Swedish Pancakes

Hello Twenty-Somethings! This is Whitney here to tell you that Bethany and I are back in full force.  Where the H-E-double-hockey-sticks have we been, you ask?  Well, that's a great story and it is all my fault we've been gone for so long.  It's a lengthy tale but, if you're up for it, I am sure it is to inspire even the most disheartened twenty-something.  How am I sure? Because I was that crushed and reduced 24 year-old, grasping at the hope of something better just to hang on.

I am going to be honest with you all and not because I am a fan of airing my dirty laundry but in the hopes that a twenty-something like me will read this and know that they are not alone in how they feel.  We are all misunderstood, we all worry about money, we all question our relationships, we are all jealous of our peers, we all make our lives appear better than they are, we all fall short, we all make the worst of decisions, and we all hope that one day we are meant for something great.

This story starts when the Twenty-Something's Table started-- January 1st, 2013.  I had driven to Minneapolis from my current home, St. Cloud, Minnesota, early that holiday weekend only to end up a with a broken timing belt, no heat, and no car.  More than an hour from home I turned to my friends for support.  Being the lovely people that they are, Bethany and Ryan took me in for a few extra days.

While my car was breaking into pieces and I was facing a huge financial burden to make the repairs, I was also dealing with a failing relationship. My boyfriend of several years was fading and as we faced future endeavors we no longer saw eye-to-eye. On new years day I ended my relationship and made the decision to go back to school for my masters.

Over the next few months I spent many hours and reflective moments questioning the decisions I made.  I was alone but ready to take on the challenges that were to come.  Little did I know those challenges would come fast and steady for the next nine months.  Demands at work, roommate struggles, and a long Minnesota winter took a heavy toll on me.

After quitting my job and moving to the Twin Cities I realized that my finances would not yet support my dream of obtaining my masters. Bethany's mom, Stephanie, had selflessly opened her life and her home to me.  I was unemployed, not going to school, and completely lost.  I spent many nights with Bethany, smiling through tears, trying to piece my life back together.  It was no longer a question of what I wanted to do with my life but rather how I was going to get there.

With the help and trust of a complete strangers, I found a job serving.  For months I coasted along, applying for jobs and working myself to the point of exhaustion.  I was constantly filling everyone in on my job applications and searches, asking for advice and well wishes. Nothing was happening until one morning this fall Stephanie said she had found a posting for my dream job.  As she told me how she had come across it by chance and read me the job description we both began to cry.  As a lover of geography and travel, it truly was my dream job-- study abroad enrollment advisor.  With confidence she told me, "This is where you are meant to be."

She was right.  Through some miracle, I managed to land the job.

Like dominoes, the pieces of my life seemed to fall into place.  After almost a year of messes, mistakes, and challenges I finally find myself at home.  While my foundation of loving and supportive family and friends never changed, I now have more blessings than I know what to do with.
                                     

Again, why tell the world about these extremely personal struggles with identity, love, career, and so much more?

I believe Dawes says it the best.  "And she thinks, 'Most people don't talk about how lucky they are.  Most people don't know what it takes for me to get through the day.  Most people don't talk about the love in their hearts.' But she doesn't know, most people feel that same way." 

I spent months believing that it couldn't get any worse.  But, in truth, it could have.  My family has been through every up and down with me.  My friends stand by my side.  We all have our health.  I don't talk enough about how lucky I am.  

I am so thankful everyday for my parents, my sister, my niece, brother-in-law, Stephanie Haugan, Bethany and Ryan, and so many friends who continue to amaze me.

I know that few people read the "fluff" around our recipes and photos but I hope this lengthy story of being lost in a sea of twenty-something problems finds its way to someone who relates.

Now how about a recipe for good measure?  That is what this blog is about after all... 

Swedish Pancakes have been a tradition in my family for years.  These pancakes have surrounded my Saturday mornings for 25 years and I hope that you love them as much as I do.  

Swedish Pancakes

4 eggs
2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups flour
2 Tbls melted butter
1/2 tsp salt
4 Tbls sugar

Beat the eggs and add half of the milk.  Combine flour, salt, and sugar and add to the egg mixture.  Beat until smooth.  Add the rest of the milk and mix in the melted butter just before frying  Lightly grease the griddle.  Pour desired amount of batter on to a medium to medium hot griddle, keeping in mind that smaller pancakes will be easier to flip. Once the pancakes begin to bubble flip and cook for 2 more minutes.  Note:  Your first pancakes will "season the pan" and will be lighter in color and a bit unattractive-- don't let this discourage as the next rounds from the batter will result in golden colored and delicious pancakes!

Topping Suggestions

Butter and Maple Syrup
Goat Cheese and Strawberry Jam
Cinnamon Sugar
Peanut Butter
Berries and Powdered Sugar
Nutella and Bananas
Marshmallows, Graham Cracker Crumbs, and Chocolate Chips
Caramelized Nuts and Chocolate Syrup
Crumbled Bacon and Brown Sugar
Ricotta and Lemon Zest
Applesauce
Shredded Coconut, Whipped Cream, and Pineapple

I hope that you and yours can enjoy this delicious tradition sometime soon.

As always, much love and cooking-

Whitney