20 Gourmet Pancakes

Pancakes! Who knew there were so many different and delicious variations. This is the ultimate must try pancake list.

Pancake Art

marieagneau.blogspot.com.br/

To make pancake art just empty out an old ketchup or condiment container and fill with batter. No mess. Or, fill a zip lock bag with batter and cut a very small hole for more delicate designs.

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

http://thestir.cafemom.com/food_party/149343/cinnamon_roll_pancake_recipe_is

Bacon Pancakes

http://www.easykitchenrecipes.com/2013/01/bacon-strip-pancakes.html

Coconut Pancakes (maybe with a nice vanilla cream?)

http://thektan.tumblr.com/post/11740470918

Oreo Pancakes

http://minimalistbaker.com/oreo-cookie-pancakes/

Pancake Skewers (use whatever fruit you like)

http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/originals/71/88/90/718890d6f9104c74799060ab664ebd8d.jpg

Peanut Butter Pancakes

http://www.yourhomebasedmom.com/peanut-butter-pancakes/

Boston Cream Pancakes

http://www.rachelcooks.com/index.php/2012/07/21/boston-cream-pie-pancakes/

Cappuccino Pancakes with Mocha Syrup

http://www.pastryaffair.com/blog/2012/2/12/cappuccino-pancakes-with-mocha-syrup.html

Smashed Raspberry Chocolate Chunk Pancakes

http://joythebaker.com/2012/01/smashed-raspberry-chocolate-chunk-pancakes/#more-7065

Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes

 

http://joythebaker.com/2012/09/lemon-poppy-seed-pancakes/

Brownie Batter Pancakes

http://traceysculinaryadventures.blogspot.ca/2012/02/brownie-batter-pancakes.html#.UQsfH2ccvIk 

Lemon Bar Pancakes

 http://recipenewz.com/recipe/Lemon-Bar-Pancakes-201211191009/

Carrot Cake Pancakes

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/carrot-cake-pancakes-50400000125346/

Red Velvet Pancakes

 

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/red-velvet-pancakes-50400000125347/ 

German Chocolate Pancakes

 http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/red-velvet-pancakes-50400000125347/

Pumpkin Pancakes With Cinnamon Syrup

http://tastesbetterfromscratch.blogspot.ca/2010/11/pumpkin-pancakes-with-cinnamon-syrup.html

Rainbow Pancakes

http://iambaker.net/rainbow-pancake-sugar-cookies-winnie-the-pooh/

Double Chocolate Pancakes

http://lespetitsplatsdetrinidad.blogspot.ca/2011/12/pancakes-au-chocolat-sauce-chocolat.html

Gingerbread Pancakes

http://recipenewz.com/recipe/Gingerbread-Pancakes-201212100937/

Birthday Pancakes

http://prettyfoods.tumblr.com/

Voila!

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Beavertails

In anticipation of Winterlude I wanted to do a post about how to make beaver tails. I began the project with a recipe in mind but then I thought of how much more fun it would be if I simplified things so my daughter could make them with me. And so we invented "The Pillsbury Beaver Tail" I'll include the original recipe I tried in the post but I actually enjoyed the Pillsbury beaver tail much more.

The Pillsbury Beaver Tail

It doesn't get any simpler then this, and that is way it was so much fun to make with my 4yr old daughter.

Ingredients

1 Pkg Pillsbury Country Biscuits

 vegetable oil (for frying)

1/2 Cup sugar

1 tbs cinnamon

1) Buy some Pillsbury country biscuits.

2) Heat up about 1/2" of oil in a pan and mix cinnamon and sugar in small bowl.

3) Take all 10 dough circle out of the package and using a rolling pin, flatten them as thin as possible into a beaver tail (oval).

4)  Place dough in oil two at a time turning once. They only require a few seconds per side to cook or until golden brown so keep a close eye on them.

5)Remove from oil and place on paper towel.

6) Sprinkle both sides with cinnamon and sugar mixture and enjoy!

 Cinnamon and sugar is a wonderful way to enjoy a beaver tail but some other toppings you might enjoy are:

 Maple butter

Nutella

Bananas 

Apples

Strawberries                                    

                                            Scratch Beaver Tail       -       Pillsbury Beaver Tail      

                                                          

Here is the recipe I used to make the first beaver tail from scratch.

 www.food.com/recipe/canadian-beaver-tail-fried-pastries

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Ottawa Public Library Free Passes

Below is a link to the Ottawa Public Library site. It lists all the things you can borrow that are not books, for example A FAMILY PASS TO THE MUSEUM OF CIVILISATION, make that every museum...FOR FREE, as well as ski passes and more. I can't believe I had not heard of this before. There are holds on all of them but quite a few copies of each pass so wait times should not be extremely long. Follow the link for details our to place a hold.

http://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/content/museum-passes

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What To Do This Winter

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/canadiantourism/3307416503/

Here it is, "the list" of what is kid friendly in the NCR this winter! Most have been kid tested and approved and to tell you the truth, I enjoyed them too. Don't forget to check out my monthly to do posts! Now get out there Ottawa and have some fun.

