Hello Blog Friends!
Here we are whizzing through October! Lots has been happening around here, so let’s dive right in.
Monday morning included a nail-biting attempt to add a link, for the latest issue of CTM’s “Networks” newsletter, to the CTM website homepage, Sadly, this ended as an epic “fail” and it was necessary to enlist the assistance of Guylaine to get back on track. We met, Tuesday evening and she sent me more, detailed instructions on how to perform this editing task. It is still a work in progress!
That day there was, also, follow-up from last Saturday’s second episode of the Cook-Along. The episode went very well, with Chef Victor sharing his recipe for Baked French Toast with Apples. It sounds really yummy and it has been added to my menu plans! After the session Victor said he would be sending me a copy of the whole recipe but, as of Wednesday, it was necessary to send a reminder, as it had not yet materialised and needed to be forwarded to all of the participants.
Wednesday, I had a conversation with one of the 2027 Program Manual content creators as he was unsure how to proceed. I took the opportunity to ask if he might like to lead the 4th Alumni Advent Program reflection. He has asked to look at the resource notes, so at least he didn’t give a flat “no”; the notes were quickly shared! That afternoon, a couple more people were approached to serve as possible MCs for Carols & Cocoa and an email arrived saying that one more person is up for recording a video for that event, woot, woot!
Thursday morning, another of the Manual content creators sent an email with several questions about his section, so I took some time to answer them and hope it helps as he proceeds with his task. At noon, the long-dreaded “online Youth and Children’s Ministry” talk took place. It didn’t go too badly and only lasted one hour, hopefully something I said was of value to the participants. That afternoon, a call came from. Wentworth (Day Camp Team alumnus and longtime Director of Communications for CTM). A couple of days previously, I had approached him to ask if he might be willing to serve as the MC for Carols & Cocoa, and after thinking and praying about it, he was calling to say- “YES!” woot, woot! I offered to send him a copy of last year’s running order “cheat sheet” so that he would get an idea of the sort of job he was taking on, and, straight away, forwarded him the file. That evening, Eli was coming to dinner and to rescue me from the website situation (although I am not out of the woods yet!). After labouring over the laptop, we enjoyed a supper of Broccoli and Cheddar Soup, which cheered us up a. bit!
Yesterday, some final prep was done for the last Cook-Along Episode, which will be going live in just one hour. These three Saturday afternoons have flown by so fast, with so much planning, beforehand, then POOF!! they are over. It will be good to be able to provide Jeff with the final content for the Cook-Along Cookbook, as he has nearly finished compiling it. We really hope some Day Camp groupies, will decide to buy it for themselves or as a Christmas gift for family and/or friends.
It has been a sunny week so, early each morning, the perennials in the flowerbeds have been systematically cut down. By Thursday, two large holes were dug and the potted chrysanthemums, that have been decorating the front and back doorways, were planted in the ground. Sometimes, those plants take root and come back the next year, let’s hope it happens, this time! There is still one, smaller pot of orange mums so it is now brightening the front stoop, although I shall have to remember to move it inside on October 31st as hooligans often make mischief that night.
Yesterday, after the early raking and a brisk walk, the final Cook-Along prep was completed; the 2026 Junior Camp video was embedded on their webpage and some photos were resized, in readiness for this post. Still haven’t been able to make any progress on the Advent program slides. Maybe it will need to be a Sunday afternoon project; although there is a small stuffed bunny waiting to have her pantaloons and dress sewn, which task will win out?
This morning, there was another round of raking and then the Bake got underway- a batch of granola, a batch of digestive biscuits, some ginger biscotti and 2 pans of cinnamon buns! Since there isn’t much time left before logging on for the Cook-Along, here is the recipe for the yummy soup, shared with Eli.
Broccoli & Cheddar Soup
- 1 bunch fresh broccoli
- 1 small red onion, chopped
- 6Tbsps unsalted butter
- 6oz. old Cheddar
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- salt & black pepper
- ¼ cup unbleached flour
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 cups vegetable broth
Wash the broccoli and break into small florets. Peel the stems and cut into small chunks. Melt 3Tbsps butter and add the onion. Cook several minutes, until translucent then add the broccoli and season with salt and pepper, sauté for 10 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove the mixture from the pot to a bowl. Melt the remaining butter and whisk in the flour. Continue whisking until the mixture is golden. Slowly whisk in the broth, then the milk and cream, whisking until smooth. Add the cheddar and nutmeg and all but 1cup of the broccoli. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for a further 20 minutes. Allow to cool slightly then process, in a blender or food processor, until smooth. Return the soup to the pot and keep hot until ready to serve. Garnish each serving with the reserved broccoli. Serves 4-6.