A Thanksgiving to Remember

We had Thanksgiving in our new home this year with ALL of our children and my Dad and it was great. These are memories that I hope we never forget and so I am posting some of the photos of our Thanksgiving photo shoot.

We may not be grand but we have great children who gave us grand-children!

Our beautiful family!

The siblings with their children.

The apples of our eyes!

The two babies of the family! Punkin just turned one and Little Man will be one soon.

 I don't know if Little Man knew what to think of Punkin but she sure had fun!

I didn't think about it but I did not have a photo taken of me and my Dad. Thank you Ash for thinking for me!

I think out of all the photos this is my favorite. The is our middle daughter and her husband. One day we'll have babies to add to this beautiful family. By the way if you have not already check out Sarah's business on the side bar of my page.

Oh, by the way these we taken on our back deck what a blessing to have such a beautiful backdrop.

We don't take lightly a visit from our children we realize that they take time off and make long trips just to spend time with us and for that we are thankful.

I hope that you had as great a Thanksgiving as we all did!!!

A Big Thanks!

It is Thanksgiving and I have so much to be thankful for!

I am thankful for you for being my sweet blogging friends, for visiting me at Gracefully Gluten Free, and for your kind comments. No matter how boring my posts may sometimes be, I'm sure they are, you always come up with something sweet and thoughtful to say about them.

Even though some of us have never met, I have come to know and admire each of you ... not only for your accomplishments as bloggers, homemakers, teachers, nutritionist, chefs, or writers ... but also for the compassion, grace, sincerity, and kindness reflected through your words and comments, not only to me, but to others.

You always inspire me by your wisdom entertain me with your wit and humor, and encourage and comfort me by your grace and steadfast faith in the face of adversity.

Your sweet spirits, compassion for others, and devotion to your families and God always inspire me to be a better person ... and my days are brighter for having met you.

Thank you for being my friend!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

The true meaning of Christmas

This is my one and only Christmas wish!



The true meaning of Christmas is love. John 3:16-17 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love.

Whether you know me personally or through my blog God has given me a special love for you. I know the journey those with food allergies or intolerance's go through and I am grateful that we have each other!

I also realize how hard everyday life can be even though you may not have food allergies or intolerance's and it is encouraging to me to see that I mm not alone.

So may you have a Merry Christmas and the Happiest New Year yet!!!! I look forward to our spending time together in 2011!!!

Today treats.....

I have been busy cooking for my family to come for a visit. I am so excited about spending my first Thanksgiving in my new home with my children and grand-children. We will be celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas because our children who live away will not be able to return for Christmas.

The gifts are all wrapped, the house is clean and smells like a Holiday....

Here are a few items I have made, click on the link to get the recipe. It's all Good and it's gluten free!!!

Coffee Shop Fudge
My family loves fudge and some of us love coffee so I was so excited to find this recipe and give it a try.

Pumpkin Streusel Cheesecake Bars  
Though Pumpkin is not my favorite, when I read the recipe for these bars I knew that I had to try them. They are wonderful, this may be the beginning of a new tradition

Boiled Cookies
I've been making this recipe since Ash was a little girl. Now I make it with gluten free pure rolled oats so that I can have one. I think the taste is a little different but we love them just the same.

2 cups sugar
3 TBL cocoa
1/2 cup milk
1/2 stick butter
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla
3 cups quick oats, uncooked
Nuts (optional)

Mix first 4 ingredients together. Boil for 1 minute in medium pan. Remove; add peanut butter, vanilla, uncooked oats and nuts. Stir only enough to blend and drop by spoon on waxed paper. Let set about 30 minutes.


I will also be making my famous Chicken and Dressing made with My Favorite Cornbread recipe.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving ya'll...

New 2010 Gluten Free Holiday Baking E-Book - Download it NOW!!!

I love my readers, family and friends and because of this I have teamed up with some other wonderful cooks to create a holiday gift just for you! So many of you have impacted my life in many ways whether it is by your support, comments, e-mails or actually cooking for me in your home and I  want to say a big Thank YOU!!!!

