Hope Community
  • Home
  • Find Help
  • Blog
  • Media
  • TUESDAY EVENING CHAT

Christmas Eve – Lighting of the Christ Candle

12/24/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
We have gathered at this wreath
all this Advent season to light candles.

We claim that Emmanuel, God with us
is Light and Darkness in a world
that must work and rest
be generous and self-careful,
experience tears and laughter,
in order to share
both the hurt and humor of others.
from the deep place of knowing it.

Let us light these candles on this holy night.

I light the candle of hope,
and hopelessness cannot hide.

I light the candle of peace,
and expose hatred as fear turned inside out.

I light the candle of joy,
and everyone is welcome with a smile,
a moment of beauty or wonder.

I light the candle of love,
and hands are clasped around the world.

THIS IS CHRISTMAS
The evergreen singing aloud its poem of constant renewal,
The festive mood spreading lilting magic everywhere,
The gifts of recollection calling to heart the graces of life,
The star in the sky calling to mind the wisdom of hope,
The warmth of candlelight glowing against the darkness,
The birth of a child linking past to future,
The symbol of love absorbing all violence
THIS IS CHRISTMAS
(Howard Thurman)

0 Comments

The Sunday Brunch Advent/Yule week 4

12/19/2021

1 Comment

 
Picture
It's Sunday so you know what that means! It's the Sunday Brunch. We have our final candle liturgy for yule this year from Howard Thurman. Lindsay shares her amazing Brown Sugar Oatmeal Cookie recipe. We also have the latest Book Brunch (which has a link to our very own  Chandler Cox's new book, Sunday Setlist, MMM That's Good Coffee (or Tea) and the Song of the Week. Bon Appetit!

Song of the week

​Fourth Sunday in yule/advent

I will light four candles
and I will be willing to light
every taper in my life,
for love asks for all that is needed
and then … for everything else,

for this is how incarnation happens,
how God comes.

We light four candles
or a hundred or a thousand more
whatever it takes
to remind ourselves to live in love.

As ordinary and gentle as the holy welcome
that turns the world upside down,
comes hope, peace, joy, and love
to illuminate our Advent.

I will light Candles this Christmas,
Candles of joy despite all the sadness,
Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,
Candles of courage for fears ever present,
Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,
Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens,
Candles of love to inspire all my living,
Candles that will burn all year long.

(Howard Thurman)
Picture

Picture

The Book Brunch

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

mmm that's good coffee (or tea)

Picture
Kroger Special Roast Medium Roast Ground Coffee
Ok - I know what you are thinking - "there is know way this is good. You guys drink way too much coffee from crazy places to dig Kroger coffee. Right?" Well, you are wrong. This is a great everyday cup coffee. Add some cream and sugar and you are ready to rock. ​
From the Kroger Website:
Special days call for a special kind of coffee, so we named our Special Roast accordingly. The canister packaging means better freshness and easier access—just what you need for your first cup of the day. Our Special Roast is full-bodied, enticing, and as deeply delicious black as with a touch of cream and sugar.

Makes about 225 cups
Medium roast
Perfect hot or cold, and in coffee drinks: try a latte or cappuccino
Convenient canister packaging
Refrigerate after opening to preserve freshness
1 Comment

The Sunday Brunch - Advent/Yule week 3

12/11/2021

1 Comment

 
Picture
It's Sunday, so you know what that means. It's the Sunday Brunch. It's almost CHRISTMAS!!! This week we have another Yule/Advent Candle Liturgy from Howard Thurman.  This weeks recipe is Anthony Bourdain's famous Les Halles Fries.  Then we have a fresh set list, book brunch, MMM That's good coffee (or tea) and the song of the week.  Here we go - Bon Appetite.


Third Sunday in Yule/Advent
Here is a little Liturgy you can use as you light the Second Yule/Advent Candle. Gather round the advent wreath and light the first and second candles. Read the liturgy and then ask everyone to share what Joy means to them. Close with everyone sharing one thing they are thankful for

I will light three candles
to sparkle with joy.
For God lights constellations
and the tips of angel wings
light years far away,
and light years as near as breath.

and the lights that say ­
this is a home that welcomes all,
every age, race, education,
ability, orientation, ethnic origin,
gender identity, job status,

old friend or stranger becoming new one,
those who claim their history
and their identity,
others who close their lips to listen
and feel the joy in their hearts.

We raise three candles,
and know we cannot do it by ourselves
for each of us have only two hands.

For ordinary, available, gentle, brave,
and with wide-open doors,
is the hope, peace and joy of Advent.

I will light Candles this Christmas,
Candles of joy despite all the sadness,
Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,
Candles of courage for fears ever present,
Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,
Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens,
Candles of love to inspire all my living,
Candles that will burn all year long. (Howard Thurman)

Happy xmas (war is over)

So this is Christmas and what have you done?
Another year over, a new one just begun.
And so this is Christmas, I hope you have fun,
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy new year,
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong,
(War is over if you want it)
For the rich and the poor ones,
The road is so long.
(War is over now)
Picture

The Book Brunch
Picture
Picture
Picture
MMM That's Good Coffee (Or Tea)
Picture
Brimming with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and cloves, this adventurous blend is our caffeine-free interpretation of chai, the piquant Indian brew traditionally made with black tea. Try it with milk and sugar for a true chai experience.

How to Make Bourdain's French Fries from Les Halles:

Picture
The legendary Anthony Bourdain spent years serving some of the best no-nonsense French brasserie food at Les Halles in New York, including their famous French fries.

