When your house goes from only you to 4 people overnight!
My lovely brothers and sister have come for a visit... Taylor, Rhys and Aaron are all here for the week. This is fabulous and so what I need and I like to think also what they need. The thing is, my schedule hasn't changed - it is still the middle of the summer with a full week of programming with 110 people on site ahead of me. The other things is - I'm still tired with no solid sleep time in sight. And we have a wedding this weekend in Vernon for a cousin (yay!) followed quickly by the start of our final week of programming! The season is full right now.
I'm grateful for the energy my brothers and sisters bring with them and the way they are able to be both mature and fun at the same time. We hit a few road blocks once in a while (getting up in the morning - eek!). So in preparation for their arrivial I tried as hard as I could to make sure that things were as organized as possible. Here are a few of the ways I attempted to do just that:
- We're all eating meals in the dining room on site, this is great because it means no food preparations, cooking and clean-up for me. But kids still want to eat snacks! On my counter is a container of all the "odds and ends" from my cupboard that they can enjoy at any time, including: trail mix, crackers, rice cakes, rye crackers, peanut butter, nutella, granola bars, etc... And in my fridge: pickles, pepperoni sticks, cheese sticks and sliced watermelon. And they grab something when they need it.
- A laundry basket is in a central location for all dirty clothes... once this basket is full laundry must be done ASAP!
- They are all registered in programming at Sorrento Centre. Why?! Because otherwise they'd be inside all day while I'm working and they'd end up so bored. I'm hoping for a flexible enough schedule that I'll be able to spend chunks of time with them in the afternoons. But if I can't, they are old enough to go to the beach (lifeguards on duty) and play around site without me.
- I'm aiming for a 10:30pm bedtime - earlier if possible! This means technology off, lights out and heads on pillows! The kids arrived at my house with their summer sleep schedule... stay up all night and sleep all morning/afternoon. Well, let's just say breakfast is served at 7:30am these days!!! So an early bedtime is a must! (If not for them... then for me!)
- I've entered into the week thinking about fun and flexibility. We all need to have fun but we also need to all be able to live with some flexibility. On my end (that work project CAN wait until a different time) and on their end (oh, Melissa needs to ditch basketball for a few moments and go help someone at the office).
It's already off to being a great week and we're having a great time together!
Monday, July 29, 2013
Monday, July 22, 2013
On Rest
It's hard sometimes working in this lovely fast paced world... in this lovely fast paced workplace.
It's hard sometimes to know that all I need to do is rest... to pause... to be quiet for but a moment.
And to also know that it's so hard to make sure it actually happens.
It's hard to make sure that I keep that time sacred and to ask that others be respectful of that sacred time.
I know it's not impossible to do this and have this time.
I'm grateful for the many mentors that I have to teach me how to do this by their example. It's by watching them take time to rest and pray that I am reminded of how important it is and how much my soul yearns for and needs that time. And I know that Jesus found that time, even though it was hard to come by. Hard to carve out those sacred moments of alone time.
And sometimes I'm good at trying. Sometimes I find myself on my deck with a book (which ends up not being as wonderful as I imagined it might be) and settle down in a chair and the phone rings, a guest needs help finding a camping spot. And so I go, because my time is not only my own but more importantly because I care. And I care deeply for the people who come to this place and their time here.
But then I try again... deck, chair, heavy eyes... this time with the cherry chocolate chunk Haagen-Dazs ice cream (aka: a little bit of heaven!). A bit of deliciousness to enjoy during the few moments of quiet.
In the next few weeks I hope to find more mini-moments for the restful, sacred, needed places of quiet and alone time. And I hope to find more moments of conversation, sharing and laughter with friends. Why? Because I need to for my self-care and overall well-being and because I need to show myself that I can engage in work and ministry that calls for my time and attention minute after minute and also have the ability to pause.
To breathe.
To stop.
To rest.
To pray.
To sleep.
To be.
That I can find the balance and that the balance can be good.
(this may take a lot of cherry chocolate chunk ice cream! :) )
It's hard sometimes to know that all I need to do is rest... to pause... to be quiet for but a moment.
