blueberry pancakes

One of our favorite family times on the weekends is breakfast. I've been using Scott's Mom's recipe for pancakes since I learned I could make my own pancakes without a box mix!! (I learned a lot over the years from her and my Mamaw.)

Nonnie's Pancakes

Combine the following altogether in a mixer and go

(Nonnie uses a blender):

4 Tbsp melted butter

4 Tbsp sugar (I use less)

2 eggs

2 cups milk

2 cups flour

4 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

The mix may be lumpy and that's ok. We like to add 3/4 cup blueberries sometimes.

Provide a small pitcher of juice for the kids to pour themselves. Ours love it.

This is a good time for our family devotions. Fill their minds and their tummies at the same time!

make fun of dinner: pizza

Stick your green beans upright in your bowl-formed rice pile.

Invite a friend.Make pizza in your own kitchen.I've been learning how to make pizza at home. Without a bread machine I wouldn't have even thought of it. I'd stick to delivery or buying crust from the grocery... (actually, we weren't eating much pizza last year anyway, with Sarah's eczema problems. Praise the Lord, she's healed.) Making my own bread intimidates me - - without my bread machine. The one I have came from a dear friend of my Mom who wasn't using it. (This is also where my pizza pans and toaster oven came from! God provides...) I like the Pizza Crust I recipe (following Marylyn's adjustments for making it in the bread machine) for making a 2-3 large crusts.Pizza Crust II recipe (following MrsSid's adjustments) makes a lot more dough for a variety of crust sizes/ thicknesses. I was able to get 3 large crusts and 6 small personal size pizzas for all the kids + cousins to make their own.Or save extra crusts for lunch another day. I like to use whole wheat flour for about a third of the flour called for in the recipe. I don't buy Pizza Sauce - - I make my own with a can of tomato sauce and a bit of oregano and garlic added. Or use Spaghetti Sauce like my sister-in-law. Meatballs (made ahead of time and frozen) are a nice quick addition. Of course, pepperoni is essential to some, veggies to another. That's what's fun about making it at home. Especially when Scott and I are having a date at home, without the kids.

gingerbread cookies

Chase was very proud of himself! These are his first gingerbread cookies to roll out and shape himself. (Sarah and I made the dough using the recipe from our Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. We're going through butter and eggs like crazy around here!)

sugared cranberries

We had fun making these this Thanksgiving!

sugared cranberries

from: Cooking Light, December 2003

Because of the contrast between the tart cranberries and sugary coating, the flavor of this snack pops in your mouth. The berries are steeped in hot sugar syrup to tame their tangy bite. When entertaining, serve these in place of nuts. For gift-giving, package in parchment-lined tins. Present with a small bottle of the reserved cranberry cooking syrup for the recipient to use as a cocktail mixer. If you can't find superfine sugar, make your own by processing granulated sugar in a food processor for a minute.

INGREDIENTS:
● 2 cups granulated sugar
● 2 cups water
● 2 cups fresh cranberries
● ¾ cup superfine sugar

DIRECTIONS:
Combine granulated sugar and water in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring mixture until sugar dissolves. Bring to a simmer; remove from heat. (Do not boil or the cranberries may pop when added.) Stir in cranberries; pour mixture into a bowl. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.

Drain cranberries in a colander over a bowl, reserving steeping liquid, if desired. Place superfine sugar in a shallow dish. Add the cranberries, rolling to coat with sugar. Spread sugared cranberries in a single layer on a baking sheet; let stand at room temperature 1 hour or until dry.

Note: The steeping liquid clings to the berries and helps the sugar adhere. Store in an airtight container in a cool place for up to a week. (Add to sweeten lemonade - yum!)