When I was growing up during the Great Depression years, there was no cake mix, no Bisquick and no pancake mix. It was like my dad with his cigarettes; he rolled his own. We made our own. I don't have Mother's pancake recipe. Like I said before, she seldom used a recipe. Anyway, I was too young to watch and write down the measurements.

I found this recipe in "The Joy of Cooking." My husband bought the cookbook for me from a salesman who stopped in at the lumber yard where he worked at the time. I have worn out the pages over the years, but recently found another copy at a thrift store.

This recipe is forgiven as to what's in your pantry. Add an egg, if you have one. No fresh milk? Stir up some non-fat dry milk and water. None of that? Add buttermilk and a little baking soda. I have done all those things. I learned to use non-fat milk when first married. It was cheaper than whole milk. After all, I had to feed the two of us for $20.00 a week. We ate a lot of pancakes.

With my husband gone and just my daughter and I at home these days, this batch of pancakes is too much for us. That's OK. We eat what we can. I fry up the rest and feed the critters outside. Raccoons and possums like pancakes, too.

FARMHOUSE PANCAKES
2 cups plain flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg, optional
3/4 cups non-fat dry milk powder
At least 2 cups water
Lard or shortening for frying

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, sugar and salt with the dry milk powder. Add egg, if using, and the water. Continue mixing and adding water until of desired consistency. Use about 1/2 cup of batter for each pancake. Pour onto well-greased hot griddle. Cook until bubbles rise up on the batter. Turn and cook the other side. Add a little more shortening and make the next pancake and on and on and on. Add butter and syrup and serve.
Note: If you use whole milk, omit water and dry milk powder.