Hello Blog Friends!
Note the first appearance of “Advent” in this week’s post title, woot! woot!
It has been another full week around here, with several productive meetings and other pieces being added to the imaginary patchwork quilt that makes up the world of Day Camps. But let us start at the beginning.
Last Sunday afternoon I met, as usual, with my dear friend (and Team alumnus) Michelle and, most happily, she has volunteered to lead the reflection for Advent 1 of the Alumni Study Program. It looks as if I may need to do Advent 4, unless a last minute person volunteers but at least the first 3 weeks are now resolved. Yay!!
Monday, I opened the office email to find the first donation (a most generous one!) towards the 2025 Funding Campaign. This was heartening as, since sending out, last month, the first round of emails no one had yet responded. We also heard back from the potential Day Camp host community that I had approached with the idea of their possibly teaming up with some youth group members who would like to do a service project next summer. This community has expressed interest and members are praying about the idea.
Tuesday afternoon I had a long meeting with a recently retired priest who lives on the West Coast. For a number of years, when pastoring in the Diocese of Montreal, he was very involved in CTM and, up until his retirement, his Parish hosted a Day Camp. One of the DC committee members had suggested I reach out to him to see if he might be interested in joining the committee, as we have been short a member since Annie stepped down last August. The priest had asked if we could have a video chat to bring him up to speed as to what would be involved. It was such a lovely conversation; he is going to discern if this is something he might take on and will get back to me soon.
Wednesday was largely spent preparing for that evening’s committee meeting, with the usual digressions into general office work and the answering of numerous emails and texts. We had a good meeting, with all but one member present, and covered all the upcoming activities and events. I was able to update everyone on my recent video chats, and share the encouraging news of the Funding donation, plus one pledge. We spent quite a bit of time on plans for Carols & Cocoa, as we still search for “presenters”, so Thursday morning I sent off requests to 4 people (3 who have participated in past years and 1 new person). It is slowly coming together but I always feel sorry for Jeff, our tech editor, who usually ends up having to complete the final video around midnight the night before the event!
Yesterday the Cook-Along supply list and Google Meet link were sent out to all the participating families as the first episode will be happening next Saturday, November 16th. We are still hoping that a couple more undecided families will join in, although time is running out to sign up. Then, last evening, Syndi Belle (our episode 3 chef) joined me for dinner, which was a pleasant way to end off the workweek. We had a Korean meal- Kimchi Fish Stew over Ramen followed ,for dessert ,by Matcha and Hojicha Ice creams and Jéju Tea, all of which we both enjoyed.
Today, after a week with much rain and wind, the push was on to rake out the biggest flowerbed, plant a dozen tulip bulbs and then spread compost. All of those tasks took up the whole morning and so the weekly Bake was shifted to this afternoon and is still ongoing! The only advantage to getting a late start was that I could plan an oven dinner and, in an hour or so, I shall be tucking into a casserole of Macaroni & Cheese, yum!
All of which provides a suitable segue into our recipe! Wednesday evening I needed a quick supper, prior to logging on for the DC committee, and so made a special grilled cheese sandwich.
Apple & Cheddar Grilled Cheese
- 2 large slices sourdough Challah
- 4 oz. sharp cheddar, thinly sliced
- 1 firm apple, cored and sliced
- 2 Tbsps. butter
- 4 Tbsps. thick, homemade applesauce
- ½ tsp. cinnamon
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- ½ tsp. dried rosemary
Heat a large cast iron skillet and add 1 Tbsp. of butter. Add the apple slices, green onions, rosemary, cinnamon and salt. Sauté for 8 minutes or until the slices begin to caramelise. Meanwhile, cut each slice of bread in half and spread each piece with 1Tbsp. of applesauce. Divide the cheese between 2 of the pieces and, once the apples are cooked, top the other 2 pieces with them. Melt the remaining butter in the same skillet and add the 4 prepared pieces (the sandwich will not be assembled until after it is cooked). Sprinkle with 2 tsps. water, cover, and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, checking that the bread is browning but not burning. Remove the 2 apple-topped pieces to a serving plate then carefully close the sandwich with the 2 cheese-topped pieces. Serves 1-2 and can easily be multiplied. If making several sandwiches, cook all the apple mixture at the same time and then, one at a time, cook individual sandwiches, keeping the others warm in a low oven.