Hello Blog Friends!
I hope that North American readers enjoyed the last long weekend of summer. It has been nice to have a 4-day work week, although people do seem to still be a bit sluggish in answering messages, as we all transition out of “holiday” mode!
The week began with my preparing a draft agenda for the upcoming CTM Board meeting (Sept.20th) and sending it off to our President, for his approval to circulate. As we haven’t had a meeting since last April’s AGM, it seemed like a good idea to remind everyone of this date. There is also an issue of the Networks newsletter, scheduled to be published before Thanksgiving Weekend so a timely reminder, for content submissions was included in the meeting email.
Wednesday, as I was settling in to badger people about upcoming events, a bunch of “office”-related messages turned up in my inbox, but I was able to send around some reminders and to ask my assistant badger, Mikaela, to continue contacting the crew from her church, about the various autumn activities. That day, I also sent out a first notice, to clergy and coordinators, with info about the Day Camp theme for 2027. It is hard to know when to start promoting programming but it seems best to get an early start before communities do their intensive scheduling for the coming year.
Early Thursday morning, work was again disrupted, this time by the arrival of former DC committee member, Randy. Last Christmas. he had sent me a card saying that his gift to me was to come to the house and do some handyman tasks. This sounded like a great idea, but it was sadly side-tracked by various accidents and illnesses in his family. Last month, he suggested that he come in early September as his son would be back at the Highschool he attends, which is only a short drive from my home, so Randy could give him a lift that morning and arrive here at 815am. It’s a good thing I’m an early riser!! As several of the small “fixes” were in the kitchen, I decamped, with my laptop, into the dining room, although there were frequent interruptions to answer questions, and make the prerequisite coffee!! Later in the morning, my bi-weekly grocery order was delivered, adding to the general air of chaos.
Fortunately, by yesterday, there was a calmer atmosphere in which to tidy up the tasks of the week and I was even able to do some proofreading of the Manual chapters I’ve been writing in the hopes of soon forwarding the files to committee member, Ruth, who has volunteered to proof content. Last evening a Priest friend came for dinner, after her shift as a Chaplain at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. Although her shift is supposed to end at 430pm,she can rarely leave on time, due to the sensitive nature of her work, so I had planned a cold main course dish, to allow for any delays.
Weeknights, another pair of Christmas gift socks was successfully cast off the needles and the bowties, destined as Christmas gifts for my four Godsons, were also completed. Recently, a sweet friend offered me some woolen fabric and also lent me a sewing pattern for culottes. I have cut out two pairs and hope they will be a great addition to my colder weather wardrobe. Eli has offered to procure some wide elastic that is needed for the waistbands but , otherwise, both pairs are almost finished.
This morning, I got an early start on mowing and have rushed through the Bake as Mae Anne will, shortly, be joining me for our monthly lunch visit. So now it is time to finish off with our recipe. As we move into cooler weather, this makes a quick and tasty weeknight dinner.
Basil & Tomato Fried Rice
- 4 duck eggs (or 5 hen eggs)
- Sea salt and black pepper
- Olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, peeled and diced into ½-inch pieces
- 2 large garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped
- 1tsp dried chilli flakes
- 1 14oz. tin diced tomatoes with basil
- 5 cups cooked, cold, leftover basmati rice
- 2 Tbsps. Tamari
- 1 ½ cups tightly packed basil leaves
Beat the eggs with ½tsp salt. Heat a large, cast iron, skillet with 1Tbsp of oil. Add the eggs and fold until still soft but lightly scrambled. Scrape the eggs into a bowl. Add 2Tbsps oil, the onion, garlic and chilli flakes. Sauté until fragrant then add the tomatoes, reduce the heat and cook down for 5 minutes. Fold in the rice and add the tamari. Break down any lumps and leave, undisturbed, until the rice begins to brown on the bottom. Gently, fold in the eggs and the basil leaves. Serve immediately. Serves 4, generously.