Sunday Morning

This morning was a long one.
No really, it was an hour longer - daylight savings time, you know...
I grew up in AZ and lived there 23 years, perfectly content to never have the time change on me in my sleep, so I still allow myself a few griping words each time daylight savings swoops in to mess up my schedule.
But, apart from all that, I had a really lovely morning. Bekah and Jacob somehow got Beau's braces off and helped him out of his crib. I'm not exactly sure how, but there wasn't any awful shrieking or crying, so I was appreciative. He came running into our room, yelling, "Russy!"
Yep. You totally read that right. Russy. I dare say I went from semi-asleep to laughing out loud at that one. Oh my. Rus just groaned as said, "Great. Now there are two people who call me that. My mom and Beau." (Hehehe...)
Beau then climbed on the bed and in his own language said, "Mom! Eat!" That kid's stomach is the first thing on his mind in the mornings...just like me. I was still happily cozy in my covers so I stayed put and he diverted his attention to his tote of toys in the playroom nearby. He ran there and pushed the whole tote back to my room, right by my side of the bed, and proceeded to throw his favorite toys up next to me - LittlePeople train with three cars and a tractor and the man that goes with it. Beau calls all men "Rus." So Beau climbed onto the bed, retrieved his toys, and the little train/tractor driver, a.k.a. "Rus," was jumping on Rus's back just a few minutes later.
"Rus! Rus! Russy!"
Seriously. How could you wake up sad to that? Rus tried to pinch me each time I giggled and encouraged Beau, but it was an ineffective deterrent.
Minutes later Bekah and Jacob joined the fun so I left them to tackle Rus so I could get them breakfast. We had waffles with Special Syrup. That's what I named the syrup because it's so sweet I only allow it on special days. Today was Sunday. Special.

And so this post isn't completely pointless, I'm going to share my recipe with you. I make these at least twice a week. I have the recipe memorized. I have a breakfast thing, you know.

Whole Wheat Waffles/Pancakes
2 eggs, separated
1 1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup oil
1 cup whole wheat flour (or just white flour is fine)
2 Tbl. flax meal, optional
1 Tbl. baking powder
2 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt

Separate eggs, placing the whites in a small bowl and the yolks in a larger bowl. To the yolks add the remaining ingredients. Beat egg whites with a hand mixer until peaks form. Use the hand mixer to beat the other ingredients until well mixed. Fold in egg whites. Use batter for either waffles or pancakes. Refrigerate any remaining and use the next day.

*Here is my super secret favorite way of eating pancakes - I pour the batter onto the griddle and let it cook until it has just set up. Then I top it with sliced bananas, chopped hazelnuts, splenda brown sugar and a dash of cinnamon. When it's ready to turn I scoop it up with a spatula, quickly rub the griddle with butter, and then flip it over onto the butter. The brown sugar kind of caramelizes and it is simply delicious. It doesn't need syrup although if you've made special syrup, it is an extra treat.

Syrup: (Half batch, just enough for me and my kids.)
1/4 cup buttermilk (or milk + a little vinegar)
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar

Bring to a boil over moderately low heat. Remove from heat. Add 1/4 tsp. baking soda and 1/2 tsp. vanilla. The mixture will froth up beautifully. Use immediately. Especially good with fresh berries. Or if you are like my kids you can put a little syrup in a little bowl and dip your waffles in it.

There. Happy Sunday! Happy Waffling!