It’s the kind of easy you feel on a Sunday morning but it’s Saturday night and Marcus Mosely (a blues and gospel singer) and his ensemble, are in the house!
Quite literally in the house, because some people can just take an elevator down from their apartment to join the show.
What’s even better is that tonight’s performance, which is being held at Inlet United Church, is by donation so everyone can attend.
Local news that matters to you
No one covers the Tri-Cities like we do. But we need your help to keep our community journalism sustainable.
I’m at The Springs building in Port Moody and it’s a gorgeous multi-use property that includes 55 affordable housing units, a child care centre, church and yes, entertainment. It’s also where the old St. Andrew’s Church used to stand.
However, in collaborating with a myriad of community- minded organizations, United Churches all across Canada and beyond are helping solve the housing crisis by removing existing church structures, partnering with developers, in this case, not-for-profit Catalyst, and then redeveloping the land into multi-use and affordable housing complexes.
The former St. Andrew’s United still exists, but it’s under a new name, Inlet United, and located on the first floor of The Springs.
A week before attending the Marcus Mosely concert, I was lucky enough to get a tour of the resplendent Springs with the equally resplendent Reverend Jennifer Swanson, a minister at Inlet United.
Here I would learn about the many outreach programs they and other churches provide in our communities, some of which include feeding cash-strapped students at a nearby university and providing shelter for the homeless in cold and wet weather. As well, she tells me, “Loneliness is a big problem in our communities so friendly, diverse community developments like The Springs is a real gift.”
Loneliness, it turns out, is a pressing global issue with ages 18-34 and 65 plus being hit the hardest, according to The World Health Organization.
And because loneliness negatively impacts physical and mental health, the ripple effects are felt throughout society. Combine that with the current housing crisis, the rising cost of living and I can see why these whole community and affordable builds are a big picture blessing not just for residents but for the entire community.
At a similar complex, the Mountain View Apartments at Como Lake United, companionship is found by people who gather for happy hour and events like Thanksgiving potluck in the church downstairs.
One resident tells me, “I feel like I’ve won the lottery living here because I’ve been worried sick about finding an affordable place to live. But I’m relieved and feel lucky every day.”
After my tour of The Springs, I was overwhelmed with gratitude by all the good and decent people who come together to make projects like this happen; the ones who lie awake at night coming up with these masterpiece solutions so people don’t have to “worry sick” but rather, rest easy like a Sunday morning.
Only now with affordable digs, entertainment, church and happy hour, they can rest a little easier and quite happily I might add, all week long.
For more information about events like the sunrise Easter morning service at Rocky Point and other great happenings and fundraisers at Inlet United, go to their website.
“Easy” Easter Eggs Benedict with 5-Minute Hollandaise Sauce and
Roasted Tattooed Potatoes
With Easter just around the corner, I’ve got an easy-like-Sunday-morning Hollandaise Sauce that takes just five minutes to make, is delicious, easy to reheat and better yet, portable for family brunch, happy hour or the church potluck.
What You’ll Need for Hollandaise Sauce
- 4 egg yolks
- 1 lemon
- 1 lb. melted butter
- A whisk and a bowl
Show Time!
Put the yolks of 4 eggs into a medium-sized bowl, add the juice of 1 medium sized lemon (or start with half the juice in case you don’t like as much lemon as I do) and whisk until blended and set aside. Then in another pot, melt 1 lb. of butter over medium-low heat. Once the butter is melted, pick up the pot by the handle and slowly stream the warm melted butter into the egg yolk and lemon juice bowl, whisking as you pour it in. As you whisk you will see the hollandaise thicken. Take a little taste and add some pepper and salt if using unsalted butter. Then add a little lemon juice to taste and whisk to blend.
Little Tips for The Recipe
You can easily cool and store this hollandaise recipe in the refrigerator to use later. Simply warm up the Hollandaise on low in a little pot again before you spoon over eggs benedict. If ever your sauce breaks, which it doesn’t seem to with this recipe, simply boil some water, and whisk 1-2 tbsp. of boiling water into the hollandaise, stirring until the sauce comes together again. Easy, peasy and yes, lemon squeezy.
Poaching Eggs
For poached eggs, simply crack up to 6 eggs and put into a medium-sized pot or 3-inch deep pan of gently boiling water with 2 tbsp. of white vinegar (the vinegar keeps the eggs together). Turn the temperature down to low and then cook between 1-4 minutes for either soft or medium-hard egg yolks.
Carefully remove poached eggs with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towel. When ready to assemble on toasted English muffins, top English muffins with warmed ham, a poached egg and spoon hollandaise over top. Voila, bon appétit and happy Easter!
Tattooed Potatoes
Simply slice your favourite kind of potato (russet is nice) length-wise so the bottom sits flat-ish on a roasting tray. Drizzle each potato half with 1 tsp. of olive oil, season with salt and pepper, then press an herb such as a sprig of rosemary or sage leaf onto each potato half. You can get creative and make both tree and flower designs with your favourite herbs. Then bake at 375 degrees for about half an hour or until nicely browned. Serve with a side salad together with eggs benedict.
