When Snow Flies Buzz

Snow Flies Buzzing in the Boughs

Heating System (Dog Included)

Pumpkin Pancakes Trump Snow Flies

Buzzing around the pine boughs are little white flies. Since nothing is accumulating on the ground, we'll just call them "snow flies." Snow flies bob in the air with gossamer wings and bodies that melt when they cascade to the ground or land on your tongue. Unlike house flies, you can eat snow flies, but they will splatter your glasses with droplets of water.

The best things to have in the house when snow flies show up outside are a sturdy stack of split wood, a blazing orange fire and a sleepy dog to let you know that the temperature of the fire is oh-so-right. If the fire cools measurably, the dog will plant a cold nose beneath your wrist as a reminder to set another stick of wood in the big black box of warmth.

The best breakfast to prepare when snow flies turn up in autumn is butter-fried cajun ham, coffee and pumpkin pancakes. Add 1 cup (half of a small can) of pumpkin puree to 2 cups of buttermilk, 2 eggs, 2 cups of Wheat Montana flour, 2 Tbsp. oil, 3 Tbsp. brown sugar, 2 tsp. baking powder, 1 tsp. baking soda, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. cloves, 1/2 tsp. ginger. Mix into a batter and prepare on a hot skillet. Serve with Tillamook butter, maple (or maple-like) syrup, whipped cream and dust with fresh ground nutmeg.

Soon you'll be saying, "Snow flies? What snow flies?" And tomorrow you can shovel away the extra calories! Or use that second half of pumpkin puree and repeat until the snow flies are knocking on the door.