Family Pancakes

For the past couple of years my husband has been obsessed with perfecting the ultimate Sunday pancake.  Think Alton Brown from the Food Network style but more laid back with kids and a dog running all over the kitchen.

The recipe is finally post worthy and oh so yummy!  It's name formerly known as "Dad's Sunday Pancakes" is now "Family Pancakes" because our kids know the recipe by heart mostly and love to help too!  

So here you go, put on some music we like soul music for Sunday mornings, make a mess in your kitchen and start a new family tradition! 

Enjoy!

Family Pancakes 

Dry Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 cup sugar

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

2 eggs, room temp

2 cups milk 2% or higher

1 lemon

4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Sift dry ingredients into a bowl.  In a separate bowl, combine milk, juice of one lemon and let stand for 5 minutes.

Whisk in the remaining wet ingredients.  Combine wet ingredients into dry ingredients until smooth.

Use about 1/4 cup measure of batter in an ice cream scoop to drop batter on to ungreased skillet on medium high heat.

Cook to golden brown on each side.

Day Trip to Middleburg

Middleburg, Virginia is one of my favorite spots on earth.  It's streets are filled with stables, vineyards, charming shops and smiling people - you can't help but take a deep breath of that fresh country air and unwind a little.  

I recently spent the day in Middleburg by myself eating and shopping the day away.  It was heavenly.  It could have only been more perfect if I could have spent the weekend!

Check out my pictures and plan your visit here.

Have you ever been?  What are your favorite spots?  

Lake House Love

Thought I'd share a little taste of our summer lake house to pass these cold winter days.  

At the lake our days are full but lazy.  Lots of fresh cool air hikes in the woods, slow cooking on the grill, coffee talk on the porch, and so many laughs all in the home that my mom decorated with love.

The porch cushions are made from the former owners 1950's pink and green floral window treatments.  The bedrooms are simple - white bedspreads with needlepoint pillow cases and fresh flowers from the garden.  You get the picture - enjoy!

A Stylish Work Space

I'm just sitting here at my desk paying bills and writing letters dreaming of a more beautiful work space.

Here are a couple of desks on my radar that can double as console tables and a stunning photograph of Jackie looking studios in her work space.  Don't you think her little office is beyond elegant?  

Which desk is your favorite?  I love them both!

 1 / 2

Happy Monday!

xo,

Kelly

A Cozy Night in the West Village

New York City has a habit of feeling big and busy to outsiders.  Lucky for me, my brother Matt is a local and gave us a cozy little evening in the West Village that has me longing to head back this fall.

First stop, Tartine.  A sweet little French Cafe that always has a small crowd of people hugged around the block waiting for their table - it's that good.  What's this pic of gooey puffed pastry you ask?  I don't remember the name, ha!  But it was life changing.  And pick up a bottle of wine because it's BYOB.  You'll want to linger for hours but there is still more to do!

After dinner, pop around the corner to pick up some pretty pastel cupcakes for yourself and to bring home for the kids at the famous Magnolia Bakery.  Note: There was no line near closing time, and they gave me a free muffin!

For a night cap, head a few blocks over to the Beatrice Inn.  According to my brother this used to be the it spot.  With celebrity regulars such as the Olson Twins and the cast of Modern Family.  The candle light glow, David Brubeck and the like playing in the background and the tastiest handmade cocktails will have you forgetting all about celebrity sitings and feeling like you're in someone's really cool West Village apartment.

Fast forward to me back at home getting my hair highlighted reading People magazine and coming across this article about Gwyneth Paltrow's husband hanging at none other than The Beatrice Inn.  

What are your favorite spots in the West Village?  

xo

Kelly

Southern Doors Dripping with Charm

While vacationing in Charleston, South Carolina I took a stroll down the famous Rainbow Row and found the most charming front doors.  Take a look at this stunning door knocker and ornate door handle I found...

Don't you just want to knock on these doors and ask to take a peek inside?  

More to come on Charleston in my next blog post.  I'm in love with this city!

xo

Kelly

Key Lime Pie with a Twist

After a fabulous dinner and dessert at The Grocery in Charleston, SC  I left dreaming about their key lime pie.  

It was served like an upside down cake.  The buttery graham cracker crust was on top, followed by the tart lime custard and creme all in a perfect little circle.  Genius!

I was completely inspired to think out of the pie box.  So I went home and dug up the richest key lime pie recipe I could find and made some of the pie in a springform pan and the rest in individual ramikens.  

Here are the results and the recipe I used.  My kids loved eating the pie this way! 

What twists on pies have you tried that were a success?  Please share!