Valley Real Estate

We've been noticing that winter Texans have a number of different types of housing available to them around here. Some live in RV parks like the one we're in. Some have their own homes, often in developments that have amenities like those we find in RV parks--community rooms, swimming pools, billiards rooms, etc. The latest options include homes with high-roofed storage for RVs--often with full RV utility hookups.

Today we decided to take a closer look at some of the possibilities. This seems to be a growing area, and it might pay us to invest in some local real estate. We drove through a few developments and looked at a few homes and some lots that are for sale. Then, on the way home, we took another look at the model home in Retama Village, the development just north of us.


We probably won't buy anything this year, but we feel good about starting to collect information on some possibilities for the future.

For supper we had planned a weenie roast with our neighbors, but the gusty winds made us decide that building a fire probably wasn't a good idea today. We had sweet potato pancakes, applesauce, ham, and tea instead. The pancakes were surprisingly good. Here's the recipe in case you'd like to try it:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 1/4 cups mashed cooked sweet potatoes
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup milk

In a mixing bowl, combine the flours and baking powder.

In another bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, and mashed sweet potatoes. Add the dry ingredients. Blend only until batter is evenly moistened. Add more milk if necessary to make the batter workable.

On griddle over medium heat, nonstick spray, ladle 1/4 cup of batter into the skillet. With the back of the ladle, spread batter out (it will be a bit thick). Cook for about 1 minute, then, using a spatula, turn and brown the other side. Continue with remaining batter, adding more spray as needed to prevent sticking. Serve immediately or keep warm in a 200 oven.

Note: if the heat is too high, the pancakes will burn before they are cooked in the center. You can microwave the sweet potato (one large one will do it)and let cool slightly before scooping out the flesh, or use canned, or boil and peel.