Lily's Health Pad

Sorry I passed on blogging last night.  Instead, my family watched The Blind Side.  And it was well worth it.  What a great movie!  I was reluctant to watch it because I thought it would be all about football, but really it is the life story of someone who plays football.  There are very few scenes depicting actual game time.  I would totally recommend going to see it!

Anyway, Christmas is officially over .  I always get a wee bit of post holiday blues this time of year.  Stephen, Mom, Dad, and I will be leaving my sister’s house tomorrow morning, and I’m certainly going to miss my family.  We had a wonderful holiday.

This year’s Christmas Eve dinner was the best we’ve ever eaten.  My sister is an excellent cook!  We feasted on…

Smoked Brisket

Cheddar and Chive Biscuits

Spinach Salad

Cornbread Stuffing

Pumpkin Cheesecake

I ate a lot!  But not so much that I felt sick.  Goal accomplished!

After dinner, the fam and I played some Apples to Apples and called it a night since we knew that there would be an early morning wake-up call.

And boy did it feel early when the kiddos awoke and ran down the stairs at 6:30 a.m.

to see this!

They were delighted with what Santa brought them.

I was also pleased.

A Cannon Powershot 1200, Tone’s Southwest Seasoning, an iTunes gift card, a Vera Bradley tote, and a Ninja (ninJAAAAAH as the infomercial echoes every few seconds).  I also got some surprise gifts that I didn’t ask for: a peeler, ladle, bread pan, wine opener, and coffee mug with a picture of Stephen and me.  I’d have to say the camera is my favorite present.  Thanks Stephen!

After opening presents, it was time to eat some breakfast.  It’s a tradition to eat my brother-in-law’s sourdough pancakes on Christmas morning.

Sourdough Pancakes with Mixed Berry Syrup

Sourdough Starter

*This should be prepared 12 hours before using.

Recipe makes 10 cups

Ingredients:

• 4 cups warm water
• 1 (1/4 cup) package active dry yeast
• 1 cup sugar
• 6 cups all-purpose flour

Directions:

• Fill large crock pot or a large bowl with the warm water.
• Sprinkle yeast over the top and let it dissolve for at least four minutes
• Using a whisk, stir in the sugar and flour.
• Loosely cover with plastic wrap and set the mixture aside at room temperature for at least 12 hours before using it.

Sourdough Pancakes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sourdough starter (see above recipe)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 cups fat-free buttermilk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

• In a medium-size bowl, sift the dry ingredients together and set aside.
• In another bowl, combine the eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla with the sourdough starter
• Carefully add the dry to the wet ingredients, stirring just until blended.
• Cook on a greased griddle over medium-high heat.

Mixed Berry Syrup

Ingredients:

• 2 cup water
• 2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 2 bags of frozen mixed berries

Directions:

• Boil water and sugar on stovetop.
• Once mixture boils, add berries and cornstarch.
• Bring mixture to boil again.
• Immediately simmer on low for 20 minutes.
• Remove pot from heat and let cool.  This is when syrup will thicken.

I hope you had a joyful holiday!  What Christmas traditions did you fulfill this year?

Tags: Cannon Powershot 1200, Christmas, Max and Clara, Ninja, tone's