The Simple-but-Perfect Pancake, Edited.

For the last week, I have been under the weather. And when I have a cold, the only thing I want to eat is breakfast foods all the time. They represent comfort. And as for anything with eggs, the spiciest salsas can be added to help me, well, breathe! (Bless you, cayenne pepper and Tabasco.) Last night, at a dinner for my daughter's end-of-season t-ball party, I ordered migas and hashbrowns for dinner. And they hit the spot! Sure wish I had those right now.

Lately, my daughter has been on a pancake jag, too - and requests them every day. Although I try to save pancakes and homemade chocolate milk for our Saturday morning ritual, I have been known to make some extra flapjacks and freeze them, since she loves them. This morning, unfortunately, I came up short. So, a bread and butter sandwich was our less-than-fun substitute.

I'd like to share an old post about "The Simple but Perfect Pancake," based on a recipe from King Arthur Flour. And, this past Saturday, I noticed that I've changed my version up a bit, so I think I'll share this, too.

Our Recent Saturday Morning Simple-but-Perfect Pancake:

• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/4 cups 2% milk
• 3 tablespoons Canola oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  
• 1 1/2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
• 1 tablespoon wheat germ
  
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 cup malted milk powder
  
• Frozen blueberries or chocolate chips to drop onto the poured pancakes (while on griddle)
  

Feel free to review the cooking directions if you need a refresher on making good pancakes. Mixing all of the wet and dry ingredients separately, then combining them at the end, is an easy way to start things.

King Arthur always teaches me a thing or two on how to be a better baker. In my opinion, they are the masters at baking! (I have a real crush on that King Arthur...)

As for making "homemade" chocolate milk, here's what makes a good, rich cup of chocolate milk at our house:

8 ounces of cold milk
2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
2 tablespoons of organic cane sugar

Blend in a blender until thick and creamy. Guaranteed to make little ones and daddies smile.

May be a good night for pancakes + chocolate milk for dinner!

The Royal Laundry

One of those things that doesn't go away, laundry has been on my mind this week. So, I thought it appropriate to bring up an old post on laundry and the peace it can bring us. I figure I can either dread laundry every week or come to terms with this recurring part of life.

I'm trying not to fall behind like I did a couple of weeks ago, which led to doing massive amounts last week. But - one of my favorite things about doing loads of laundry is that I get to have quiet, put-order-back-in-our-family's-world time while doing so. While my little ones are sleeping, I fold their tiny shorts and colorful leggings while catching up on my favorite recorded television shows. (I usually do this when my husband is busy so I'm not leaving him out of the picture!)

Last week, I recorded and watched virtually every biography I could find on the Royal Wedding.

And, last week, despite a busy schedule for our family, I accidentally became obsessed with the Royal Wedding. But - I got a heck of a lot of laundry done while learning about Catherine Middleton's high school. And the potential designers for her dress. And how her parents run their own business. And how Kate and Will lived together before getting married.

My favorite part about watching the actual wedding was my children's commentating on the event, with comments such as:

"Mommy, she is looking at me. She is looking at me!! Me!!" (my daughter) and "Mommy, that pincess es boot-i-ful!" (my son).

We ran the highlights for Daddy on Saturday. And on Sunday, I had to finish watching a documentary on the Biography channel, "Will and Kate: A Love Story."

As I told my husband, "I have questions - and these shows give me the answers I need. Now I have closure." Now I can close this fun, beautiful chapter and move on. (And for this, I'm sure my husband is a tiny bit relieved.)

So, a lovely congratulations to the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge!

(And congratulations to me for coming close to finishing our laundry.)