A Mouse in the Pantry

It has begun...

Twas' the morning before Kindergarten,
And all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring,
(Oh...Wait...What's that I hear? And does the clock really read 6 a.m.? Guess we better start over)

Twas' the morning before kindergarten and what do I hear?
A five year old jumping from his bed,
A smile ear to ear.

Was off to the bathroom,
Where in the steam we did write,
"Quinn's ready for Kindergarten"
Much to his delight!

He gobbled his pancakes,
Mom cried here and there (ok, I am pregnant)
Then packed up his play clothes
And sweater to wear...

    And it's done. After a hearty breakfast of Mickey Mouse pancakes (the irony of this is not lost on us, considering our recent choice in sending our child to a media free school) and crisp Nieman Ranch bacon, our eager man raced us out the door and to the car. 
    It's been weeks in the coming, and despite being rather concerned about this pending day when the summer began, today you wouldn't have known; He was ready.

    We stood dutifully on the playground as he explored each nook and cranny, toppled toys to see what they did, and raced in and out of a sweet wooden play house.
"He'll come back to us any minute," I thought to myself.
"We should stand right here, in case he doesn't find any friends to play with" I continued the inward self torment.
"I wonder if I should have brought a granola bar or a piece of fruit for him, what if he gets hungry before class begins?" Yes, I thought that too.

    And then, a bolt of red lightning whizzed past us and every other parent in waiting, followed by a bright orange one. Their names were Quinn and Marcos and they had fast become friends. Jumping, racing, and rampaging through the mess of scared out of their wits parents; they were here to prove us wrong.

    Though my husband urged me to move on, to head towards the car.  I wasn't going to be the first brave parent to exit the building - no way.  Instead we watched as each kindergarten class was quietly swept up by teachers and aids into sweet circles by their doors, every child receiving a personalized smile, and often a hug, from their new leader.  Lined up and ready to begin, I realized this was the beginning, and the end. 

    This was the  beginning of the end of my little boy. The sweet, sleep-in, mid-week mornings and cuddles on the couch. The hooky from preschool , impromptu trips to the beach.  This was the beginning of the rest of his schooled life. From now until at least 18, he will wake up, on schedule, arrive with his pack, and set about learning to work within the group (and not just with Mom).  This is a very tuff day, and a very happy one as well.

    We were finally convinced it was time to go.  Relishing every moment, and snapping every possible picture, we edged our way out the door as the children behind us chattered and laughed.
    I looked at my husband as tears began to fill the edges of my eyes. This was it, this was the separation.

"GOODBYE MOM, I LOVE YOU!" came a very familiar little voice from behind me. And I had to turn back for one last kiss.

Mouse in the Pantry Pancakes:

1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup vanilla yogurt
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup vegetable oil or melted butter

Combine all dry ingredients in one large bowl. Stir to combine.  In a second medium bowl combine all wet ingredients, whisking to combine.  Whisk wet mixture into dry ingredients thoroughly.

Heat griddle to medium-hot. Lightly oil and scoop 1/3 cup of batter at a time onto griddle. Alternately make one large pancake with two smaller cakes attached as ears (for your mouse). Cook on one side until edges begin to bubble. Flip and cook an additional couple of minutes.

Serve with pure maple syrup and cranberries for eyes.

Tales from the Side

Let's face it, there has been a serious lack of baking going on in this blog lately.  Though this is almost purely medical and hopefully resolved within a relatively short period of time, considering the average life of a person, not to mention an oven, a Kitchen-Aid mixer, or a wooden spoon, it is still to say the least frustrating.

Not only does this particular blogger feel like she may be missing a piece of herself, she feels like a piece of her blog is missing too.

Oh there are recipes in storage, and those occasionally come out.  There are new Gourmet Magazines landing in the mail slot (this month covering all things Paris!), and there are endless food shows bouncing off the T.V. channels for inspiration. But those aren't me.

So, time to bite the bullet and acknowledge out loud that .... THERE IS NO BAKING HAPPENING IN THE COURTWAY HOUSE! At least for this next month or two.
There, that's done.

But, despite not baking "for real", or prancing off to new restaurant openings (though I would love to check out the new Mi Puebla spot on Kentucky - maybe our roving reporter Frances could give us a spin?), there is one thing I haven't been strictly forbidden from doing - Eating!

Oh yes, it's the age old pregnancy stereotype.  "Ha, Ha, Ha, look at the fat girl eat." But it's true isn't it.  When all else fails, your  body, your cervix (oh God, I can't believe I just said the word cervix in a food blog), your mind (plenty of crazy chefs before me, so this ones ok), they never tell a preggo to stop eating, do they?

And, for all the amazing meals whipped up by the industrious hubby, and the goodies flooding in from stores, it is those home baked delights that have really kept me going. Chocolate Pound cake that was OMG to die for.  Cookies and Apricot Pie - oh yes! And Jam's, tons of jam's, from an ever busy pal who could be named the preserving queen of 2008.

Just this weekend I had the delight of a somewhat normal brain day as my lovely writers group descended on the bedridden with not just inspirational tales from their summer, but Lemon Curd Poppyseed Cake from Santa Rosa's famous Village Bakery. Wow, if you haven't yet caught up with this fabulous little spot, it's time.  I'd offer for you to try the cake yourself, but alas, I am pregnant and the cake is long gone my friends. (Can you hear the lack of shame in this declaration? it was that flipping good. Dear Lesley watch out, you will become an addict).

