back to the fair

Once again, Brett proved his unending love and devotion to me as we headed up to the San Diego County Fair this week.  I have to admit it did seem like more of a fiasco this year than ever before.  The parking traffic about did us in.  I also have to admit, my cinniman roll and pita were a bit on the dry side (which is a touch disappointing since I've been looking forweard to them since last year).  I know he is hoping I won't insist on this family tradition next year but, just like the pains of labor, fair pains are hard to endure but easy to forget.  I'm sure by next June I'll be rearin' to go.

Fair 2011 Highlights

• The annual ferris wheel ride (Brooklyn is convinced she'll be up for the grand daddy of all ferris wheels next year)
• Repeat of 2010 food highlights (veggie pita, bbq corn, fried zucchini, cinnamon roll, snow cones)
• $3 admission

Fair 2011 Lowlights

• Leighton freaking out at the farm animals (I guess she pictured them being a little smaller, like in her picture books.  I guess we should've started with the piglets instead of the prize winning hog)
• Taking 2 hours to get from our front door to the front gate and then another 2 hours back home.
• Having to make a run for the port-a potty while waiting in endless traffic (note- never tell 4 and 6 year-olds not to look down the hole- they can't help themselves)

waffles and white sauce

 

just slicing these beauties made my mouth water

My parents took a trip to the valley this week and lookie what they brought back... yes, that's right folks, 2 right-off-the-tree, perfectly ripened by the California sun, yellow peaches.  Now to many this may be no big thing, but to this former valley girl gone so-cal girl, its a very big thing.  And because I love my family so much, I shared the deliciousness with them this morning, in the form of  "waffles with white sauce and peaches" a long standing family tradition (of course food related traditions are always the best).  Its actually a German Mennonite recipe introduced to me by my fruit farmin' grandparents (probably brought back form the old country many years ago). All I know is it was a favorite at the breakfast table in our house for sure.  And dad, the true German Mennonite, was always the one to whip it up (breakfast and sweets are his specialty- like father like daughter right?).  Almost makes me want to move back to the valley...almost.

Try it for yourself...you may never use syrup again.

Mennonite White Sauce for Waffles

1 c. milk

1/3 cup sugar 

1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Heat the milk slightly over medium low heat, stirring constantly. (Don't let it get too hot)

Add sugar and stir until dissolved.

Pour a bit (1/4 cup or so) of the warm mixture into a bowl and add the corn starch stirring with a whisk until dissolved.

Return the corstarch mixture to the warm milk and stir until thickened.

Serve hot over hot waffles with fruit or jam.