Hello Blog Friends!
Here we are at the close of the Easter Season, with Ascension Day happening this coming Thursday.
As you can see, I did manage (by super human efforts!!) to complete the Changing of the Decorations despite, last weekend’s innumerable interruptions and the “assistance” of my Godsons. Actually, the time spent, last Sunday, in their company, was extremely special and I will cherish the memories, including the general chaos! Fortunately, the holiday Monday allowed me to do all the final tweaking in my usual solitary state, (except, of course, for one large manic dog!)
Tuesday, was back to work, and included a very annoying trip, kindly chauffeured by CTM Treasurer, Mark, to the Bank of Montreal where we both signed many forms and were finally provided with new debit cards, complete with microchips! Happily, Eli (who facilitated our recent Lenten Mini-Retreat) was available to come and sit with Thomason, so at least I was confident that he was in good hands.
Needless to say, the ordeal did not end until noon Wednesday, after I had spent another hapless half hour on hold with the BMO, activating said debit card. At least, when a human being returned to the phone line, he was very good natured and patiently guided me through entering the card number rigamarole until “SUCCESS!” finally appeared on my laptop screen. Halleluiah!!! Wednesday proved to be a day of calamities as BELL Canada customers in Ontario and Québec experienced several hours with no phone or internet access, so much of my work shifted to documents already in my system as, fortunately, we did not lose power during this period.
We seem to have finally settled on a date for a mini-training, geared to the group from FFBCM who will be helping facilitate a Day Camp in the Eastern Townships. Poor (committee member), Mae Anne, is acting as liaison in planning this project and has had such a hard time wrangling the four young adults in order to get them to commit to all be in in the same place at the same time for the training session; right up there with herding cats!! As we now have a date, I have begun to put together some slides, which will be used at the session, and have shared a rough version with Mae Anne, so we can plan the details, together.
The saga of Junior Youth Camp staff police records checks is still playing out and I am earnestly hoping, by next week, to be able to submit a folder of applications to the SPVM, although I’m not counting on it!
And then there is the summer Team Gathering to organise. So far, I have asked 3 people if they would be able to be our Speaker that evening, but none are available, as the first Friday of July is prime vacation time, here in the frozen north!! I am currently awaiting a response from one more possible candidate and praying for a positive answer. Sigh.
Meanwhile, not having yet completely given up on finding a couple more host communities, more messages have been sent out, please pray the “tide will turn”, before it is too late for this summer.
In the latter part of the week, I have been able to get back to baby gift sewing and finished a cute little patchwork bag in which to package the headbands I made for a friend’s baby girl who is due to arrive in June, I also completed and wrapped an anniversary gift for a special young couple and hope, later today, to begin work on a summer dress for the 3-month old daughter of some friends who have recently moved to Montreal.
This morning, is the usual Bake session, with GF loaves for my friend Sue at the top of the list. Also on the agenda is another Tropic Aroma Cake in anticipation of an in-person visit with my dearest friend, Michelle who is arriving, today, from the UK, to attend the McGill University graduation of her eldest daughter. While in Montreal, Michelle will be staying with her elderly mother who lives about 30 minutes from my house. She will be in Canada for 8 or 9 days but will spend a chunk of that time visiting her sister in Ontario, however, she has promised to come for a cup of tea with me one day! As Michelle is one of only a handful of my friends who knew my Mum, and is also VERY fond of the Tropic Aroma Cake tradition, I thought the best choice would be to have it on hand for our teatime visit. As I have been sharing slices of the cake I made (and froze!!) last month, at the time of Mum’s birthday, I think a brand new one is in order, especially as Michelle has not been back to visit since she came almost 3 years ago, when establishing her daughter in residence at McGill!!!
So, it is now time to hit the “Publish” button and get back to work in the kitchen. When the boys were here, last Sunday, I puzzled over what they would enjoy for brunch and ended up making a variation of Black Forest Bread Pudding. It was simple to put together and only took 3 hours in the slow cooker. Everyone enjoyed second helpings, leaving me with some leftovers for breakfast for the next couple of days and it was just as delicious, served hot or cold!
Black Forest Bread Pudding
- 10 slices Ciabatta (preferably homemade)
- 2 Tbsps. melted butter
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 eggs
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup raw cane sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup fresh cherries or blueberries
- ½ cup bittersweet chocolate chips
- Whipped cream (or plain yoghurt) and sliced bananas, for serving
Grease the insert of a large slow cooker and layer in all the bread slices. In a large bowl, beat together the cream, milk, melted butter, cocoa and both sugars. Add the eggs and whisk well. Sprinkle the cherries or berries and chocolate chips over the bread, then pour the egg mixture over everything. Cook on High for 3 hours. Serve with whipped cream and/or yoghurt and bananas. Serves 4-6