Raising the Flag

Raising the Flag at Ground Zero after 9/11

I come to you today with a short and sweet blog. The image above is one of the most moving for me from the events of 9/11. For me it symbolized a renewing strength and unity in our nation. Even though we had been dealt a blow we were still Americans and would rise again.

RAISE YOUR FLAG today in remembrance of all those that lost there lives that horrible day 9 years ago and for all those that fought and continue fight for our FREEDOMS!

A Dish Inspired by Star Trek Voyager

Invasion of the super nerd- I have cooked a dished entirely inspired by an episode of Star Trek Voyager. Does this make me truly crazed Trekie? Ummmm . . .maybe but if it does I am certainly okay with that! Now I know some are you are wondering what on earth I could have cooked, and before you ask NO it was not Klingon Blood Wine! I also know that there is another part of you asking- What in the world is Star Trek Voyager?! So lets start there.

Star Trek Voyager was the last GOOD Star Trek series, and I put a large emphasis on GOOD. Don’t even bring that Enterprise show up, some things are just better to be forgotten. Here is a brief synopsis of Voyager via Wikipedia:

Star Trek: Voyager (also referred to as ST:VOY or ST:VGR) is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe. The show was created by Rick Berman, Michael Piller, and Jeri Taylor and is the fifth incarnation of Star Trek, which began with the 1960s series Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry. It was produced for seven seasons, from 1995 to 2001, and is the only Star Trek series with a female captain, Kathryn Janeway, as a lead character. It ran on UPN, making it the first Star Trek series to air on a major network since the original series which aired on NBC. It was the only TV show on UPN to have seven seasons, making it the network's longest running show.

Set in the 24th century from the year 2371 through 2378, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet vessel USS Voyager, which becomes stranded in the Delta Quadrant 70,000 light-years from Earth while pursuing a renegade Maquis ship.^[1] Both ships' crews merge aboard Voyager to make the estimated 75-year journey home.^[2]

^{For a full synopsis click here.}

^{Okay, so now that you are thoroughly convinced that I am a SUPER TREKIE let me tell you what I made (drum roll please) . . . . Banana Nut Pancakes!!!}

^{During one pivotal episode of Voyager, well actually I don’t know how pivotal this particular episode was but for purposes of the blog it makes it sound more dramatic. So during the pivotal episode B’lana, the half Klingon-half human Chief of Engineering, is feeling particularly angry, which is not unusually. This chick is always mad about something! But this time she over comes her anger and at the end replicates her childhood favorite Banana Pancakes.}

Here is the episode I was telling you about, you have to fast forward to the end to see the infamous Banana Pancakes.

So that Nick and I could also overcome our Klingon anger issues I decided we needed some of our own Banana Panckaes. I searched one of my favorite web-sites Allrecipes until I found a good looking recipe for Banana Nut Pancakes <----click here for recipe or read below:

Banana Nut Pancakes

Ingredients

• 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup whipped topping
• 1 cup pancake mix
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 1 medium ripe banana, mashed
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1. In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Mix in whipped topping (mixture will be stiff); set aside.
2. In a bowl, combine pancake mix and sugar. Beat egg, milk and oil; add to pancake mix and mix well. Fold in banana and pecans. Pour batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto a lightly greased hot griddle; turn when bubbles form on top of pancakes. Cook until second side is golden brown. Serve with cream topping.

In order to save calories I did not make the cream topping, although I do think it would be really yummy. Even without the cream topping the pancakes were FABULOUS! Very easy to make and absolutely delicious. One thing I will have to say is that they were not the most attractive pancakes I ever made. They all came out looking like large wrinkly prunes, which I think had something to do with my pancake flipping technique. Wrinkled or not that were still good!

Having a bad day? Need to over come the Klingon in you? Whip up a nice stack of Banana Nut Pancakes I am sure it will cure whatever ails you!