Just for fun.....

Last weekend I took some QUIKRETE cement and finally filled the hole in the walkway leading to my front door. I couldn't resist personalizing it just a bit. For a girl, I thought I did a good job. Turned out cute, don't you think?  ♥

Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes....YUM-O!

10 officers came last Saturday in three different shifts.  Something big came up and the last three didn't arrive until around 10:00 am.  No matter.  One officer called around 9:15 am and asked "how long would I be serving breakfast."  Huh?  Well....until the last officer can get here, of course -- that's how long. :)

I was brave and tried the cinnamon swirl pancakes and everyone loved them!

Here's what you need.

You're not hallucinating.....yes, I use Aunt Jemima pancake mix.  Are you surprised?  I tried making pancakes from scratch - twice - and I couldn't find a recipe that tasted as good as Aunt Jemima Buttermilk Complete. We all love being able to say 'I made it from scratch', but scratch is not always better.  Plus, time is an issue with all that I have to cook.  Last year I posted a story called "Is making pancakes from scratch worth the effort?"  Long story, short....nope!  Click here for that post.  

Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes 
Adapted from this recipe

2 cups Aunt Jemima Buttermilk Complete pancake mix (or your favorite recipe or mix)
1-1/2 cups water

Cinnamon Filling

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, just melted (not boiling)

1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar

1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Cream Cheese Glaze 

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

I used a pastry bag to pipe the filling out, but a ZipLoc baggie works well too.  If you use a ZipLoc, add the filling and make sure the bag is sealed well.  Snip the corner of the baggie and squeeze the filling through the open corner. 

Mix the pancake mix and water together until the large lumps disappear (use a wire whisk if you have one).  Let stand 1-2 minutes to thicken.  I usually transfer the mixture to a plastic tea pitcher -- it makes it easier to pour.  Heat the griddle to 350 degrees.  After the griddle is hot, lightly grease to prevent sticking (I use spray Pam.)  Pour the mix on the griddle making 3-5 pancakes.  After the pancakes starts to bubble slightly, add the filling. I started the swirl from the outer circle of the pancake and swirled to the center, but some start with the center and swirl out (do what's easiest for you.)  When the bottom is a golden brown, flip it over.  Takes just a minute after you flip it, then it's done.

Because of the sugar, I found the pancakes seemed to stick more to the griddle, so spray more Pam on the griddle when you lift the pancake to flip it. It seemed to help some.  

Note:  I didn't do the cream cheeses glaze with this first batch, but will serve the glaze next time and will post an update.  But they were so good, some officers didn't even put syrup on it -- they ate it plain. 

  

The AHOP light....

It is no secret to the officers I cook for on Saturday morning that I go back to bed after the last officer leaves. I get up about the same time they do -- 4:30 am -- except I get to go back to bed, while their day of chasing speeders, fighting crime and thwarting evil is just getting started.   

After the last officer leaves, I turn the AHOP light off, enjoy a little of the breakfast (if I don't eat with them), then I take a sofa nap and I usually sleep until about 12:30 or 1:00 p.m. I'm usually pretty pooped after they all leave. I love it though (but you already know that, right?)!

The AHOP sign (an amazing gift from my South Division officers) only
shines when I'm cookin' and they're comin'.  

Saturday at AHOP....and all is right with the world

Ten officers came for breakfast yesterday -- my first AHOP breakfast since August 25. I was so happy to see the first blue and white round the corner, and then seeing them all gathered at my dining room table again talking about their week. I thought my heart would explode - I was so happy.  One officer came and it was his day off. Big-hearted, I tell you! 

On my August 28 post, I posted a cool video on how to separate egg yolks. I could hardly wait to show the guys my newly discovered talent. It was great! The table got real quiet, I separated the egg yolk, and then all six officers, simultaneously, went ...."WHOA!!!!!!" And then laughter broke out. They loved it! Thanks again to my friend, Kat, for sharing this with me.  

And look at this....AHOP received a few awesome gifts!  

My friend and colleague, Kelly N, emailed me one morning and said "I have a donation for AHOP....it's in the freezer." When the weather gets a little cooler, I'll start making sausage gravy again, so these little guys are hangin' out in the freezer until then. Thank you, Kelly! This $aves me a lot and you are a gem for thinking of me and my officers!  

And one of my high school classmates, David L, sent AHOP some real Costa Rican coffee that he purchased especially for AHOP during a recent visit to Costa Rica. It is delicious! So good, that when I dragged my tired, old body into bed last night, my last thought before I closed my eyes was "oh, I can hardly wait to have that coffee in the morning." David and I aren't 100 percent sure, but we think we were in the same typing class back in high school. Who knew, 36 years later, he would be sending me coffee for AHOP. Isn't life grand!

My break is over -- the boys and girls are back -- and all is right with the world!   ♥

This is a picture from my very first post - 8.14.11