And to also know that it's so hard to make sure it actually happens.
It's hard to make sure that I keep that time sacred and to ask that others be respectful of that sacred time.
I know it's not impossible to do this and have this time.I'm grateful for the many mentors that I have to teach me how to do this by their example. It's by watching them take time to rest and pray that I am reminded of how important it is and how much my soul yearns for and needs that time. And I know that Jesus found that time, even though it was hard to come by. Hard to carve out those sacred moments of alone time.
And sometimes I'm good at trying. Sometimes I find myself on my deck with a book (which ends up not being as wonderful as I imagined it might be) and settle down in a chair and the phone rings, a guest needs help finding a camping spot. And so I go, because my time is not only my own but more importantly because I care. And I care deeply for the people who come to this place and their time here.
But then I try again... deck, chair, heavy eyes... this time with the cherry chocolate chunk Haagen-Dazs ice cream (aka: a little bit of heaven!). A bit of deliciousness to enjoy during the few moments of quiet.
In the next few weeks I hope to find more mini-moments for the restful, sacred, needed places of quiet and alone time. And I hope to find more moments of conversation, sharing and laughter with friends. Why? Because I need to for my self-care and overall well-being and because I need to show myself that I can engage in work and ministry that calls for my time and attention minute after minute and also have the ability to pause.
To breathe.
To stop.
To rest.
To pray.
To sleep.
To be.
That I can find the balance and that the balance can be good.
(this may take a lot of cherry chocolate chunk ice cream! :) )
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Pizza Dough Recipe
Pizza Making... Gluten Free
So, I love to bake and I love to cook. I also fully believe that our young people (in today's case my family) should be engaged in the process of this creative creating. And that can't be fully enjoyed without some level of chaos!
I also love pizza. Like seriously, if someone would give me permission to eat pizza everyday I probably would. Pepperoni and mushroom; chicken, spinach and feta; spinach, artichoke and feta; roasted garlic, chicken, pesto... the list goes on and on. Mushrooms, olives, pepperoni, chicken, spinach and lots of cheese.
So, the fact that I love to bake and cook and that I love pizza means that when the kids come over I love to make pizza with them. And there is nothing as exciting as making personal sized pizza - each making there own! (Okay, I make the dough!)
I make a gluten free pizza dough because I can. Because at one time my love for baking was disappearing as it was just not challenging enough. I knew the ingredients I mixed in the bowl would turn out - there was no uncertainty in it. The excitement is back as I keep trying out recipes with flours and ingredients that I know nothing about and stir mixtures with this slight fear that it might all flop (that wouldn't be the first time!).
Okay, now that is all out of the way - back to what is most important!
This is the best pizza dough I've made to date, so, so good! And it was easy. It is a yeast dough (my last recipes have not been) so deciding to make it 30 minutes before dinner will not work. It will require the necessary rising time! I commend this recipe to you - currently I'm planning on baking some more and freezing it for those days when I decide it's a pizza night 30 minutes before dinner.
I made two batches which made five personal pizza's out of it.
The recipe is below but be sure to visit Nicole's website: www.glutenfreeonashoestring.com and the direct link to the recipe here.
Enjoy!!
Pizza Dough
2 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour
1 1/2 teaspoons xanthan gum
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup warm water (about 100 degrees F)
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (plus an extra tablespoon or two for drizzling)
1. In a medium-size bowl or the bowl of your food processor, place the flour, xanthan gum, yeast, sugar, and salt and stir to combine.
2. To the flour mixture, add the 3 tablespoons of olive oil and the water in a steady stream, either pulsing in a food processor or mixing with a spoon or fork to combine. If you are using a food processor, pulse while streaming in the water, until a ball begins to form. Otherwise, stir constantly while streaming in the water and continue stirring until the mixture begins to come together. If the dough seems super sticky, add some more flour a tablespoon at a time, and stir or pulse to combine. Press the dough into a disk.
