Photo #12

The weather is turning warmer around here. It really makes me want to get out and explore.

This is a mossy water wall on the way to Falls Creek Falls that I showed you last week.


I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Thoughtfully,

Kristin

How I Learned to Love Making Waffles

When I mention the possibility of waffles, heads peek around corners, eyes gleam, and I am suddenly surrounded by happy expectation. Why does everyone love waffles so much? Is it the additional surface area? Is it the fancy built in syrup catchers? I don't know for sure, but waffles have an almost supernatural appeal, at least around here.

So why don't I make them all the time? Too. Much. Work!! I can only make them one at a time, The waffle iron is a pain in the rear to clean,...   but they love them.

So yesterday I offered waffles (secretly hoping to be turned down.) The offer was received with great interest. "Waffles?!!" So I was stuck. I pulled out my old recipe, as I started to work I realized a few things.

1. I could have been making these in my mixer instead of the big mixing bowl by hand.

2. Waffles are better fresh, I don't need to make a huge batch to make sure I have some to "save for later".

3. I don't have to watch waffles while they cook. I can do a bunch of little tasks while I cook a breakfast my family loves.

So I set to work and while the waffle iron heated up I put the clean dishes away. While the mixer mixed I loaded the dishwasher and filled the sink with soapy water. While the waffles cooked I cleaned the microwave, heated up the syrup (you can think I'm just that awesome but really it had started to crystallize!),  cleaned the waffle making dishes, and several other little jobs that needed to be done.

When I was done I had a cleaner kitchen, the dishes were done, happy kids, and the wonderful smell of waffles and syrup wafting through the kitchen.  Oh yeah! and the waffles themselves.

I spent a little time reassessing my process and ended up with something much better than I ever would have guessed. So I urge you to do the same. The next time you have a task ahead of you that you are avoiding or just not looking forward to, really examine it. I plan to ask myself these questions more often:
1. Are you using all the tools available to you? I could have been using the mixer the whole time. Other tools you may not have thought about are helpers, and rubber scrapers.

2. Are you taking advantage of what will be happening? Making waffles, leaves about 2 minute wait periods, just enough for a quick task. Other jobs may leave you with the vacuum out or a sink of soapy water or a pot of hot water, etc that you can use for another task.

3. Am I trying to do too much? How many of us are home? How much do we really eat? Where is this army I keep trying to feed? They certainly are not helping with the laundry. I don't need to make a triple batch of anything, necessarily. I think more often I am going to choose to have more energy for other tasks rather than more food for later.

4. Will doing these things make my task easier or my life better in some way? Just because and idea occurs to me doesn't mean that I have to do it or even should do it. I have to remind myself that I get some crazy ideas, some should wait or just stay ideas!

So I am hoping I can find new inspiration in tasks I formerly avoided, more joy hidden in the daily jobs around the house. I will share the major ones in future articles.




Quick Hearty Waffles

3 Tablespoons butter
1 Tablespoon sugar
2 eggs
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup white flour


Preheat waffle iron, oil if necessary. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs mix well, the butter will still be in little lumps. Mix in baking powder and salt. Add milk. Blend until well incorporated. Add flours all at once and blend just until mixed. Scrape the bowl and look for dry pockets and mix a little more.

Pour by measured amount onto your waffle iron. Use the amount recommended for your iron. The number of waffles you get will depend on how much batter you use. I get 7-8 waffles out of this recipe.


I hope your day is lovely.

Thoughtfully,
Kristin

Photo #11

Hello all! Just a photo again this week. I hope to get back to writing soon. I hope you enjoy this picture as much as I do. The hike today was wondrous.

Have a lovely day.

Thoughtfully,
Kristin

Photo #10

I may not be up to writing this week but I can still take pictures while I recharge my batteries.
I'd love to share this one with you.

This seasonal waterfall is in a friend's backyard! I hope your weekend is lovely.

Thoughtfully,

Kristin

Photo #9

Quiet week here at Cascade Living,  I do have time to share a photo with you.

This is a side creek I don't know if it has a name. It flows into Lacamas Creek.

I hope you have a wonderful day and a peaceful weekend.


Thoughtfully,

Kristin