Groundhog Day

Gourmet Mom on the Go shared these directions for these Groundhog Day pancakes a few years ago, and we have been making them since.

First, cut an apple in half and take out the core and seeds.  Then fill the hole with a scoop of peanut butter.  The peanut butter is not necessary, but it adds some protein and tastes yummy.

Then, place each half of the apple cut side down on a plate.  This will provide the base for two groundhog day pancakes. 

Next, make some pancakes (any recipe will do) and cut a small circle in the center of your pancakes.  Lay the pancake on top of the apple and place a doughnut hole ("munchkin" in this neck of the woods) on top of the opening.

The munchkin is the groundhog's head.  Cut a mini marshmallow in half and use some icing to stick both halves on as the whites of the eyes.  Then use more icing to stick some m&m candies on for the eye color.  Stick a red m&m on for the nose, and two peanut butter chips for ears.

We used some green icing to look like grass and pink icing for some spring flowers. 

We have been reading:

Substitute Groundhog by Pat Miller - In this very cute book, Groundhog has the flu and posts an ad for a substitute groundhog to fill in for him on Groundhog Day.  Several animals apply, but they just aren't right for the job.  Finally, Armadillo, who is in town from Texas visiting his cousin, Badger, offers to do the job.  When Armadillo sees his shadow, he invites Groundhog to return to Texas with him where there is already nice spring weather.

Go To Sleep, Groundhog! by Judy Cox - Groundhog tosses and turns, but he just can't get to sleep.  He decides to go for a walk each time he wakes and while out, he sees wonderful things like jack-o'-lanterns, turkeys, and holiday lights.  Each walk ends with a different holiday character (witch, turkey, and Santa) bringing him home and tucking him in to bed.  When he finally wakes up at the right time, he is happy to see that he has six more weeks to sleep because he is exhausted!  There is a nice description of the Groundhog Day tradition at the end of the book.

Our winter weather has been so mild that I'm thinking the groundhog will not see his shadow.  What do you think?