What is a Pannenkoeken?

This morning Jim and I had the good fortune to find the only Dutch Pancake Haus in all of Calgary.  This place has possibly the best pancakes I have ever eaten.  No....it definitely has the best pancakes I have ever eaten. They are more crepe than pancake, no fluffy pancakes here.  Let me start with a little "Pannenkoek" lesson. Pannenkoek, the Dutch word for pancake, is a delicious crepe with a variety of toppings cooked right into the batter.  In the Netherlands they are eaten primarily for lunch or dinner. They are 12" in diameter and sort of look like a thin crust pizza. 

The menu boasts several categories of pannenkoeken such as Classic Savoury Pannenkoeken, Speciality Savoury Pannenkoeken, Classic Sweet and Savoury Pannenkoeken, and Classic Sweet Pannenkoeken.  There serve over 40 varieties of pannenkoeken! And if you can't find what you want on the menu, well just make up any old combination and they'll serve it up!  I'll give you an example some of the combinations:  "Spek, gerookte worst en ei" (Bacon, smoked sausage and egg), "Spec, prei en champignong" (Bacon, leek, mushroom), "Spec appel en rozijnen" (Bacon, apple and raisin), "Citroen sap en bruine suiker" (Lemon juice and brown sugar) this one sounds delish!  

We saw several tables order their pannenkoeken, eat their pannenkoeken, and then order dessert pannenkoeken.  The most popular dessert seemed to be the Zwarte Woud (Black Forrest).  This little diabetes-coma-inducer has warm cherries, ice cream, whipped cream, Kirschwasser in a chocolate cup(looked like a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup) and chocolate sauce.

I'm pretty sure you want to know what Jim and I ordered so I'll tell ya.  Jim had Bacon, cheese, egg, Saskatoon berries (sort of like warm blueberries) pannenkoeken, over which he poured molasses syrup.  Yup, you heard me right the first time. And I had to sit across the table and watch him eat it.  I had potato, onion and sausage pannenkoeken.  Yummmmmmy!  Even the coffee was wonderful.  It came served with a little Dutch cookie. Enjoy the pics!

Guess how many times I used the word pannenkoek or pannenkoeken? (16)

Can you spell Pannenkoek?

The famous Zwarte Woud (Black Forest) right on the front of the menu

Looks like a pizza, but it's really a pannenkoeken!

Houston April Visit Part 2

To celebrate my birthday, the kids and Jim took me to Top Golf in Houston, which is 65,000 square feet of awesomeness! We had a yummy dinner (and presents) in the sports bar before we teed off. The way it works is, you hit a microchipped ball into the 215-yard driving range with dartboard-like targets in the ground, and then your score is displayed on a monitor in your private party pad. The balls come out of a machine (kind of like bowling), you tee em up and let-er-fly! What a blast!

We were able to get a little "House Music" in while we were visiting.  I bet you didn't know Jim and I were fans, did you? Anthony, our son-in-law is a premier DJ in Houston so we take in a "gig" when he is performing. 

Our grand finale in Houston was meeting a bunch of folks at BBs Cajun Cafe for crawfish and beer. Thanks to everyone that came out and braved the chilly weather that night.  We love ya!

My fun b-day party at Top Golf

The awesome driving range as viewed from our party pad

We had a Mexican theme party for two weeks!

Cindy and Ryan

Casey and Anthony

What style!

What form!

What concentration!

What determination!

What the....?

Casey and Ryan in the party pad

Good times at Top Golf!

It was very windy.....

Anthony, Ryan, Candy, Casey and Cindy (Jim taking pic)

Casey, Candy, Ryan at Boheme before Anthony's "gig"

Cindy, Candy, Ryan at the "gig"

Cindy, Jim, Ryan at the "gig"

Casey and Heather

Casey, Matt and Heather

Casey, Jim, and Heather

DJ Neked (Anthony) spinning vinyl

The whole fam damily....again

Candy and Frida Kahlo....look it up

Grand Finale Crawfish Boil at BBs

Bev and Steve at BBs

Friends from Calgary, Les and Deb, showing off their dinner

Wayne and Sherry

Toby and Janet

Ryan and Cindy

Casey Boy and Anthony

Candy and Wayne

Casey and Kendra

Anthony and Casey

Kendra and Stephen

The whole group at BBs!

The Hunnicutts and the Vowells

On our way to the airport, quick hug Hi and Bye from my friend Linda

Houston April Visit - Part 1

Jim and I have been in Houston the past two weeks for our quarterly "Kid" fix. Actually, I was in Houston the first week and Jim joined me for the second week. We had wonderful weather and played golf twice while in Houston.  We had a couple of cool days, but I didn't mind. I'll take cool over hot and humid any day! Good thing I should feel that way because we are having some CRAZY weather in Calgary.  When I came in from my walk today, it was around 47F degrees, beautiful and sunny. And now as I sit writing this, white stuff is blowing sideways outside my window. WHAT THE.......SNOW? I thought we were done with winter? Not to worry. It will be 50 degrees tomorrow!

We had so much fun in Houston that I am going to have to split this blog into parts 1 and 2 in order post all of the pics we (Jim) took. My first week was filled with maintenance appointments (haircut, mani-pedi, etc.) and visiting with friends. I played golf twice, once with my friend Mary, and once with our golfing buddies the Eshelmans and the Fraynes. Unfortunately, one of the Fraynes, (Bev) was missing. Her son Dan filled in nicely for her and we met her for dinner later. I didn't get a chance to catch up with everyone, but I did manage a "Ladies Night" with several friends and my "two girls". Also had lunch with friends Amy and Jan. Always good to see everyone.  

Jim came in on Friday and we met up with the kids for our quarterly Tex-Mex fiesta. Since April is my birthday month, we took every opportunity to celebrate my "double nickels" birthday! I got to wear the "mother of all sombreros" at La Hacienda and was treated to a rousing rendition of "Feliz Cumpleanos!" I must have had several birthday margaritas because my head hurt a little the next day. :( We had our second round of Tex-Mex on Sunday at the Cadillac Bar. We went there for brunch and maaannnn was it good! It's super crowded on Sundays but worth the wait! We even got a look at Cindy's new taser while we waited outside for our table.  It's the 'Real Slim Shady," and I had to talk the boys out of giving it a test run to make sure it worked.

Next on the agenda was a trip to Mighty Instruments, which is Ryan and Cindy's new business. They make electronic sensors for manufacturing and oil gas industries. They have already filled several POs and are on their way to becoming a bona fide goldmine! Mmmmaybe they can put their old mom to work when she returns to H-Town for good! So proud of my kids.....sniff, sniff. :)

Ladies Night at Crisp. Mary, Bev, Gloria, Karen, Amy, Candy, Janet, Cindy, Casey.

Giant sombrero at Las Haciendas!

Boy did those waiters have fun singing to me!

Casey and Cindy with new taser.....you never know when you'll get mugged at the Cadillac...

Cindy and Candy at...you guessed it!

The whole fam damily.

Anthony getting tazzzzzed?

Like father like son... when you have to wait an hour to eat breakfast, do it with a Bloody Mary!

Anthony, Ryan, Cindy, and Casey

Cindy and Ryan in front of their house