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During Family Home Evening tonight, we were singing a song when suddenly Sally asked what Ava was eating. As dinner food and dishes had been put away previously, the mystery food was, well, as mystery.

S: “Ava, what are you eating?”
A: chomp, chomp, chomp [mouth wide open].
S: “What are you eating, Ava?”
A: chomp, chomp, “jungbabble”, chomp, chomp.
S: “What?!?”
A: [finished chomping] “Pie-apple.”
S: “Where did you get pineapple?”
A: “My pocket.”
S: “Your pocket?”
A: “Put pineapple in my pocket and EAT IT!”

Looks like we are doing laundry tonight.

Heavenly Father…

Thank you day.

Thank you mama, dada, Caleb, Gracebella, me, mama.

Be good.

Sweet dreams.

Name of Jesus Christ, amen.

(Meanwhile, back on the farm, Grace is using her leapfrog keyboard to “type to her boyfriend.”)

My new firm is a San Diego-based firm, which has necessitated driving from Orange County down to San Diego once in awhile. For those of you not familiar with California geography, between San Diego and Orange County is Camp Pendleton, one of the Marine Corps training bases. You drive right through it along the coast.

This was the second chopper I say on this drive (incidentally, the first flew right over my car — those things are really quiet for their size). I saw this helicopter start out at sea and fly slowly inland. I thought that the stuff hanging down was some sort of cargo — and it was. People cargo. The specs by the arrow are soldiers!!

Staci, Jackson, and Paige were in town. Disneyland was in the works, as it often is when visitors come. After the little kids got tired, Staci, Jackson, Grace, and I went back to go on the fun rides.

As you can see, I was too cheap to buy the actual photograph.

My sister took this picture.

If you are in the St. George area, don’t hesitate to look her up at Stacia Shaw Photography.

Sally has been trying (in vain I may add) to weed out so-called toilet-humor at the dinner table. For me, it is normal dinner conversation. Tonight, it got a little too literal.

Grace: Mom, I’m pooped!

Ava: Mama. I poop! I poop!

Grace and I were talking at breakfast as I perused the new national geographic. I showed Grace a picture of a blue whale.

I asked “Grace, is a whale a mammal?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because whales don’t drink coffee.”

Sigh…

By the way, the definition of a mammal is that the animal: (1) has hair or fur and (2) has mammary glands. Also, nearly all mammals are characterized by live birth.

So my sister-in-law razzed me a few of months ago about Bisquick pancakes. I do make them too — they are WAY better than Krustiz Pancake Mix or whatever it is called. But the truth is, they aren’t great. Sally usually steps in with her whole wheat pancake recipe, which makes awesome pancakes.

In defense of Bisquick breakfast, however, I post my modified Bisquick Waffles recipe. Unlike Bisquick pancakes, Bisquick waffles are above average and really easy to make. The basic recipe is found on every Bisquick box ever made.

I took some creative liberties to improve on the basic recipe. When it comes to creative liberties, I am qualified by virtue of having tried a lot of waffle recipes. I have tried the ones that use yeast and rise over night. I have tried mixes. You name it, I have tried it. Most of the recipes I have tried take a long time (on the order of 45 minutes plus, some take hours with the yeast) or taste like cardboard or both. No thanks. Give me something good, yet easy.

Good waffles come down to two key elements: a good recipe and a good waffle iron. I suggest using the Waring Pro waffle iron. It is the best iron I have used. I suggest, also, using my modified Bisquick recipe:

2 eggs
1 1/3 cups milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups Bisquick
2 tbsp oil
1 cup fruit of your choice (optional) – I often use blueberries or strawberries
1/2 cup oatmeal (optional)

Using two bowls, separate the whites from both eggs into one bowl and ONE egg yolk into the other bowl. Beat the egg whites until soft peaks begin to form with a mixer.

In the bowl with the egg yolk, add the vanilla, oil, and milk. Stir with the mixer on low. When blended, add the Bisquick and fruit. Mix on low for two minutes; ensure that at least some of the fruit is mashed by the blender so the fruit juice flavors the entire batter.

Fold the egg whites into the batter until well mixed. Cook. With the Waring Pro, we usually set the iron to 4 1/2 or 5 to get waffles that are just barely getting crispy.

For those who want some extra fiber/heart food, put in 1/2 a cup oatmeal too.

Ava has really taken to the joke, as I mentioned. So I played it with her…

Dad: Ava, guess what?

Ava: Chickenbutteyeball.

Dad: No, Ava you say ‘what’ when I say ‘guess what.’ Ava, guess what?

Ava: Mmmm-hmmmm.

Dad: No, you say ‘what.’ Guess what?

Ava: Mmmm-hmmmm.

Dad: No, say ‘What.’

Ava: Chickenbutteyeball.

And repeat ten times.

Can Jackson babysit on Friday night?

No idea how this picture ended up on my flash card…