Not sure how to climb out of bed...

This Christmas break has been so long and I have had time, with no set school schedule, to read. I love reading... in my bed with my down comforter on and my softest socks on. It brings me great joy. So far I have read a really great book that makes me look so sane "these painted wings" a must read for all who think that they are near the brink of insanity...and now I am reading "the Da Vinci code".... I am not sure I will get to the end as quickly as I had hoped. I am not wanting to get out of bed at all though, so I thought I would get up and feed the kids and blog a little to break it up. I was really changed by the first book I read. It is a true story of one woman's life as she is dealing with a family who has seen the worst of Bi-polar disorder. Her Grandfather and her Mother both end up killing themselves and she is headed on the same path and a miracle happens... you have to read it. wow....I was amazed.
I had a great GNO with my sister-in-law the other night. We really needed to get out so we went to eat at Red Robin and then shopping at the after Christmas sales around here. It was super fun! We will have to do it again. Maybe make it a tradition! Yeah!
My sister is coming over today. I called and told her she needed to save me from myself or I wouldn't be able to function today. Luckily she was already coming to town and was planning on coming over anyways!! I love my family. They are so good to me.

Well, have a happy day and I am going to crawl back under my comforter until my sister gets here. I will post a recipe soon. I just have to clean the fridge of the after holidays junk. There is a good thing to do.

Happy New Year!!

I am so excited for the new year. All the things I couldn't do last year may get done this year. How exciting is that? I am looking forward to warmer days and sunshine that the new year will bring. I love the change of Seasons... Spring, Autumn, Summer & Winter all over again. I love all the foods of the year and warm hearts to share it with. So I say BRING IT ON!!!! I welcome you New Year!!

Christmas...wow....

Well, now is the time for jolly old Saint Nick, caroling in the snow, wrapping presents and hot chocolate. I usually love this time of year, but I am having a hard time with the spirit of Christmas. I know I should be focused on Christ and that people who give me gifts aren't really expecting anything in return, but I am really struggling this year. What is wrong? I might be a bit too busy. I may have SAD. I may be overwhelmed.... and still none of those seem right. I miss those days of ignorant bliss. I want to feel like I did when I was a kid.
I never could sleep the night before Christmas and when I finally did go to sleep I would be up at six waking everyone else up, yelling and screaming that Christmas had arrived. My parents had to make a rule that we couldn't get them up until seven. Then we caroled through the house singing everyone awake. How did these traditions get started? Where are my traditions? Do I have them and not even realize they are there? Am I starting good traditions with my children?
Well, today I let them decorate a GF gingerbread house. I guess I get a good mommy point for that. They were so excited and they didn't complain at all when decorating. Hmmm.... This is something I may need help with. Tell me your traditions. I want to know. Maybe it will spark a little joy into the season for me. Sorry to be so glum. Cheer me up now. Come on, do it.

Look how pretty Idaho is...It is snowing tonight and it is so beautiful.

Tag You're IT !!!

A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.

B. Each player lists 6 little-known facts/habits about themselves.

C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

How fun is this!!??You want to know weird things about me?? There are lots!!

1 I am an instructor at the YMCA and when I am practicing for a new class I am kind of shy about it and I practice the steps in My Closet. Get out of the closet!!

2 I love James Taylor and would run away to marry him if he would have me. (He is also about seventy years old and already married. So am I...)

3 I am scared of the dark and being alone. Put the two together and I am screaming my head off. Bloody murder down the street. AAHHhhhhhh..!!!

4 I have an extra vein in my brain and will eventually have to get it removed. NOT Today!!

5 My favorite place that I have seen so far is New Hampshire Connecticut. It is beautiful! So clean!!

6 Last but not least...I LOVE to clean bathrooms. I don't get enough time to do this as often as I would like, but there is nothing like a clean bathroom!!

I am tagging....
Anna
Ashley
Jessica
Julie
Kerri
Jenni S.
I can't wait to hear crazy stuff about you!!!

Broken glass...