Go Sledding
It's free, it's fun for everyone, and if you follow this link there are 56 city approved sledding hills in Ottawa. My favourite hill is in Kanata at Walter Baker Park.
http://ottawa.ca/en/residents/parks-and-recreation/parks-and-sports-fields/sledding-hills

Go Skating
There are many outdoor rinks around the city that you can skate on for free, also many rinks that have open, and parent and tot skates. Follow the link :)
Ottawa Skate Schedule:
http://ottawa.ca/en/residents/parks-and-recreation/drop-activities/public-skating-schedules
Outdoor Rink Locations:
http://ottawa.ca/en/residents/parks-and-recreation/parks-and-sports-fields/rink-locations
Rink Of Dreams:
 http://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/get-know-your-city/use-public-space-ottawa-city-hall/rink-dreams
Rideau Canal Skateway Conditions:
http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/places-to-visit/rideau-canal-skateway

Go Swimming
Just because it's winter doesn't mean you should stop swimming. Kids Love swimming, and it's a nice escape from the cold winter weather.
Ottawa Swim Schedule:
https://www.google.ca/#hl=en&safe=off&tbo=d&sclient=psy-ab&q=ottawa+swim+&oq=ottawa+swim

Creative Crafts at Michaels
Decorate cakes and cupcakes, scrapbook and more. These are great classes for kids and some there for parents too.
Store Calendars:
http://www.michaels.com/Exciting-Classes/classes,default,pg.html#kidsclasses

Cooking Classes At The Independent
Find your local Independent store and check with customer service to see if they have any classes there. Most offer them for children 3-5 on week days and some on Friday/Saturday for kids 6-13.
Find Your Store:
http://www.yourindependentgrocer.ca

Go To The Library
A lot of locations have family story time and first words programs. Plus if you don't already have one, get a library card and start borrowing book! no more overspending time and money at Chapters.
Library Program Guide:
http://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/program

Rock Climbing At Altitude Gym
I am so so so excited to take my daughter here!
http://altitudegym.ca/en/clip/


The Childrens Museum/ Museum Of Civilisation
I bought a family membership when we first moved here and we made good use of it!
http://www.civilization.ca/childrens-museum

Canadian Museum Of Nature  

Great for all ages.
http://www.nature.ca/

Canadian Science and Technology Museum
Go in with a plan because it can become a free for all, chasing the kids in every direction kind of day. But I did learn a lot :)
http://www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca/ 

 Cosmic Adventures
I love this place but the weekends get crazy, sometimes too crazy for children under 3 in my opinion.
http://www.cosmicadventures.ca/ 

Fun Haven
Good but you can get sucked into spending a lot of money if your not careful.
http://www.funhaven.com/ 

Laser Quest
It's on my to do list
http://www.laserquest.com/public/locations/ON-Ottawa.cfm

Fun Junction
Also on the to do list
http://www.laserquest.com/public/locations/ON-Ottawa.cfm

Little Rays Reptile Zoo
I went to a mobile exhibit once and my daughter liked it.
http://raysreptiles.com/

Putting Edge
Another for the to do list.
http://www.puttingedge.com/


And....Bowling
You can google this one in your area :)


Feel free to email me if you think I missed anything here. And have fun!
NationalCapitalMoms@gmail.com
 

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Cute Valentines Crafts xo

I Love Valentines Day! It's one of those "holidays" you don't have to take too seriously. You can never do too little or too much. To me, Valentines day is just another excuse to show my family that I love them and make some cute crafts with my daughter. Here are some of my favorite Valentines crafts from around the web. 

 Pottery Barn Kids

 Or...

I Heart Nap Time

Parenting

The Alison Show
DIY Temporary Tattoo!!!

The Party Event

Great for grandparents or when you can't live close to those you love. 

I would prefer a different poem.

Minieco
For the science lover

Mom On Timeout

Parenting

Martha Stewart

Cinnamon Scented Glitter Play dough - Tip Junkie

Lots of free printables on this site!

 Miss Kindergarten

Giggles Galore

 Not On The High Street
Places you have been together. Love it! There are many tutorials out there.

Hugs and Kisses:)

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Valentines Day Food Frenzy

Here is a little gem I want to share with you about making food "fun". Go out and buy some cookie cutters!!!  I'll touch on this point later though in another post.

For now, lets check out some of my favourite Valentines day themed treats for kids and loved ones alike. Everyone needs to feel special sometimes, and if that means twisting your child/partners bacon into a heart before you bake it, well now they know how you really feel :)

The Paper Mama

Try this with cukes, or zucchini, etc...

Recipe By Photo

One Charming Party

 Cute Food For Kids

 Spoonful 

Life In Wonderland

Made With Love By Me

AND....

Use marble for heart shaped cupcakes.

Poppies At Play

Use package of Pillsbury Grands Homestyle Biscuits, spoon on pie filling, bake according to package.

Cooking On The Side

I would probably make mine as a heart pop and cover them completely in chocolate. I'm not a huge rice crispie treat fan but something magical happens when you cover them in chocolate. 

 You can't go wrong with chocolate strawberries!

Enjoy:)

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