Apparently the feasts of yesterday and today get my culinary inspiration juices flowing...

I'm not usually a slow breakfast person.  I'd much rather have that taken care of and done and out of the way so we can get to the rest of the day.  But yesterday, since we didn't have lessons anyway, I forced myself to slow down and we had a breakfast treat for the solemnity.  I made the pancakes, the boys helped prepare the toppings, and then we each made our own Sacred and Immaculate Heart designs.  While we were putting them together we were able to talk a little bit about St. Margaret Mary, where the devotion came from, and what it all meant for us.

I tried to use one of those cheapy pancake shaper things that I happen to have but couldn't figure out how they're actually supposed to work so I ended up just making normal pancakes and cutting them out with a big heart cookie cutter.

We had strawberries, raspberries (thank you crazy sale at the store the day before!), cantaloupe, chocolate chips, whipped cream, and bananas to choose from.  Oranges, chocolate syrup, marshmallows, jam would also be good ideas for topping choices, I think!

I pulled a picture up on the computer so they could use it for design help.

The older three boys all wanted to take pictures of their creations.  The Luke most definitely did NOT.

I thought they came out really well!

It's been a while since I did something intentional and extra mess making like this and it was good to force myself to breathe through the mess and just slow down and let it all happen.  Plus, when you spend the time making them a special breakfast, you can then tell them that they get clean up duty ;)

Hope you have a beautiful day today however you're able to observe!

Sacred Heart of Jesus, make our hearts like unto Thine.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.