Rethinking the classic American children's novels.

one word "headcheese".

Has anyone reread the Laura Ingall books since they were little? I (with fond memories) started Little House in the Big Woods with Elliot today. Chapter 1 is 24 pages of Pa slaughtering the pig, smoking a deer. Ma makes headcheese, and sausage. Laura and Mary play with a pig's bladder ball. Vegetarian Elliot wanted Vegetarian mother to explain headcheese and bladder.

While we will forge ahead and read the Laura books...I will be thinking why why why...

Pumpkin Pancakes

Thanks to Grandpa, Elliot asks for pancakes a couple of times a week. This is the best scratch pancake recipe that we have found. They are not too pumpkin-pie like. The pumpkin mostly just adds a nice texture. I would add more of the spices if you wanted to have pumpkin pie pancakes. We have been making double batches- the left overs reheat very well the next morning.

Whisk together
1 1/4 c Flour
2T sugar
2t baking powder
1/2 t ea cinnamon, ginger and salt
1/8 t nutmeg and clove

Separately mix together
1 egg (or 1T ground flax w 3T water)
6T pumpkin puree
2T melted butter
1C milk (soy or almond works)

Fold the wet into the dry. Heat a oiled skillet over medium heat. Use about 1/4 c batter for each pancake and cook 3 minutes a side.

Need a bright pink cuckoo clock?

So I filed this under "Things you can buy but really shouldn't" But I sort of do want it for Elliot's bedroom. Izaak may also end up with a Ninja Sword umbrella....you never know.

Overheard in our house

Scene: mom taking a shower. 2yo pulls back shower curtain.

2yo: Hi. You look like a mad giraffe.

(what?!)

And in other news...

Saw this on the internet and was tempted to buy...for about 3 seconds.

Ahh yes.

But where do you go to purchase coffee mug walkie talkies - should you really want them?

2 year old puppies

Some days with a two year old are like having a new puppy in the house. The havoc, the noise, the yapping for attention, needing to drop everything for their 'calls of nature', the short attention span.

Except. 1) Puppy can be put into kennels when convenient. and 2) A two years old attempts to reason with parents at the most unreasonable times.

oh happy saturday

Baby Brained Big Sister

EL is very excited to be a big sister. Each morning, without fail, she lifts up my shirt and says "good morning baby".
I am posting the picture of the valentine I talked about a couple of weeks ago - also a picture of her playing "babysitter".