Today Did Not Go Over Smoothly Smoothie

Some days, I wake up, and I don’t know how to do anything.

Today was one of those days.

I was in the middle of a very strange dream involving being late to class and really bushy eyebrows when my alarm went off at, oh, about 6:30. My alarm clock is really my cell phone, and I’ve had the same alarm song for years. It’s the beginning of Brand New Key by Melanie. From the 1970’s. Outdated? Yes, but I love it. Usually.

This morning, I did not love this song. I heard the familiar melody and proceeded to throw my phone across the room.

After freaking myself out (really good arm = really loud noise) and inspecting the damage (none, thankfully), I tried to walk to the kitchen for breakfast. I tripped. Twice. Over nothing. In my PJ’s. I tried to make a cup of much-needed coffee and broke our coffee machine. I’ll admit that I’m really mechanically challenged, but seriously? Open top. Pour water. Close top. Push button. Aim for cup. Coffee.

I drove out of my apartment with the E-brake on. Ouch. Sorry CRV. I promise I still love you.

I finally got to my photo shoot, where I met three cute kids. I let them take a picture of each other with my camera. They succeeded, adorably. Then it’s “Ms. Photo Lady’s” turn, and it takes me 10 minutes to get the settings right. I failed, miserably.

Today was, very much, a blah day.

What did I get right? Not much. Not much at all.

Except this:

Smooth-Over Smoothies

Ingredients

Any fruit you might have lying around. I used:

1/2 cup blueberries
1 banana
1/2 cup peach yogurt
A dash of milk

Throw in a blender and hit the right button. Try not to break the darn thing.

 

Better Than a Foot Rub Pancakes

All I want after a long day of sitting in a finance class and doodling is a nice hot bubble bath, a foot rub, and a good book. Considering, however, that my tub is not quite bubble-worthy, I don’t have an on-site foot masseuse (or, better yet, masseur), and I have an overdue balance on my library account, I had to settle with dinner. Problem? An empty fridge. Solution? Pancakes. Better solution? Chocolate chip pancakes.

I’m a perfectionist. I like to have an even distribution of chocolate chips in my pancakes. Sometimes though, things just don’t work out. Sometimes you have to let go and let the chips fall where they may. Ba-da ching.

Example 1:

Not so great Melissa, not so great. This is what happens when you get lazy and let the bag do the work. I blame it on the engineers.

Example 2:

Much better.

Better Than a Foot Rub Pancakes

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup milk
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat a greased griddle. Add the flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder in a bowl. Sift well. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, lemon juice, orange juice, vanilla, and milk. Add to the flour mixture and stir in the melted butter. I like to add the chocolate chips onto the batter once on the griddle to prevent everything from sinking to the bottom of the bowl. Cook until golden brown on each side. Beware of runaway chips.

I like to eat mine like a cake. A pancake cake, which I actually have a recipe for, but that’s for another night. Also, this makes a lot of pancakes. Enough for breakfast, dinner, and dessert, because, well, those are the best times for pancakes.