Pumpkin Buttermilk Pancakes
I feel like the dog days of summer can't end soon enough! This pancake is fluffy yet still has substance. So, you won't be hungry in an hour.
I feel like the dog days of summer can't end soon enough! As Fall approaches, we love to change up our pancake recipe and add a nice little twist. This pancake is fluffy yet still has substance, so you won't be hungry in an hour. This pairs great with a breakfast chicken sausage.
-Chris
Pumpkin Buttermilk Pancakes
(Makes 15-18 pancakes)
Ingredients:
- 2 tbs. vinegar + enough milk to make 2 c.
- 2 eggs
- 1 c. pumpkin puree
- 2 1/2 cups Spelt Flour
- 3 tbs. unsalted, melted and slightly cooled butter
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 c. coconut palm sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tbs baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice blend
Instructions:
- Heat griddle to 325 degrees.
- In a large bowl add the milk/vinegar mixture. Let sit for 10 minutes.
- Add the pumpkin, eggs, butter, and vanilla. Wisk to combine.
- In a separate medium bowl sift together the dry ingredients (this makes them fluffy!)
- Pour the dry ingredients over the wet ingredients and wisk until combined. Don't overdo it.
- Let batter rest for 5 minutes.
- Melt 2 tbs. butter on griddle. Wipe off with a paper towel.
- Use a 1/3 c. measure and pour pancakes onto griddle.
- Flip when edges become dry and bubbles form.
Serve hot with maple syrup, chopped pecans or chocolate chips if you like!
The Barn Sags......
When discussing the scope of the renovation with our Amish builder he pointed out how the south-facing part of the barn had seen the most wear.
The back of our barn pre-renovation.
When discussing the scope of the renovation with our Amish builder he pointed out how the south-facing part of the barn had seen the most wear. My family has lived at "The Farm" for over 44 years and even dating back to before the previous owner they repaired the roof by adding a slate roof on top of the cedar shake roof. The weight of that roof for over potentially 100 years caused the barn to really sag. As a solution he decided to replace the metal columns holding up the backside of the barn with huge wooden beams. Its hard to even capture how big these beams are in the pictures. He also added some wooden angle supports to finish the space and keep consistent with the rest of the barn. What I love is how they used wooden pegs to put the beams together. Their craftsmanship throughout this process and how quickly they work has been really unbelievable. We are about 6 weeks into the renovation and the barn is really close to being completed, or should I say at least the Amish builders portion. There is still a lot of work to be done to complete the project, but we are really excited with how all of the pieces are coming together. So, now the back of the barn has now received a well needed "lift!"
As we approach "Labor Day" weekend I hope you all take some time to rest, spend time with God, and enjoy your families!
Happy Labor Day!
-Becca & Chris
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30
Our "Goliath".....
This past week has surely been a whirlwind at "The Farm." The floors are starting to be laid in the barn and the big front wooden doors have been installed.
Some of the beams in the barn are over 32 feet long, which is unbelievable.
This past week has surely been a whirlwind at "The Farm." The floors are starting to be laid in the barn and the big front wooden doors have been installed. (I have some updated pictures below.) Anyone who has gone through a renovation can probably relate that at times there just seems like an endless list of things that need to get done. This week we have been working on all of the little details that will make a big difference. The final design of the glass doors, what will the stain color be on the exterior and interior. We took some time this weekend to meet with an old friend who will be helping us with the landscape design. We're also beginning to plan the electrical work, do we burry the lines do we upgrade the panel? All of these things need to be decided, while at the same time trying to maintain on track with our budget. In addition to the Barn details, we also are so excited about the bakery. We have been getting more orders for fundraisers and the farmers markets are really starting to take off. All of that being said, Chris and I are both balancing full-time jobs that we love and the bakery/barn renovation are what I would call more of our passion. Sometimes we get into bed and wonder "Are we doing the right thing?"
This morning we had to take a step back and re-set our priorities. The girls came in our room this morning after they woke up and we really felt like we needed to spend some time with God as a family. Of course the first thing they asked is "Can we watch TV?" We told them before doing anything we need to spend some time with God, so go get your bibles and come back to our room. Miss. Charlie our 4 year old, almost 5 year old had her little bible and we asked her what story she wanted to read, she turned to the story of "David and Goliath." So we read the story in her kids bible, then read it in Gracie's bible which is a little older version and then Chris read it in his bible. (1 Samuel 17) I can't tell you how many times I've heard that story and read it, not only as a child, but also an adult. But today, it was like I was hearing it for the first time. As Chris was reading the words, I started thinking about how often we limit God's power, do we really believe we can beat a huge giant like "Goliath?" This little shepherd David was the only one who was brave enough and trusted in God with every piece of his heart that he would beat Goliath. I kept asking myself if I was witnessing this in real-time what would I be thinking? Here you have this tiny shepherd who is going to take down a giant with a single stone and a sling shot. I guess my whole point of this story is that we all face "Goliath's" in our lives, that distract us, defeat us and take our focus of our one and only priority which should be "God." If we keep him our main priority, whenever "Goliath" comes our way, we will no doubt be able to overcome it, not by our own strength, but by the living God who works through us.
So this week as we start another crazy week of to-do's and endless tasks, I pray that we continue to keep God at the forefront. Let him guide our actions, our decisions and plans to make sure we accomplish all what he wants us to do, and not sweat the small stuff. So we are once again giving our "Goliath" over to God and trusting he will guide us every step of the way. We are so excited to see the finished project and are even more excited to host our first Wedding!!!
-Becca & Chris
"You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied."
1 Samuel 17:45-46
Oh, we forgot to mention we have fields too.
Before we began the barn renovation we spoke to some experts about what we have to do to improve our soil quality.
Before we began the barn renovation we spoke to some experts about what we have to do to improve our soil quality. Our current farmer has rotated commercial soybean and corn for close to 30 years. So, you can imagine what his reaction was when we asked him to convert our land to a certified organic farm. He embraced the change with open arms! For the next 2 growing seasons we need to plant cover crops to re-vitalize the soil. Our farmer was here last week to disk the soil and turn under all the weeds. Today I looked out and could begin to see these little green sprouts coming up! It will be more than amazing to know that our fields will now be filled with quality organic soil to enrich our environment. And more importantly we will be able to provide the community and our customers with healthy products. We're told there is an emerging market for heritage grains, like spelt and einkorn. Our hope is to one day grow the grains to make the flour we use in our baked goods. Only, time will tell....
More updates to the "BIG" Barn project next week. Waiting on some more beams to come in!!
-Chris
This week in the barn- The doors are coming!
It's so awesome when you uncover things and realize what they are. The builders are working tirelessly bringing down the old siding and replacing them with new wood.
It's so awesome when you uncover things and realize what they are. The builders are working tirelessly bringing down the old siding and replacing them with new wood. I noticed today these large notches in the front of the barn where our garage door used to be. After looking closer I realized these were the original notches for the original barn doors- Amazing right? Each of these doors measured seven feet across and twelve feet in height. Those doors were huge!! Our new doors have just arrived this week and the builders are planning on installing them very soon. They are going to frame the opening perfectly! Below are some pictures I took of the rough opening where our new doors are going to be installed. Can't wait to see how this turns out!!
Chris
