mom.of.the.year

Friday morning I found myself wide awake at 5:30am - RARITY - so, after reading for a bit I decided to begin my "mother of the year" day by making homemade Belgian waffles because we did indeed have whipped cream and fresh fruit on hand just waiting to be slathered on top of a yummy waffle.

I did a quick search on pinterest and found a recipe that looked like it fit the bill (i.e. all the ingredients existed in my kitchen).  They were SO easy to whip together, really, it had me wonder why I keep a Costco size "Krusteaz" mix in the pantry, and they were SOOOO good (I had to add a bunch of extra "os" so you get the point).  I'm not sure if my addition of flax seed made any difference to nutritional value, but they were melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Yes, my day had started out stellar (I think Ryan is still recovering from the shock of seeing me donning an apron offering him a plate of "waffles from scratch" at 6:30am), and it continued to just skyrocket from there . . . I was pleasant and patient, I folded Ryan's laundry (he always takes care of his own, so I thought I'd help out), took Caroline and friends where they needed to be, played "jello" in the car with the girls and their giggly friends, made sure everyone was happy, and even ended the day reading a chapter from The Swiss Family Robinson, to the girls.  Plus, it was a beautiful, bright, blue sunshine day and we were just as happy as clams.

Well, that was fleeting.

By Sunday afternoon my mothering skills had descended to cave woman status when Liza tore up the stairs and into her room while screaming at the top of her lungs before slamming the door that I was the "WORST MOM EVER!!"  Sigh.  This happened after I gave up struggling with her obstinance while trying to help her with piano and told her to just leave the bench.  I admit I wasn't at my best this weekend.  However, it all ended well when Caroline saved the day by making homemade cinnamon rolls with Sophie for us to enjoy while watching the Oscars.

Life goes on and I hope that somewhere in the recesses of my children's minds, there is a memory of Friday and those waffles . . .

Homemade Belgian Waffles

Recipe from Williams-Sonoma

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (next time I'll try substituting half wheat flour)
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups milk
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 stick melted butter
• 2 Tbls flax seed (optional)

1. Whisk dry ingredients in large bowl.  Add the milk and vanilla and whisk until combined.
2. Finally, add the eggs and butter and whisk until smooth.
3. Preheat the waffle maker following the instructions. Pour the batter onto the waffle maker and bake until golden brown, 4-5 minutes.
4. Serve warm with fresh fruit, whipped cream, pure maple syrup…
5. To reheat, just pop in the toaster.

Let's get cooking . . .

Learn everything you can,  anytime you can, from anyone you can -  there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did.” ~ Sarah Caldwell~ Yes, I am very grateful this evening for the amazing example my mother and mother-in-law have been year after year as our family traveled to "grandma's house" for Thanksgiving dinner.  I knew eventually I would need to grow up and take my turn . . . well, the time has come my friends, and I am finally entering the threshold of becoming a full fledged "adult" and hosting Thanksgiving dinner at our home. I am also grateful that my parents came into town this afternoon and my dad and I will be getting up together early morning tomorrow to prepare the turkey (I would really be sweating it right now if my dad wasn't here to help me along).    But I guess on this Thanksgiving eve I am forever grateful for the fabulous recipes that our family has been making every year since I was a little girl.  Favorite recipes that have become such a part of our family tradition that Thanksgiving wouldn't be the same if my daughters and I didn't prepare my great-grandmother's amazing yams and apples, or my mother's homemade crescent rolls and took them with us wherever we were having our meal. So, after letting Sophie help prepare the yams/apples dish, and Liza help make the dough for the rolls, with Caroline telling us that tomorrow SHE is in charge of making the rolls, I wanted to record these recipes on our blog and pass on a little Howick family goodness to the rest of you . . . Grandma Webb's Yams & Apples 4 yams: peeled, boiled until tender, sliced 4-5 flavorful red apples: core and sliced about 1/4 in. 1 tsp. salt 1 c. brown sugar (packed) 1/4 lb. butter 2 c. water 3 tbs. corn starch Chopped pecans and cinnamon In 9x13 dish, alternate yams and apples until dish is full.  In small saucepan, stir other ingredients (except corn starch, pecans and cinnamon) on medium heat until mixed well and hot, then add corn starch with about 1/2 c. mixture in separate dish, stir until blended, then add to saucepan, turn up heat until bubbly, stirring constantly.  Pour mixture over apple/yams, then sprinkle with pecans and cinnamon. I usually prepare this the night before and refrigerate.  Bake at 350 for about 40 minutes. Mom's Thanksgiving Crescent Rolls 1 Tbs. yeast 1 Tbs. sugar 1/3 c. warm water Scald 1 cup milk and cool 1/2 c. butter 3/4 tsp. salt 3 eggs (well beaten) 4-6 cups bread flour Mix first three ingredients together in separate bowl and let stand for 10 min.  In mixer, combine everything but the flour and mix well, then add yeast mixture.  Add flour one cup at a time (using dough hook) and continue mixing until dough separates from the inside of the mixing bowl.  Cover dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate 6 hours or overnight. Punch dough down, and divide dough into 3 balls.  On floured surface roll out each ball to desired thickness (not too thin), spread melted butter with pastry brush, then cut with pizza cutter into 8 triangles.  Roll each into crescent shape and place on baking sheet, let rise.  Bake at 375 until golden brown on top, brush with butter while hot. Happy Thanksgiving!