast iron skillet and brown the meatballs in the sesame oil, remove to a plate. Add the vegetables and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the sauce and bring to a simmer. Return the meatballs to the pan and simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Divide rice between 2 serving bowls and top each with half the meatballs and veggies. Garnish with cilantro. Serves 2.