Hello Blog Friends!
Lent 4 has arrived. The week began quietly enough with the usual combo of office and DC tasks. I was pleased to be able to share the Acceptance Package with the communities who have already applied for a Day Camp and also launched myself into the murky waters of the AGM reports. My own just needed a bit of formatting, as for the past couple of years, we have included photos in the Camp ministry reports, which certainly brightens up the collection of, otherwise, dry documents! The Networks Newsletter was also successfully published, which is always a relief.
Weather Report interruption… Tuesday, normal life was interrupted by a series of scary weather warnings indicating the approach of some serious freezing rain, with strong winds. This type of weather pattern spells dangerous conditions and power failures, accompanied by damage to trees and houses. Tuesday night the electricity did go off, and returned late Wednesday. It could have been worse, (think the Ice Storm of 1998 !!) but it was scary and Thursday morning I was woken up at 5am with the sound of ice chunks crashing off tree branches, caused by rising temperatures combined with the winds. It sounded like gunfire and, after that, there was no point in going back to bed. Once it was daylight, I put on my coat, boots and crampons and spread eco-friendly de-icer on the front path, as I was expecting a much needed grocery delivery and was seriously worried about someone carrying a large heavy box while trying to navigate the walkway.
Of course, the power outages meant a couple of mornings when computer work was sketchy. Fortunately, I had planned to complete the Creative Connection samples and so managed to make a “Welcome Wreath” and a Shepherd’s Staff Hiking Stick”, sans electricity. I also continued with a few small Easter gifts- baskets and buntings!
By noon Thursday things had calmed down, the groceries had been safely delivered and regular work could resume, so I quickly typed up some meeting minutes, sent off a receipt for a Day Camp payment and shared an Instagram post reminding Alumni to register for the upcoming Lenten Mini Retreat.
By then it was already Friday!!! Yesterday, I sent off more reminder notices, this time encouraging Clergy and Coordinators to send in their Day Camp Applications and also one to the CTM Board, gently nudging them (yet again!) to send in their AGM Reports, ARGH. In the afternoon, I did some prep for today’s Bake and remembered to pre-set an e-card for a former Team Leader, whose Birthday is today. There were also a few CTM invoices to pay and, thankfully, a cheque to deposit, which helps to offset the expenses.
Each day, outside of Office time, I have put in an hour or so on my second batch of Pysanky. They are not yet quite ready to have the wax melted off but should be completed by next week. A friend saw goose eggs being sold at the farmers’ market and has offered to get one for me with which to write a giant Pysanka! I do have a couple of traditional patterns using a goose egg, but have never tried one before, so this may be the year. Woot! Woot!
Today started with 2 1/2 hours of shovelling some very heavy ,wet snow, after an unexpected overnight dump. Now, I had better get back to mixing up some cookies as, early next week, a couple of visitors are expected and the freezer is looking fairly sparse, Fortunately, I still have a small stash of Hot Cross Buns for morning snacks but need a dessert for next Tuesday evening when a friend is coming to sample, for the first time, my Watermelon Curry! It is also time to start some serious Easter Baking as, this year, I’m going to include some of Mariejoy’s delicious chocolate cookies in the Easter Baskets.
No use procrastinating on the Bake, Let’s get the recipe added to this post and hit the “publish” button!!
Dumpling & Tomato Salad
- 2 large, ripe tomatoes cut into roughly 1”-2:” pieces (at room temperature)
- 1 garlic clove, grated
- 1 cup baby spinach leaves, torn
- Sea salt and black pepper
- 18 frozen potsticker dumplings (bought or homemade)
- Olive oil
- ¼ chicken broth
- 3Tbsps chile crisp
- 2Tbsps Chinese black vinegar
- 1Tbsp Tamari
Place the tomatoes on a large serving plate or in a bowl. Add the garlic, spinach ,1tsp of salt and a big pinch of black pepper. Toss to combine and set aside. Combine the chile crisp, vinegar and Tamari and whisk together. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over med-high for 1 to 2 minutes until very hot. Add 1-2Tbsps of oil and, working in batches, add the dumplings, flat-side down, and cook until the bottoms of the bottoms are lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Immediately add chicken broth to the pan, just enough to cover the base of the dumplings, cover and cook until the broth has evaporated, 4-5 minutes.Place the warm dumplings over the tomato salad and drizzle with the chile crisp vinaigrette. Toss very gently and serve. Serves 2