Monday Musings #3

Travels, Tea Parties, and Books

I never tire of seeing Mount Robson looming over the Yellowhead Highway in British Columbia. We passed it on our trips to Briercrest College despite the view often being hidden by clouds or falling snow. Later, we led our church youth group on multi-day hikes, ascending 800 metres to Berg Lake, 21 kilometres from the trail head. Good memories in the midst of God’s grandeur.

We just returned from a two-week trip out to Alberta to see family, attend a wedding, and a 50th anniversary celebration. Before all the visiting we stopped at Mount Robson for a night, then hiked a short leg of the trail to Kinney Lake, seen above. I think it’s just as beautiful as famed Lake Louise, and certainly less crowded, probably because of the effort required to see it.

We traveled across the water from our Island, through lush coastal mountains and a dry interior plateau before following the North Thompson River north and crossing into Alberta just after Mount Robson. Then through the Icefields (such magnificence) and into the prairie where golden canola fields grow. The weather we experienced was as varied as the landscape, hot and humid, crisp and cool, pouring rain, and wild thunderstorms. And thousands of mosquitoes!

Everywhere we went I was reminded of the Psalmist who said, “you (God) give them drink from your river of delights.” So much beauty to fill my eyes and soul.

I took a break from the computer and spent time reading. Two books that I particularly enjoyed are Dear Miss Lake by A J Pearce, and A False and Fatal Claim by Iona Wishaw. Both novels are easy reading, perfect for vacation.

Lane Winslow is a British citizen who comes to live in the Kootenay region of British Columbia after the second world war. This is the latest book in the series and Lane has the luck (good or bad) of finding murder victims and helping the local police solve the mystery. The series reminds me of Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dodds books.

Dear Miss Lake (DML) is the fourth and final book of a series set during World War II in London. Emmy Lake is a magazine columnist who addresses social issues particular to the war years. Her life intertwines with the column she writes and the result is a novel of friendship, fun, tears, and romance. A J Pearce also writes an engaging monthly newsletter called Notes of Cheer here on Substack.

After arriving home on Sunday, I’ve unpacked the camping trailer, done the laundry, looked at the jungle in the garden, and enjoyed the company of two young grandchildren for the day. They love tea parties and asked to make madeleines. How could I say no?

The madeleine recipe is from Will Torrent’s Patisserie at Home.

Honey and Vanilla Madeleines

• 125 g butter

  100 g icing sugar

  40 g ground almonds (almond flour)

  40 g flour

  a pinch of salt

  3 large egg whites

  2 teaspoons honey

  grated zest of 2 lemons (I usually use just one)

  1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Put the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until golden brown, but do not let the butter burn. Remove from the heat and cool completely to room temperature. (I cheat a little with this since little girls are quite impatient.)

Sift the sugar, almonds, flour, and salt into a mixing bowl. Whisk in the egg whites, honey, lemon zest, and vanilla. Finally, whisk in the browned butter.

Cover the bowl and chill for 30-40 minutes. (Again, I cheat with the time.) Pipe or spoon the mixture into a greased madeleine pan. Chill for another 20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (170C). Bake the madeleines for 10-15 minutes. Allow to cool in the pan.

The girls have fun dusting the madeleines with icing sugar before arranging them on a plate. Delicious with tea!

As more people finish reading my recently published book Life is Short but Wide, I’ve been encouraged by their comments. Some have found it eye-opening regarding cross-cultural life, others have enjoyed the family stories, and others have been surprised by the dramatic events we experienced during our time in Ecuador. An honest review always helps an author!

I’ll close with a quotation from one of my favourite authors, L. M. Montgomery who wrote Anne of Green Gables.

“There be three gentle and goodlie things,

To be here,

To be together,

And to think well of each other.”