Venturing into the Big Blue

We have really enjoyed swimming lessons with Pam. We did 2 weeks of lessons at the beginning of February.

First Chocolate

I think the boy enjoyed his first chocolate, given to him by his sister.

Kamut for Valentine's

Kamut Pancakes again. I used the squirt bottle technique to make heart shapes this time. Layered with strawberries and cream this was simple to make, and lovely to consume. The strawberries were macerated overnight in sugar and crushed soft green peppercorns. The peppercorns add a bright tangy flavor to the juice that releases from the strawberries. I find it delightful. I've eaten it with whole peppercorns instead, but they are much more intense and thus better paired with something a bit heavier (like a big dish of vanilla bean icecream—I got this from the dessert menu at Café Madrid, a favorite restaurant of ours in Salt Lake City).

A Painting for the Taylors and a purple headdress

I did this painting for my sister's front room. When I got out the camera it was to take a picture of the painting in progress, but the photo seems to be more about a certain purple headdress in the bottom left, don't you think?

The final painting. Hmmm . . . I'm not sure which one I like best, the final, or the "in progress" version. It would be lovely to have both. This is the framed final version hanging on Jennifer's wall. I really like the frame with it.

The Lion and the Lamb

Janet made this outfit for Josh when he was a baby.

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.