Hello Blog Friends!
As happens every year, Advent seems to be flying by at breakneck speed, how did we already reach Advent 3, EEK only 10 days left until Christmas!!!
Carols & Cocoa 2024 is now a thing of the past. The content for the event was excellent, CTM’s President, Christopher Belle did a super job as MC and all but one of the DC committee logged on, however only ONE other person joined the live event, which was pretty discouraging after so much work and preparation on the part of a number of volunteers.
I did send out the recorded version to the people who had requested a copy and a few people have kindly sent donations but we are really going to have to do some serious thinking about whether or not to mount a production next year. If you would like to recive a copy of the recording please email me at the office.
Moving on in the week, gentle reminders were sent to all those who are involved in assembling the Day Camp Program Manual, as December 31st is the officially deadline for content to be sent in. Every year there are a number of late submissions, and we do make allowance for that but, if the other deadlines are to be met, we do need to try and stay on track.
Of course the Advent Study program still has two more sessions. Tomorrow Guylaine will be offering the reflection and so I shall, once again, be on board as the tech person. This year’s program has been especially lovely with, so far, lots of positive feedback and my own Jesse Tree is filling up as I add a new ornament each day of Advent.
With Christmas drawing nearer, contact with potential host communities for Day Camps has to be put on hold as Churches are all totally occupied with preparations for special services and events happening over the next few weeks. We currently have one application form on file and the promise of at least three others to come, but that is still a far cry from our goal of ten camps in 2025.As soon as the dust settles, in January, I shall be gearing up for a fresh round of badgering!
Outside of office time, final crafting of Christmas gifts, plus wrapping of them, has been happening on a daily basis. One afternoon I also rolled more tapers for the Advent Wreath while watching the special service for the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, it was a very inspiring event with suitable recognition being given to the Paris Fire Brigade (who were present in their uniforms!) as well as the hundreds of artisans who have worked for the past five years, rebuilding and restoring every inch of that vast edifice.
Yesterday was the Feast of St. Lucia and so my baking preparations included St. Lucia Buns, which will be the centrepiece of the menu when Mae Anne joins me for lunch, today. Right now a pot of Norwegian Fruit Soup is simmering on the stove and it, along with cheese and yoghurt will round out our little “feast”.
As there were quite a few apples in this week’s “panier des fruits” I also baked an Apple Pandowdy, which will make a tasty breakfast for me over the coming few days. With my guest due to arrive within the hour and Mr. T. requiring a walk I had better share that recipe with you now before hitting the Publish button!
Apple Pandowdy
- Pastry for a single piecrust
- 8 apples, cored and diced
- 1 cup raisins
- ¼ cup dark maple syrup
- 2 tsps. cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp. flour
- 3 Tbsps. butter, cut into small bits
- 1 Tbsp. heavy cream
- 2 tsps. Demerara sugar
Grease a deep rectangular dish. Spread the apples in the dish and sprinkle on the flour, maple syrup, cinnamon and raisins. Toss everything until well combined. Dot the filling with the butter. Roll out the piecrust to fit the top of the dish. Place on top of the filling and crimp well around the edges. Make several 1” square incisions in the crust, leaving the cut out squares in place. Brush with the cream and sprinkle with the sugar. Bake for 40 minutes in a 375ºF oven until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbly. Cool for at least 20 minutes before cutting into squares and serving accompanied by plain yoghurt or cheddar. Serves 6.