3. Place the dough in another medium-size bowl and drizzle it with olive oil. Turn the dough to coat it with oil. This will prevent a crust from forming on the dough while it is rising. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in a warm, draft-free area to rise until doubled in volume (about 1 hour).
4. After the dough has risen, wrap it in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour before rolling it out.
5. To make pizza, roll between two pieces of plastic wrap. Create a crust by rolling in the edges, brush the dough with olive oil, and blind bake it at about 400 degrees F (that is, bake it plain, before topping it) for 5 to 7 minutes, sot he crust begins to crisp. Then, top it with sauce, cheese, and whatever else you have in the fridge, and return it to the hot oven until the cheese is melted, another 5 to 7 minutes.
 |
| Aaron and Taylor choose toppings |
I also love pizza. Like seriously, if someone would give me permission to eat pizza everyday I probably would. Pepperoni and mushroom; chicken, spinach and feta; spinach, artichoke and feta; roasted garlic, chicken, pesto... the list goes on and on. Mushrooms, olives, pepperoni, chicken, spinach and lots of cheese.
So, the fact that I love to bake and cook and that I love pizza means that when the kids come over I love to make pizza with them. And there is nothing as exciting as making personal sized pizza - each making there own! (Okay, I make the dough!)
 |
| Ready for the oven |
Okay, now that is all out of the way - back to what is most important!
 |
| Pizza's done baking |
I made two batches which made five personal pizza's out of it.
The recipe is below but be sure to visit Nicole's website: www.glutenfreeonashoestring.com and the direct link to the recipe here.
Enjoy!!
Pizza Dough
2 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour
1 1/2 teaspoons xanthan gum
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup warm water (about 100 degrees F)
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (plus an extra tablespoon or two for drizzling)
1. In a medium-size bowl or the bowl of your food processor, place the flour, xanthan gum, yeast, sugar, and salt and stir to combine.
2. To the flour mixture, add the 3 tablespoons of olive oil and the water in a steady stream, either pulsing in a food processor or mixing with a spoon or fork to combine. If you are using a food processor, pulse while streaming in the water, until a ball begins to form. Otherwise, stir constantly while streaming in the water and continue stirring until the mixture begins to come together. If the dough seems super sticky, add some more flour a tablespoon at a time, and stir or pulse to combine. Press the dough into a disk.
3. Place the dough in another medium-size bowl and drizzle it with olive oil. Turn the dough to coat it with oil. This will prevent a crust from forming on the dough while it is rising. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in a warm, draft-free area to rise until doubled in volume (about 1 hour).
4. After the dough has risen, wrap it in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour before rolling it out.
5. To make pizza, roll between two pieces of plastic wrap. Create a crust by rolling in the edges, brush the dough with olive oil, and blind bake it at about 400 degrees F (that is, bake it plain, before topping it) for 5 to 7 minutes, sot he crust begins to crisp. Then, top it with sauce, cheese, and whatever else you have in the fridge, and return it to the hot oven until the cheese is melted, another 5 to 7 minutes.
 |
| Enjoy your Pizza! |
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Wordless Wednesday
I love this photo. Taylor took it when the kids were at my house in Sorrento a few weeks ago. Doesn't it just say everything that needs to be said?
Ten on Tuesday: Merry Christmas!
Ten on Tuesday being completed on Wednesday!
2) We had a white Christmas all around. My home in Sorrento has tons and tons of snow and the family home in Savona also has lots of lovely snow. It really is beautiful.
3) On Saturday I got to shovel some snow from in front of the Cathedral. I know this should sound tedious and like a chore but it actually was a lovely break from the "normal". It was nice to do repetitive activity - the night was quiet and peaceful. The slowly falling snow had stopped. And the geese sang their lovely song high above the thick fog. Following this peace filled activity was the Holy Table Holy Word service at the Cathedral filled with scripture, song, silence and the sharing of the Holy Meal.
4) The kids spent two weekends with me over the month of December - it was so wonderful to have them up in Sorrento, to have fun with them and to spend hours of play in lots and lots of snow! I'll write more about this in the coming week or so as well as share the pizza recipe that we tackled with great success!
