Oct. 21, 2008 - Pumpkin Pancakes

Since I do not own an electric griddle, we use a cast iron griddle on the BBQ a lot.  Here's my sweet hubby in the freezing cold fixin' up some pancakes.  I do realize that it looks nice and toasty a) because it is sunny and b) because my honey is wearing short sleeves.  But I assure you, he was a brave and fearless man, facing the frigid elements for the love of his family and all things holy (such as pumpkin pancakes).

Pumpkin Pancakes

2 cups all-purpose flour            1/2 tsp salt
3 Tbsp brown sugar                  1 1/2 cups mild
2 tsp baking powder                  1 cup pumpkin puree
1 tsp baking soda                       1 egg
1 tsp ground allspice                  2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp cinnamon                           2 Tbsp vinegar
1/2 tsp ground ginger

Mix together milk, pumpkin, egg, oil, and vinegar. Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger and salt in separate bowl.  Stir into pumpkin mixture just enough to combine.

Steph's note:  the recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups milk but I like my pancake batter to be runnier so I use about 2 cups of milk. 

Oct. 13, 2008 - Chicken Pot Pie

First of all you must start with the most amazing pie crust (click on link for recipe) on the planet.  Fill it with some grilled chicken (we love to use the leftover roasted chicken that you can get from Costco...you know, the ready-to-pick-up kind?), a can of cream of mushroom soup, 1/2 cup of milk, and a package of frozen veggies.   For all of you nutrition freaks, I do realize that this recipe is not the picture of health but I do guarantee that it will bring your hubby to his knees in thanksgiving!
Mix all of that in a bowl and pour into your amazing pie crust and bake it at 350 for 1/2 hour or so.  I always seem to need more cooking time than the recipe calls for....I think because of the pie crust.  So whenever the crust is nice and brown is usually my gauge. 

Oct. 12, 2008 - Amazing Pie Crust

Oct. 10, 2008 - For the Love of the Radio

I walked into the kitchen the other night to find my girls staring at the radio.  Of course, they weren't just staring at the radio, they were listening to a good ol' fashioned radio show.  I loved this picture because it made me think of what it might have actually been like in the good ol' days before all the high-tech electronics, video games, TV, computers, etc.  I always love the movies when they show the whole family gathered around the radio and the kids are just staring at it like they are actually picturing what grand adventures might be happening in the story.  I like to think that this is partly what is going on in my kid's minds as they listen intently to Adventures in Odyssey. 

Mar. 31, 2008 - Overcooked Beans for Supper

Mar. 31, 2008 - Pancake Monday

• 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk, plus more if necessary
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon artificial sweetener
• 1/2 cup blueberries

Mar. 30, 2008 - Menu Plan Monday

Week of March 30-April 6
Monday - Crock Pot Bean & Ham Soup - OR NOT!
Tuesday - Apple Chicken
Wednesday - Spaghetti
Thursday - Sirloin Roast
Friday - Beany Burritos (using leftover meat from roast)
Saturday - Baked Rigatoni

Mar. 25, 2008 - Mike Rowe Has Come To Visit

One of our favorite TV shows to watch is Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe on Discovery.  He uses his sharp wit and sense of humor to do various icky, disgusting jobs around the country.  Well, I think he should have come to see our backed up, clogged garbage disposal last night.  Reid does a good Mike Rowe impression...

Mar. 25, 2008 - Pancakes for Breakfast!

The girls love to surprise either myself or Daddy with whatever they can come up with.  Yesterday morning, they decided to make pancakes all by themselves.  They were so proud that they did it from start to finish without any help at all.  They set the table and surprised Daddy with pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream. 

Grammy Gayle bought us a new cast iron griddle that we got to try out too.  It worked okay on the stove but I think it will be a better asset while we're camping.  The heat from the stove was not as even as I would have liked.

Mar. 19, 2008 - Yummy Brunch Recipe

Make a postcard - it's easy!