D.O.G.S.

I may have an obsession with my our two pups.  Maddie and Brinks spend so much time together playing, running outside, and sleeping snuggled up together.  The four of us go everywhere together when we can; James works six days a week most weeks and  I have two nonconsecutive days off.  Most of the time we only have one day off together. Brinks, Maddie, and I go to the grocery store, Lowes, shopping, hiking, ect. while James is working.  Brinks, if I am not around, always go fishing with James because she will not chase the lure like Maddie tries to.

 James loves to fish. So when he does have a day off, he is fishing.  When I have a day off, I hike.  We do technically do this together, but we are not next to each other.  Fishing bores me, unless it is 90+ degrees, sunny, and warm water.  Then, hand me a fly rod and I will be content for at least an hour, a normal fishing pole, maybe an hour (James 5 hours).  So while James is fishing, the dogs and I are:

Hiking or playing.

Yes, I allowed my dogs to drink out of my CamelBack.  No, it is not ideal, however when we walked to the top of the mountain at 90 degrees, the dogs were just as thirsty as I was. There wasn’t any water up there, so what was I to do? I drank some and gave the rest to my dogs.

Even in the winter James go fishing.  On Christmas Day we went to a local mountain lake.  James was ice fishing and I went snowshoeing with the dogs.  It was marvelous! I was able to make the first tracks in the fresh mountain snow.  When I stood still, I could hear the snow crunch under the dogs paws when they were running around, even when I could not see them. It was so peaceful!

 
The dogs love the snow!

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

Like I said, I am a fan of heart healthy foods, but when it comes to sweets–it all goes out the window.  Literally.  While my family and I do not eat this kind of food regularly, every once in awhile, who could pass this up?  Besides, what is the fun of putting super healthy NORMAL breakfast items on the blog, nobody wants to try those.  Sugary breakfast here we go!!!

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

Ingredients

For Pancakes:

• 1 cup flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 cup milk (skim milk)
• 1 tbs. canola oil
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten

Cinnamon Filling:

• 1/2 cup butter, melted (I used less butter)
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tbs. ground cinnamon

Cream Cheese Glaze:

• 4 tbs. butter (I used 2 tbs. butter, and added a tiny bit of milk)
• 2 ounces cream cheese (I used low fat, you know, to decrease the “badness” of this breakfast)
• 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Prepare Cinnamon Filling first: In a medium bowl, mix butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Scoop the filling into a small zip baggie and set aside. (You want this to rest and ‘set up’ while your preparing the other ingredients. Its best if it gets a little thicker, you don’t want it liquidy)
2. Prepare Pancake batter:  In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk in milk, oil and egg just until batter is moistened.  (a few small lumps are fine) OR If using a boxed mix, prepare according to package directions.
3. Prepare Cream Cheese glaze: In a medium glass or microwave-safe bowl, heat the butter and cream cheese until melted. Whisk together until smooth, then whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla. Set aside.
4. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Spray with non-stick cooking spray. Scoop about 1/2 cup of pancake batter onto the skillet. Snip the corner of your cinnamon filling baggie and squeeze a spiral of the filling onto the top of the pancake. When bubbles begin to appear on the surface, flip carefully with a spatula and cook until lightly browned on the underside, 1 to 2 minutes more. Transfer pancake to a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven while you make the rest of the pancakes.
5. When ready to serve, spoon warmed cream cheese glaze on top of each pancake.

Recipe brought to you by MUCHTASTE.