5) Christmas Eve was a marvelous night at the Cathedral with a very simple and yet oh so amazing sharing of the Christmas story by our children. I loved it. And I loved even more how many children who are not from the Cathedral community joined us in telling the story... how many children felt comfortable enough to join us in that story sharing. This is Christmas.
6) It will never be "normal" to attend Christmas Eve services on my own without my family, but I am so grateful for the family I have in the Cathedral community. The family with whom I don't feel so alone.
7) My family gathered together in Kamloops for Christmas Eve celebrations that were fun, high energy and filled with excited children. It was a lot, a lot of good but also just simply "a lot" at the same time.
8) Christmas Day started with sleeping in until 8am - this was a first and oh so very much appreciated. And of course the day was filled with piles of wrapping paper, much joy and excitement and a delicious dinner.
9) This is the first Christmas in a few years that has all of us children together. It's great and of course has also resulted in family photo taking... photos soon!
10) I'm kind of glad that the "big-major-crazy" part of Christmas is over so that the slower pace of the celebration of the birth of the little babe can be enjoyed.
 |
| The view outside my patio windows. |
1) Firstly, Merry Christmas!!
2) We had a white Christmas all around. My home in Sorrento has tons and tons of snow and the family home in Savona also has lots of lovely snow. It really is beautiful.
3) On Saturday I got to shovel some snow from in front of the Cathedral. I know this should sound tedious and like a chore but it actually was a lovely break from the "normal". It was nice to do repetitive activity - the night was quiet and peaceful. The slowly falling snow had stopped. And the geese sang their lovely song high above the thick fog. Following this peace filled activity was the Holy Table Holy Word service at the Cathedral filled with scripture, song, silence and the sharing of the Holy Meal.
4) The kids spent two weekends with me over the month of December - it was so wonderful to have them up in Sorrento, to have fun with them and to spend hours of play in lots and lots of snow! I'll write more about this in the coming week or so as well as share the pizza recipe that we tackled with great success!
5) Christmas Eve was a marvelous night at the Cathedral with a very simple and yet oh so amazing sharing of the Christmas story by our children. I loved it. And I loved even more how many children who are not from the Cathedral community joined us in telling the story... how many children felt comfortable enough to join us in that story sharing. This is Christmas.
6) It will never be "normal" to attend Christmas Eve services on my own without my family, but I am so grateful for the family I have in the Cathedral community. The family with whom I don't feel so alone.
7) My family gathered together in Kamloops for Christmas Eve celebrations that were fun, high energy and filled with excited children. It was a lot, a lot of good but also just simply "a lot" at the same time.
8) Christmas Day started with sleeping in until 8am - this was a first and oh so very much appreciated. And of course the day was filled with piles of wrapping paper, much joy and excitement and a delicious dinner.
9) This is the first Christmas in a few years that has all of us children together. It's great and of course has also resulted in family photo taking... photos soon!
10) I'm kind of glad that the "big-major-crazy" part of Christmas is over so that the slower pace of the celebration of the birth of the little babe can be enjoyed.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Ten on Tuesday: Changes
Nothing like almost four months down the road to pick up where I left off... only now summer has past, new adventures have started, a new routine is trying to be discovered, fall has settled in and winter is around the corner. Where oh where do I start off? How about in the past week?!
Ten on Tuesday
1) I've been settling into not only the job as Program Director at Sorrento Centre over the past month but have also been settling into my apartment over the past few weeks. It's coming together but will not happen overnight. A few items still need to come in from Savona... nevertheless it is so nice to have my own space to call home. My own space to make mine. My own space to be who I need to be outside of the rest of my life. Rest, Renewal, Sleep, Peace, Prayer.
2) Cooking... oh how I truly have missed cooking. This week I made some delicious beef patties with mushroom and feta in them. Enjoyed on top of a bed of green spinach and I was set! Tonight "Spinach Tomato Orzo Soup" is in my crock pot... so looking forward to enjoying that tonight!
