Blueberry-Strawberry Pancakes

This recipe is inspired by my six year-old daughter, and the show Daniel Tiger; because every song and thing that is made on that show has to be sung and made in our house... right? 

Also, Thanks to my hubbs for patiently waiting while I took several pictures of this fun breakfast before we could start eating. :) 

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup All- purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon baking power
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large egg yolks
2 cups milk
1/4 cup melted butter
frozen or fresh berries to your desire
(I used about 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, and 1/2 cup fresh strawberries)

DIRECTIONS:

Mix dry ingredients, and wet ingredients separately. Combine the wet and dry ingredients. Gently pulse the berries in a blender with some of the pancake batter until you are happy with how small or blended the berries have become. Combine the berry mixture with the remaining pancake mixture and give it a stir.

Preheat your griddle or non-stick pan to 300 degrees. Spray it with Pam and measure out 1/4 or 1/3 scoops of the batter onto your pan. Let the pancakes almost cook all the way through BEFORE you flip them. If you flip them too soon they will get REALLY thin. This recipe makes nice thin pancakes already, but you don't want them too thin. When they look almost cooked through, give them a flip! AVOID PRESSING with your spatula. I have to catch myself sometimes. ;)

We ate our pancakes with some blueberry pie filling/jam mixture I had made a few weeks before and some Cool Whip. Add what ever your family likes and enjoy!! Honestly, these things had such good flavor they were tasty right off the pan.

Creativity

Wow.... Creativity. I love creating things.
Taking something ugly or useless and making it pretty and/or useful tastes just like fresh chocolate chip cookies out of the oven! And if you know me, you KNOW how much I enjoy those delectable treats.

But I often have a hard time describing myself as "creative". There are so many incredibly talented people out there and it is easy to deem them creative and not always myself. Sometimes my creativity comes because I see something I like and I use that idea. Also, sometimes I have things just sitting around for weeks or months until one day it just hits me what I am supposed to do with it. I love having cute scrap book paper, pieces of wood, and fabric laying around for spur of the moment creating. I love browsing Pinterest for ideas in a certain medium, and I also find all kinds of inspiration in magazines and other's homes.

I don't really think I can say honestly that my creations greatly differ from others. I mean there are sooooo many beautifully creative people out there that inspire me, and you could probably find mounds of art and redone furniture that looks very similar to mine. If anything makes me different, it is that my art is made by ME; My under-developed painting skills that may cause little imperfections, and my full on lifestyle that only allows time for quick crafts, art, and creations, maybe even my resourcefulness to use up what I have laying around me. It all makes my art reflect ME.

For example... I really like the natural wood/ rustic wall art that is popular right now. While building our house last year I was noticing piles of cut lumber that was completely usable being stacked up as garbage or to be burned, and it literally made my stomach turn! I instantly thought I could make things with it.

From painting on them, making small pieces of rustic furniture, even attempting picture frames out of the left over trim, I had to do something with it! Granted much of it did get burned or tossed simply because of the HUGE amount that I simply couldn't stuff in my closets.  I also, don't use stencils, not because I don't like them, but because I am really not good at them! The lettering looks all smudgy, so all my wood sign's lettering is done by hand.

I really haven't even narrowed myself down to one genre, I am reusing pieces of wood, but I also enjoy finding old pieces of furniture and giving them new life, decorating, drawing, word art, cooking (which is definitely an art ;) and lots of other things.

Currently I have a booth at a hip flea market with lots of cute home decor. I am always working on and adding some art and color to my house, but also the booth. I don't have the booth looking like I want it to just yet, but it is getting there! Also, I am working on decorating my house, which may or may not ever end. :)

Why do you do what you do?
Even though my originality is not always on the forefront, I create because it brings me a deep sense of joy. I would imagine most creative people have a similar feeling. Putting art on the walls that I have done just gives me a sense of "Yeah! I did that!!" A "Go me!" kind of attitude, and I feel it again every time I look at it. Just about all the decorative pieces you see on my walls I have put together, whether it is paper, paint, watercolor, making picture frames, or reusing old frames. And I know my style is unique!! Country, rustic, bright, eclectic, feminine... ha! What a mixture ;)

I suppose that is as simple as it gets, I create because it makes me happy.

Baked Chimichangas

 The Chimichanga

   

 

 

chim-ee-chahng-guh;

a crisp, often deep-fried tortilla containing a spicy filling of pork, chicken, etc.,  

usually served as an appetizer with sour cream, green chili sauce, melted cheese, etc.

 

If your like me, I try to AVOID crispy dishes at Mexican restaurants. Normally, "crispy" anything when your at a restaurant means FRIED! I just always order something that doesn't sound crispy.... 'cause I know I'm going to get plenty of crispy in the basket of chips right in front of me :). I really do like chimichangas though!  

 

Occasionally I feel creative when it is time to cook dinner, and this night I did...

 

 ...And I wanted Mexican food.

First, I made the filling with shredded chicken (boiled in microwave, and shredded with forks), onions, salt, a bit of sour cream, and some orange and yellow bell peppers. 

Saute the onions and peppers together with some cumin (a couple sprinkles worth), when soft, mix the sour cream, chicken, onion and pepper, and salt in bowl. 

This time, I used store bought tortillas; Lately, I have been making my own. Fill your tortillas like a burrito with the chicken mixture and then throw some shredded cheese on before rolling it up. Place seam side down on your baking dish. 

Spray with some cooking spray and pop in the oven at 400 degrees for a few minutes. I really don't remember how long I baked them! I am kinda bad about just throwing stuff together and not paying attention to times and measuring. Basically, check them after 5 minutes to see if they are crispy. I was amazed at how crispy and light these turned out. I have tried brushing oil on, and had okay results... but spraying some cooking oil on the top really made a difference.

I added a salad like we would get in the restaurant. Shredded lettuce, tomatoes, a dollop of sour cream, and added some shredded cheese. The simple salad REALLY made me feel like I was at a restaurant!!

 

MMMMMMMM....... I think I'm going to make these tonight!

I've Got Sunshine

Spring is close! The minute we get a glimpse of that warmer weather to come, we try to head outdoors, or to a park. And what better time to play with my newish (used, but new to me) camera than when the sun is shining bright?!

Sweet baby girl Adelaide seems to love to climb and get in tight places. I was very intrigued by how she was winding herself up into this tunnel. She stayed there very content for several minutes. :)

It doesn't always happen, but it is getting more common for Lyla to play alongside Micah. They were enjoying playing a park version of bongo drums. Makes me smile :)

So I tend to be a people watcher... I just love to watch people live life! Apparently Micah is too. He is studying another park goer zip down the slide. I wonder what he is thinking??

...I could stare at that big brown eye and those big pink lips all day... 

...okay I'll move on.... 

...okay now...

Lyla was sure excited about getting to go down the slide with brother!! Micah... not so much.

 

Oh, how I love those babies.