Hello Blog Friends!
I decided to begin this post by talking about the weather instead of how busy I have been but, instead, I’m starting with a few lamentations about, this week’s household calamities!! Last Saturday evening, while I was peacefully reading in bed, Thomason went ballistic, decimating a feather pillow. This episode took 2 hours to clean up, although I would not have been able to sleep, anyway, as the people next door were having an early Hallowe’en party which lasted until midnight. Sigh Then, Sunday evening, there were some serious plumbing problems, not the best start to the week!
Monday morning, we set off, in the dark, on our first walk. Fortunately, earlier this month, Jessica had kindly picked up a small headlamp for me to wear on these early excursions and it is proving very useful. By the time we got home, the sun was starting to come up and, upon going into the kitchen, I could see that a very large tree branch had fallen on my side deck. I immediately reported it to the city (after holding the line FOREVER!) and waited all day for a crew to come, as I knew I would need to let them in the back gate to access the deck; sadly, they never appeared. I spent the rest of my workday in a rather gloomy kitchen with leaves pushing against the window, yuck! Most of my focus, during the first half of the week was searching for people willing to lead reflections for the Advent Study and reminding alumni to sign up for it. Messages were also sent out to Day Camps families encouraging them to register for the upcoming Cook-Along Season. These events were, posted on both the CTM FaceBook Page and Day Camp Group.
Tuesday morning, ”call the city” was again top of the list. Thankfully, just before lunch, they did come and the two workers were very courteous and considerate, one of whom, just so I would not need to put on my Wellingtons, even took the gate key round to the side of the house, unlocked the gate, locked it after they had cleared the branch and, once they had completed the job, brought it to the front door! Needless to say, I thanked them profusely. Much of that day’s work was in preparation for the Board meeting, coming up this Sunday afternoon., as well as dealing with some general, CTM day-to-day banking tasks.
Wednesday, there was finally time to get back to chipping away at the giant job of the Program Manual Chapters, with a few digressions such as an online consultation with our vet, as Thomason has continued scratching and chewing himself, causing sleepless nights for both of us. Unfortunately, the only recommendation was a pharmaceutical, which, after doing a bit of research, was noted as producing some rather unpleasant side effects. I have opted for a more holistic approach and am trying dried nettles, since, even if they do not produce positive results, at least they do not come with a warning label!
Thursday, a frost warning was issued so, regretfully, I pulled up my dahlias as the tubers cannot survive the cold winters in Québec’s growing zone. We have had so much rain this week I have fallen behind with raking, largely because the city requires us to put our leaves in giant brown paper bags, which are, once a week, picked up and turned into mulch that is used in all the city flower gardens (great idea!).However, putting wet leaves in paper bags is a surefire recipe for disaster since the bottom falls out as soon as one tries to move the bags to the curb. AGH!! A bit more progress was made on the Creative Connection Chapter of the Manual and I would say one third of it is now complete.
Yesterday was devoted to creating the supply lists and instructions for the five Registration Time activities, for which I also have responsibility. Again, the whole manual section is not yet finished, but I have roughed out ideas for all 5 days. Friday afternoon is usually set aside to prep for the Saturday Bake and yesterday was no exception. There were also some very large sweet potatoes to cook and package for Thomason’s food and a veggie casserole to assemble for my own dinner this evening.
Originally, some plans had been made for my Godsons to spend this afternoon with me while their Mum attends a university reunion event but event but I, sadly, had to suggest they not come as Thomason’s behaviour has been so erratic and the addition to the household of three teen and preteens boys just did not seem like a wise arrangement. I am praying that, very soon, Mr. T will be back on a more even keel and, to help with his recovery, have ordered some herbal remedies to counteract his environmental allergies.
After a bit of early morning raking (it’s REALLY cold out there) I am happy to be settled in the kitchen working through the baking list. Somehow ,this week, I also managed to sew 2 more Christmas gifts- an oversized, cosy sweatshirt for one friend and a corduroy jumper dress for a very little girl, quite the contrast in projects! Not much time for knitting my Maple Leaf shawl, but I have fitted in a couple of rows each evening. With the CTM Board meeting occupying tomorrow afternoon I doubt I shall be able to move onto the next Christmas gift, but will see how the day unfolds.
Last Saturday’s Bake included a very simple, Mennonite Apple Pie. Do give it a try as even a novice pie maker should be able to have success with this one!
Mennonite Apple Pie
- 1 single crust batch of pastry*
- 6 apples (I used Empire) peeled, cored and cut into eighths
- ¾ cup raw cane sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ cup soft butter
- ½ cup unbleached flour
Between 2 sheets of lightly floured parchment paper, roll out the chilled pastry into a 10” round and use it to line a 9” pie dish. Place the prepared apples in a bowl and mix with half the sugar and the cinnamon, then pile them in the pie shell. Combine the remaining sugar and flour then cut in the butter until the mixture resembles fine bread crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over the apples. Bake for 10 minutes at 425ºF then reduce the heat to 350ºF and bake for a further 35 minutes. Cool and serve with sharp cheddar, yum!
*To easily make a single pie shell:-place 1&¼ cups unbleached flour and a 3/4tsp of sea salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse to combine. Grate ½ cup frozen, unsalted butter into the bowl and pulse several times. With the motor running, SLOWLY drizzle in ¼ – ½ cup ice water, mixing just until it comes together in a ball. Flatten the ball into a disk and refrigerate while you prepare the apples.