3) Speaking of all things cooking... it's vital to get some stuff into the freezer so I can pull it out and take it with me for lunch and/or dinner during the many trips to Kamloops I'm making.
4) Last week I spent five days in the Calgary area gathering with representatives from each diocese of people who have a passion for working with youth. It was wonderful to gather with friends and colleagues. It was much needed time of sharing, conversation, worship, laughter and rest.
5) I'm not going to lie... one of the best parts of my resent time in Calgary was spending time with my friend Su from the Island and her 10 month old baby, Theo. I'll be bold enough to say that Theo and I became pretty good friends and had way too much fun playing with toys, crawling on the ground, and laughing. There is something about spending time with infants that reminds me of what is really important in life and how some things are really just not worth our time.
6) Youth Group - it's all happening again!! Some new ideas, some new adventures, some new faces and a whole lot of similar fun!!
7) A new church experience. I've been helping out with Sunday School here and there at the Cathedral during the 10am service. Sunday School is where I started out many years ago in the small town of Savona. It's where I learned about God, it's where I discovered my passion, it's where a group of adults believed in me, mentored me, and encouraged me - even though I didn't know I needed it. 8 years of Sunday School ministry and I'm once again dipping my toes into it and loving it. Right, back to the point. Because of this it means that I miss the scripture reading and reflection at the 10am service... so I've started to attend the 8am service (when I'm organized enough). This service is Book of Common Prayer, an unfamiliar book with unfamiliar and sometimes uncomfortable language.
8) I think I'm enjoying this 8am service thing. Yes, that is what I just wrote. There is something nice about the simplicity of it (no music, no interaction with neighbor, etc...), the unfamiliarity and the fact that I have no responsibilities and no one has any expectations for me (well, except maybe God). I sit in that small chapel with the small gathered group and I stop. I pause. I breathe. And sometimes, I just want to cry. It's the break I obviously need right now.
9) I have some pretty remarkable, caring and influential friends out there... just saying!
10) I slowly but surly beginning to feel settled for which I am very grateful.
Ten on Tuesday
 |
| Fall at Sorrento Centre |
2) Cooking... oh how I truly have missed cooking. This week I made some delicious beef patties with mushroom and feta in them. Enjoyed on top of a bed of green spinach and I was set! Tonight "Spinach Tomato Orzo Soup" is in my crock pot... so looking forward to enjoying that tonight!
3) Speaking of all things cooking... it's vital to get some stuff into the freezer so I can pull it out and take it with me for lunch and/or dinner during the many trips to Kamloops I'm making.
4) Last week I spent five days in the Calgary area gathering with representatives from each diocese of people who have a passion for working with youth. It was wonderful to gather with friends and colleagues. It was much needed time of sharing, conversation, worship, laughter and rest.
 |
| Play time with Theo!! |
6) Youth Group - it's all happening again!! Some new ideas, some new adventures, some new faces and a whole lot of similar fun!!
7) A new church experience. I've been helping out with Sunday School here and there at the Cathedral during the 10am service. Sunday School is where I started out many years ago in the small town of Savona. It's where I learned about God, it's where I discovered my passion, it's where a group of adults believed in me, mentored me, and encouraged me - even though I didn't know I needed it. 8 years of Sunday School ministry and I'm once again dipping my toes into it and loving it. Right, back to the point. Because of this it means that I miss the scripture reading and reflection at the 10am service... so I've started to attend the 8am service (when I'm organized enough). This service is Book of Common Prayer, an unfamiliar book with unfamiliar and sometimes uncomfortable language.
8) I think I'm enjoying this 8am service thing. Yes, that is what I just wrote. There is something nice about the simplicity of it (no music, no interaction with neighbor, etc...), the unfamiliarity and the fact that I have no responsibilities and no one has any expectations for me (well, except maybe God). I sit in that small chapel with the small gathered group and I stop. I pause. I breathe. And sometimes, I just want to cry. It's the break I obviously need right now.
9) I have some pretty remarkable, caring and influential friends out there... just saying!
10) I slowly but surly beginning to feel settled for which I am very grateful.
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