Toddling

Make a Smilebox slideshow I wanted to have the slides move super quickly to give the effect of a lurching, wobbly toddler, but you may have to click through as fast as you can to get that effect as I can't seem to get the pics to move very fast from one to the next. Little boy has been walking for two months now, but really took off and started cruising only one month ago.

Peek-a-boo

Kamut Pancakes

These are my favorite pancakes. I like them thin, but with a light, fluffy texture inside.

1 large egg
1 cup kamut flour
1 1/4 cup milk (add a little more if you want the pancakes even thinner)
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
2 Tablespoons oil (I usually use olive oil)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon table salt

Oil the griddle or skillet and heat to medium low. Meanwhile, fill a plastic squeeze bottle with the batter (think honey bear, or ketchup bottle with the pointed tip). When a drop of water in the pan sizzles and dances around the pan is hot enough. Use the bottle of batter to draw fun shapes in the pan. When pancake is covered with bubbles, and fairly dry around the edges flip and cook on the other side for about 15 to 30 seconds (give or take, depending on how hot your pan is).


My second favorite recipe is Janet's whole wheat & flax pancake. Someday I'll find that and post it too.

Butterflies, Princesses & Ponies for the Birthday Girl

We started the glorious morning with delectable kamut pancakes in delightful shapes. I put the pancake batter in a plastic squeezable bottle with a pointed tip (like the ketchup bottles or honey bears). It makes it relatively easy to create detailed shapes such as

a butterfly,

a princess crown,

or an initial.

Shiny butterflies adorned the invitations for the party held in the afternoon. We folded the wings before gluing to help them get their flight on.

Princess attire was the only appropriate form of dress for the occasion.The party started with plenteous carousel rides.
Then we had a royal feast of butterfly-shaped pb&js, and fanciful crudités cut out with cookie cutters.
More carousel riding ensued, followed by butterfly birthday cake (100% whole grain, and DELICIOUS!)

Softened Butter

I often make recipes (like cakes) that call for softened butter. Of course, I rarely plan ahead so I need a way to soften the butter quickly without melting it. My favorite method is to slice the butter into about 1/4 inch slices (1 tablespoon or a little less each). I sometimes turn the oven on for a minute then turn it off, open it and put the plate of sliced butter in the open oven. I leave it there, for a few minutes (with the door still open), and it's ready.

Chocolate Class for Enrichment

I taught a class about chocolate and made a whole bunch of my favorite recipes that use chocolate for everyone to samp. Here are the chocolate kamut cupcakes.

Snow shoeing

I only went once this season. I know, it's shameful. I certainly don't take advantage of the snow like I could. It was fun though...we packed the babies with us. Hopefully I'll go another time or two before the snow disappears.

Felt Crafties

I've been making little felt flowers and attaching them to pins, hair elastics and the like. I'm trying to use up scraps left over from the felt Christmas crafts I did in November.

My mom and sister have been crafting away as well making quite a number of little lovelies. Here are just a few of the first ones we made.

Valentine's Day Goodies / Candy Rings

I got excited about making candy rings and this is my first try. I made some to give as Valentine's Day gifts...shhh, don't tell! First I made some from a traditional hard candy recipe. They worked pretty well. Then I tried some using agave syrup. They also worked pretty well, plus they're much easier on the body. The agave candy doesn't get quite as hard as the traditional hard candy, but it is clear and tastes nice. It's the easiest recipe ever:

Ingredient: agave (as much or as little as you like)

Directions:

1 Heat agave syrup in a saucepan on High until it reaches 330 degrees Farenheit or until the syrup forms a hard ball when dropped in ice water.

2 Pour hot syrup into greased candy molds, or onto a sheet of greased parchment paper or a silicone mat.

3 Let cool for 20 min or until completely cooled, then remove candy from molds and eat! You can dust them with powdered sugar then package in an airtight container to save for later.