Day 5 - Pancakes :)

My gift today is one of patience (well, sort of patience, still working on that one) and being a peacemaker in my family.  This is not a job I enjoy and one that I often just refuse to do.  But today, with much love, listening and reframing, I think can see some progress between two very hurt and angry people, who just happen to love each other very much.  Gifts are all about intention, and waking up to yelling today, I promised myself that I would help in whatever way I could, despite wanting to simply grab the dogs and leave for many hours.  The dogs and I will still have our little adventure, but I think a couple of hearts are feeling a tiny bit better because I chose to help.

Here's my gift to you today: 

Pumpkin Oat Pancakes 

(somehow everyone at my house is feeling better after a big plate)

2 cups ground whole oats (it will resemble flour)
1 tsp salt
1 1/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon

2 cups buttermilk or whole milk mixed w/ a tsp vinegar and/or part plain or vanilla yogurt (more yogurt results in a thicker batter)
2 eggs
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup pureed pumpkin or canned

Mix dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately, then stir together.  Cook on a griddle and serve w/ butter and maple syrup.  (The oat flour results in a somewhat fragile pancake - a little trickier to flip than usual.  If you want easy to flip cakes, just sub some white or whole wheat flour for some of the oat flour).

Enjoy!

Top Ten

Top Ten :  Things I've learned from my dad

1. Cussing does make you feel better sometimes.
2. The weather is beside the point.  If there is something to be done outside, just do it.  Wear more clothes if you need to.  What do you think rain slickers are for anyway?  Stop complaining and get to work.
3. Animals can be a whole lot better company than humans sometimes.
4. Sincere gratitude is never a bad idea.
5. Do it right the first time.  Hard work can make you really happy.
6. Stuff doesn't not make you happy.  More tack however can make work a lot more comfortable.  Spending a lot of money on the right thing is not frivolous.
7. Those little Dolly Madison apple pies really are good.
8. You can learn a lot by watching other professionals in your field very carefully.  Probably more by watching than by asking a million questions.
9. Forgiveness and understanding are powerful gifts.
10. Sometimes distance helps you see (and love) someone more clearly and compassionately.

I love you Dad.