Dolly, Doogie, I Think We're in Kansas!

Which is a take off of 

The Wizard of Oz and Dorothy's saying,

"Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore"

We don't have a Toto but we do have a Doogie and a Dolly

And we left them with the wizard to go north

to Minnesota

to see grandgirl Lucy

And so not to forget her roots, we had to bring her an outfit in K-State purple!

* * *

We had a grand visit --

And Saturday morning I made,

Pancakes and sausage, because Daughter Sarah assured me that it was Lucy's favorite breakfast food

We adults enjoyed them as well and

Daughter Sarah introduced me to

This pancake mix --

Sturdiwheat

Made locally in Red Wing, Minnesota

I'm not much for pancake mixes but was very impressed with this

very tasty and all you needed to add was water!

So much so, that we went to the market and bought a bag to take home

Minnesota knows something about flour --

We may live in Kansas, the wheat state

But Minnesota is the milling state

And this mix was superb!

This morning for breakfast

We had pancakes

Alas, sausageless for we've not been to the market yet!

That's a trip for later today

* * *

While in Minnesota, we bought (and planted) pansies

For the front window box

To bring a little Spring to the front of the house.

* * * *

A favorite for Friday night dinner and repeated Saturday night

when we had our "steak house supper"

Was this salad

Called "Mock Caesar" it is from one of the Canal House cookbooks.

It's a great presentation -- with croutons and cheese on halves of romaine.

Daughter Sarah liked it so much that we did it again on Sunday.

And I left the recipe with her as well.

It is a great Caesar -- and we think it's because it has real anchovies in it!

Once tasted, you'll never be satisfied with bottled dressing again!

* * *

Saturday was the Kentucky Derby

And grandgirl Lucy got in the spirit of things.

One always wears a hat on Derby day, doesn't one?

* * *

And while there, I had to bake

Ina's Lemon Yogurt Cake 

Made more lemony with lemon yogurt instead of plain.

Sarah and I both make it a lot -- it's a really great cake

And it's always nice to have one in the freezer.

(It's almost like money in the bank!)

* * *

Coming hone yesterday,

we were happy to see this sign --

For it was nice to be back in Kansas

And both Doogie and Dolly thought it was nice

to have us back at Linderhof!

I'm not sure I've ever seen so many wiggles

or gotten so many kisses

as we did last night!

Even though they were well taken care of by friend Grace and her girls,

Doogie and Dolly thought it was really grand for us to be home again!

We already miss grand girl Lucy

And we're told that she also misses us.

But it is good to be home.

Sigh --

This week will be busy with laundry, housecleaning and the garden.

Life returns to normal

And Doogie and Dolly are very glad!