TODAY I DELIVERED two large grocery bags of homemade treats to the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church (FAPC), here in New York—the culmination of many hours of baking with the aim of bolstering the buffet at the annual Women’s Association Holiday Tea. During the past few weeks, the apartment has been perfumed with ginger, cinnamon, orange, chocolate, brandy, and many other aromas. The butter, eggs, flour, and sugar have been depleted and restocked numerous times. This activity has kept me particularly warm the past few frigid days, and I have to say it’s due to more than the oven temperature. There is something special about baking for a cause.
While a group of “church ladies” sitting around having tea and cookies may sound more like indulgence than charity, you have to think of it this way: the holiday tea is a celebration of hard work done year-round on behalf of those in need. FAPC describes itself as a “relevant servant church” in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, and the Women’s Association is a large part of this mission. These ladies are active in many ways—some help the homeless who sleep on the church steps, others deliver weekend “Meals on Heels” to the homebound—but specific to the Women’s Association is the “Speaking English” program, which for more than twenty-five years has helped people from countless nations adjust to life in the city. People who, like my grandparents when they came here from Greece, are searching for a better life without many resources in a tough economy. The Women’s Association also sponsors events during the year to raise money for more than thirty different benevolences.
Today, my donation to the tea is a way of saying “thank you” for the other 364 days of the year, when they are the generous ones, serving people unknown to me but about whom it’s my obligation to care. Indifference to strangers will only get us so far on this small, overcrowded island. Schlepping bags of baked goods on the subway is the least I can do.
So, what did I schlep?
Following is a list of what I chose to offer for this, my first year contributing to the event. In coming days, I will add links to recipes as I get them written up; some of these are “musts” to make.
- Mastiha Brownie Bites with Metaxa Cherries
- Graham Cracker-Pecan Nutella Sandwich Cookies
- Orange-Poppy Seed Thumbprints with Quince Jelly
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chippers with Dried Cherries and Coconut
- Ginger Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Sugar and Spice Drops
- Lemon-Blueberry Scones
- Apricot Tarts (2)
- and, of course . . . a Phanouropita! (Phano-what? click here)
As an endnote, later in the day my son asked how many cookies I had baked. I realized then that I had never kept a running tally. Subtracting the cookies I siphoned off for him to taste along the way (I couldn’t subject him to the sights and smells of a holiday kitchen and not give in to his pleading, wide-open eyes), I now figure I delivered more than 220 cookies to the church, plus the rest. “Whoa!” my son said. “That’s a lot of cookies.” It is. Was. Relatively speaking, my freezer and counter space are now empty. But, corny as this will sound (forgive me), at least my heart is full. Here’s to the ladies today!
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What a beautiful and well written “blog”. You are a lady of numerous talents! Thank you for being you.
If you could see me, you’d see that I’m blushing! Since being me is pretty hard to avoid, I sure am glad you appreciate my efforts, Lynn. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment—you’re sweet. (You know, I am beginning to think that hospitality suits you very well, too.) Till we meet again . . .