March Subscribers Only Page
March Gathering Guide for Savor Time & Tradition Subscribers
My Inspiration for This Month's Box
Some of my fondest childhood memories involve spending time at my grandmother’s house. We called her Monnie (you’d have to ask my oldest cousins why). You could ask anyone in my small town to describe her and all would agree, my Monnie was ALWAYS kind, hopeful, forgiving, and wise. Sometimes my siblings and I would go to her house for a Friday night sleepover. Sometimes it would be me and the girl cousins. My cousins and I would spend the evening playing dress-up in my grandmother’s clothes and fancy costume jewelry, or playing with a set of antique miniature dolls we found in the closet of my Aunt’s former bedroom. We were sure the dolls were hidden treasures that we shouldn’t admit to finding.
When bedtime approached, Monnie would let us all roll into bed with her to wind down and watch The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. I thought he was so funny, but I was always amused that my Monnie thought he was funny too. Eventually, we would settle into our own beds and get a good night’s rest.
The morning always began the same way. While our eyes were still a bit heavy and the sun began to flicker through the curtains, Monnie’s always happy and kind voice could be heard calling, “Rise and Shine!”
To me, those words, spoken from the person who I respected most in life, carried more than the standard good morning sentiments. They carried an expectant encouragement of sorts for us to hop out of bed and enter the new day with an intention to truly shine; to be at our best.
As I walked down the stairs and made the turn into the kitchen. Monnie, with her hair in pin curls, would be there, smiling (and maybe even singing), and wearing one of her petticoats that perfectly matched her nightgown, and a waist apron made from a pretty floral printed fabric. Often, she would give a choice of pancakes or French toast. Pancakes it is!
We’d all gather at the table, and eat and talk and talk and eat. Looking back, I am certain, this was Monnie’s way of truly getting to know each of us. In addition to the yummy pancakes, we would leave the table with warm feelings from a grandmother’s love, and usually a little bit of wisdom from the most humble person I’ve ever known.
Saturday mornings at Monnie’s house are just one example of how making tradition out of ordinary, ’everyday’ opportunities can have a strong impact on people and relationships. Gathering around the table for a meal as simple as pancakes and syrup served as a way for my grandmother to better get to know who we are and influence who we might become. Even as a child I could tell she cherished her time with us. Long after her passing, she is still imparting her wisdom to me through her example all those years ago. Though her own children were long grown and flown, she remained dedicated to her purpose of nurturing the children in her life, and it made a difference to each of us.
Gathering Suggestion
This month’s box is dedicated to Saturday mornings at Monnie’s house. I have filled it with high quality products chosen to take you back to a simple, but delicious pancake breakfast. I hope you will gather some folks (kids or adults) around your table soon, to eat and talk and talk and eat, savor time with each other, and be reminded to greet each day with a grateful heart and purpose.
Rise & Shine,
Rhonda
RECIPES
Maple Butter
This compound butter made with pure maple syrup is a great way to top pancakes, French toast, or waffles. You can also use it to sauté vegetables, as a topping on warm corn muffins, or drizzle over popcorn.
Ingredients:
- 1 Stick unsalted butter, softened
- 2 1/2 Tablespoons Pure maple syrup
With an electric mixer, beat butter in a medium bowl until creamy. Gradually beat in the maple syrup until well blended and smooth. Place in a smaller dish, cover and refrigerate. Lasts about a week. If you like, you could add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.
Maple Sausage Pops
With just 5 ingredients this recipe is a quick way to elevate your standard breakfast sausage. These maple sausage pops are easy, yummy, and fun to include in your breakfast and brunch gatherings. You can add the pop stick or not depending on your occasion.
Ingredients:
- 1 Pound Breakfast Sausage
- 2 Tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 2 Tbsp. chopped chives
- 2 Tbsp lemon zest
- 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup
Place sausage, parsley, chives and lemon zest in a bowl. Mix to combine. Form into patties (you’ll get around 15, 1/4 inch thick patties). Cook them in a non-stick skillet over medium heat until golden brown and cooked through. This should take 3 or so minutes per side. Remove the patties and place on a plate lined with paper towels to drain some of the fat. Then insert a skewer or cake pop stick into each patty and move them to a serving platter. Finish by brushing or drizzling with pure maple syrup. Enjoy!
Maple Coffee Cake Using Pancake Mix
You might not know it but pancake mix can be used for a variety of recipes beyond the standard pancakes or waffles, including a really delicious coffee cake! There are many recipes out there on the interwebs but this is one I have found to be reliable and utilizes both pancake mix and maple syrup.
https://www.savoryexperiments.com/wprm_print/43671
This recipe uses a 9 inch springform pan. If you don't have one of those you can find them inexpensively on Amazon or even in your grocery store. Otherwise, you might try it in a 9 inch cake pan.