Peru Team Pancake Breakfast - Part 1

Friday, January 3rd. 

A cold evening. 

John B and 4 of his children gathered into the kitchen of Calvin CRC to begin, once again, the process of preparing for Calvin's yearly Pancake Breakfast.  

This year the Peru Team were the hosts. 

John is once again our main cook.  He has a vested interest this year, as 5 of his family members are on the Peru Team.  : ) 

It all starts with cutting the purchased fruit
 into smaller pieces.   

And rinsing the fruit. 

The five hard at work in the Calvin kitchen hive. 

Lucy's still smiling. 

Don't the strawberries look wonderful.  Such colour. 

Apples 

Blueberries  

It looks like Samantha isn't really enjoying the rinsing of the blueberries.  

Yes Lucy....looks good. 

The work goes on and on.  : )

The finished product. 

Ready to be wrapped and put in the fridge till morning. 

And morning comes sooner than we want at times.  

Everyone started to filter into the building by 6 am.  

Sarah and Laura are getting the donation envelopes ready.  

A VERY important task.  :) 

Hey Christopher. You look wide awake. : ) 

The fruit is ready to be placed on the tables....

...No wait!  The tables haven't been set up yet. 

Miranda has joined the Donation preparation team. 

Hey Wilma.  How goes the coffee making?

Banana's are the last fruit to be added on the day of... 

...otherwise they get way too mushy.  : ) 

It was also time to take down the Christmas tree,
 so I got this group to help with that.  

Ben is a tall guy. 

The tree was much taller.  : )

Sheila hard at work.  

This is the way we fold the napkins, fold the napkins... : ) 

Nice job table setter upper people.  

Close up view.  

Ah...time for some test blueberry pancakes.  

Don't look so happy Tobie. 

Bea is enjoying herself at least. 

We also served OJ. 

Bernadette and Amy getting the REAL syrup ready. 

We also had other syrup too...apparently some people don't like REAL syrup.  Go figure.  

I needed a morning cup of coffee to get the blood flowing.  

Ah Mina.  Always smiling.  

First set of pancakes completed.  

I get to try them.  Sweet! 

So did Tobie.  They were very good.  

We are getting ready to go.  

This is the way we make the OJ, 

make the OJ. 

Time for a brief break.  The calm before the storm. 

John, you look tired....Lucy...even worse.  : )

Mina and I catching up on life.

It's been a while since I've seen you Mina. 

Missed you.  

Ben.....being.....Ben! 

Thanks Ben, for helping take the tree down.  

Amy making sure the coffee keeps perking.  

And the tree keeps on disappearing.  

A nice greeting as you come in the door.  

This table is reserved for our 9 am sitting. 

Sid and extended family of 13 set to come.  

Bea, "No really, I do know how to make pancakes....really...!"

Ben.....being....

Ben!  : )

Keep that coffee coming!!!!!!

Ben does play a serious role in the kitchen.  

Makes the pannekoeken mix for John.  Needs to be JUST right.  

I love the sight of blueberries.  

Mina...where'd you go..bahahaha

Father/son time.  

Time to gather the group and go over details so things run smoothly.  

Hmmmmm, they don't look like they are listening....

do they?  : )

Oh, Simon is..Q/A time.  

Remember Ron, when you point, there are always three fingers pointing back at you.....

John also wanted to make sure the kitchen crew knew what to do.  

He must have cracked a joke or something. 

John...this is serious business...cut that out.  : )

A quiet kitchen...not for long!

Um, Dad....what happens if a whole bunch of egg shells got into the mix....? 

John.....they'll be able to floss while eating...

bahahaha...seriously, I made that joke up.  

Three friends relaxing before the guests arrive. 

Three more friends doing the same thing.  

John keeps things moving.  

Now Ben....this is how much oil you need in the measuring cup......

And this is the oil.  

And this is how you pour it properly.  

Leave it to Ben to.....

...figure out a unique way to pour milk.  

Everyone relaxed...they'll need the rest.  

It's ok Bea...calm down....

You will be allowed to make the Blueberry pancakes.

Breath deep....bahahaha...sorry Bea...couldn't resist.  

Sheila always has fun.  

I like Sheila.  

Cindy brought her espresso machine for our breakfast.  Looks like Mina and Michelle are wanting a sample. 

Mina can hardly wait.  

Almost ready.  

Sharing time.  

Sooooo, who wants to tell a joke????

You are all looking WAY too serious. 

Yes, Simon...it's EARLY!  

Whew, Bea is smiling again.....

Time for me to sit down for a minute. 

There are those who might say that I haven't yet done anything.......bahahaha...

Eggs...Eggs....and more Eggs.  

We go through a lot of eggs.  

Cindy and Michelle.  

Good Friends. 

You'll make great memories today, and while in Peru.  

Count on it.  : ) 

The pancake making begins.  

There is talent to making good blueberry pancakes.  

What a smile.  

Hmmmmm....smile?  : ) 

Simon was on dish detail. 

Maybe that's why he wasn't smiling.  

Just before our guests arrived some people decided to have some fun on the carts. 

I'm not seeing this......

Safety first! 

Looks like they are having fun at least.  

We are getting close.  John has started his test batches of pannekoeken (I'm sure I'm not spelling this right).  

Everyone still having fun.  

Good!

The weather outside was getting frightful. 

I was getting fearful that some people might cancel. 

Cancel?  From our pancake breakfast...

It would take a blizzard to keep people away....woudn't it? 

Last minute details.  

Interesting face...

I hope Mikayla will use a slightly better facial expression for our guests?  

Ahhhh!!!....Ben......

Our FIRST guests this year.  

Time to sit and enjoy the morning.  

Mel joined Mina and Mikayla....

Hey....M & M & M!

I've had it...I'm going home! 

Just kidding....I love it here!!!

So apropos to have my face as the ending of part 1 of our fundraiser event.
Bahahahahaha  : )