American Family Day

Hello and welcome to the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Times in Cycle A of the Liturgy. It also happens to be National American Family Day – the first Sunday in August.

I must admit, the first time I came across National American Family Day, I thought what a strange declaration. Families should be cherish and celebrated every day. What makes the first Sunday in August so special?

Turns out, the first Sunday is August was chosen for National American Family Day to separate it from all the other holidays out there. This special Sunday was created in recognition of the need within families to mend bridges, strengthen ties, and take the time to simply be with people we might only see at big Holiday gatherings such as Christmas or Thanksgiving. This day isn’t about presents or the food or anything else beyond what matters – family. Why American Family? I don’t know, maybe because it’s a day the powers that be created in this country that hasn’t caught on yet in the rest of the world.

Or maybe because with all the division in this country, we need a day to take a step back. Charlie Kirk had the right idea – speak with respect and not anger. Listen to opinions that might not be ours and have conversations. Religion and politics can be tough chasms to forge. These are plagued with conflicting viewpoints and raw emotions. But if we set aside our differences and look instead to the love that is in our hearts, anything is possible. Families matter.

What better way is there to start the day then with a delicious breakfast in the company of those we call family?

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All-American Family Breakfast
Silver Dollar Pancake Breakfast
Cooking Spray as needed
1-1/4 cups Flour
1 Egg
1-1/4 cups Buttermilk
1/4 cup Sugar
1 heaping teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/4 cup Vegetable Oil
1 teaspoon Vanilla
Pinch Salt
Butter for serving
Syrup for serving

Heat a griddle to medium-low heat. Spray lightly with cooking spray. Spray spatula with cooking spray.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine flour, egg, buttermilk, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, oil, vanilla and a pinch of salt. Beat until smooth. Take care not to over mix the batter or the pancakes may be tough instead of light and fluffy.

Ladle the batter onto the griddle, forming 5-inch circles. Increase temperature to medium, cook until the edges appear slightly dry and the underside is golden, about 2 or 3 minutes. Flip pancakes, continue to cook another 2 minutes or until golden. Repeat until all the batter is used.

If desired, plate as pancakes are ready or hold, stacked on a serving plate, in a warm oven. When ready, serve with plenty of soft butter and warn syrup.

Scrambled Eggs
9 Eggs
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
Bacon drippings as needed
1 Green Onion

Swirl bacon drippings in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add eggs, scramble until fluffy and cooked through. Transfer to a warm serving bowl

Snip green onions, scatter over the eggs. Keep warm until ready to serve.

Crisp Bacon
8 sliced Applewood Bacon
Bacon drippings as needed

Prime a skillet over medium heat with about a tablespoon of bacon drippings. The additional drippings help the bacon to crisp up nicely as it fries. Cook to desired crispnness. Keep warm until ready to serve.

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Thus says the LORD:
All you who are thirsty, come to the water!
You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat;
Come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk!
Isaiah 55:1