Saturday, December 12, 2009

Homemade Pumpkin Pancakes & Buttermilk Syrup

I decided to get a little creative in the kitchen this morning. My kids really wanted pancakes, so I pulled out my moms homemade pancake recipe, then I noticed a can of pumpkin in the cupboard and thought... "ummm, that could be YUMMY in the pancakes." Now I'm sure that there are TONS of pumpkin pancake recipes out there and I am probably not being all that original, but hey they were still good!

So here is what I came up with, they were a HUGE hit with the kids!
(speaking of KIDS, I sure love these little cuties)

PUMPKIN PANCAKES
(moms original recipe)
1 1/4 Cup flour
1/4 Cup sugar
2 Tbs Baking Powder
1 Tbs Baking soda
2 Tbs Cooking oil
1 Egg
1 Cup milk (or buttermilk)
---------------------------
(here is what I added to it)
1/4 Cup pumpkin
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ginger
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 tsp Molasses
1 Tbs Brown sugar
**************************************************
HOMEMADE BUTTERMILK SYRUP
(This is my Aunt Wendy's recipe and it is TO DIE FOR)

1/2 Cube butter
1/2 Cup butter milk
1 Cup Sugar
1 Tbs Karo
Bring to boil. Remove from heat and add 1 tsp baking soda and 1 tsp vanilla.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Blog Envy (do you know what I'm talking about?)

Someone made a comment to me the other day that really got me thinking! She mentioned how she had been struggling in her marriage, she was trying to stay close to her friends and not alienate herself during this difficult time, but she mentioned how it was really hard because all of her friends lives "seem" so perfect. In this crazy world of blogging, facebook, etc... we often times think, "WOW, look how great THEIR life looks". We see friends blogs and pictures of their families and at times start to feel less adequate, like they have it better than us. I think that most of us at some point have thought, "gee, the grass sure looks greener on the other side."


I found this quote today and loved it...


"When the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, I start watering my own lawn."

~Unknown


How great is that quote! I completely agree with it. When the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, is it going to do 'our grass' any good to sit there and stare at our neighbors? We've got to focus on nurturing our own lives, accepting our shortcomings, work on improving them, and acknowledge our strengths, accomplishments, and blessings!

So here are some confessions about my life (one's generally not shared on my blogs;)

1. My brown hair in the picture above is now my natural color, I was blonde as a kid, but the older I get and the more babies I have the darker my hair gets (currently my hair is blonde, hehe:)

2. I am far from having it "all together", FAR!!!

3. I am not rich, but I am rich in the things that matter most

4. I don't have a perfect marriage and I am not the perfect wife or mother

5. I often struggle with daily reading my scriptures and praying (but I am making big improvements in this area)

6. I swear, yep, I try not to do it too often or in front of my kids, but I have been known to throw down some not so lady like language when I am mad or frustrated (p.s. I HATE the "f" word, but sadly will admit that I have said it once or twice)

7. It is 11am, I am still in my pj's (although that isn't usually the case), my sink is full of dirty dishes, and my kitchen floor really needs to be swept

8. I have loads of laundry calling my name!!! Laundry to wash, laundry wet needing to be dried, laundry that needs to be folded, and laundry that needs to be put away (usually my husband does the laundry but he is so busy with work lately that he just doesn't have time, so it is my chore for now, YAY me)

9. I weigh 10 pounds more than I would like to, I don't love to work out, but I do love how great working out makes me feel, my biggest problem is my SERIOUS SWEET TOOTH!!!

10. There are times that I think the grass looks greener on the other side while looking at others lives, but I am learning that we ALL have our struggles and trials, no one is perfect no matter how perfect things might appear

{Just some of my thoughts from today!}

Brittany


Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Another Family In Need!!!!!

I'm sure many of you that are from Utah or have family here have heard about the accident in the Nutty Putty Caves on Thanksgiving. A young man, John Jones was exploring the caves and got stuck in a very small spot upside down and was unable to free him self. For I believe over 24 hours emergency response teams from all over the Salt Lake and Utah County areas tried to free this man, sadly it was much too difficult and dangerous to free him and he passed away. John leaves behind his wife Emily, a baby girl, and a baby on the way.
Stephanie from the blog, http://www.adailyscoop.blogspot.com/ is holding an online auction to raise money for this young window, make sure to check it out! You can also helping by going to Wells Fargo and donating to the Emily Jones Memorial Fund.

You can read more about John Jones and his family HERE!
Our family, like lots of other families are having to be cautious this Christmas season due to the economy, but every little bit does help, and the little bit of extra I can come up with will go to help both this family and the family I posted about earlier today:). Giving is TRULY what Christmas is ALL about, I have been blessed with a home, a good job for my husband, food to eat, the Gospel, a healthy family, and my list could go on and on. I know that there are a few things I can scratch off my Christmas lists so that I can give to these families in need instead!

Liver For Lulu (please check this out)

I recieved an email today from a friend asking for help for her best friends daughter. This friends baby girl has a liver disease and this family is in need of help!!! You can check out her blog at...

http://www.liverforlulu.blogspot.com/

Being the Christmas season what a perfect time for us to GIVE!!! THIS Thursday December 3rd friends and family are having a boutique in honor of this precious little girl and her family to raise money for her medical expenses. So COME, SHOP, find some great Christmas gifts and support this darling family!!!

Cranberry Farms Club House
2400 West 2400 North
Lehi, Utah
Thursday December 3rd, 2009
3-9pm

There will be over 20 different vendors at the event...
Chic Boutique Jeans
Close to my heart scrapbooking
Glitter toes
Layers
It's sew cute (girls clothing)
Usborne Books
Pampered chef
Swanky hats
Scentcy
Cookie Lee Jewlery
Feel beautiful hair products
Watches
Photography
Bows & Hats
Vinyl
Baby Bedding & MORE!!!