My Obsession,,,,,

OK, I'll admit it I have an obsession with candles. I love buying and burning candles, it's one thing I can't get enough of. I think this is the only thing in my life that Steve has said, "honey you have enough candles, don't buy anymore for a while." After I prove to him that my stock is waayy down he'll release me to buy once more and it's like a dream come true once again.



My latest candle purchase was "Be Thankful" by Yankee Candle and I think that it is going to be one of my MANY favorites. It smells soooo good I recently finished up "Ocean Water" also a Yankee candle and have now taken "Be Thankful" out of my stock and set it out to begin burning.

Another obsession I have is gluten free blogging, I love reading about new things regarding gluten free living. My latest find is a new social network just for those who have to live gluten-free you can read all about it at www.GlutenFreeFaces.com. 

I've always loved Anne Gedies babies and here we have one. I think this is my favorite photo at this time. At 1-week old she is already changing.

Our life is anything but normal right now, it has rained here none stop for some time and the work in the field is lacking. We are praying for wind and sunshine to dry up the fields so we can harvest beans. Thank the Lord all of the corn is harvested!

There is no time for trying new recipes I have not spent much time in my kitchen, or at home for that matter, in two weeks. But oh how I am enjoying helping to take care of Mother and Baby so Dad can work. Our daily schedule is consumed with feedings, changing bottoms, washing and cooking. I do have to make a loaf of my bread sometimes soon, while staying at Ben and Ashia's I've been eating a lot of sandwiches and I'm about out of bread. I bet Saturday will be a normal day for me. Ben should be home and watching over his girls, Steve should be home with me from the Delta and we should be watching football and smelling "Be Thankful" as it permeates the air.

In the meantime I plan to continue to live Gracefully Gluten Free.

Austin is here....

Austin was born last Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 9:29 PM.

She weighed 6 lbs. 15 oz. and is 21-3/4 inches long

She is beautiful and we are enjoying spending every moment we can with her. Ashia has had some blood pressure issues and is still in the hospital so Steve and I have been spending a lot of our time there also.

Nice size to be 4-weeks early. I don't know how Ashia would have carried her full term.

Austin being checked out while Pawpaw and Pepaw watch. No room for mistakes here!!!

Pepaw is kind of proud of this little one. When we walk in the room if there is any way possible he grabs her!

Papaw Thacker has his share of times too and enjoyed every minute of it. He has returned home now and plans to come when Austin has been home a while and is awake more.

That's all for now but I'm sure there will be more photos in the future.

School Lunches can be great and easy if your eating gluten-free.

While I was in the Delta with Steve we had several rain showers. I would call them a big rain but many would not. Anytime rain is running in our yard, it's a big rain to me. Steve was able to continue harvesting beans in spite of the rain. It was raining on the part of the farm our camper is on but was night raining across the field where Steve was harvesting. We're thankful that we were able to take care of all the beans that needed immediate attention!

 
I left the Delta to come home and go to Jackson with Ashia for a baby shower, well it never happened! It appears Baby Austin is about ready to make her entrance into the world, she tried to arrive 5-weeks early. Mom and Dad spent the night at the hospital and after medicine, many prayers and observation they allowed Dad to bring Mom back home for as long as she can make it. We had to cancel the baby shower. Maybe Austin Rivers is going to be a raging river, I think she already has a mind of her own.

We are still at home counting contractions and getting everything ready for Austin's arrival which could be anytime now. Ben (the Dad) and I have done some serious washing and putting away baby clothes. One of our hardest responsibilities is keeping Ashia on the bed or couch, although she is doing well.

The final touches in getting ready for Austin's arrival. Just two of many MSU gifts. Thank you Pam and Juliana, we appreciate  your helping us prepare for our little Bulldog fan!


Now on to something gluten free....
Preparing lunches for your child can be easy and taste great. Make your child feel normal in front of their friends. Now, you have to remember I am a southern bell and we have a history of baking and frying. I fry very little anymore mostly due to the mess even though we raise Catfish and there is nothing in this world any better than fried catfish, so I do fry them from time to time.

Back to the lunches, make your own bread or use "Gluten Free Pantry's" Favorite Sandwich Bread Mix. Glutino Gluten Free Pantry Favorite Sandwich Bread Mix, 22-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 6) (review here) That's what I use, it is easy and taste wonderful! I use this bread and make sandwiches of all types such as ham and cheese, hot or cold, sandwiches. YUM


You can also use left over roast and make barbecue with it, use this for barbecue sandwiches. Hunts thick and rich Honey Mustard is gluten-free and how easy, you just poor it right out of the bottle. Serve a salad on the side or eat with your favorite chips.



Make up your favorite Tuna or Chicken Salad recipe and serve it with your favorite gluten-free crackers. My favorite crackers are "Glutino Table Crackers 7 oz. (Pack of 12). I also love fruit with these salads. :) You can also use the salad and make a sandwich or use it in a green salad. These salads are so versatile, quick and easy.

So don't think only gluten-free but think quick, easy and GOOD!

Thacker Reunion and Elvis' favorite cake

I attended the "Thacker Family Reunion", with my Dad on Labor Day and we had a great time. There are many members of our family who are getting really old (like all families) and I cherish every moment I can spend with them. Here are a few photos of the day!



The Cloyd Thacker Family details below!



Dad's oldest brother John and his wife Nell on the right. Debbie in the middle is Uncle John's only daughter and this is her children. Darla with her finance Shawn standing behind her. Beside Shawn is Debbie's son Dustin. They all live in Georgie and due to schedules we do not get to see them often so it was fun getting caught up on what has been happening in their life.



