"Lem never thought boys had cooties." --MamaBear
In kindergarten, my parents enrolled me in Little League. My memories of this period in my life are vague, but I do remember prancing around the outfield, executing perfect split leaps when I was supposed to be watching the ball.
I am not what you would call athletic. Coordination is not my strong suit. I could never run fast, nor was I ever in possession of a very long attention span. My mom was trying to do the right thing by keeping me active, but it was not in the cards for me. I much preferred choreographing elaborate dance routines to “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” in my front yard. I understood the complex and nuanced relationship between Baby Houseman, Johnny Castle, and Johnny’s tight, high-waisted pants and felt the need to express it through dance.
So, while most girls in my town enrolled in softball, I ended up playing soccer. The fast pace suited me better. As I gained weight, I was stuck on defense, instructed to look big and scary, and act as human blockage against the goal. I wasn’t that great, but was oddly fearless about being kicked, rammed and pummeled. I had a good enough time, but I always wanted to play softball with all the pretty, popular girls.
I never really learned how throw a softball, so I am really sorry I am doing it now. It is a little sloppy, I know. I think even though this is a bit of a lightweight effort, I know you can forgive me. Sometimes, even the stuff that may be a bit….weak still has its merits. I am sure you are thinking pancakes seem like a pretty lame offering, but I implore you to give these a fair shake. Also, my blue cornmeal pancakes are heaven-sent, so I think I have some pancake street cred. Using low fat buttermilk adds a bit of tang to these pancakes, while the whole wheat flour keeps it healthy and adds a very pleasant nutty undertone. Using both baking powder and soda really makes these puff up…they are almost reminiscent of flat muffins. The apples and cinnamon are a classically delicious pair and I could not help but throw in some vanilla. Vanilla makes almost any sweet concoction better. I used reduced sugar syrup and didn’t feel an ounce of guilt as I ate these.
Maybe this isn’t a softball after all. Thank God I never really learned how to play with those popular girls. I hear they are all boring, anyway.
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Know what isn’t boring? My column over at So Good. Go see what I am eating today.
Apple Cinnamon Whole Wheat Buttermilk Pancakes
Adapted from Cooks
1 egg
1 c. whole wheat flour
1 c. low fat buttermilk
1 granny smith apple, finely diced
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
Beat egg until fluffy. Add remaining ingredients, mix only until smooth. Spray nonstick gridle with Pam. Pour about 1/4 cup batter on to pan and flip when edges bubble. Cook for additional minute. Serve warm.
9:29 am on September 24th, 2008
I have such an urge for those pancakes right now. Or for dinner tonight, I’m one of those strange sorts who consider pancakes more appropriate in the evening than for breakfast.
I don’t think there is ever a bad time for pancakes, Peter.
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9:43 am on September 24th, 2008
I adore pancakes. LOVELOVELOVE them. I think they may be my favorite food, no kidding around. What a great recipe; I can’t wait to try it!
They are also a tasty vehicle for syrup, so you cannot go wrong there.
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9:48 am on September 24th, 2008
Pancakes were the first thing I learned how to cook as a child. I would make my parents promise to sleep in so I could cook on a Saturday morning. I’m sure they were afraid I was going to burn the house down. Syrup covers a multitude of sins!
I steered clear of all ball sports except golf. My only trophy is for a golf tournament at age 12.
I went to a driving range one time. Needless to say, it did not go well.
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9:55 am on September 24th, 2008
Pancakes are good. But is anyone else wondering who that gigantor child is in the third row, left?
All I will say is it is not me.
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10:04 am on September 24th, 2008
If it makes you feel any better, Ted Williams used to hang out in the outfield practicing his swing and not concentrating on fly balls.
And look where he ended up: his head frozen in a cryogenics lab.
They say to always aim high, Arjewtino. One day maybe my head will be in a cryogenics lab…a girl can dream.
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10:22 am on September 24th, 2008
I understood the complex and nuanced relationship between Baby Houseman, Johnny Castle, and Johnny’s tight, high-waisted pants and felt the need to express it through dance.
Hee hee. Nice.
I had a similar understanding of Olivia Newton John’s tight leather pants when she and John Travolta sang “You’re the One That I Love” at the end of Grease. I love that bit when she looks at me … er, ahem, I mean John Travolta … and says, “Tell Me About it Stud.”
It is “You’re the One That I Want” !! But yes, I agree 100%…great bit.
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10:23 am on September 24th, 2008
I’m totes making these this weekend. Yay for all things autumnal and appley. Ps Apples are my favorite kinds of desserts. Just sayin.
Love, My Birthday’s In 3 Weeks
You know what I like about you, LiLu? You are subtle.
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11:34 am on September 24th, 2008
Pancakes are good. But is anyone else wondering who that gigantor child is in the third row, left?
All I will say is it is not me.
Well then who’s mom is it in that awful yet blatant disguise?
She really does need to work on her disguise…I cannot remember her name, truth be told.
