Hello Blog Friends!
It is beginning to look a lot more “summery” around here and I think we may have finally passed the risk of frost, all of which indicates that we are nearing the season of Day Camps!
June begins tomorrow and our special collaborative, service project Day Camp will be taking place June 22nd -27th , in the Eastern Townships. Of course, I’m biting my fingernails STILL waiting for the final program components to be shared on Google Drive. Yesterday afternoon I was overjoyed to receive the instructional MP4 video for the liturgical dance and, after watching it twice ( and crying, due to it’s solemn sweetness) , I happily uploaded it to the program packages in our shared Drive. It is perfectly understandable that host communities expect all the resources at least a month before their camps and I really pray no one else will call, asking for the other missing pieces, before they are ready. Sigh.
Meanwhile all sorts of other work still needs to get done! We now have a Speaker for the summer Team Gathering. Woot! Woot! So, notices can now be circulated to lists of past Team members and Mikaela (our DC committee badger) will begin a more intense campaign via the alumni connections on social media and in person. The Networks newsletter is almost together and it is hoped Guylaine will have time, in the next few days, to do a final proofing so it can be shared before the Feast of Pentecost. She was hoping to read through it last evening, yay!
The police records checks are STILL to be submitted. We are tantalisingly close, with just one application still to come. Hopefully the completed zip file can be sent, on Monday, to the SPVM.
Thursday evening, I attended a short Zoom meeting that brought some amazing news, for CTM of an extremely generous financial gift. This comes from a Christian camping ministry based in Ontario with which some CTM people had strong ties and which, sadly, due to the pandemic, has decided to dissolve. CTM Day Camps was shortlisted to receive this gift and I assured the president of the charity that we would endeavour to use it wisely in service to God’s children and youth.
Outside of office hours, this week has seen a steady stream of visitors both in- person and via video chat, the most memorable visit, Monday, was lunch with 2 of my dearest friends(frequently mentioned on this blog), Jillian, who lives in a suburb across the river from Montreal, and my closest, longtime friend, Michelle, who has been in Canada for the past week, principally to attend the University Graduation of her eldest daughter and who lives several thousand kilometres away in Exeter, UK. I had not seen Michelle, in person, for 3 years so it was a very happy and tearful reunion. As mentioned in last Saturday’s post, I baked a Tropic Aroma Cake in anticipation of our visit, not knowing if it might just be a quick cup of tea, but we were able to manage a 3-hour visit, such a treat!
Wednesday, Jessica joined me for a dinner visit, providing me with the opportunity to gift her with a birthday present only one day after her birthday.
Thursday morning, Jenna joined me, in her way to work, for an early coffee and scones and, later that morning, I connected on Google Meet with Esther (Team alumnus, and a friend for many years as we both grew up at St. Matthew’s Church). Esther led a reflection during a session of the 2024 Alumni Advent Study Program and, after reconnecting during that time, we decided to try and check in with each other every couple of months. She now lives in London England but is quite often in Canada as three of her siblings live in various provinces. They are planning a family reunion in Nova Scotia this summer but, sadly, she does not plan to be in Montreal, so we will need to continue, for the present, as Internet buddies.
Finally, last evening, the young Theological Student whom I mentor came for an early supper visit on his way home from a nearby church where he does some office work.
Thomason has done very well with all the recent “foot traffic”. I have been reading about vagus nerve therapy for high anxiety dogs and we have been practicing it for about a week. It usually takes up to a month to see any significant improvement but I am hopeful as I have already seen some calmer behaviour, a huge answer to prayer!
This has turned into a rather long post so I had better hurry up now and add a recipe. Wednesday, when Jessica joined me, I made a very tasty main course salad, it is so good to be able to enjoy a cold main course, as summer kicks off!
Chicken and Quinoa Salad
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups chicken broth (homemade)
- ½ cup frozen corn kernels
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- ½ a large onion, finely chopped
- 1 tsp. Chipotle powder
- ½ tsp. fine sea salt
- ¼ cup plain, full fat, yoghurt
- Zest and juice of 1 lime
- Romaine leaves (for serving)
- Pepitas, fresh mint leaves and grated Parmesan (to garnish)
Bring the broth to a boil and stir in the quinoa. Reduce to a simmer and cook, uncovered for approx. 20 minutes or until the liquid has been absorbed and the quinoa can easily be fluffed with a fork. Stir in the corn and allow to cool. Combine, in a small food chopper, the onion, lime juice & zest, Chipotle powder and salt. Process until a paste is formed, add the yoghurt and pulse until well combined. Transfer the cooled quinoa mixture to a large bowl and fold in the shredded chicken. Pour the dressing over the salad and fold together with a rubber spatula. To serve, line individual serving bowls with washed lettuce leaves and top with a serving of salad and garnishes.Serves 4-6. Refrigerate leftover salad but allow to come to room temperature before serving.