That's What Saturday's Are For

I love Sat. mornings in May (or June, Sept. and even Jan.) I have a little tradition called The Long Run. There is no sleeping in. A 6:30 am start and we (my running buddies and I) own the world. No one else is usually even stirring, and we have the road to ourselves. Except this Sat. we shared it with about 40 cows that wanted to run with us:) Cows are fine behind a fence, but when they're keeping pace with you just to your left, it's a bit unnerving. We ran up to Porcupine Dam and back and of course we solved all the worlds problems. It was just a perfect way to start the day. As I got home there was some Erasure playing, and James puttering around the kitchen, kind of picking up and I was sure a special breakfast must be had this morning.

And so I was off. A quick shower, and then I turned up Erasure as loud as it would go. Can you see it. I was singing at the top of my voice, and dancing as I flipped those pancakes. I remember my dad doing something like this, but he was always doing a little jig to the Mama's and the Papa's. I thought he was strange, and old, but with the loud 80's sound of Erasure at my house Sat. I felt like Rod all over again just with a new genre of music. Erasure will never go out of style! "give a little respect toooooooo ooooo me!" I know you're singing along:)

On to the Huckleberry Pancakes with Buttermilk syrup!! Delish! We love Huckleberry anything around our house. It is a subtle reminder of warmer days, and the delights of summer! We head up every Aug. to a very top secret location to the happy hunting grounds for Huckleberries. Now I had to kill 1 person and threaten another for this information. It is guarded very closely, and we only tell our most favorite friends and tell them to only tell their most favorite friends.....you get the picture. We've told everyone, but only a few folks really even care. They are true kindred spirits at heart! Huckleberries are related to the blueberry, but purple and have a "wild" sort of taste. It is devine. They are great as jam, homemade ice cream definately, but Huckleberry pancakes will rock your world. So if your interested, next Sat. we'll probably do another 10 miler up to Porcupine. It will be beautiful with all the Chokecherry blossoms out. And then if you make it I will make you Huckleberry Pancakes. I'll even make a huge batch of Buttermilk syrup too. Come! If you don't run I'll still feed you!

Eileen's Buttermilk Pancakes with Lisa's Twist

2 c. flour

2 t. baking powder

1 t. baking soda

1 t. salt

2 T. sugar

1/4 c. cornmeal (yum! This gives it just a bit of a crunchy loveliness)

1/4 c. oil

2 eggs

2-2 1/2 c. buttermilk (a must. Just learn to have it on hand all the time. You'll need it for the syrup anyways so buy a 1/2 gallon. It doesn't go bad, and if it does all the better! It will become a new staple.)

Huckleberries ( I don't mix them into the batter. I sprinkle them onto the pancakes as they are cooking on their first side. This spreads them out evenly, and if you are Rod, you can put as many as you want on your pancake.)

Place on a lightly greased hot griddle and cook until done. Serve with Buttermilk Syrup! These are also really good with a mashed up banana or two and some pecans. Banana Nut Pancakes are lovely.

Buttermilk Syrup from Hollie with a twist from my friend Jill

1 cube butter

1/4 c. corn syrup

1/2 c. buttermilk

1/2 t. baking soda

3/4 c. sugar

1/2 t. vanilla

Place in a big pot. This stuff foams out of control at first. Bring to a boil and then let boil until it turns a nice dark golden brown. About 8-10 mins. I usually 3 times the batch and it will make about a quart. I don't 3x's the butter though. Maybe only 1 1/2 cubes of butter to a 3 batch. This stuff is awesome on pancakes, coconut pound cake with fresh blackberries, and peaches, (that's another post in Sept. probably when my mom's peaches are on, and if they don't get raped and pillaged by her so called friend) plain old fruit, or just squirted into your mouth.