When I went on my honeymoon, a cruise in Mexico, I brought back with me a glass with the name of our cruise line on it. I have been very protective of this glass because it means so much to me. It reminds me of the times we had when we were figuring everything out about each other and the world. I always tell the children to put it back when they get it out to use it, because I don't want to be mad at them for breaking it. So, while I was washing it last night, I broke it. I almost cried....At least it was me and not the kids. It hurt inside when it happened, Ouch!!

And now for something completely different...not really

OK, so if you are feeling left out by my last blog because I don't know you...Here is your blog for the day. Tonight I get to go out with my husband to a company party. It used to scare me to go anywhere because I was never sure what was in the food, so I would eat before I went and I would sip soda all night with no color in it.... boring!! Well, I am excited to go and I know exactly what I am eating because I have gone for so many years now and it is pretty much the same food. They serve salmon or steak and sometimes they have a pasta dish. I love the salmon and I love the steak, but I have learned to order the salmon because I sleep better at night. weird huh? So, when going to company parties year after year, pay attention and hopefully they will keep the menu relatively the same. We now get invites with our meal choices on them. How nice. I love going and am super excited. Just think, when you are nervous flip that coin, and on the other side is excitement!! Have a great day!!!

BYU Women's Conference

Hello friends.... Every year my Mom and sisters and I go to the BYU women's conference and it is a blast!! So, I was thinking it would be even more fun if friends came along too! The registration process starts in February around Valentines day. We always sit at our computers on the phone anxiously awaiting the time it appears on the web site. If you would like to come with us or meet us there...WOW we would have so much fun! e-mail me at kim81174@hotmail.com and I will send you more info. For now look at these pictures of years gone by...

Gluten free for beginners....

It has been shown through many researches that eating with less gluten is actually beneficial to your health. So, how do I start.??. Well, depending on how gluten free you want to be, there are certain flours and baking goods you will need. One that I use a lot is Bob's Red Mill- gluten free all purpose flour. The reason I use this one so much is because I can buy it in bulk and it costs less than if I buy a bunch of small bags of flour. (It is 35.50 for 25 lbs.) If I am getting creative I will buy Pamela's baking mix (I like this a lot for cookies) or I will get sweet rice flour for some recipes... It all depends on what I am trying to achieve. I am not a huge fan of rice flour because it is often very crunchy and doesn't offer a lot of nutrients. It also will fall apart when, with another flour, maybe it will glom together better.
Because I have Celiac disease I have to be very careful with what comes into my kitchen. I bleached everything that was glass or metal when I found out that I had to get rid of gluten. I chucked all my plastic everything, because plastic absorbs whatever you put in it. I bought a new vacuum, a new broom, a new mixer, new bread pans, you name it...I replaced it. I got better when I did this. I still will go out with my family and friends to restaurants, but I will only order if I know what is gluten free. If I have doubts, then I will eat when I get home. I often frustrate waiters and staff at unknowledgeable restaurants and I have been known to change my mind several times while ordering. It is totally against everything I was brought up to do, but people understand when I explain to them my condition. I even will ask for the ingredient lists for things I want to check myself. It took me a long time to be comfortable doing this!!!
Well, I hope this gives you a good start. Here is a yummy pie crust recipe for you all...enjoy!!

Pie crust

1 1/2 cups GF Flour (Bob's)
1 t salt
1/2 c shortening
1/4 + 2 T Ice water ( take any cubes out before you add this)

Sift flour & salt into a bowl
cut in shortening with a pastry blender until it is the size of cornmeal
sprinkle water onto flour a little at a time and stir together until it starts to cling together
gather dough and press gently into a ball
roll pastry Once in between two pieces of parchment paper until it is bigger than the pie plate
Fit dough to greased pie plate ( glass or stone only please)
Flute edges
Poke holes in the bottom with a fork
Bake @450* for 10-12 min.
Cool and fill
or fill with a pumpkin pie filling and bake until done

if this dough falls apart...and it will, just smash the pieces back together. It may not be beautiful, but it is delicious!!

School Daze...