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11:47 am on September 24th, 2008
Putting aside the
behemothbahwuheemuth*…..I gotta say, damn do I love pancakes.*obscure reservoir dogs reference
Oh Quentin, how I love you.
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12:10 pm on September 24th, 2008
My birthday was in June, Luv. I’m still waiting on my carrot cake. *ahem*
And Lem, I used to do the same sort of musical interpretive dance numbers, only on rollerskates. You’re a broad after my own, blackened heart.
OK OK, we need to have a dinner party and I will make the cake. Promise.
I love being called a broad. Seriously.
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12:46 pm on September 24th, 2008
How the hell do people think up these kinds of recipes?! I get all jazzed when I pair smoked salmon and cream cheese on a whole wheat pita instead of a bagel…
And, for the record, dancing IS a sport! Split leaps are not easy to execute.
Split leaps are more difficult than they look, I will admit that.
And apple pancakes? Not too crazy, I don’t think.
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2:13 pm on September 24th, 2008
I was a little athlete up until about 10th grade… literally. I was really little, and then I grew… and I grew a lot… and I grew right out of my athletic ability. From little athlete one day, to taller uncoordinated bean pole. Let’s just say that when I went to college – 5′10 and 120 is great if you are a female super model, but being of the male persuasion it makes it a bit harder to pick up chicks
Had I known about your pancake recipe then, I might have put on some weight a bit faster. Looks good (especially with a nice slice of ham and some eggs!!!)
Oh, and while I love pancakes, I really think the meal is made by the quality of the maple syrup!!
Yes, really good maple syrup makes a huge difference. And 120 lbs! Good lord…I don’t think I have ever seen that number.
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2:13 pm on September 24th, 2008
I could never run fast…
You’ve reminded of the time in elementary school when we had some sort of big athletics day and we had to race each other in a short sprint. I came in dead last in my group, but in my defense, it was me against 5 black kids.
I was a great batter in little league. Catching was another story.
I have serious fears of catching as I don’t want to get hit in the face. Gotta protect the money maker…
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2:21 pm on September 24th, 2008
My sister and I were on a soccer team together. Our team scored one goal the entire season…and that was when we kicked the ball into our own goal by mistake.
Incidentally, neither of us wound up pro athletes.
Yeah, my brother was notorious for scoring on his own team as well. Us Lemmonexs are not athletes.
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2:24 pm on September 24th, 2008
So is that you in the middle row, second from right?
No, it is not. AT ALL.
Look at the caption, then look at the picture.
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2:34 pm on September 24th, 2008
Our scarface-loving broad is smack in the middle, the one with a big ol’ grin on her face who’s blatantly leaning into the boy on her left.
You know me well. I was always pushy with the boys.
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2:38 pm on September 24th, 2008
That was going to be my second guess. I guess the blatant lean should have been the first clue.
I am usually so subtle. I know this is shocking.
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5:01 pm on September 24th, 2008
For a moment, I thought this was an honorary tribute to our blog. Then I adjusted my eyes and realized it was about girls’(i.e., your) participation in sports. Then I was sad, because there was some boy on that team that said “dammit!! if we only didn’t have ‘Lemmonex’ in right field!!”
I know…I was an awful teammate. My split leaps were awesome though.
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8:05 pm on September 24th, 2008
Advantage: cinnamon. The spice must flow.
Cinnamon always has the advantage. Floweth it will.
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8:16 pm on September 24th, 2008
Love pancakes and also not sporty a sporty girl.
But hey–in my town–softball girls were considered manly and not cool and the popular girls danced and sang…and played soccer!
You should have lived in my town sugar you could have ruled.
PS–Soccer is almost a prerequisite to graduating high school in NJ–see you were just ahead of the curve in your area.
You are right…always head of the curve. You always see the bright side, Kassy.
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8:17 pm on September 24th, 2008
Ahhh I meant not a sporty girl–sorry. Cannot write today.
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9:35 pm on September 24th, 2008
yum, my favorite new pancake discovery is gingerbread ones…but apple cinnamon is definitely a close second. and with these being whole wheat, it balances out all the syrup i would pour on top.
Annie Birdie makes an awesome gingerbread pancake. Now that she has moved out, I need to ask her for the recipe.
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10:06 pm on September 24th, 2008
Mmmm, PANCAKES. Be still my beating heart. You can never go wrong with pancakes.
Next time you’re in Hawaii, I recommend banana pancakes with coconut-macadamia nut syrup. Uhhhh-mazing. No big whoop.
Oh CAITLIN. You clearly have not been reading closely enough. I would rather remove my appendix with a rusty spoon than consume a flake of coconut. I honestly and truly just gagged a little even thinking of it.
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7:38 am on September 25th, 2008
Thankfully your softball career ended early. Down here we only have the Ellen League and the Rosie League. I much prefer you on our side. It makes you more “interesting”.
“Interesting” certainly is one way to put it. Thanks, FA.
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