For breakfast there were pancakes, and Ma made a pancake man for each one of the children. Ma called each one in turn to bring her plate, and each could stand by the stove and watch, while with the spoonful of batter Ma put on the arms and the legs and the head. It was exciting to watch her turn the whole little man over, quickly and carefully, on a hot griddle. When it was done, she put it smoking hot on the plate. ~Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Do you think Ma Ingalls didn't have anything more pressing to do? She had some serious chores to do. When it was laundry day, she didn't switch the washer and dryer. When she baked, she baked for the entire week. Lots and lots of hard work had to be done. Still, she took the time to make pancake men for her girls that day.
My boys were fascinated with the idea of a pancake man. We have pancakes often but never in a shape other than round. Today, that changed. I whipped up their favorite
pancake batter and got the griddle nice and hot. When I called the boys to the kitchen to see, they came running. I put a circle of batter down on the hot pan, then managed to make a head, arms, and legs for the little man. Nervously, I flipped the pancake man over..... YES!! He made it in one piece!!
Ma Ingalls just really inspired me that no matter what all you have to check off your to do list, there is still time for the little details that make life a treat for those around us.