Look at how cute my son is with one of his best buddies!! He is on the left, Buddie is on the right. Now, tell me, how can a sweet, loving boy turn into a monster at school? He obviously has a sweet side and can have friends...many in fact. Is it his sugar sweet teacher?Maybe his lack of self control or perhaps boredom. I have no idea, but if things don't change ...I will change them.!!! I am sick of the negative feedback I get on a daily basis. Let me know what to do....

Pizza Anyone??

Brownies
4 eggs
1 1/2 c apple sauce (sugar free)
2 c granulated sugar (or sugar substitute)
15 oz canned pumpkin
2 1/2 c GF flour
2 t ground cinnamon
1 t pumpkin pie spice
2 t baking soda
1 t salt

Combine all wet ingredients together and mix well. Mix dry ingredients separately then add to wet ingredients and mix until blended well.
Bake in an ungreased Texas sheet cake pan for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Frosting
3 1/2 c powdered sugar
1/2 t vanilla
1 8oz brick cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cups butter, softened

Mix together until creamy and smooth.

This is from another site...Thank you Audra and her friends...I just thought you should know if you have gluten free flour you can still make this gluten free. What a yummy treat!!
We had a yummy dinner last night. It was pizza!! Rice pizza. Now usually I don't really crave a whole lot of things, but I was craving pizza and this really hit the spot. It's also a good way to use leftover rice. Thank you Michelle!!

RICE PIZZA

2 Cups Cooked Rice

1/4 tsp. salt

1 Egg

8 oz. Mozzarella Cheese

1 Jar Gluten Free Pizza Sauce

Your favorite toppings

Preheat oven to 350. Shred Mozzarella cheese. Mix first four ingredients together using only 1 cup of the cheese. Press this mixture into a 12" solid pizza pan that has been coated with vegetable oil. Make the edge slightly thicker. Top with pizza sauce and add your favorite toppings. Bake for 25 minutes. Sprinkle the last cup of cheese on top. Bake 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. ENJOY ! ! !

Recipe from Amy K. Myler

I hope if you are craving something and are having a hard time getting it right, you will let me know. Happy cooking!!

Happy day in the life...

I am so happy!! My hives are getting better for one, and I have a performance today for my little singing group- The Halfnotes. I am so excited to see what they come up with to do today. They are a little mischievous this year and are full of funny things. I will record it and put some of it on the blog. The funny stuff of course.

So , I have another yummy recipe for you all. It is almost cookie plate time and I have been making coconut macaroons which have never required flour and they are delicious!! They are also low fat...but high sugar... aren't most yummy things?

Coconut Macaroons
2 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon real vanilla
2/3 cups sugar
1 cup coconut flakes

Lightly grease a cookie sheet and set aside. In a medium mixing bowl beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar until all of it is incorporated and stiff peaks form. Fold in coconut just until combined. Drop mixture by rounded teaspoon on prepared cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake in 325* oven for about 20 minutes each batch, or until slightly brown on the edges. Cool on wire rack. Makes about 30 cookies.

Yum Yum!!

HIVES!!!!

I still have hives. I called the doctor this morning and she said that I am now allergic to amoxicilin. So, not only can I not have wheat...now I can't have strep either!! Oh wait, that's a good thing:) Well, I thought I'd show you what I am dealing with....


Pretty huh?? They are soo itchy!! I am grateful that that is all it is. I can be allergic to things. I just want to be alive a long time so I can find out everything my body doesn't tolerate well.

Yoga moves the mind, body and spirit..and makes me fall down.

Yesterday I missed doing my blog and this is why....I was at my sisters house in WILDER. Wilder than what? Any who... while I was in wilder I tried some Yoga. I said tried.... I did succeed at one point, but that is not on the video. Funnier than heck I say!! Only because I am now officially from Idaho. You gotta watch this video....
Today I am covered in a rash. I am talkin' neck to toes and very itchy!! I am not sure what I ate, but I did go to McDonald's last night for 1/2 price happy meals with the kids. I ordered a bun less cheeseburger and fries and a root beer. My body is not happy with me. Very itchy.!..!
I hope it will go away soon. I have practice at 11 for a class that I will teach at the Y and I can't miss it. I guess I will just look like a dork...What's new?Hee Hee!!