Dad's brother Ray and one of his daughters (on left Darlenia) with her baby daughter (Kesha standing next to Pop), granddaughter (Emma) and their newest addition to the family (Sam).
I cut the other daughter out of the photo, the sun was very bright and I couldn't see a thing! SORRY CARLIA!!!!



This photo has Ray's youngest daughter (Carlia) on the far right. I cut Darlenia out of this one, I really need practice using a camera! Oh well.



Sam had too much to drink! :)

I think Carla was telling Uncle John something gross, look as his face.



It was fun being together for something other than a funeral this was all of us except for my brother.

I didn't worry about a lot of food for the trip, they always have soooo much that I find many things I can eat. I made a "Elvis Cake" so that I would have a dessert and added some "Soy Joy" bars to my purse. That along with a bottle of water was all I needed. Oh, and I did stop and buy a cup of coffee on the drive up, to help me stay awake while driving.

Here is the recipe for Paula Dean's famous "Elvis Gooey Butter Cake".



"Elvis Gooey Butter Cake"
Servings: 20
Website:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/elvis-gooey-butter-cakes-recipe/index.html#

Ingredients
1 18-1/4 oz. pkg. Yellow Cake Mix (I use "Gluten Free Pantry's" yellow cake mix
1 egg
1 stick butter; melted
1 8-oz. pkg cream cheese; softened
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
½ cup peanut butter
1 whole banana
1 stick butter
1 16-oz. box powder sugar

Instructions :

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine the cake mix, egg, and butter together and mix well. Pat into a lightly greased glass 13 by 9-inch baking pan.

Prepare the filling.
Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla. Add the peanut butter; beat. Add the banana and butter and mix well. Add the powdered sugar and mix well. Spread over the cake mixture. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. You want the center to be a little gooey, so do not over bake.
Top each cake slice with a mint leaf and dollop of whipped cream.

This cake is wonderful but really rich, a little bit will do you! Have a cup of coffee on hand before you dive in.

Thanks for stopping by y'all and please come again soon!

Teen on "Doc" diagnosed with Celiac Spru

I will be spending my Labor Day at a family reunion in Gadsden, AL. I am baking a cake to take with us, gluten-free of course. (recipe in next blog) One of the hardest parts about eating at a family reunion is the desserts. There is always an overabundance of food and more than enough that I can eat, but unless I carry a dessert with me there are never any that I can eat. Usually in a situation like this I eat some type of fruit salad for my dessert but this time I have decided to make a speacial cake that I love and carry it with me. I will be going with my Dad, Steve will be in the field working. I am hoping Ashia will go with us but she is sick at this time with sinus problems so she may not feel like it, we'll see. I am excited about seeing family on the Thacker's side once again.


I recently watched "Doc" on the Gospel Music Channel and I heard them diagnose a teenager with Celiac Spru. If you get the opportunity to watch Doc: "While You Were Snoring", you should. I have included as much information as I can find below.

More Info:

	Name: Doc Type: Drama Run Time: 2001-2004 Seasons: 5 Episodes: 88 / 88 Links Streamed: 967 11 May 2003 Season 3, Episode 21: While You Were Snoring (coming soon | try iReel)
Full Episode Summary: Clint Cassidy is a handsome country doctor from Montana who moves to the Big Apple. His down-to-earth style and bedside manner endears him to the patients at a Manhattan HMO, but he encounters resistance from his colleagues and the system. Without losing his values, common sense and country demeanor, Clint adjusts to an urban lifestyle, forming new relationships and encountering new adventures along the way.

Do you ever have times that you can't get enough of something? If so what is it at this moment? For me it is "Tostitos" dips. I love the "Creamy Spinach" and also the "Smooth and Cheesy". It is worth giving a try.

What was Elvis' favorite sandwich and can you make it gluten-free?

I can feel the excitement in the air. Fall is almost here and this is the weekend for the first MSU football game with our new coach and needless to say we ARE excited!

Sat, Sep 05 Jackson State Starkville 2:30 p.m. ESPNU
Sat, Sep 12 Auburn * Auburn, AL 6:00 p.m. FSN
Sat, Sep 19 Vanderbilt * Nashville, TN 6:00 p.m. FSN
Sat, Sep 26 LSU * Starkville TBA
Sat, Oct 03 Georgia Tech Starkville TBA
Sat, Oct 10 Houston (HC) Starkville TBA
Sat, Oct 17 Middle Tennessee Murfreesboro, TN TBA
Sat, Oct 24 Florida * Starkville TBA
Sat, Oct 31 Kentucky * Lexington, KY TBA
Sat, Nov 14 Alabama * Starkville TBA
Sat, Nov 21 Arkansas * Little Rock, AR TBA
Sat, Nov 28 Ole Miss * Starkville TBA

GO DAWGS!




Ben called last night to get a recipe off a pot-holder that he and Ashia had brought me from Graceland. I was reading it to him and I started craving this thing. I try not to eat late at night so I went to bed thinking, if I can make it through the night that's what I have for breakfast and I did just that!

The answer is......

YES

Elvis's favorite sandwich was "Peanut Butter & Banana Sandwiches" and I made it gluten-free this morning, it was great!




Peanut Butter & Banana Sandwiches

2 large bananas
6 slices of your favorite gluten-free bread
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
1 cup peanut butter

Peel and mash bananas. Mix peanut butter with bananas thoroughly. Toast bread lightly and spread mix on bread. Melt butter in a skillet and brown sandwiches on each side slowly until golden brown. I garnished with a little powdered sugar. YUM YUM

What is your favorite sandwich and can it be made gluten-free?