I recently posted on Facebook that I had made pumpkin pancakes and apple cider syrup for breakfast and a few people expressed interest in the recipes. Here they are! They are not difficult and they are so yummy!
Pumpkin Pancakes
2 Cups flour
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 Teaspoon cinnmon
1/4 teaspoon allspice (I don't always have this on hand and eliminate it)
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1-3/4 Cups milk
1/2 Cup canned pumpkin
1 large egg
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
Combine dry ingredients with a wire whisk and set aside. In a large bowl, beat milk, pumpkin, egg and oil. Gradually add dry ingredients. Mix only until wet. Batter will be lumpy.
Heat griddle and brush with oil (or spray). Make pancakes using 1/4 cup batter. Cook until top is bubbled and edges are dry. Turn and cook for another minute or so.
Apple Cider Syrup
1/2 Cup sugar
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
1 Teaspoon cinnamon
1 Cup apple cider
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
2 Tablespoons butter
In a medium pot mix sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon with a whisk. Add apple cider and lemon juice. Bring mixture to a boil. Boil until thickened (takes just a few minutes). Remove from heat and add butter.
Enjoy and let me know what you think!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
June 24
Today was wild. I had breakfast at 4AM (the flight offered both a dinner and a breakfast, both of which were about as big as my hand). We landed in Rio De Janeiro at 5:20AM, worked our way through Immigration and Customs, walked over to where we could transfer our luggage and saw that our flight to Curitiba had been cancelled. We were mystified, but continued in the luggage transfer line. When we got up to the counter, we were told that the flight had not been cancelled. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 8:15AM and we re-checked out luggage in at 7:05AM. We rushed through security and got to the gate... only to find out that our flight had been delayed because of fog at Curitiba. So, we waited for 2 hours for the plane to leave. Luckily, we were in the airport waiting. We got to Curitiba and met the people we'd be staying with. I am staying with Felipe, who is awesome. We got money exchanged and bags loaded (oh - we had no issues with our 8 55-70lb bags) and went out to eat at a Brazilian steakhouse. Man did I get stuffed. That made up for the small meals we got on the plane. I got to sit and talk about Steven Covey because both he and I are Mormon and the husband of one of the people here has a boss that had rcently worked for S. Covey. It was glorious... -ish.
So, we went to our place of residence and I showered and took a short nap. We then went to my the apartment of my hosts aunt and watched some TV and made conversation. I also had some Coke from a 6oz glass. It was a far cry from my usual 44oz beverage. :( We went out to eat at an Italian Restaurant, which was served like a Brazilian Steakhouse. That was fun... and the food was good, too. I'l be going to sleep at about midnight. Hopefully I'll be able to sleep tonight.
To my kids and wife, I love you and hope you had fun in Ohio. Also, one more day is complete. Wahoo. :)
So, we went to our place of residence and I showered and took a short nap. We then went to my the apartment of my hosts aunt and watched some TV and made conversation. I also had some Coke from a 6oz glass. It was a far cry from my usual 44oz beverage. :( We went out to eat at an Italian Restaurant, which was served like a Brazilian Steakhouse. That was fun... and the food was good, too. I'l be going to sleep at about midnight. Hopefully I'll be able to sleep tonight.
To my kids and wife, I love you and hope you had fun in Ohio. Also, one more day is complete. Wahoo. :)
Aren't my kids cute?
So, since my kids are posting their days, I figured I'd post mine here as well. It'll mean more posts, but EVERYONE loves to read Matis posts...
So, for yesterday:
1. I saw Becca's teacher, Mrs Brown, checking in at American Airlines the same time I was. I thought that was an oddity.
2. My group got on the airplane and we were then told (after they shut the doors) that they had been told that our flight was going to be delayed for about an hour. So they moved us to an airplane parking lot. Why couldn't they just let us sit in the airport for a little longer?
3. We got to JFK with about 1.5 hours before they were going to start boarding our next flight. We rushed through the terminals, cut in line at the TAM airline counter for our boarding passes and arrived at our gate with about 10 min before they started boarding. So we got on the plane... and waited for an hour before the plane took off. I WAS HUNGRY and didn't get anything to eat.
