Buttermilk Blackberry Waffles with Quick Homemade Butter

Around my house, waffles for dinner is a huge hit!  I had a bunch of blackberries (grown organically in my backyard) in my freezer.  I decided that instead of blueberries, blackberries would make delicious waffles.  Then I took it a step further and decided that in lieu of the standard recipe, I would make buttermilk waffles.  My daughter loved them so much that she declared them to be, "the best waffles she's ever eaten," and she at twice as many as she normally would.  I'd say that this recipe was a success!  It's a pretty standard, buttermilk waffle recipe from my BHG cookbook, with the addition of the blackberries and quick butter.

Waffles

You will need:

• 1 3/4 c. unbleached AP flour
• 2 T. sugar
• 1 t. baking powder
• 1/2 t. baking soda
• 1/4 t. sea salt
• 2 eggs
• 2 c. buttermilk
• 1/2 c. melted butter
• 1 t. real vanilla extract
• 1 c. blackberries (fresh or if frozen make sure they are thawed and allow the juices to drain)

Make it:

1. Combine dry ingredients thoroughly in a medium to large mixing bowl.  Make a well in the center.
2. In a separate, small bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients.
3. Add wet ingredients all at once to the "well" in the flour mixture and stir just until ingredients are incorporated, there should be some lumps.  
4. Gently fold in the berries.
5. Cook in your waffle maker according to its normal directions.  Since all waffle makers are different, yours probably does not cook the same as mine.

Quick Butter

This is not a replacement for the butter that you buy at the store.  My daughter did this project at school and was so excited about it that she wanted to do it at home with me.  It is a very simple process and yields a very tasty product.

• Pour heavy whipping cream into a container that has a tight fitting lid.  I would not recommend more than 1 cup at a time.
• Shake vigorously until the cream thickens into butter.  For 1 cup of cream it took us about 15 minutes.

It really is that simple!  This does not work well in recipes, but to top bread, toast, waffles, pancakes etc it is VERY yummy!

Jalapeno and Cheddar Corn Bread

 When I discovered how easy it is to make corn bread from scratch, I vowed to never buy a "corn bread mix" again.  It is every bit as simple to make from scratch as it is to make it from a mix.  My inspiration for this corn bread comes from a restaurant in Branson, MO ... White River Fish Co.  Most restaurants serve a french bread or dinner rolls, but they serve jalapeno corn bread.  I started with the basic corn bread recipe, added in some fresh organic jalapenos from my garden and then thought of how well cheddar pairs with jalapenos ... so I decided to add cheese to the recipe.  Hubby said it was great!  :)

You Will Need:

• 1 c. corn meal
• 1 c. flour
• 2 T. sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 c. milk
• 4 t. baking powder
• 2 to 5 chopped jalapenos (depending on your taste)
• 3/4 c. shredded cheddar
• 1/2 t. salt
• 1/4 c. oil

Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees
2. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl
3. Pour into a greased 8x8 pan and bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until golden and toothpick inserted into center comes out clean

- See more at: http://www.theslowroasteditalian.blogspot.com/2013/02/best-ever-cocktails.html#sthash.EJpwswc7.dpuf

Sunset

Last night I had a feeling that the sunset was going to be vibrant.  I grabbed my camera and drove across town to the top of a hill where I could get a good vantage point.

My First 5K!

It is the morning after my first 5K run.  My calves are so sore that I can barely walk.  Yesterday was the first time that I had ever run that far!  It was soooooo worth it though!

I ran the Alzheimer's Association 5K.  My grandma, Oda, passed away in March from Alzheimer's.  It is a terrible illness that is incredibly difficult to watch.  I ran in her memory, and raised almost $300 in donations.

I felt very "out of place" while waiting for the race to start.  Everyone around me looked like seasoned runners.  I knew that I would finish close to last and was hoping I could finish in less than an hour.  The town of Washington is very hilly, so that didn't help much!  It started out mostly level with a few gentle slopes here and there.  I'm not sure how far I made it before my foot falls turned  to steps.  I did have to walk more than I thought I would.  The hills kill me!  In general I walked the up hills and ran the down hills and flats stretches. 

At about two miles I started to think that I wouldn't finish.  I knew that there were a few people still behind me, so I pressed on.  I was running for Grandma, and not about to give up!  At the last water tent, about 1/10 mile from the finish, I grabbed a cup and sipped.  Bad idea!  I was so close to the end, I should have waited.  I'll spare you the graphic content and just say ... It's a good thing there was a sewer grate nearby!  One of the few people behind be passed me at the point, but I finished just seconds behind her.

At the finish line, my FIRST FINISH LINE, the crowd was cheering, clapping and holding up signs.  It felt so strange, in a good way, to have people cheering for me.  I finished in 37 minutes and 35 seconds!  I was hoping for under and hour and actually trying for 45 minutes.  I'd say I made my goal!!

Now, I want to ask you to check out the Alzheimer's Association website.  There is a lot of information there and a lot of resources.  I think that you will be surprised to learned how many people are affected by this disease.  September is world Alzheimer's month and they have suggestions for some ways to get the word out.  If you feel led to give a donation to the Alzheimer's Association, you can put in the tribute box "In Memory of Oda Snyder".  I hope that I made her proud yesterday!

Wear purple on September 21!

Sweet Shot Tuesday

I didn't get much practice this summer, I am still very young in my photography hobby.  I love it, and when I get a great shot it is an amazing feeling!  I have learned a lot recently and am trying to get a lot of practice.  I am told that practice is one of the most important parts about photography...you learn the different elements, but practicing them is what makes you truly understand.  Anyway, so far my favorite thing to photograph is flowers.  Maybe because they are so beautiful or may because they don't move around and I don't have to wait for them to smile :)  I got this shot a couple of days ago and am completely in love with it!  Tell me what you think.