Pancakes, pizza and our friend P.

(Note: Watch out ahead. There is a meandering intro that unexpectedly veers to something completely different.)

This summer, I got a call from a political campaign and I committed to a contribution. Part of the information required was my occupation. During the course of conversation, Zeke had gotten involved and was making quite a racket, causing an off-topic polite conversation about children wherein I shared that I stay at home with Zeke full-time. So, when we got to the end of the conversation and he needed the info about my employment, he said, "I'll put in 'housewife'."

Housewife.

Housewife?

That was a heavy moment as it is a mildly antiquated term and I don't think I've ever thought of myself as a housewife. (Bravo, though, is working triple time to get us all to talk about housewives. ) I don't even think of myself as a "stay at home mom" or "SAHM" but I guess I prefer that because it focuses expectations on my raising my kid and not on my keeping a perfect house. ('Cause that ain't happening-- it's just not.) My transition to my current "career" has had a few bumps along the way. Mainly those bumps are just from me running over and trying to leave behind: unreasonable expectations about how/what I should do, an inability to let go entirely of past choices, and ridiculous concerns about what I will do in the future for a career. I am remarkably happier and healthier than I have ever been before, and, keeping that in mind, I have been able to get over those bumps. I am good if you want to call me a "housewife" or "just a mom."

I find a new satisfaction particularly in the habits of domesticity that being a housewife (there, I said it) and mom afford me. A few years ago, I don't think I felt like domestic skills were really a strongpoint for me as they weren't something I was taught, but now they are improving. I even get a little geeked out by taking out a bad stain or washing diapers. For the most part, I am enjoying learning and doing new things at home and creating routines that are nurturing and even yummy. For example, I take great enjoyment in some family eating habits that really took hold this summer. We really enjoy these things and I don't know that I would have done them without the benefit of my new career path.

The first is Pancake Sunday. This summer was filled (at least once a week) with homemade pancakes, the best with fresh local berries. I have always thought myself pretty terrible at making pancakes as I have never had enough patience to flip the pancake at the right time...or to make batter...or get up on Sundays. I like the recipe from an old Joy of Cooking, but have experimented with recipes for pancakes with buttermilk, corn, savory (veggie) ham and cheese, fruit and cheese, and grated veggies. Pancake Sunday is also a great excuse to get some folks to come and eat with us without the pressure of having cook them dinner. I used to like brunch out -- the most toddler friendly meal out -- but now prefer staying home. I'm working on get a nice restaurant looking pancake now, as well making pancake letters. If I skip a Sunday for some reason, I will make pancakes for dinner one night that following week. That is almost better than Pancake Sunday!

Here are some good pancakes made with blueberries Zeke and I went to pick in July with friends.

Here is Zeke and his typical reaction to pancakes: stuff as much as possible in your mouth. He can eat as many pancakes as I can. (Oh, this picture is from this summer, but it seems so long ago. Zeke is eating at his high chair and drinking from a sippy cup in this photo, two things he really doesn't do now.)

The other new habit that is a real hit with Zeke and Aaron is Friday Pizza Night. I make a thin crust pizza dough, turn up the oven really high and dump anything on it that is in the fridge. Typically, I make one cheese pizza and then experiment with the other, though I have been a little stuck recently. I really like a pizza with olives, capers, zucchini and veggie bacon. I've promised Aaron that I would make something different this week though. In the new year, I might try making my own sauce, so if you have suggestions, let me know. We don't invite people over for Pizza Night, Halloween being the exception: just not enough left overs.

On Fridays, I ask Zeke what we are doing for dinner and he says, "PIZZA NIGHT!" This is Zeke enjoying pineapple and veggie ham pizza.

I occasionally suggest other "days" that help me plan the week's menu, but they just haven't taken off yet. For example, "Let Your Husband Make Dinner" Sunday. Breadmaking also hasn't gotten far. I'm toying with a "Soup Monday." Even as I write this, I think, are you really reading this and questioning why I am into this day to day stuff? It probably won't help my case to say that all of my holiday gift requests to my husband have been kitchen related: a bakestone, a gridle, cookbooks.

Finally, one of our very favorite food routines this summer was eating dinner almost every week at our good friend P.'s house.  While they are not vegetarians, they always accommodate us, and it so nice to eat at a house that isn't messy like ours. Plus, they eat so well that 1) it always pushes me to find recipes that aren't too dependent on carbs, dairy or soy -- ingredients I have always leaned a little too heavily on as a vegetarian -- and 2) they make delish stuff! Zeke and his pal P. play together, sometimes through the meal, while the adults get to talk and do not have to apologize for toddler behavior. Really wonderful and I can't thank P.'s mom enough for organizing our dinners together.

Here is photo evidence of my being a bad dinner guest! P. doesn't eat sweets and is the only child I know with a taste for things like nori. Still, one night I brought dessert (gasp!) with lots of sugar and chocolate (gasp! faint!) You can see P. approved. I felt like the serpent in the garden.