4. I had a n aisle seat with the other three guys on this trip in my row. It took the enitre middle row of the aircraft. I offered my seat to Bob, because he is of a larger size than anybody else on the trip. Therefore, I was sitting between Bob and one of the Chris-i -es(? - what ever the plural of "Chris" is). One of the flight attendants came over to us after the doors were closed and asked me if I wanted to move across the aisle and share a row with someone else. I told her I was okay and she then informed me that I was sitting next to a rather large gentleman and asked Bob to move and made me switch seats. So, we were sitting across from the lav. Now I was sitting in front of it... with a stranger.
5. The seat I was in couldn't recline because I had a wall behind me. Lucky for the guy in front of me, his seat reclined about 8 inches. Therefore, I had a headrest in my lap for most of the flight.
6. The airline had individual movies that I could choose from to watch, including Rango and The Green Hornet. I watched both of them. Well, I watched the first half of both of them. The "entertainment" system kept shorting out and would stop working for hours at a time. Also, when they dimmed the cabin, my chair light stopped working, so I couldn't even read.
I love my wife and kids. I miss them and look forward to seeing them in 12 days. I already have a gift for each of my kids.
So, for yesterday:
1. I saw Becca's teacher, Mrs Brown, checking in at American Airlines the same time I was. I thought that was an oddity.
2. My group got on the airplane and we were then told (after they shut the doors) that they had been told that our flight was going to be delayed for about an hour. So they moved us to an airplane parking lot. Why couldn't they just let us sit in the airport for a little longer?
3. We got to JFK with about 1.5 hours before they were going to start boarding our next flight. We rushed through the terminals, cut in line at the TAM airline counter for our boarding passes and arrived at our gate with about 10 min before they started boarding. So we got on the plane... and waited for an hour before the plane took off. I WAS HUNGRY and didn't get anything to eat.
4. I had a n aisle seat with the other three guys on this trip in my row. It took the enitre middle row of the aircraft. I offered my seat to Bob, because he is of a larger size than anybody else on the trip. Therefore, I was sitting between Bob and one of the Chris-i -es(? - what ever the plural of "Chris" is). One of the flight attendants came over to us after the doors were closed and asked me if I wanted to move across the aisle and share a row with someone else. I told her I was okay and she then informed me that I was sitting next to a rather large gentleman and asked Bob to move and made me switch seats. So, we were sitting across from the lav. Now I was sitting in front of it... with a stranger.
5. The seat I was in couldn't recline because I had a wall behind me. Lucky for the guy in front of me, his seat reclined about 8 inches. Therefore, I had a headrest in my lap for most of the flight.
6. The airline had individual movies that I could choose from to watch, including Rango and The Green Hornet. I watched both of them. Well, I watched the first half of both of them. The "entertainment" system kept shorting out and would stop working for hours at a time. Also, when they dimmed the cabin, my chair light stopped working, so I couldn't even read.
I love my wife and kids. I miss them and look forward to seeing them in 12 days. I already have a gift for each of my kids.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Missing Daddy
Jeremy left today for his service trip to Brazil, where he will be working in a dental clinic for one week. With travel time and a little time for sightseeing, he will be gone a total of 12 days.
Our kids aren't new to having mommy and/or daddy gone for several days, but for some reason they are taking this time very hard - especially Becca. As we were driving home from the airport, I turned to look at Becca and saw that she was crying. I asked her what was wrong and she said, "I don't want daddy to go". My heart broke. So, just minutes after we had dropped Jeremy off, I called him and asked if he could talk to Becca for a minute.
He told Becca that he would keep notes of his trip(like the ones from his trip to Hong Kong and Korea that he posted here not too long ago) and suggested that she do the same. So, tonight at bedtime I pulled out a notebook and told the kids to write at least one sentence about their day for daddy to read later.
Dear Dad,
I had a sad day since you left. I had a bad day at tennis.
Love,
Becca
*********************************************************************
Dear Dad,
I am sad that you left. I had a good day. I miss you. Have fun in New York City and Brasil. Bye.
From: Isak
*********************************************************************
Man, I love them!
Our kids aren't new to having mommy and/or daddy gone for several days, but for some reason they are taking this time very hard - especially Becca. As we were driving home from the airport, I turned to look at Becca and saw that she was crying. I asked her what was wrong and she said, "I don't want daddy to go". My heart broke. So, just minutes after we had dropped Jeremy off, I called him and asked if he could talk to Becca for a minute.
