Madame Blueberry, I presume

Cass Lake is so far north the Mississippi River is little more than a trickle when it runs through it. The soil is sandy with plenty of old growth pine. In the shade of these towering trees you find tiny blue fruits not much bigger than a cherry pit. They don't have much flavor and you can get them commercially grown for 99 cents a pint in season, but wild blueberries are fun to hunt. That and the thrill of foraging for pancake additives may be their only redeeming factor. If my dad didn't have such an affinity and the kids didn't get a kick out of it I'm pretty sure I could have smiled at them and walked away. As it was, it was much more work than that. But then again, that is why the name of this blog is "Pursuing the Prize". If I had already attained what would be the point?!

I had collected a nice amount and Maliah had entrusted into my safe keeping her share when my helpful and well meaning 2 1/2 year old upset the blueberry bowl. Much thought was lost deciding whether gathering the miniscule berries and separating them from the forest floor debris was harder than just picking more from nearby plants. This, I've found, is one of the benefits of 6 kids. Delegation. That is Max's willing hand in the picture.

We ended up with about 2 cups of blueberries after we used some in our pancakes. They are much better for this purpose than store bought blueberries as they fit "inside" the pancake batter and therefore don't burn on the pan. To make our coffee cake extra nutritious I used my new wheat grinder-love this!- to add some freshly ground goodness replacing the usual all-purpose refined flour. Also pictured is one of my new stainless steel measuring cups. I have worn all the markings off my plastic cups. As the different sets I own are of various depths and widths I can't tell 1/3 from 1/2 unless they are side-by-side which would mean I would have to dig through the toy box to locate them all at the same time. Anyway, I am sure these new tools will revolutionize my kitchen.

Look at all the blueberries! Check out my favorite coffee mug. My oldest painted it for me for Christmas last year. I seldom drink a hot cup of coffee. Without fail as soon as I pour my attentions are directed elsewhere. But even a half-cup of lukewarm fuel is divine consumed from this vessel! That is the hand of my counter fairy with her wand. I can't work in the kitchen without her fluttering about assisting.

Check back later for the recipe and what-to-do while your coffee cake bakes!