52 weeks of happiness: week 2

His big day!

 

This Moment: in the garden

This is a special moment from the past week that I want to stop, savor and enjoy.  If you are so inspired, please leave a comment for me with your own special moment and check out other moments this morning at soulemama.

Gluten-FreeYorshire Pudding

Yes, I am going back to my roots. If you didn't know, I am a Yorkshire Las. My Dad is from Leeds England and I have enjoyed learning about my heritage.  My Dad has always had a big Yorkshire personality and along with that "funny" way of talking (just kidding Dad), he is also an amazing cook. I hope he will like my gluten-free version of this Yorkshire classic.  I have to admit that I really didn't even know what Yorkshire pudding was until recently. It is definitely not pudding like we know it.  It was originally created as a plan to catch and use all the dripping in the pan and was actually cooked under the meat, catching the drippings as it cooked.

 In 1737 a recipe foe 'A dripping pudding' was published in "The Whole Duty of a Woman":

Make a good batter as for pancakes; put in a hot toss-pan over the fire with a bit of butter to fry the bottom a little then put the pan and butter under a shoulder of mutton, instead of a dripping pan, keeping frequently shaking it by the handle and it will be light and savoury, and fit to take up when your mutton is enough; then turn it in a dish and serve it hot.

Well any way, as they say in Yorkshire, 

'Ear all, see all, say nowt;

Eyt all, sup all, pay nowt;

And if ivver tha does owt fer nowt -

Do it fer thissen

(Translation: 'Hear all, see all, say nothing; Eat all, drink all, pay nothing; And if ever you do anything for nothing - Do it for yourself

(Of course, you know when the Yorkshire pudding is ready in my house when the smoke alarm goes off.)

Gluten-Free Yorkshire Pudding

1 C millet flour (or any gluten free flour you like) (I use my own soaked, dehydrated, and freshly ground flour)
1 t sea salt
1/2 t baking powder
¼ t xanthan gum
3  eggs
1  C Milk 
1 C of chicken or beef pan drippings (you can also use butter if you don't have pan drippings.)

Directions:
(Makes about 8 -12 servings)
Preheat oven to 425. Mix all dry ingredients well. Beat eggs separately, then add to dry ingredients and mix well. Add the milk and beat on high for a couple of minutes (should be the consistency of thick cream). Put about 2 tablespoons of chicken or beef drippings into the bottom a  muffin pan and put in the oven to heat up for about 5 minutes. Take out of oven and distribute the batter evenly over the hot drippings. Bake at 425 for about 15 minutes. You can also use a cast iron pan and just make one big Yorkshire pudding. That is actually the more traditional method of cooking it. I personally just like to have the individual servings that the muffin pan creates fro you.

This blog is part of Real Food Wednesday 

52 weeks of happiness: week 1

Observing the creativity and ingenuity that children posses is something that makes me so happy. 

If you are so inspired, post a comment for me with something that makes you happy. I would love to hear from you!

5 months my baby

(Scout - 5 Months)

Yesterday my little boy turned 5 years old. Today my baby turns 5 months. What a full life this baby is having. He is surrounded by people that love him and he is exploring his world a little more each day. We are so lucky to live near family. He has grandparents that love him living so near and just this morning he got to see his other grandparents on Skype from Florida blowing kisses through the screen. He is finding his place in this family as one of the kids. He seems to love it here as much as we love having him.

today he's 5

What I love about this 5 year old:

:: The way he cracks himself up which in turn makes us all die laughing no matter what he has said.

:: How he loves to chase the garbage truck down the street on his bike on garbage day.

:: That he comes to the dinner table with muddy hands and rosy cheeks from playing outside all day.

:: His enthusiastic way of telling long stories that go on and on and on with such detail that I have a hard time following but he sure has it all figured out. His ideas flow so freely

:: His desire to kiss his brother hundreds of times each day

:: The way he can sit for hours listening to a good book read to him, and the way his breathing becomes so peaceful and rhythmical next to me.

:: The joy he has climbing and practically living in the trees

:: His willingness to enjoy almost anything from ballet to soccer to knitting.

:: How he loves making, playing with, breaking, and most of all fixing his toys

:: The way his eyes turn into little crescent moons when he smiles.

:: That he seems to truly love and enjoy life.

:: The way he and his sister play together all day. They really are best friends.

:: How he has embraced being a big brother.

:: His love for bugs and worms, He is unusually good at catching flies.

:: His level of concentration and commitment to the task at hand (as long as it involves tools).

:: The way he smiles sheepishly when caught red handed. How can you ever get angry with that face.

:: His love of a good snuggle on the couch.

:: The way he fits so perfectly into this family. I can't imagine a life without him.

Pilot has been a joy since he joined us 5 years ago. He came to us smiling and spends most of his day filling our lives with so much happiness. A part of me would like to stop time right now and savor this little boy for a while longer before he gets any bigger. Although I do not know what lies in our future, I can be sure with much certainty that who he is now is who he will always be. A loving, kind, fun, gentle, spunky, creative, loving, expressive person, who I am so glad I will always be able to call my son. Happy Birthday Pilot!

This Moment: looking for something?

This is a special moment from the past week that I want to stop, savor and enjoy.  If you are so inspired, please leave a comment for me with your own special moment and check out other moments this morning at soulemama.