He told Becca that he would keep notes of his trip(like the ones from his trip to Hong Kong and Korea that he posted here not too long ago) and suggested that she do the same. So, tonight at bedtime I pulled out a notebook and told the kids to write at least one sentence about their day for daddy to read later.
Dear Dad,
I had a sad day since you left. I had a bad day at tennis.
Love,
Becca
*********************************************************************
Dear Dad,
I am sad that you left. I had a good day. I miss you. Have fun in New York City and Brasil. Bye.
From: Isak
*********************************************************************
Man, I love them!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Adoption Update
Family and friends,
Thank you so much for your overwhelmingly supportive responses to the email we sent in March. We are grateful for your thoughts and prayers on our behalf. We are also grateful for LDS Family Services and for the work that they do to unite families and help join children to parents who can offer them the blessings of the gospel.
This month we share a special message and extend an invitation. The LDS Family Services caseworker who is currently handling Indiana adoptions has set an agressive but inspired goal for all Indiana couples seeking to adopt through Family Services to have a child place with them before the end of 2011. She and others believe that if we unite our prayers in faith, this goal can be achieved.
Here is a letter that was composed by the staff at Family Services inviting family and friends to join with us in prayer and fasting for the purpose of petitioning the Lord to help us achieve this goal.
Dear Friends and Families,
As Families Supporting Adoption unites with the staff of LDS Family Services we work intimately with those seeking to adopt children and birth mothers considering adoption and other alternatives. Much prayer and fasting has gone into how we might move this work forward. As stewards over all within our state we feel the responsibility to make certain every child born in Indiana has the promises made clear in the Proclamation of the Family, where every child has the right to be afforded the blessing of being in a covenant home with a mother and father to teach them the principles of the gospel. This is our missionary work and stewardship and we invite all who would unify with us to join with us in dedicating this next month’s fast to focus on the birth mothers in our state and the adoptive couples seeking to provide those eternal promises to these children. We believe as we unite with our brothers and sisters we can petition the Lord to soften our hearts to the prompting of how best we can support birth mothers and soften the hearts of these birth mothers so the children can enjoy the blessings and covenants of eternal families. As we invite wards and members to join in our prayers and temple service our hope is that unifying will bring power and strength to these efforts.
Sincerely,
David L. Pitcher
Marcia French
We invite you to join us in dedicating our fasts, not just to seeking a blessing for the Matis family to have a child placed with us, but for many other couples to receive this blessing and for many children to have the blessing of being place in a home where they can receive the blessings of the gospel. May 1st, August 7th and November 6th are the dates that have been designated for this purpose.
Have a beautiful weekend and fast Sunday!
Love,
Jeremy, Tricia, Rebecca and Isak Matis
Thank you so much for your overwhelmingly supportive responses to the email we sent in March. We are grateful for your thoughts and prayers on our behalf. We are also grateful for LDS Family Services and for the work that they do to unite families and help join children to parents who can offer them the blessings of the gospel.
This month we share a special message and extend an invitation. The LDS Family Services caseworker who is currently handling Indiana adoptions has set an agressive but inspired goal for all Indiana couples seeking to adopt through Family Services to have a child place with them before the end of 2011. She and others believe that if we unite our prayers in faith, this goal can be achieved.
Here is a letter that was composed by the staff at Family Services inviting family and friends to join with us in prayer and fasting for the purpose of petitioning the Lord to help us achieve this goal.
Dear Friends and Families,
As Families Supporting Adoption unites with the staff of LDS Family Services we work intimately with those seeking to adopt children and birth mothers considering adoption and other alternatives. Much prayer and fasting has gone into how we might move this work forward. As stewards over all within our state we feel the responsibility to make certain every child born in Indiana has the promises made clear in the Proclamation of the Family, where every child has the right to be afforded the blessing of being in a covenant home with a mother and father to teach them the principles of the gospel. This is our missionary work and stewardship and we invite all who would unify with us to join with us in dedicating this next month’s fast to focus on the birth mothers in our state and the adoptive couples seeking to provide those eternal promises to these children. We believe as we unite with our brothers and sisters we can petition the Lord to soften our hearts to the prompting of how best we can support birth mothers and soften the hearts of these birth mothers so the children can enjoy the blessings and covenants of eternal families. As we invite wards and members to join in our prayers and temple service our hope is that unifying will bring power and strength to these efforts.
