Settling in...

Yes, the eternal move continues. We are still between two places and have to make a few more trips. Despite having really no time to do so we are trying to get set up here a bit. Being that it's the heart and soul of a home the kitchen always comes first. The bedroom is important but when you're moving all you really have to have is a bed to land in after a long day. A clean, working kitchen is a must. I love to cook and bake...and just doing these things every day seems to keep everybody here sane.

I caught some early Saturday morning sunlight in the kitchen. Loved the glow. Not yet bright... Everyone still in bed... put the water on for coffee. (we are french press peeps) Snapped this pic.

As I mentioned in my last post...this is the house in which I did some of my growing up. So there are lots of things left behind by my parents. This here is one of them... my dad insisted that the house needed a big stainless steel industrial stove. And trust me...this thing is Industrial. It is so not for a house. 4 mega burners, a griddle, a toasting rack below...and a big oven. The door is super duper heavy. Since we got here...about 2 weeks now...I think we have used the griddle almost daily. Pancakes are an absolute fave of mine. I seriously could eat them for breakfast lunch or dinner...or all of the above! I have no problem whipping up a batch anytime of day. Even 2x a day... often urged on by my little brother Walty.

Here is a fave "go to" recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, or vegetable oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees; have a baking sheet or heatproof platter ready to keep cooked pancakes warm in the oven. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, butter (or oil), and egg. Add dry ingredients to milk mixture; whisk until just moistened (do not overmix; a few small lumps are fine).
3. Heat a large skillet (nonstick or cast-iron) or griddle over medium. Fold a sheet of paper towel in half, and moisten with oil; carefully rub skillet with oiled paper towel.
4. For each pancake, spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of batter onto skillet, using the back of the spoon to spread batter into a round (you should be able to fit 2 to 3 in a large skillet).
5. Cook until surface of pancakes have some bubbles and a few have burst, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip carefully with a thin spatula, and cook until browned on the underside, 1 to 2 minutes more. Transfer to a baking sheet or platter; cover loosely with aluminum foil, and keep warm in oven. Continue with more oil and remaining batter. (You'll have 12 to 15 pancakes.) Serve warm, with butter & syrup!
   

I totally think it is time for some pancake art! How bout you guys? :)

Around midnight Saturday..technically Sunday, needed a sweet. Cupboards were pretty bare. I knew Pinterest would have something to fit the bill. Aunt Maggie's jam thumbprint cookies from Martha. Super easy and only 5 ingredients! I used Smuckers strawberry jam. They truly baked up perfectly! And were gone in a blink! I only had enough flour to make half a batch. A perfect amount for a midnight snack. ;)

New fave candle... it's cold outside...the glow and scent from a good candle seem to make it a bit more warm inside. Without having to bake a thing this little jar of goodness keeps the kitchen spicy, creamy, vanilla-y, and yummy. At Anthropologie.

A fave "couple" on a shelf. One area we have been excited about is our "coffee & tea station"... Which consists of a tiny lil area ...outfitted with my parents old drysink... All the coffee fixins...little brown stir sticks and all. Still have to paint the drysink but it has been a happy lil spot while we work on everything...a domestic oasis among the chaos.

I have lots to catch up on...lots to share. Lots of projects. So look forward to lots of diy home stuff over the next year!

xoxo, Jenny