Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. ~ Ferris Bueller
The theme in my life lately has been big wonderful promises that seem too good to be true. In time, like all things too good to be true, the truth emerges eventually. Thankfully, things are still good and there are still blessings in my life.
A few years ago I decided to go back to school. I wasn't mature enough for college when I was younger. I gave it a try and quickly dropped most of my classes. Why go to an Intro to Business class when I could go to the airport and watch the airplanes take off and land? (I am a dreamer) Andrew was starting his senior year in high school, so I started at the local community college. I worked full time and took three classes each fall and spring semester. I was able to cram five classes in each summer due to being laid off twice in two years. It was either a tough break or a blessing in disguise, depending on how you looked at it. I took advantage of the opportunity and completed my AA degree in two years with a 3.76 GPA. I see it as a blessing to have been laid off now.
After completing my degree (and having run out of savings), I started work again six weeks later. I knew I wanted to continue with my schooling and get a Bachelors but I needed a break from school. It took less than one full semester for me to get bored and want to be in school again. During the holiday season, I gathered what I needed and applied to the University of New Mexico. I was accepted into the Psychology program and start this fall.
I was awarded a scholarship renewable for 4 semesters and a couple of smaller grants from the university and the state. I called the school and was told the requirements for the scholarship would be to take and complete 12 units per semester. ~sighs~ We'll make it work, I thought. I can handle four classes. Then I find out its actually 15 units. What???? Ugh! Could I work a full time 8a-5p M-F job and take five classes each semester? I don't *need* the scholarship I suppose. It sure would have made things alot easier though.
Orientation was this past week. I'm officially registered... for five classes. I don't know what I am thinking, but I am going to give it a try. I have decided that if in the first three weeks I think I can handle five classes, I will take that scholarship money and put it into a savings account just in case it doesn't work out and I need to pay it back. If it works, then winter break and the holidays are spent at home with family. That is motivation for me!
What does any of this have to do with food? Well, I have two recipes for you today (your bonus for reading all of that). These recipes are cheap and comforting (everything I will need for the year to come) and not perfect (much like the blessings in my life).
Here is the first one:
Real Buttermilk Pancakes
In a large bowl, beat the egg lightly. Add the buttermilk, melted butter and vanilla. Mix well.
Add the dry ingredients and mix until it just comes together. Do not over-mix. It is a very thick batter. Spray a pan with non-stick cooking spray. Ladle the batter into the pan.
Cook over low-medium heat. Like the good little home cook that I am, I kept looking for the bubbles. None ever came. Just keep cooking over that low-medium heat for longer than you think it should take. Keep an eye on how brown the bottom gets. Flip and cook several more minutes.
I made these pancakes over several weekends trying to make the little bubbles show up. They were gummy and lacking that yummy tangy buttermilk flavor. Those first pancakes didn't bubble because they were so thick but oh my were they yummy! Andrew had his with maple syrup that first time and I had mine with powdered sugar. In yesterday's attempt, we had strawberry jam. I'm a huge fan of butter, but these pancakes seriously do not need the added butter. They are truly amazing.
Real Simple Buttermilk Pancakes
1 ½ cups all purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
¼ cup white sugar
1 ½ cups buttermilk
1 egg
4 tbsp butter, melted and cooled
1 tsp vanilla extract
In a large bowl, beat the egg lightly. Add the buttermilk, melted butter and vanilla. Mix well. Add the dry ingredients and mix until it just comes together. Do not over-mix. It is a very thick batter. Spray a pan with non-stick cooking spray. Ladle the batter into the pan. Cook over low-medium heat. Like the good little home cook that I am, I kept looking for the bubbles. None ever came. Just keep cooking over that low-medium heat for longer than you think it should take. Keep an eye on how brown the bottom gets. Flip and cook several more minutes until done. Top with your favorite toppings. No need for extra butter.
There is another one coming a little later!
Love and Laughter
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