I don’t usually wake up thinking about breakfast. For sure it’s the most important meal of the day. Time to rehydrate, refuel, restart, and re-energize for the new day.  And yes, it provides the perfect opportunity to get in some whole grains, fruit, and healthy proteins from eggs, cheese, milk and yogurt. Children especially need to have a good breakfast in their tummies when they head out the door for school or play.

DW and I usually have a rather simple breakfast during the week.  I like to start with coffee.  My favorite choice for breakfast is a cheese toast, sharp cheddar cheese melted on a soft whole wheat bread and my second favorite is two slices of Killer Dave’s multi-grain bread toasted and topped with raspberry preserves.

DW likes cereal in the summer and oatmeal in the winter or anytime an egg on bread or EOB, as we call it.  But the menu changes on Saturdays when Mack is here.  It’s always pancakes. He has also told his other grandmother that GiGi, that’s me, always makes him pancakes, so now he always gets pancakes at Mia’s house too.

No breakfast

Not a good thing for me, especially with no coffee either, and that happened recently.  After a doctor’s visit and blood test for which I drove to Oxford for without food and drink I felt pretty awful by the time I got back to my car, where I sat for almost an hour trying to rehydrate, restart, and most importantly, re-caffeinate.  By supper time I was finally feeling normal again.

Breakfast with the big guy

The very next morning I joined granddaughters Emree and Hadley and daughter-in-law Kristine for PJs and Pancakes with Santa, a breakfast we did wake up looking forward to.  Hosted by the grandmother of Emree’s little friend Vera, the two and three-year olds made themselves right at home.

Grandmother Whoopsie served up pancakes, presents, pictures, plus take-home ornaments after a visit from the most perfect Santa for all these little friends, their siblings and parents (and an occasional grandmother).  The adorable pajama clad group took turns talking to Santa and having their pictures made.  They sat quietly (mostly) while he read an excerpt from The Night Before Christmas and listened intently as he explained how the elves reported back to him when someone misbehaved.

Santa left as quietly as he came and then it was time for pancakes with sausages and bacon cooked by the dear Clara Claus, Vera’s great grandmother.  She was dressed in red with a red night cap over her silver white hair and donning a beautiful embroidered white apron as she stood by the stove.  It was so magical.  Visions of the North Pole filled our eyes and fluffy pancakes our stomachs.   

Never grow up

Back home, and the very next morning, and Mack and I enjoyed pancakes with Peter Pan himself.  Indians, pirates, lost boys, and a menagerie of magical animals roamed around the tables of wide-eyed children, completely captivated by the well costumed cast of the much-loved story.  Mack spied Captain Hook; and Peter Pan dropped by our table for a chat. Barefooted Indians slipped in and around trying to avoid the up-to-no-good pirates and the lost boys wondered aimlessly.

Mack ate two plates of pancakes as he kept an eye on the cast of characters constantly coming and going.  After a sneak peek at an Indian dance and a pirate performance Mack and I left the school cafeteria only to run right into…tic…tock…the crocodile, just waiting for the unsuspecting down the hall. But we made it out safely, full of pancakes, and eager to see the high school production of Peter Pan.  Never never land beckoned.  Another magical breakfast…

Recipe of the Week

Homemade Buttermilk Pancakes

My go-to pancake recipe, better than Aunt Jemima’s!

1 ⅓ cups buttermilk

1 large fresh egg

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

¾ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

¼ cup melted butter

More buttermilk as needed

In a 2-cup measure mix buttermilk and egg.  In a medium bowl mix dry ingredients.  Stir the egg mixture into the dry ingredients until fairly smooth.  Stir in ¼ cup melted butter, slightly cooled.  If too thick, gently stir in another 1 -2 tablespoons buttermilk.  Cook pancakes on a lightly greased heated griddle or large skillet.  Spritz a few drops of cold water onto the surface to see if it’s hot enough.  If it is, the water will bounce and sizzle.  Set electric griddles or skillets on 350 – 375 degrees.  Pour or ladle pancake batter in a slow steady stream for desired size (about ¼ cup for average pancake) leaving space between each pancake so they don’t touch.  Serve with butter, syrup, fresh blueberries and sliced strawberries and whipped topping and friends.  Makes 8 – 10 pancakes. Double as needed.  You never know when Santa or a lost friend might drop in.