"We're famous for our French fries at Les Halles. Many have said that we make the best fries in New York. Naturally, I agree," Bourdain wrote in his first collection of recipes, Anthony Bourdain's Les Halles Cookbook: Strategies, Recipes, and Techniques of Classic Bistro Cooking.


Total Prep: Serves 4

Ingredients

4 Idaho potatoes, big, long ones

2 quarts or more peanut oil to fill fryer (or pot)

Table salt

Equipment

2 large bowls

Deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot Skimmer or wire basket (if using a pot)

Baking sheet

Towel

Step 1: Prep

Fill a large bowl with ice water. Peel the potatoes and cut them into 1/2-inch thick sticks. Put them immediately into the bowl of ice water to keep them from oxidizing. Leave them in the water anywhere from 30 minutes to overnight, then rinse well in cold water to take out a large amount of the starch.

Step 2: Blanch

In a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot, heat the oil to 280°F and cook the potatoes in batches, about 6 to 8 minutes for each batch, until they are soft and their color has paled from opaque white to a semi-translucent white. Do not get impatient and yank them out early. Remove them from the oil with the skimmer or wire basket and spread evenly on the baking sheet. Let them rest at least 15 minutes.

Step 3: Fry

Bring the oil up to 375°F, no hotter, no cooler. Fry the blanched potatoes in batches for 2 to 3 minutes, each, or until they are crispy and golden brown. Remove from the oil with the skimmer or wire basket, shake off the excess oil.

Step 4: Serve

Immediately drop the fries into the other large bowl, which has been lined with a clean, dry towel. Add salt to taste and whip out the towel. Toss the fries around in the bowl and serve while still hot.



1 Comment

The Sunday Brunch - Advent/Yule week 2

12/3/2021

2 Comments

 
Picture
It's Sunday, so you know what that means. It's the Sunday Brunch. This week we have another Yule/Advent Candle Liturgy from Howard Thurman. We also have a grilled cheese with pesto and prosciutto sandwich from the Stanley Tucci cookbook (yes that Stanley Tucci and yes it is delicious).  Then we have a fresh set list, book brunch, MMM That's good coffee (or tea) and the song of the week. Here we go - Bon Appetite.

Song of the week

Picture

Second Sunday in Yule/Advent

The Set List

Here is a little Liturgy you can use as you light the Second Yule/Advent Candle. Gather round the advent wreath and light the first and second candles. Read the liturgy and then ask everyone to share what Peace means to them. Close with everyone sharing one thing they are thankful for.

I light two candles this week
to illuminate peace.

For as God lights both gentle dawn
and a slash of lightning strike,
we affirm all the ways we seek peace –

kind persuasion with eye contact,
and a justice march with big signs,
a silent vigil of prayer and fasting,
and the gift of food, toys, or dignity
for the most vulnerable,
our quiet visits to therapist or recovery group,
and loud demands to change gun laws.

We light two candles so we will listen
to the angel mandate of ‘Peace on Earth.’

For ordinary, available, gentle and brave,
are the hope and peace of Advent.

I will light Candles this Christmas,
Candles of joy despite all the sadness,
Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,
Candles of courage for fears ever present,
Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,
Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens,
Candles of love to inspire all my living,
Candles that will burn all year long.
​(Howard Thurman)

Peace on Earth/ Little Drummer boy
​Bing Crosby & David Bowie

Peace on Earth, can it be?
Years from now, perhaps we’ll see
See the day of glory
See the day when men of goodwill
Live in peace, live in peace again.
Peace on Earth, can it be?

Every child must be made aware
Every child must be made to care
Care enough for his fellow man
To give all the love that he can.

I pray my wish will come true
For my child and your child, too
He’ll see the day of glory
He’ll see the day when men of goodwill
Live in peace, live in peace again
Peace on Earth, can it be?

Grilled Cheese with Pesto and Prosciutto

SIDE NOTE: This is from the Tucci Table Cookbook by Stanley Tucci. I (Mic) have always been a huge fan of Tucci's movies but when I discovered his Searching for Italy series on CNN I started checking out his cook book. My love for all things Tucci runs deep LOL -  Lindsay even go me a signed copy of his book "Taste: My Life Through Food".  But this simple recipe is LEGIT! Check it out:
Picture
Ingredients (for one sandwich)
1 Tablespoon Pesto Sauce
2 Slices of Good Italian Bread
2 to 4 Slices of Good Melting Cheese
(Mozzarella, Soft Pecorino, or American)
2 to 3 Slices Prosciutto
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

1. Spread the pesto on one side of each slice of bread. Layer the cheese and prosciutto over the pesto and close the sandwich, pressing down firmly.

2. In a heavy cast iron pan, heat the olive oil, When its nice and hot, place the sandwich in the pan and press down on the sandwich with a spatula so you get a good, compact grilled sandwich. Cook foe 2 to 3 minutes, then flip it press down with the spatula until you have crisp, golden bread and oozing cheese. 


The Book Brunch

Picture
Picture
Picture

MMM that's good coffee (or tea)

kenya muthuzuuni AA from Bridge City Coffee

This is so good, Honestly one of the best bags of coffee I have ever had. You can't go wrong with anything from Bridge City but this bag is a must!

Producers: Muthuzuuni Farmers Association - Smallholder Farm
Roast Degree: Light - Medium
Yum! We Taste Notes Of: Cherry, Grapefruit, and Floral
Picture
2 Comments

    Hope is here

    Welcome. We are honored you stopped by to check us out. Please, pull up a chair and hang out for a while. We value your presence and conversation. Feel free to message us any questions or thoughts you may have.

    Archives

    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Find Help
  • Blog
  • Media
  • TUESDAY EVENING CHAT