Sincerely,
David L. Pitcher
Marcia French
We invite you to join us in dedicating our fasts, not just to seeking a blessing for the Matis family to have a child placed with us, but for many other couples to receive this blessing and for many children to have the blessing of being place in a home where they can receive the blessings of the gospel. May 1st, August 7th and November 6th are the dates that have been designated for this purpose.
Have a beautiful weekend and fast Sunday!
Love,
Jeremy, Tricia, Rebecca and Isak Matis
Monday, April 25, 2011
A Short Story
I have so much to blog about, but not a lot of time right now. So, for now I will leave you with this short conversation that I had with Isak just a few minutes ago that empitomizes Isak conversations that I have everyday.
I walk into the kitchen and see a container of yogurt (Yoplait light) sitting on the table with just one bite out of it.
"Isak, why is there an open container of yogurt on the table that hasn't been eaten?"
"Because I don't want to eat it."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't want to lose 5 pounds."
Chuckling I say, "Isak, you aren't going to lose 5 pounds just because you eat a container of yogurt."
"That's what the container says."
The container does indeed say that "you could lose 5 pounds in 2 weeks!"
Hmm...how can I explain to him the concept of creative advertising? Regardless, I am now eating the yogurt, secretly hoping that it actually does cause me to lose 5 pounds in 2 weeks!
I walk into the kitchen and see a container of yogurt (Yoplait light) sitting on the table with just one bite out of it.
"Isak, why is there an open container of yogurt on the table that hasn't been eaten?"
"Because I don't want to eat it."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't want to lose 5 pounds."
Chuckling I say, "Isak, you aren't going to lose 5 pounds just because you eat a container of yogurt."
"That's what the container says."
The container does indeed say that "you could lose 5 pounds in 2 weeks!"
Hmm...how can I explain to him the concept of creative advertising? Regardless, I am now eating the yogurt, secretly hoping that it actually does cause me to lose 5 pounds in 2 weeks!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
What is this? Frequent posting?
I've only been a publisher on this blog for about a month, and I think I've already surpassed Tricia's word count. :) As such, I think I need a more imposing presence. I say, enough with the girly backgrounds. I say, let's have come Colts themes, or hand tools... or even like an Indianapolis theme. Whatever... just, enough with the love... and the diamonds... and pink. ugh.
Anyways, as I was avoiding doing anything productive yesterday, I went through my patients and calculated their "points". I know that patients are people and I do NOT look at patients as points. However, we need points to graduate and so it is something that most students monitor. For those unfamiliar with dental school, students need 270 restorative points in order to graduate. These points are earned by filling cavities, placing dentures, basically anything a dentist does, except we don't get points for doing cleanings or extractions. I think everything else counts. I currently have about 65 points (which is about the class average. I added up everything I currently have planned on my patients and I came up with my having 260 points after I complete all of their work. These points include completing all of my requirements for complete dentures, partial dentures, crowns, fillings and bridges. It was very encouraging. I know that some of these patients will fail, and treatment will change as finances change and lifestyles change... but, I currently have planned almost enough points to graduate. WAHOO!!! Now, I just need to plan my 7 remaining root canals for Endo, and the remaining assists and oral surgeries... but I am encouraged. I think there is an end in sight.
Anyways, as I was avoiding doing anything productive yesterday, I went through my patients and calculated their "points". I know that patients are people and I do NOT look at patients as points. However, we need points to graduate and so it is something that most students monitor. For those unfamiliar with dental school, students need 270 restorative points in order to graduate. These points are earned by filling cavities, placing dentures, basically anything a dentist does, except we don't get points for doing cleanings or extractions. I think everything else counts. I currently have about 65 points (which is about the class average. I added up everything I currently have planned on my patients and I came up with my having 260 points after I complete all of their work. These points include completing all of my requirements for complete dentures, partial dentures, crowns, fillings and bridges. It was very encouraging. I know that some of these patients will fail, and treatment will change as finances change and lifestyles change... but, I currently have planned almost enough points to graduate. WAHOO!!! Now, I just need to plan my 7 remaining root canals for Endo, and the remaining assists and oral surgeries... but I am encouraged. I think there is an end in sight.
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