Monday, August 3, 2009

Monday Morning Staff Meeting

There's lots of ground to cover today so we're going to get started.

The first order of business is the most important - FOOD!

This morning I'm serving something special and near and dear to my heart - German Pancake, sometimes known as a Dutch Baby. You know, the one that takes 1/2 hour to 45 minutes when you order it in a pancake house. I got up early just to make this for you. Now you know how much I love you.



It's a big iron skillet full of apple/cinnamon and sugar goodness, all carmelized on the bottom with a wonderful pancake part that reminds me of a popover.

Dig in everyone. I've got coffee, tea, juice and milk to wash it down.

You're going to want to come back tomorrow because I'm going to show you how to make one for yourself. It's easy!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

We had fun with our daughter yesterday and she headed back downstate late in the afternoon.

She wasn't the only one leaving town. My nephew, his wife and two children left O'Hare Airport for Hangzhou, China where they will spend the next two years. They'll be coming home two weeks at Christmas and a month in the summer.

It will be a great adventure but it's also a challenge. Living in a different culture can leave you feeling isolated. Without things familiar you can feel adrift. I felt that way and I was only living in Texas which is a different culture than Illinois, believe it or not!

I wish them luck and I'm looking forward to hearing about all their adventures.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Do you remember when Steph won the Rockford socks used to make a Sock Monkey? She crafted the monkey and named him "Henry" and he's been on some fun adventures including camping in the Smoky Mountains. This time Henry is trying to help with the building of their home.



He got into a bit of trouble. Check out his latest adventure:

HENRY LENDS A HAND

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

My Official Blog Band, Tin Horse, ate every morsel of the pies I brought to the concert and they made a video!

Watch as Andy mimics Antje as she does her best Vanna White presentation of the pies. Francis realizes it's to his benefit to compliment the pie if he ever hopes to see another one.



They are a fun group.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I want to thank everyone for joining me on the field trip to the Heritage Gardens in Belvidere, Illinois. It's a lot more fun to have you along with me.

Now it's time to draw a name for those three sisters seeds.



The winner is P.J.

Please contact me via e-mail and I'll make arrangements to get the seeds and the Walker shortbread cookies off to you.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Don't forget to come back tomorrow when I'll show you how to make that delicious pancake!

OK, I turn the floor over to you. Anything you'd like to discuss?


10 comments:

Becky K. said...

Well, that apple pancake looks delightful. I'd like mine with a bit of milk, please.

Have an awesome day, Suzanne. I am so glad you had a nice visit with your daughter.

Becky K.
Hospitality Lane

Heidi said...

*grabs fork and the plate* This looks GREAT!!! Thanks for the treat!! SO, now when are you going to be coming up???? :)

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

Ya know, it's Monday morning. That would be "beginning of diet day." Gonna be hard to get that picture out of my mind...C

chocolatechic said...

The pancake looks fabulous.

Almost as good as a donut.

Rue said...

Good morning Suzanne :)

You're killing my diet! That pancake and the pies look really good!!

The video cracked me up! How sweet of them to do that for you :)

Can't wait for the recipe!!

hugs,
rue

Steph said...

I hope Henry doesn't get a big head, being a celebrity and all.

That pancake looks yummy!

Jody Blue said...

I'll be back in the morning for that tutorial!

Bella Della said...

Can't wait to see the recipe!

Leslie T. said...

Oh my gosh, that pancake -- I'm feelin' the love.
Glad that you had a fun visit with your daughter.
Can't wait for the pancake recipe.
Happy Monday to you, Suzanne!

Anonymous said...

I guess that I missed the meeting but I did see a few crumbs from the apple pancake!! I came to the meeting because I have a question. My daughter would like to know if you would be interested in a skirt a long skirt that flows. Just bellow out your office window into her kitchen window and let her know if you have an interest in it? QB