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S. A. J. Lyttek, a multiple award-winning writer, always loved writing, but didn’t arrive at the profession in the typical manner. After college and graduate school, she plunged into government consulting. In this environment, she discovered a knack for writing tests, interviews and other measurements. That soon became the focus of her career—reigniting her love for the written word. Thus captivated, she spent evenings freelancing “fun” writing including short stories, poems, articles and cards. When her eldest was a toddler, she quit full-time work to stay home and write. Eager to spend more time with her children, homeschooling intrigued her. From preschool through high school, she homeschooled both sons while continuing to freelance. An integral part of the homeschooling community, she has developed and taught writing classes to a generation of homeschoolers. Married to her childhood sweetheart, Gary, Mrs. Lyttek loves to share her commitment to homeschoolers and her fascination with the written word.

French Toast and Other Amusing Signs of Preparedness

3/25/2020 7:00:00 AM BY Susan Lyttek

You can’t go anywhere online without reading about or seeing something alluding to the current major event. I’m not going to mention it by name because 1) I don’t want any search perimeters to screen out this blog and 2) because I’m sure we’re all tired of it.

Instead, I wanted to comment on human nature during crises.

I spent a good chunk of Sunday on Facebook coming up with altered movie titles by putting the words “toilet paper” in them. (ie, The Good, the Bad and the Toilet Paper) It was fun and a way to release tension. But seriously… toilet paper? That’s the thing everyone needs to deal with this is toilet paper? Frequent trips to the bathroom aren’t even a symptom. And anyway, you can make toilet paper if worse comes to worse. The boys and I did it as part of homeschool years ago. There are multiple recipes out there. Basically, you need paper, water, grass, and baby oil or glycerin. And a heat source. And patience. And sunlight. So yes, the recipe takes time, but don’t we have more time right now? Frankly, such an experiment might even prove a fun diversion.

Here's one link for making your own TP https://www.ehow.com/how_4514690_make-toilet-paper.html

Since toilet paper was/is the topic du jour, several friends said they were able to purchase some by going to the store at 6:00 AM. On Monday, Gary decided to try it out since he was up and ready for work anyway. (Routines are hard to break even when you no longer have to commute.) So he went to our local grocery store when it was still dark. And sure enough, people were waiting to buy toilet paper and he got his package. But some, because no limit was posted, were simply filling their carts with the soft white stuff.

Ya gotta love it.

In our family, it has been a longstanding joke that any threat to the American routine requires French toast. That is because three of the first items to go out of stock when people panic are milk, bread and eggs—the basic ingredients for French toast. Therefore, the joke is that the preparation of French toast calms people down and allows them a way to process the disaster. Or maybe they’re making bread pudding. (I don’t care for the latter, but it does take the same ingredients.)

Personally, I would just make a ton of French toast. It freezes well. And if you omit the cinnamon, you can use it to make Monte Cristo sandwiches, too.

Here is my recipe for French toast:

  • Sliced bread, preferably wheat or a dense white, 10-12 pieces depending on thickness and freshness
  • 2 eggs, blended well (I use my Magic Bullet for this; you don’t want visible chunks of egg white)
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or your favorite milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 Tbsp sugar or equivalent sweetener
  • 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
  • Nonstick spray

In a relatively deep dish with a flat bottom, mix all ingredients except the bread. Let sit as you preheat the skillet. When the skillet reaches medium high heat (water evaporates fairly quickly, but doesn’t dance—that would be too hot), coat with nonstick spray or your favorite oil. Start dipping your bread in the egg mixture and putting in the pan. Make sure both sides are wet, but not sopping. If your heat is right, flip after two minutes, then remove from pan after another two minutes. Continue until egg mixture is used up. Serve with warm syrup or butter and sugar.

Now, what is the point of this post? You and I can’t change events. We can’t. Life is awkward and uncomfortable at this time. But humor is one of the best tools to keep motivated in our new norm. Keeping busy is another.

Try some new things with your free time. Make something. Call someone. Look for that silver lining and then share it with your neighbor.

Because, even six feet apart, the only way we’re going to get through this is together.

Can’t you smell the French toast?