Tales from the under belly this is, or is it tales from the couch? Either way. This is surely a tale for years to come. What develops in the next few weeks is anyone's guess - a bit like  sourdough starter though, hopefully worth it after a lot of fermentation.

Herb Bundles

Great kitchen tip this week for you eager domestic types and aspiring goddesses of all things decorative. 

Recently found a fabulous new use for the abundant stalks of rosemary in my yard.  Having packed them for a catering job (intended for the meat platter) they became the perfect silverware separator at a busy buffet style event. 

And why not? Edible and honestly quite refreshing, a little rosemary goes a long way in piquing the interest of diners.  The perfect incorporation of nature as well, when not everything we eat off of, is exactly natural.

Taking this theme one step further, might I suggest a friendly herb bundle to dress up everyday table displays and platter prep.  At their summer peak, herbs are an excellent way to bring the outdoors in and are often hardier in the garden (trust me on this) then their more delicate flower laden cousins.

Having stumbled upon some overdue oregano just this week, I was saddened by it's potential loss simply because it had flowered. But why let it go to waste in the compost pile? Clip those hardy flowering stems free and use them as hostess bouquets, gift toppers and aromatic bathroom clusters.  (I can't tell you how thrilled my youngest was to find  the garden in the John).

An easy evening fix to even the most boring of meals, a garden herb bundle could even take seat for a few days on your counter in a nice mason jar of cold water.  no excuses now, you have officially brought the herbs in, and the greenery better make it into the next meal.

Simple garden remedies are often overlooked at our house - possible because they are that, simple.  Here's to a new tradition in catering and a new taste or two at the dinner table as well.

Standing Corrected...

Small blog here to make note of a tiny mistake concerning August 12th's garden kitchen demo with Petaluma Bounty.
Please go to www.petalumabounty.org, or view my past post to get all the gooey details.

Bounty Kitchen

      NOTE: Changes to original post.  Here is a flyer from the actual event.  Hope you can all make it out.   


Healthy Cooking Demonstration
     Tuesday, August 12, 2008                 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
          McDowell Elementary School - Multipurpose Room

Come learn how to prepare healthy snacks and meals for your family with organic fruits and vegetables. 
Bring your friends!

Babysitting provided (2-12 year olds) ++ rsvp to Ruth Persselin 775-3663 x214
(Please come 15 minutes in advance to register children for babysitting)
  
     


Aprende como Cocina en forma Saludable
    Martes, 12 de Agosto, 2008        6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
      Escuela Primaria McDowell - Cocina del Salón Multiusos

Ven y aprende como preparar platillos y bocadillos saludables para tu familia, con frutas y verduras organicas. 
Invita a tus amigos!

Tendremos cuidado de niños (2-12 años)  
(por favor, ven 15 minutos antes para registrar tus ninos)
Para una reserva llama a Laura Martinez 773-1439

Original Post: 8/8/08

Community gardens have been sweeping the country by storm, connecting neighbors and food chains as folks run from the gas pump, and their ever shrinking wallets.

In Sonoma County, Petaluma Bounty has taken the community garden circuit by storm promoting "growth" of the vegetable variety all over. 

Well it's one thing to grow them, and another to use them when they come home to your kitchen.  This Tuesday August 12th (can you believe it's already August?), Petaluma Bounty is hosting a cooking class and sampling party at McDowell Elementary's community garden.  A great way to not only meet some local neighbors, but to learn the latest outdoor cooking techniques for your freshest organic produce.

Situated in a Petaluma Eastside neighborhood, this garden has played a key role in the creation of a community of health where not long ago, apartment dwellers could only hope for good food from the grocery store isle.  They have taken organic into their own hands and flourished.

Join Petaluma Bounty, their leaders and garden keepers from 6:30-8:00pm, at the McDowell Elementary garden, to share in their latest cooking class and the beautiful bounty to be had.

Perfect in Pink

Combine a small group of chatty women, several bottles of pink champagne and one purely pink princess in the making and what will you get?  A summer tea party that is filled to the brim with giggles, ruffles and oodles of laughs, not to mention a hefty serving of whipped cream and lemon curd!

There is nothing like a baby shower to bring out the girl in all of us, and I was on the receiving end of not just delightfully cute goodies this last Saturday (and yes, the doctor said I could go), but the makings of a true feast. British brightness meets the romance of the Mediterranean was the party theme and every foodilicious detail was artfully covered.

Who can pass up a table topped with scones, sausage rolls, hand cut tea sandwiches, grilled shrimp on endive, gazpacho, fruit kebabs, salmon on crostinis, to die for shortbread, cake just dripping with curd, and a party perfect trifle? Add several pots of tea, pink lemonade and a bit more bubbly for the ladies and you are hard pressed not to have a fabulous time.

Leave it to my fab gal pals and blogging foodie types to turn a breezy summer afternoon into  a great escape. Rivetti, Maggio-Hucek and McCullaugh should perhaps be hitting the big time as pink party throwing professionals. Leaving guests with not just full middles but hands full of homemade wine as well, this party will surely be talked about for weeks to come.

This was also a good reminder to us all, that summer time festivities are soon to be drawing to an end, and we best get packing those afternoons in the sun in, while we still can!  It doesn't take a theme, or even a reason, to bring together good pals on a weekend or two.  Pick a favorite dish and and suitable time to duck out on daily obligations, for a fun afternoon of indulgence.