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Uncle Don’s Vegan Blueberry Pancakes

August 17, 2014 at 8:10 am by Claudia

My husband likes to cook.

Thank goodness, sez I, because I don’t. (I love to bake, but that’s another story.)

I’m a vegetarian, as you know, and Don is an almost-vegetarian. Lately, however, he’s been creating vegan meals that, I have to say, are delicious. Lip-smacking good.

So, the other day, I stopped at Trader Joe’s on the way home from the Apple Store. Knowing Don likes fruit on his cereal, I bought some blueberries. But he came up with a better idea.

Vegan Blueberry Pancakes.

Oh my. I am unable to find the words to tell you how yummy these were! Best pancakes ever. Moist, fluffy, wonderful.

don with pancakes

Here he is bringing them to me on a tray. What a guy!

And here they are:

vegan blueberry pancakes - blog

Melt in your mouth good.

Don put the recipe together after reading several suggestions online. It’s pretty basic. He ended up doubling the amounts because we like big pancakes.

Uncle Don’s Vegan Blueberry Pancakes

1 cup of flour
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup soy milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
lots of blueberries

Mix it all together, make sure your skillet is hot before you add the batter, and wait for those bubbles before you flip the pancake.

We use Earth Balance Natural Buttery Spread instead of butter. It’s vegan.

If you’re making a batch for more than one person, I recommend doubling the recipe.

And he came up with a great dinner idea, too!

Both Meredith and I married guys that love to cook. We’re smart that way.

Happy Sunday.

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An Apple, A Movie & A Flower

August 16, 2014 at 8:13 am by Claudia

I drove to the Apple Store yesterday – the closest one is an hour away – and had a chat with a tech at the Genius Bar. We think we’ve resolved things, but I’m going to keep an eye on the laptop and if the issue arises again, it will be off to the store once more.

Fingers crossed!

It’s been coolish around here for the last two days. The high yesterday was 72 degrees. It was cloudy as well, and Don and I remarked that it felt like mid-September. I think the warmer temps will be back on Sunday.

I got the test results back the other day. I officially have Lyme. Good thing I didn’t wait for the results to start the medication!

We watched His Girl Friday again last night. There was nothing else on (PBS is doing its fundraiser which always results in programming that is, let’s face it, rather unappealing) so we checked out TCM On Demand. With some sweet talking, I managed to persuade Don to watch it again, even though we’d seen it rather recently. And he laughed and laughed.

See? I was right.

What a fabulous movie, with razor-sharp, quick-paced dialogue, people talking over each other (like real life) and so much palpable energy that you can almost feel the sparks shooting out of the television. Just over an hour and a half in length, it moves very quickly. Rosalind Russell and Cary Grant are at the top of their game, as are the great character actors in supporting roles, including Ralph Bellamy.

Did I ever tell you Don got to work with Ralph Bellamy? The did an episode of L.A. Law together. Don played his attorney and the filming lasted a week with lots of scenes in the courtroom, so Don got to sit next to Mr. Bellamy and hear stories about his pals and his years in Hollywood.

Someday, I’ll write a post about all the actors Don has worked with – you’d be amazed.

morning glory closed

The second morning glory bloomed on Thursday. By about four o’clock, it had closed.

Open or closed, the blossoms are truly lovely.

Happy Saturday.

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Elusive Butterfly

August 15, 2014 at 8:09 am by Claudia

I date myself by using this post title. Does anyone else remember that song, sung by Bob Lind (I had to look it up) and released in 1966? I wasn’t a big fan, but I do remember it clearly.

Anyway, during the past few days, I’ve been looking for elusive butterflies around the property. You remember the huge Eastern Tiger Swallowtail that I sort of missed out on because I had Scout on the leash and no camera? Yesterday, I saw two Swallowtails.

swallowtail black

The swallowtail in black – his wings were fluttering so quickly that I could only grab a quick shot. You can see the amazing colors near the bottom of his wings. One of the wings was torn, but it didn’t seem to be slowing him down.

swallowtail full

This one, on the other hand, stayed still long enough for me to click the shutter on the camera. Isn’t she beautiful? She’s not the same one I saw the other day. That swallowtail had blue markings at the bottom of her wings. This one looks to have a little wing damage on the right.

swallowtail two

It must be this elusiveness, coupled with sheer beauty, that makes butterflies so fascinating. Flitting here, there, and then, before you can snap your fingers, soaring above the bushes and the trees and…gone.

I can’t tell you how many times this week that I’ve seen one and run into the house for the camera. Even Don is trained. He was coming out the door to go to the car yesterday. I was trying to snap these pictures. I held up one hand and he froze in place until I was done.

If only Scout minded so well.

And how about this guy?

W - green critter

He was on the outside of the bathroom window. He was rather long – about 3 or 4 inches – and he hung out there for quite a long time.

Amazing.

I’m off to the Apple Store to have the Genius Bar take a look at my computer. I’m pretty sure I know what’s wrong. I only hope it doesn’t cost too much! Have to have my laptop or this blog won’t get written. Cross your fingers for me. I’m hoping I can hang out while they fix it and that I don’t have to leave it overnight.

Forgot to add: new post up on Just Let Me Finish This Page.

Happy Friday.

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Uncle Don’s Vegan Blueberry Pancakes

An Apple, A Movie & A Flower

Elusive Butterfly

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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