My friend Jeanine of "The Baking Beauties" has put this cookbook together for all of us to benefit from and I was to say a huge thanks go her, I think she did a first class job! 

So lets get started and... Happy Holidays!

By clicking the above image, you will be taken to Google Documents. You do NOT need a Google account to be able to download the e-book, no worries. You WILL need Adobe Reader to view it though. Once the document opens up in Google Docs, you can either open as a PDF in Adobe Reader, print it, or save it to your hard drive. I know I'll excited about having all these recipes in my kitchen!

Thank you so much to all the contributors, make sure you check out their blogs as well. There is a LOT of great food on these GF food blogs, so there is no reason any of us should feel left out this holiday season.

Aine Olson

Amy Green - www.simplysugarandglutenfree.com

Annette Ross

Beth Maurer

Carla Spacher - http://glutenfreerecipebox.com

Carol - www.easytobeglutenfree.com

Carolyn Ketchum - www.dreamaboutfood.blogspot.com

Deb Steel

Grace Good - www.gracefullyglutenfree.blogspot.com

Jeanine Friesen - www.thebakingbeauties.com

Jeanne Sauvage - www.artofglutenfreebaking.com

Johnna Perry - www.52Sweets.com

Kathleen Duquette - www.imadetoast.com

Kathryn Hogan

Lady Fire-Eyes

Linda Etherton - www.glutenfreehomemaker.com

Maggie Savage - www.SheLetThemEatCake.com

Nancy Guppy - www.chapmanslanding.blogspot.com

Sara Jeanne Burke

Sarah Roberson - www.lifeisstillsweet.com

Shoshana Ohriner - www.couldntbeparve.com

Tamara Wheeler

From our homes to yours...Have a Blessed Holiday Season!

A Few Days with Punkin in the Fall

I'm home in the hills starting to get ready for Thanksgiving and I am so excited. You may have read my last blog of my recent win and you may have read the blog before of our keeping Punkin.

Here are a few more photos from our keeping Punkin.

She loves her Pepaw!

Punkin talks to us all the time and no one can translate..

Eating chicken and red bell peppers

She's such a monkey.....

This is what we came home too!

Thanks for stopping in, I have a surprise gift for all my readers so PLEASE come back soon.....

I felt that I had to be dreaming

Sunday I went to B'ham to be a part of "A Night with The Chapman's" and Mary Beth was talking about God giving them bread crumbs after the loss of their precious daughter Maria Sue.

I came home a little stressed due to some problems with a family member. On the drive from the farm to the hills I was praying and asking God why things were going as they were. Honey and I have been constantly praying on how to handle this situation.

When I got home and checked my e-mail I had been given one of those bread crumbs! I was so stunned for lack of a better word that I was shaking. I felt that I had to be dreaming.

I have won a Masterbuilt Butterball Electric Turkey Fryer

The Masterbuilt Butterball Electric Turkey Fryer is one of the only turkey fryers with a CSA certification and a design that meets Underwriters Laboratories Inc. standards.

•  Retails at $159.96

• Has an adjustable thermostat temperature control
• Stainless steel construction
• Porcelain-coated inner pot
• Digital timer
• Folding lid with window and filter
• Cooking basket with drain clip
• Drain Valve for easy cleaning
• Saves on oil – uses 1/3 less than conventional turkey fryers
• It can feed up to 8 people when frying a 14 lb turkey
• Oh – and much to our excitement… the turkey fryer also boils and steams! Hello seafood boil!

 Amazon has these on sale right now order yours here!

Plus I had received another free book with a CD included!

PLUS we just received a phone call that the situation with the family member seems to be working out. 

I am sooo thankful for all God is doing in our family at this time and for my bread crumb!

I am already having Thanksgiving and can't wait to have a gluten free turkey.

Health update and basketball game.

It is 3am and I am up with a terrible sinus headache. If you read one of my earlier post I am having a few health issues. Yesterday morning I had a doctor's appointment to discuss my results on the test ran to see why my blood pressure is staying so high. The test results came back ok, praise the Lord. The whole time I was in the doctor's office I was sniffing with runny eyes, a normal with me. He decided to give me something to dry it up and dry it up it did. Now I think that I may be overly dry because I have a headache, but who knows right?