Dentist

Today I packed my boys in the car so I could go to my dentist appointment all the way in Boise. I really should have gotten a babysitter...they were everywhere!! I think the hygienist had to stop six times to tell them to leave things alone and to stay away from the sharp instruments. I will get a babysitter in the future. How embarrassing! She was really nice and gave them both a cookie after we were all done.
They do look sweet don't they?? Ha ha ha...

Sundays

In our house, as I am sure in a lot of homes, Sunday is a special day. We go to church for three hours of the day and have other religious obligations and things of this nature. So as laid back as it is and with all the time taken up by study, prayer, and family time... Cooking takes a back seat to us. It is crock pot day!! At 9am this morning I put some meat in crock pot and let it cook until 5pm. Some people put a lot of liquid in the crock pot, but I just put in the meat-usually frozen-and let it go. It's perfect every time! It was delicious and I didn't have to worry about what to fix for dinner, it was already fixed. I do love mashed potatoes so I boiled some without even washing them, peeled the skin off, added tons of butter, salt and milk and enjoyed myself. Ooh, how I love Sunday!!
I teach kids at church to sing songs-that is my job, or calling as we say, and I promise it is the best calling ever!! They are so funny. We played a game with a big cardboard block... you throw it and on the top it will tell you how to sing the song...slow, fast soft loud etc..Everything was going fine until we started to come to an end and one of the three year olds didn't get a turn. She started to cry and her whole face turned red and blotchy, so I caved and told her she could come up and roll the cube... well then everyone started to fuss. I was going to tell them that they could all come up and roll the cube, but then I thought about it and that's like, seventy kids and we had to move on, so instead I told them that we would play the same game next week and to remember if they didn't have a turn so they could have one. Spiritual?? Probably not, but it worked today!
TTFN

Happy home-made soup

So, my family is really doing well and the other night I made the BEST split pea soup ever!! All the kids ate it happily. It is green, so #1 girl had some reservations, but I told her she could eat some GF Crackers with it and she was soooo happy. She ate TWO bowls full. I also found some GF sausage and cooked that in it for extra flavor. Try mixing in whatever sounds good. Bacon, meaty ham bones....What have you. This recipe I adapted from Disney's family cookbook I made it very basic. It smells so good while it is cooking.



Split Pea Soup

2 Tbls Olive Oil
1 1/2 Cups chopped Onions ( make them really small if your kids don't like onions)
2 Crushed Garlic Cloves
a small bag of split peas
6 or more cups of clear liquid( I use GF chicken stock or GF Gravy and water)
Dill weed to taste
Salt & Pepper to taste

Saute' the onions and Garlic in the oil until everything smells awesome and the onions are translucent. Add the Split peas, the liquid, and the dill. Cook uncovered for 1 or two hours stirring occasionally. The soup is done when it all is soft and mushy looking. Season with salt and pepper. Top with whatever your family loves.

This is a good way to use leftover Gravy...Yum!!

Super happy Christmas!!!

Well, if you know me, you know that I love to take pictures. (New info if you don't know me.) Yesterday a package arrived at our house and I called my sweetie to see if it was something I could open. He told me it was my Christmas present, and the man cannot keep a secret, so this meant it was a digital camcorder . He told me if I wanted to use it now that it was fine with him!!! AWESOME!! I just have to wrap up the box and put it under the tree so I remember that he did get me something for Christmas. I had a few errands to run - sick kids medicine and the like-and then I got it out....it's so tiny, like a baby camcorder, I've never seen anything so small that can record nice pictures. I can hold it in my hand and wrap my fingers almost all the way around it. Ooh cute!! Well, we used it all day and recorded some pretty dumb stuff, but it was so fun. Thank You Sweetie pie!! I love you!!

So sick!!

Today we all have strep throat. Not fun for those of us who actually like to eat. I am one of those. I have had strep for a couple days and finally all the children are getting it one by one. By the time it makes the rounds I should be ready to get it again....no way!! I am not one to take this lying down. I will have them all seen by their nice pediatrician and he will give them all some medication and we will all feel better and not get this anymore!! Ha ha, I WILL WIN!! With that said, I am going to make my favorite coffee cake this morning. I got this recipe from a lady named Theresa Feusi and it is awesome! You can use any kind of GF flour, I use bob's red mill and I make sure it is cooked all the way through. Here you go....

