Pancake Tuesday

Pancake Tuesday, my favourite little known holiday.

I mean, who doesn't love to have an official reason for eating breakfast at dinner. It gives us licence to enjoy every syrup soaked bite of warm, fluffy goodness. It's just not possible to be anything but happy while consuming pancakes.

It was a given while growing up that there would be pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. No more likely to be missed than birthdays or Christmas. A special family tradition that seemed our own, unknown by everyone else I knew. I wish I could say that we were pious through Lent, but truthfully it was really just about the pancakes.

Over the years of working with children, I would always make pancakes with them on the eve of Lent. Little fingers cracking eggs, flour everywhere, passing the bowl so everyone had their turn to stir.

Today Jack and I whipped up a batch at play group to share. I've been referred to as the "pancake lady" by more than one child over the years.

And, of course, more for dinner tonight. I doctored them up with some hemp hearts for a nutrition boost. Anna was rather suspicious of the "weird dots" in her pancakes. Jack was deep in his happy carb place and noticed nothing. Deliciously deceiving, I call it.

But this year a tinge of sadness in the sweet for me. Eighteen years ago my dad, or "Grandpa Edward" as we call him now, left us to eat his pancakes in a better place. You are still greatly missed Dad, this post is for you.

Nutella Creme Brulee

Did you know that today is World Nutella Day?

I kid you not, February 5th is all about the deliciousness that is Nutella.

Growing up, we never had Nutella. Never heard of the stuff until I was in my twenties. Personally, I think this borders on child neglect of some sort. It is now a staple in our pantry, enjoyed by all on toast, waffles, graham crackers (ever had a Nutella s'more? Swoon!) and by the spoon full. Thank goodness Costco sells it!

Earlier this week I had grand plans for a triple layer Chocolate Nutella Mousse Cake. I also had a nasty cold, foggy brain and an epic cake fail. So I decided to step back from the flour bin and take a different approach.

Nutella Creme Brulee.

Rich, creamy and deceptively simple. Throw it together in the morning, let it set up in the fridge for the day and then show off your mad torch skills after dinner. You'll be a rock star.

And is there anything quite so satisfying as cracking the top of creme brulee? I think not.

Nutella Creme Brulee

2 cups heavy cream

1 tsp vanilla

3 egg yolks

1/4 cup sugar

3 tbsp melted Nutella

Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees. Place five ramekins or custard cups in a larger baking pan and fill with hot water until the water level is about half way up the ramekins.

Bring heavy cream to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat. When it starts to simmer, take off the heat and add the vanilla. Let cool.

In a separate bowl whisk the egg yolks and sugar together until pale and thick. When the cream has cooled a bit, slowly whisk it into the egg mixture being careful not to "cook" your eggs. Then mix in the melted Nutella. Pour through a fine sieve to strain out any weird eggy bits and then divide evenly between the ramekins.

Bake for approx. 45 minutes until the edges are set and the centre in slightly wobbly. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least four hours.

Sprinkle with sugar and slide under broiler, watch VERY carefully or torch until sugar melts.

Boxing Day

I love Boxing Day.

As a child it seemed a bit sad, that post-Christmas let down. But since the littles came along we happily host the Christmas festivities. I enjoy the planning, the baking, the decorating. It gets my creative juices flowing. Christmas, however, is not a holiday.

And that is why I love Boxing Day. On Boxing Day I do as little as possible.

It is a free-for-all, fending for yourself sort of a day. We graze and lounge. We play with new toys and stay in our pajamas for as long as we want.

There is no cleaning or cooking on Boxing Day.

I slept in and read half a book over cafe au lait this morning, played dolls and painted a t-shirt with Anna, assembled a small portion of Jack's mountain of new Lego. We made popcorn and watched the Food Network (I've been deprived of it for several months now, due to our odd TV set up. So T fixing it for me on Christmas Eve, was indeed a Christmas miracle.).

So while it's back to reality tomorrow, tonight I enjoy a few more hours of post-Christmas bliss.

(The aftermath.)

Silent Night

"Silent night, holy night.

All is calm, all is bright."

As usual the hustle and bustle of the season got away on us. So many ways to make merry, and the urge to try them all.

But this night is my favourite. Nothing more to be done, the day is upon us. So I curl up and watch my favourite holiday movie, "Miracle on 34th St." and have a nibble of Santa's snack (shhhh....don't tell the littles). A quiet evening before the explosion of joy that the morning will bring.

Holly Jolly

Oh good golly, the littles are jolly. December was welcomed with wide open arms and even bigger smiles at a very early hour.

Who doesn't love having chocolate at breakfast? And this year, a new tradition. North Pole pancakes, as we have coined them. A short stack of fluffy buttermilk goodness topped off with a candy cane.

A frothy mug of vanilla steamed milk and we were ready to bring on a month of festive festivities. This past weekend did not disappoint and I will share soon. Until then, have a little chocolate and enjoy the ride.

Little Bird

This is my best girl.
She left us this past weekend for the first time. A whole twenty-four hours at Sparks camp.

OK, so it wasn't the totally first time. We had a lovely weekend away from the kids once. And the other time, we gave her a brother. Lovely as well, but most definitely not a holiday.

But this time it was her choice. Anna decided to test her wings and she flew. A bit wobbly at moments, but she did it, and now she can't wait to fly again.

Bittersweet for her mama who knows that, for while her best girl is growing in confidence, the trips away from the nest will grow too.

Time Flies

You know, I blog everyday in my head. Somehow, though, all those thoughts never seem to quite make it from mind to keyboard. Life speeds up, other things are more pressing, my thoughts no longer seem relevant. 

( I *heart* this pic of Anna mid-leap)


But you know what? I've decided that my thoughts are relevant. What could be more important than documenting our life?

So you're going to have to bear with me because I plan to put random musings to blog far more often from now on.

We've been having an excellent autumn. Brimming with apples, pumpkins and corn mazes.



We've celebrated fall fairs, crunching leaves, the first snowflakes and the return of peppermint mocha's (ok, perhaps that last one is more just me).

There is so much to look forward to, as we head into December. Anna's first school Christmas concert, trips to the theatre, advent calendars and a sweet project I hope to share with you soon.

Soak it all up. That's my pre-New Year's resolution. It really doesn't get better than this.