Birds Outside My Window (Recipe: Brown Sugar Oatmeal Pancakes)

Winter's Solitude

"La-Di-Da-Da-Dah, birds outside my window," is the little melody I hear my son sing every morning the birds feed from the birdhouse hanging from the backyard tree.  I can't keep up with their appetites and I'm afraid they are beginning to peck a hole in my pocket book.

Abandoned Homes

The winter birds are more pleasant that the grackles that monopolize the trees during the summer.  I can see three abandoned grackle nests from a second story window and really don't feel myself missing their absence.  The past weeks have brought us loads of house sparrows, a few finches, an occasional turtle dove, a few blue jays and cardinals.  I wish more blue jays would visit, they are my favorite.

Camouflaged:  Can you find the two birds in the left frame and the three in the right frame?

Baking Tot had put in a request for pancakes one morning and being that I hadn't made pancakes in a while thought it was a brilliant idea.  I wanted to try something other than our usual buttermilk or whole wheat pancakes and came across a recipe for Brown Sugar Oatmeal Pancakes.  They are perfect for the colder months. The oatmeal lends a hardiness that isn't found in our usual pancakes and the brown sugar adds a hint of caramel flavoring.  It would be a great additional to your breakfast repertoire, as it is a quick recipe to whip up and the batter can be made in advance.

Brown Sugar Oatmeal Pancakes

Brown Sugar Oatmeal Pancakes
***need some batter advice:  go here for the key to a light and fluffy pancake.
Yield:  about 10 pancakes

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 cup buttermilk

1. In a small bowl, combine the oats, flours, baking soda, salt and sugar.  In another bowl, beat the egg, oil and buttermilk.  Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.
2. Pour batter by 1/3 cupful onto a greased hot griddle.  Turn when bubbles form on top; cook until the second side is golden brown.