Hasse

For the first time in many weeks, Rob and I had a day off together.  Luckily, it was a beautiful day, so we drove out to Lake Hasse, about 45 minutes away, for some canoeing and fun in the park.  

 

We fished for about an hour, but no luck.  We ended up having hotdogs for lunch.

Isabella loved being out by the water

After more than half an hour on the swings, I finally had to pull her off so we could go home (she didn't like that one bit)

On the way home: Isabella was very dirty but very happy.  Nothing suits her better than a day outdoors.

It was a perfect day.

Isabella the Terrible

It turns out the "terrible twos" phase is not just a myth.  Isabella is turning into the cutest little monster I've ever seen.  Besides being hyper and always getting into trouble, she also screeches like a banshee whenever we suggest she do something she doesn't feel like doing.  Or even when she does want to do it, sometimes.  

I came home from work today to discover my living room had been redecorated.  The walls, floor, and cabinets were all a beautiful shade of crayon blue.  Where Rob was when all this was happening I don't know, but at least he helped me clean it up.  I don't think Isabella quite got the point from my stern lecture; now she'll point to the walls and say "bad Bella, very bad" -- while giggling.

If she weren't so adorable, that girl would be in big trouble.

I didn't think of taking a picture of Isabella's "artwork" until after most of it had been cleaned up.  I could have saved it for my blackmail folder...

Cake-cakes

I like to make something special for breakfast on Sundays.  You know, a break from the usual oatmeal and cold cereal.  This is the one day of the week where all three of us are together, rather than spread all over the city in our various pursuits (work, mostly).  I've been eyeing up a recipe in my quinoa cookbook for months, but I've never had all the ingredients on hand.  Yesterday I decided I didn't care and would make Pumpkin Pancakes anyway.

Pumpkin Pancakes

1 1/2 cups quinoa flour                     1 3/4 cups buttermilk/sour milk

1/4 cup packed brown sugar             1 cup pureed pumpkin

2 tsp baking powder                         2 large eggs

1 tsp baking soda                            2 Tbsp vegetable oil

1 tsp allspice                                  1/2 cup toasted pecans

1 tsp cinnamon                               whipped cream/maple syrup optional

1/2 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp salt

Mix together all the ingredients on the left side.  In a separate bowl, mix together the wet ingredients.  Add the wet to the dry and mix just until blended.  Cook like you would regular pancakes.  Serve with pecans and maple syrup.

Sounds pretty good, right?  Don't tell Rob (he liked the pancakes) but I didn't have any pumpkin so I used sweet potato instead.  You would never know the difference.  I also used half the amount of quinoa flour and used regular flour for the rest.  And I mixed the pecans right in with the flour because I like pecans and it's easier to eat that way.

Despite all my interference, the pancakes were delicious!  The "pumpkin" added a sweet undertone, but wasn't overwhelming.  And I loved all the nuts.  Isabella calls them "cake-cakes" and ate more than Rob and I together (that girl can eat!).

Verdict: I'm definitely going to make these again!

This is the picture from the book.  Mine didn't look this deliciously gooey.  But they were still great.