Friday, December 7, 2018

Of Cupcakes, Waffles and Kid's Camp 2018


“Uncle Ivan, would Aunty Soon Ling and you be able to provide us cupcakes and waffles for the Children Church Camp this coming Saturday?” That was the message from Daniel Teo, our illustrious and hardworking church worker sometime on Monday night who together with a team of dedicated teachers, parents and helpers planned for an awesome camp for the children. It was always an honour being able to help out in whatever way we could and it was a DEFINITE YES from our family.

For this endeavor, Soon Ling and SYuen seemed exasperated if they could remember the right recipe for the cupcake and it was hilarious seeing mother and daughter racking their head looking for the right recipe for the cupcakes. Yeah, though it looked as though I got the waffles batter in the bag, I was also cracking my head if I could remember the recipe as well. Yeah, no need to have 3 persons in calamity and panic mode in a house, right? 

So, I acted cool as though I have the recipe in my head while the two women finally got their acts together and went into baking mode. Well, they came up with chocolate cupcake and it was a surprisingly good one. Trial cupcake baking days before the actual baking made sure that I had some mighty fine cupcake to eat. It was moist, choc-filled and nice. There were big smiles all the way at the ladies faces for a great trial baking done before the actual crunch of baking approximately 70 pieces of cupcakes for the children.

On Friday afternoon, SLing and SYuen started the ingredients preparation works and actual baking. Each batch of cupcake batter produced 12 pieces of chocolate chip cupcakes. SLing merticulously scooped in the batter and arranged the Hershey teardrop chocolates on the cupcakes while SYuen prepares the cupcake batter. I must admit that I was away at work while these two ladies hammered it out at the kitchen. 
When I got home that evening, I had bought dinner for the two ladies and the entire household permeates sweet smelling butter and freshly bakes cupcakes. What a delight indeed! I knew that SLing and SYuen would do their best for the children and I have told them many times that when the hearts are at ease, happy and giving, the end result of the cupcakes will be good too.

When the last cupcakes rolled out from the oven, I had the distinction of tasting the moist, succulent and fluffy little chocolate chip cupcake! Nice, really nice.

As SLing and SYuen headed out to the camp site with the cupcakes on Saturday morning, I was up early to search on the family’s trusty recipe book for the waffles recipe which I had kept for some time. I found it after some time and it was preparation time. Got the ingredients ready and by afternoon, I started my waffles ingredients process. I guess, I had over-estimated the portions and did 9 portions which I later came to know to be quite a lot. 

But never mind, the most important thing is to keep the children, teachers and helpers to be happy and well fed. Slowly but steadily I managed to churn out the batter and soon, I‘ve got to have SLing’s help to pour the batter into the container. After getting it all done, I slumped on the sofa and watched a Korean movie on TV before getting ready to leave for the campsite.

Soon, it was time to set up my battle station to churn out the waffles. With help from Jarren, SYuen and SLing, it wasn’t long before we started making the waffles laced with PB&J (peanut butter & jam ) It was fun and felt good feeding the children and adult alike. 

But as the children and adult had dinner earlier, it wasn’t easy to feed the children with more food such as popcorn, cupcakes and waffles for supper before they go off to bed! They would be hyper-active with sugary overload, man!

Anyway, SLing and I just rolled out the waffles as fast as we could while it seemed incredibly suspicious that the waffles pile did not seemed to be piled up even though we have got them out at a rather okay speed! Ahahahahahahaaa……Never mind, the adults and helpers deserve their share as they have worked very hard and very dedicatedly, I must say. 

There were a lot of laughter, teasing and fun going around as we prepare the waffles. That’s what good fellowship meant. After seeing the children and adult eating the waffles and so on, it was a perfect way to end the day. We started out of the day with a smile and we ended it with a greater smile. Even though, we can’t do much to help in the camp but we gave our best in our cupcakes and waffles. I guess, that is what makes our hearts feel lighter and happier.

I guess, we were just too tired after reaching home that night but happy that we can serve in whatever capacity to make the camp a more meaningful one. Yeah, I do miss the Royal Rangers days…..a lot.  It just goes to show – once a Ranger; always a Ranger! PEACE, all.

Simple Basic Waffles Recipe

2 cups of all purpose flour
2 cups of full cream milk
2 cups of cooking oil
3 eggs ( beat the eggs )
1 tablespoon of sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
2 teaspoon of baking powder
2 teaspoon of vanilla essence

How to get the batter done:-

Mix the ingredients into a big bowl, mix them well together with love and a big smile on your face. Keep your fingers crossed and pray that the waffles will come out just as beautiful!~


No comments: