Today’s Post: Our Best Pancakes, Attitude, & Mules
Today I’m bringing you our very favorite recipe for pancakes. My husband and kids have declared these the best pancakes on earth and I have to agree that they are the best I’ve personally ever had, mostly thanks to buttermilk being one of the primary ingredients! I hope you’ll get a chance to try and enjoy them soon. But first, my tangent. Sit back and get comfy, I got my soap box out for this one!
Life was hard for my ancestors, especially for my great grandmother, Lela, as a sharecropper. They awakened each day to work from sunup until sundown in the fields, kids included. Going to school was a treat not so much because they were eager to learn but because it meant they got to take a break from farming. Lela often didn’t know where the next meal was coming from and had to make do with what few staples she had on hand as any money paid to her husband seldom made it back home.
Grandmama says some days they’d come in so tired from the fields that they’d walk into the house and just fall asleep on the first spot of empty floor they came to. Lela would get a bowl of water and a rag and go around and wash the dirt off of their feet, letting them rest before waking them up and sending them to crowd into one bed for the night.
If anyone ever had a right to throw a big old pity party it was the people I came from, which makes their example all the more important to me. You see, Lela never complained. She woke up each morning with a smile on her face, humming a little tune as she went about preparing a simple breakfast of biscuits and gravy - because there was seldom any meat. But no one looked at that breakfast and said “Oh, just biscuits and gravy.” Instead their attitude was “Isn’t it wonderful that we can have biscuits and gravy.”
Their attitudes were always positive, always hopeful, and always grateful for what little they had. They had the ability to look at the cotton field as it was blazed beneath the Alabama sun and think to themselves “Aren’t we lucky that we have this field to tend and food on the table?” They could walk into the shack house and think “Isn’t it wonderful that we have this roof over our heads?”.
Their happiness was not dependent upon a set of ideal circumstances,
it was entirely dependent on their own attitudes and how they willingly chose to look at life.
I cannot think of a finer legacy to have been given or a more important one to pass on to my children.
I have always felt strongly that my attitude affects everyone I come into contact with and so I try to give each person I meet my best whenever possible. As a result, I’m often asked how I stay so positive. Folks seem to think it’s something you’re either born with or not. Usually if they’ve tended to lean towards negative thinking they dismiss the possibility of ever being positive as something that just unattainable to them. This is where I often have to sit down and give folks my “happiness is a choice” pep talk.
You see, no one is born positive, being positive takes work. Sometimes even the most positive people in the world have spells of negativity. We all have down days and I’m no different, but I’ve worked hard through the years in order to be able to see it for what it is, a phase I go through from time to time, and remain objective. Still, it’s a struggle and I’ve never had nor heard of an easy win.
Just as I looked to my parents and grandparents as examples of looking on the bright side of life during times of distress, I have spent some time studying others who have clearly battled these down swings and yet still came out to be considered positive thinkers. One of my favorite people to study for this very reason is Winston Churchill.
Churchill suffered from depressive spells so prevalent in his life that he took to calling it his little black dog. When going through a bout he’d simply say, “My little black dog is following me around “
I like that. I like how he gave it a name and set it apart from himself, it’s a way to own it, identify it, but make the statement that this is not a result of my life but rather an event within my life – a speed bump or a pothole.
I liked Mr. Churchill’s idea so much that I decided to do something similar. Rather than a little black dog, something I can’t help but see as cute and friendly, I’ve decided mine is an old gray mule and I’ve named him Abner. Now, like most mules I’ve ever heard of, to say Abner is stubborn would be an understatement. Abner is persistent, honery, and when he wants attention he’s gonna neigh and bray until he gets his way.
For me, this is part of the natural cycle of things. I think we all have times in which we need to allow our pendulum to swing the other way. I used to look at these negative spells as meaning I’d failed myself in not thinking positively enough, but now I see it as more of a recovery process, a time to heal. You see, on normal days I push myself. I try to be all things to all people and I work very hard at it. The only time I really slow down is when Abner is around. Abner and I take long walks and sleep a little more, we go to bed early and try to do things to pull me out of my funk.
When Abner is with me, it’s raining and when it’s raining my heart just naturally sets to looking for a rainbow.
Abner would like nothing more than for me to just saddle him up and parade him right down the middle of main street, but I’m not going to give him that kind of power. Instead, I keep him separate from myself and call him for what he is. Rather than say “Oh, I’m depressed, my life must be horrible.” I just say “Well, I reckon Abner needs a bit of attention.” So I let him out of the barn, walk him around the yard and spend a little time with him as needed until it comes time to send the old mule back where he belongs.
No one is born happy and very few of us are naturally inclined towards optimism. It is a process, a training, and a decision we make. Some folks may have to seek medical help and that’s okay too. The fact is, I think we all have a mule.
The difference between positive and negative thinkers is who feeds their mule in the barn and who sets a place for him at the dinner table.
~steps down off her soap box and swings it over her shoulder by its little rope handle~
And now on to pancakes…
You’ll need: Buttermilk, Baking Soda, Two Eggs, Salt, Vegetable Oil (or butter), Plain Flour, and some Sugar.
The sugar isn’t pictured because you only need a smidgen of it and I didn’t want to put the whole big honking sugar canister in the pic.
I also made these a little before six this morning and five pounds of sugar weighs more before the sun comes up.
Pour enough oil in a skillet to cover the bottom.
I’m using a cast iron skillet but you can just use a regular one if you like. The oil is going to give our pancakes a nice crispy outer layer, which is delicious! You can also use melted butter or margarine in place of oil if you like.
In a large mixing bowl, place your flour. Add salt.
And baking soda.
Add sugar
Stir to combine.
Add in your eggs and buttermilk.
Here is a hint for anyone new to Southern style cooking: If it has buttermilk in the ingredients, it’s gonna be good!
You can make your own buttermilk by adding one tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a cup of whole milk. Let it sit for five minutes before using. Since this recipe calls for two cups buttermilk, you’ll need to add two tablespoons to two cups whole milk, of course.
Ooh, I just did math and it isn’t even ten yet. I’m gonna have a headache later for that…
Stir that up until well combined. It will still be lumpy but that’s normal.
I use a 1/4 Cup measuring cup to add my batter to the heated skillet.
It should sizzle really good as soon as your batter hits the oil.
Sometimes I need to spread my batter out a bit with a spatula.
See how it is sizzling around the edges and little bubbles are appearing on the top?
You want to cook it for a minute or two before flipping, wait until the edges appear dry and the top is covered in little bubbles.
Then…
FLIP and continue cooking until browned on the other side.
Serve with lots of syrup…
to the delight of young and old!
(umm, but I’m not quite sure if Ricky is young or old, but I reckon in our house he would be old. Either way, he looked hungry so I fed him)
Ingredients
- 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 Cups Buttermilk*
- Vegetable oil, butter, or margarine for cooking pancakes in
Instructions
- Place enough oil or butter in the bottom of a skillet to coat it. Put on stove eye and heat on medium heat while you prepare the batter.
- In large mixing bowl, stir together all dry ingredients.
- Add eggs and buttermilk, stir until well combined. Batter will be lumpy.
- Drop by 1/4 cup fulls into heated oil and cook on medium heat until edges appear dry and top is covered in bubbles, flip and continue cooking until browned on both sides.
- Serve warm with syrup!
YUMM
This makes excellent waffles as well!
*To make your own buttermilk for this recipe, add two tablespoons lemon juice or vinegar to two cups whole milk. Allow to sit for five minutes before using.
Print This Recipe
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I had to share some pics of my kids today. They are just getting more and more adorable.
(Of course, I’m not the least bit biased)
This is Brady and Katy at his Boy Scouts Blue And Gold Banquet.
Katy is holding the class bear, Booker Bear, because he came to stay with us for the weekend!
Brady and I made a cake together for a cake decorating contest celebrating the 100th Birthday of Boy Scouts..
AND
HE WON!!!
~squeal~
Way to go, Braybo!
(the face painting is from a Webelo ceremony)
Katy Rose and Booker Bear at the gas station.
Well, now all we need is a photo of me and we’ll have the whole family in this post…
Here I am with my little Zoe. She’s a lab mix we adopted from the Humane Society last month.
She’s almost four years old and the sweetest baby!
~sighs~
I love my family.
When life gives you a 100 reasons to cry,
show life that you have 1000 reasons to smile.
~Submitted by IPlayOutsideTheBox. Submit your quote here.
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Posted by Christy Jordan
on Feb 23 2010. Filed under Breakfast.
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I love this story, Christy, and I love your attitude. Your recipes are always wonderful, but your inspiring stories are even better. I’m wondering if they will turn out the same if I use whole-wheat flour. I’m going to give it a try when I finish the pancake mix I have on hand.
These look yummy…I just may have to have pancakes for lunch now!!
I just made some of these for lunch!! The only problem I ran into is that I didn’t have baking powder :O so instead I used self rising and didn’t add the salt. They tasted good! I didn’t do the whole batch and was already running out of oil in the skillet. Do you have this problem? HELP!!!
Christy,
I think you took after your great grandmother, Lela. You tend to everybody and I guess you probably go “humming a little tune” as YOU go about fixing breakfast, too! Love you.
Oh that we had more people today with this attitude! I really appreciate those who are grateful for what they have instead of complaining about what they don’t! My great-grandmother was just like yours. She could make a wonderful meal from nothing!
Bless you for the inspiring story, loved it. It came on a day when my mule is kicking my arse. Maybe your beautiful pancakes will help- got the iron skillet warming now !
Karen, Same for me…mule kicking, skillet warming, love the story!
Christy, you and your children and little Zoe are precious.
thanks for all your precious memories and recipes. Love them. I don’t have an Abner but I am a firm believer in having a pity party for 8 hours and then you get off the pitty pot. I think you need the dark times to appreciate, think, and feel blessed with your whole life. When push comes to shove we are all pretty darned blessed.
Steph
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Prov. 23:7). YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL HEART…..
I love this story, Christy. I am a positive person, too, and I sometimes think that scares people. LOL Seriously, no one can figure out how I can have a good attitude so much … nothing to figure out, I’d tell them.
)
Christy,
Reading your column always give me a warm cozy feeling.
Thanks,
I needed that story about the mule today! Thanks for the recipe too.
p.s. I used to read your blogs just for the recipes………now it’s mainly for your stories.
This story needed to be told. It will be so sad when kids no longer have these memories of the good life.
Hi Christy, I’m new tot your blog and I must tell you this story and your pancake recipe are so inspirting. I’m so glad I signed up to hear from you. What a lovely attitude you have about life. I know I never give power to the enemy (that being my mule) and never worry about those things I can’t control. My philosophy is give away a smile, they are free.
God bless you and I look forward to seeing more of your stories and creativity.
Patsy
My daddy made the best pancakes I have ever had. I could never figure out why mine were never the same. Then when I was in my 40s he was making pancakes in my kitchen and asked for vanilla for the pancakes! My word I learned the secret ingredient that day. Y’all should try it sometime. I think of daddy every time I make pancakes.
Joyce, I agree that vanilla is the key to really good pancakes, I’ve always used it.
I use vanilla too, and a dash or two of cinnamon!!
Wow, it’s amazing how people/stories can touch our lives. Thanks Christy…it’s been a rotten several days and I feel like the other ‘Karen’ who posted earlier, but as I see the SUNSHINE streaming thru my door ….need I say more.
Chrity your recipe is very similar to mine except I use self rising flour and I make the batter a little thinner, just thin enough that it will pour out without spreading out to thin in the skillet. The main ingredient i use that you left out is vanilla, the next time you make pancakes try a teaspoon of vanilla and see what you think.
love your attitude! and I love how you say that you do give “Abner” some attention now and then, but the difference is that after spending a little time walking him, you put him back in the old barn. That’s the difference between a pessimist and an optimist grounded in reality- thanks for the post. And I can’t wait to try this pancake recipe!
Me too Joyce,I thought my Dad made the best pancakes in the world! His had melted butter and vanilla in them. Yummy good. He only made two things – mom did all the rest – but he also made something he called “stoup”. A cross between soup and stew, throwing lots of refrigerated leftovers in it and it always turned out to be amazing. My grown children remember it too and each (individually) asked me for Grandpa’s stoup recipe. I hated to tell them I didn’t have it because he never used one – we all remember him and it with great love!
Thanks again for the trip down nostalgia lane, Christy. Your website brings back such fond memories!
Hey Christy, this has to be one of my favorite posts. I would love to send it to my sister. How would I do that?? You can tell I’m technologically impaired.
Thank you for all that you do. j
Amen Christy
Thank you posting this, I feel like God was telling me you are not the only one who goes thru these spells. And reading this post has put a smile on my face and I am going to put Tully (I gave mines a name too) back in her barn.
Christy, you are such an inspiration to me and many others. Love your stories and recipes.
Thank you so much Donna!!! That is so sweet of you and it just made my day!!
Thanks Christy! I needed a pep talk today. I teach misdirected teenagers and today was a struggle with one student. I am re-evaluating my attitude. Tomorrow will be better!
Loved this story, sounds like living in Southern Arkansas where my family lived. I love your website and all the good recipes.
The story for today was exactly what I needed! Thanks for sharing with us.
thanks, I needed that little bit of enlightenment.
Is Katy Rose your little twin? She is beautiful.
~giggles~ There are days I think she just might be Judy. Thank you so much, she brings lots of sparkle to our lives.
Christy, your story about your donkey was just what I needed!! I am one of those who have to take meds, but I am going to have to take my donkey out for a walk once in a while and feed ‘em in the barn!! Thanks Christy!!
I am so glad to hear that this touched you today Ellen. ~HUGS~ I hope you have a wonderful day!!
Hello Christy, This is such a heartwarming story. It really brings back alot of memories. As children growing up we were so glad to just get something to eat. We had biscuits and gravy or popcorn, buttermilk and cornbread. We never thought about having new toys or clothes or material things except for food. We learned what the true meaning of Christmas was and Santa was just a fun game and we were happy to get some fruit in our stocking. Thank you so much for the pancake story again, it brought back alot of memories. Glad you are home.
Thank you so much Rita, it is good to be home! I hope you have a wonderful day!!
Christy,
Thank so much for this story I got really emotional reading it and writing this because your stories remind of things I am just now at 23 learning about my grandfather. He was basically born to be a field hand while his brothers were encouraged to go to college so they wouldn’t have to be a farmer. It is because he looked on the positive side of life that has made such an impact on me. He is the reason our family is as strong as we are because he sacrificed so much for all of us. Thank you for telling your stories so I can be reminded for what my grandparents did for our family. You make my day !!
You warm my heart. It’s as simple as that.
I like it when you pull out the soapbox. You always have something to say that touches me and reminds me that life’s too short to sit around with a mule for company. Thanks for all you do.
I agree, Pam!
Just a little tip to add to your wonderful recipe. I saw this on Food Network’s Alton Brown show – you know, the guy who talks about all the science behind cooking. If you use a lot of oil in your pan for pancakes, the oil keeps the batter from making complete contact with the pan, and thus will not allow pancake to brown evenly. So I put a little oil in pan, then spread it around and mop up any excess with a wadded up paper towel. Hold on to that oiled towel, as you can do this between batches. With the right pan temp and this method your pancakes will be nicely browned. But yours look great anyway! This may help Leah who said she was running out of oil too quickly in the pan.
Thank you so much for sharing these tips Michele!!!
LOVE it! But don’t I always, but seriously, you just don’t hear the old stories like you used to. Many folks tend to think that what’s on TV is what they should have. When it’s not , they somehow think they have missed out. This story is such a great reminder that people had it hard, nothing compares now to what our ancestors survived (except maybe GMO foods, but that’s depressing and a whole ‘nother topic!). You explain it so clearly. I love the pictures, too.
Love you very much.
“when you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you” –old song lyrics
I love you too Emily!!! And I love that quote!!
Another delicious recipe! How can you go wrong with pancakes?
I loved the pics of your children and your new puppy. Please tell me that your dog lives inside your home and NOT outside. Our family lived in the deep South for several years and all of our Southern neighbors were horrified that we actually “let” our dog live inside our home. Every winter we lived in MS,there were stories on the news about dogs actually freezing to death because the owners refused to let their dogs live inside and be part of the family and one dog was found frozen underneath an old truck with the chain frozen to his neck. Please bring your dog inside and let them be part of your family! Stepping off my soapbox now.
Christy I have used a product called Sacco buttermilk powder for years, as I sometimes get the urge to make something with buttermilk and don’t feel like running out to buy some…I keep mine in the fridge, but not sure that is necessary..turns out great results…you can find it in the canned milk section or baking isle of most stores…Thank you for all you do xoxo
Thank you for sharing about your family.What a great example you are for your children and encouragement for others who read your blog.Looking forward to making the pancakes !!! God bless you !!!
Christy can you make them with all purpose or self-rising flour. I just never use plain flour? I want them to taste good. If I need to I will buy plain flour. Thanks!
We called these flap jacks, we consider them to be different from pancakes. But good non the less.
Christy, as you shared about having a positive attitude, I was reminded of something I read in one of Norman Vincent Peale’s books one day. He said, “Attitude is more important than fact.” I have found that to be so true, as I believe you have. Thanks for sharing so much of yourself as well as your delicious recipes!
Thanks Christy for sharing all of your lovely stories and remembrances with us
I was having an Abner day today too, however, my Abner has a companion named Annie. When I need to take them out of the barn I hook them to a cart and drive the dickens out of them. I suffered a concusion a year ago and some days things just don’t go well. The headaches really get me down. But
I cope and try to stay positive. I have an aging cat that has developed a growth and requires attention 24/7. She keeps me focused. Most folks are of a different opinion but I have to do what is best for us. She gives me a reason to get out of bed in the morning.
I never knew my great grandparents but do know that they were hard workers. My dad’s parents came from Scotland as children – one to Regina, one to Akron Ohio. Mom’s parents were farm workers. My grandpa was a horse wrangler and continued having horses right up to when he passed away at the age of 96. He had a couple of real mules and jackasses in that barn as well. Yes it was my job to feed them. I don’t ever remember a day of being hungry but do remember some pretty strange combinations of foods.My grandpa taught me to make do with little and to enjoy what little I did have.
Never a lot of meat unless one of my uncles had been hunting and was successful. There was no complaining. The little ones ate first – youngest to oldest. It was sometimes slim pickins by the time it got to me. The 50′s and 60′s were a different time – not something the kids of today will ever see. Buttermilk Pancakes were a favourite and still are. I would make them only about 2 inches or smaller and my brother would always brag that he ate a dozen pancakes. Thank you Christy for your positive attitude and making us feel good about ourselves. Gives me a lift when I read your posts. Your children are about the same age as my grandchildren and I know what a joy they are to me (as well as the fact that sometimes they drive me a bit whacko). They have learned to be thankful for what they have, to be kind, helpful and polite to others and to share. Sorry for being so long winded but today I had you to talk to – somedays there is no one.
Pancakes and bacon are our family’s favorite breakfast. We used to have it every Friday morning, but since our oldest daughter went to college, we only have it when she comes home for the weekend. This recipe looks great!
Goodlooking pancakes! Enjoyed the story too!
Love your stories!
This is my “go to” recipe since I read when first posted. Such inspiration you are to me and to others. Thank you again for sharing!
Is there any trace of vinegar or lemon flavors when making your own buttermilk?
I have done this many times and never had a problem with that. There is also powdered buttermilk available if you want to make sure you always have some on hand when a mood strikes you. It is usually in the canned or powdered milk section at Walmart. Good Luck!
Happy New Year Christy, I love your pancake recipe. My granddaugher and I make this recipe when we want pancakes on a Saturday morning.
I love your recipes because they are so like the way I grew up remembering my mother cooking. Especially Sunday dinners after church.
Thank you for sharing. Have a happy New Year.
Christy,
I thank God for you!! EACH and every single day you are a blessing in my life. God has given you a special gift of encouragement along with many other special gifts.
I needed to read about your Abner…..it is helping me put into perspective my own “Abner” in which I will be giving him his own name and dealing with as you encouraged in your post.
Thank you sweet friend….sure would love to get down to Huntsville from Columbia and meet you some day. Thanking God for you.
Sandra
I would love to meet you one day Sandra, hopefully there will come a time when we can make that happen!! ~HUGS~ and Blessings to you!!
I knew you were southern and it seems as if I have known you forever, but this last post of your’s brought tears to my eyes. My grandparents were sharecroppers too- cotton. My aunts and uncle told me many times about coming in from the fields with bloody hands from picking cotton all day. My grandparents were very poor but I have always said that if I could have the kind of marriage that they had I would be the richest person on earth. My grandfather did painting for extra money. When I was 5 years old he had finished a painting job and the man didn’t have the money to pay him. My grandfather saw an old rusty bicycle lying up against the building and told the man that he would take the bicycle as payment if that was okay with him. My grandfather knew that I really wanted a bicycle but my mother couldn’t afford it. The man gave the bicycle to him. He brought it home and painted it red. It was waiting for me on my next visit to Cullman. Not only did he do that, but he(60 years old) pushed me on it for hours until I learned to ride it. Priceless memories.
Priceless memories indeed!! You are rich in a heritage that money could never buy Diane!
Homemade buttermilk pancakes are the BEST! My 82-year-old father makes them, though not as much since my mom died 5 years ago. His are the best, I think, because he cooks them on a REALLY old cast iron griddle that was my grandma’s! It’s a Griswold, given to my grandma for a wedding gift back in 1925. I make them, too, but they never taste as good as his.
What a precious Father you have Laura!!