Golden Crunch Coffee Cake

3 Cups GF Flour
1 tsp xanthan gum
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
Sift all these ingredients into a small bowl and set aside.

Cream together until light and fluffy
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar

Add eggs one at a time to butter mixture; beating well after each addition
4 eggs

Beat in
1tsp Vanilla

Add alternately beating well after each addition
1 cup milk
Dry ingredients

For crumbly good stuff on top:
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2 Tbs butter
2 Tbs GF Flour
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Cut together with a pastry blender

In a greased 13x9" baking pan Spread 1/2 the dough mixture. Sprinkle 1/2 the crumbly good stuff on and then add the other half of the dough followed by the rest of the good stuff. Bake at 350* for 45 minutes or until done. Enjoy warm.

I hope this coffee cake brings you as much happiness as it brings me.

The celiac story

I just wanted to let you know my story. I was diagnosed with Celiac disease in 2002 right after #1 son was born. I was not feeling myself, but figured it was on account that I was a nursing mother and that was never something I was good at. I woke up in terrible pain one night when #1 son was about three months old. My smart husband rushed me into the emergency room because the pain was so bad that I was hyperventilating. I am still grateful for that wise decision. They told me I had an upset stomach.... Duh. They also gave me a recommendation to follow up with my family Doctor. I called him the next day and he saw me right away. He thought that I may have an ulcer or a case of acid reflux so we tried both medications. One for one month and the other the next month. When my stomach was still sensitive to touch he recommended That I see a specialist. I did. I had an endoscopy done and a blood test and a biopsy of my small intestine. It was a scary day going in for the results. I had to bring my mum with me for support. She and I were so relieved when we found out I didn't have cancer...Long story... But we had never heard of celiac sprue. He told me that if I eliminated certain foods from my diet I would be fine. I met with a dietitian and learned that a lot of foods are very glutenous. I was very excited to be better so I have been Gluten free for Five Years!! I have a young family so it was pretty easy to have us all be gluten free. It can be more expensive, but not having to cook two meals every night makes it worth it. (Not having cross contamination makes it more worth it.) I have found so much support and Gluten free foods right here in little Caldwell Idaho. I can't believe the difference it has made in my life. This morning I even had Gluten free Pancakes!! If you would like to try them here is the recipe:

Gluten free pancakes

1 1/2 cups Gluten free flour (I used Bob's red mill all purpose GF Flour You can use rice if you like.)
1/2 cup corn starch
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
Sift them all together


Add 3 eggs or egg substitute
1/2 cup oil of choice
1 1/2 cups milk or water

Blend with a hand mixer until no lumps are present. Pour a small amount into a preheated, greased fry pan. Cook on one side until bubbles don't close up any more. Flip and cook other side half as long. ENJOY!! I like them with Choc. Chips or blue berries baked in, but my husband likes to smother them with Peanut butter. To each his own. there is no wrong way to eat a pancake.

Best of luck to you and yours enjoy your new life Gluten free....

Wow I never thought I'd be a blogger!!

That was so easy! I just wanted a space to have my thoughts about life, love, family and Gluten free living. Now I have one. Happy day.

I just had Thanksgiving at my house for the first time ever. This is HUGE for me because I have a gluten(a protein found in wheat, rye and barley) free house. I had everyone assigned a dish- most of which you couldn't make with Gluten anyway and we all had a healthy happy Thanksgiving. I made the Turkey and stuffing and Bread (my roll attempt that took me six hours is in the trash) and gravy. I also had made my first GF pumpkin pie and it was wonderful!! I had 25 relatives show up and we all had a great time together. There were things that could have been better.... like the stuffing, it was too dry..... but having the guts to try this was an amazing happy feeling in my heart. I have to thank the gluten free girl for her encouragement and recipes. She is also the reason I am making a blog spot of my own and perhaps I can help other people with this eating lifestyle.