On another note we are at the farm taking care of Punkin and we had a fun time together last night. We took Punkin to a MSU men's basketball game. Honey and I began this adventure really tired and Punkin was wound up. She had a blast eating her hot dog and flirting I might add with boys in the student section. We moved from our normal seats to sit behind the rail so that she could walk without us being afraid she'd fall. I think she enjoyed this little bit of freedom although either I or Honey had a hand on her at all times and she tried several times to ditch us. We made it until after the first half when bless her heart she got tired took her blankie and tried laying down in the seat. We tried everything to get her to relax in our arms but she would not cooperate. Finally we decided that it was time to head home so I dressed her in her pj's and off we went. She feel asleep in the car and after we got her home I changed her diaper quickly as she whined and reaching for her bed. I know babies are ok when they get tired like this but it always makes me feel bad. I feel that due to my selfishness of having to see a basketball game I have worn her out, well she wore me out too so I guess we're even. I tell you what Dad and Mom have their hands full with this little lady, she knows how to get the boys attention and she's only 14 months ya'll.

Photos of our night out:

Finally ready for the game, I'm not as good as I use to be with the hair thing!

 Ok, so that's enough of one pose?

Eating her hot dog while watching the real Dawgs!!

Oh, man this is good!!!

We had several ceremonies and raising of new banners.

Always time for a little reading.

By the way I had to just eat my bar at the game, the result of being a Celiac with high blood pressure but hey we won the game so that made it worth it.

Now, tonight we will watch the Dawgs in action in football; man a win would be the icing on the cake for these Bulldog fans.

I'm ready for my children to come home!

Some things take forever at our house, like changing lighting fixtures, purchasing pieces of furniture  or buying a new mailbox.

We have been working on getting one of our guest rooms ready for company since we moved in the house. When three or our children came to visit in August we had to sleep some on a mattress on the floor. Now after much hard work we have began our new guestroom! I am sooo excited and ready for my children to come home.

This will be my kid friendly bedroom especially designed so that nothing will hurt my babies and there is nothing they can hurt. We still have a couple of pieces of furniture to buy but now at least they have somewhere to sleep.

Take a peak:

Ash and I will be attending "A Night with the Chapman's" on Sunday night and guess what just happened to me?

I was cleaning my glasses this morning and the leg broke. This is a major problem since my glasses are rimless and the eye glass places here didn't have the proper leg in stock. For a minute I thought that I was going to have to buy another set of frames but a precious lady asked where I got them when I told her she picked up the phone and called her sister who works there and who she is going to visit this weekend. The sister is going to give her what she needs and she'll repair my glasses on Monday morning.

NOW think about me this weekend while I am at our first season basketball game I hope I can see! At least at the concert I will be able to hear the music and speakers. I am using old glasses which are not bifocals so I am having a hard time adjusting. 

I have a doctors appointment in the morning to discuss my test results and then we are off to the farm once more to take care of Punkin.

Thanks for stopping by friends!!! I love you!

Mixes from the Heartland Italian Bean Soup review

 

As I've written lately I'm having a few health issues. EARLY Monday morning Honey and I drove from the farm to the flat land (2-hours) for me to have a couple of test done at the local hospital. I thought that I could nap during the test since it would take a total of two hours but I was wrong. It seemed that the minute I laid down and got comfortable I was wide awake. So needless to say when it was time for me to cook supper I was worn out plus my blood pressure was still falling from the test. It is finally cool here so I decided to make a pot of soup. I was soooo thankful when I remembered that I still had a few mixes to try from Mixes of the Heartland.

I chose to make the Italian Bean Soup and it was wonderful. I changed up the recipe by adding only 10 oz. of crushed tomatoes and deer sausage instead of Italian sausage.  SOOO easy just what I needed on this busy, tiring, stressful day.

Don't be afraid to change up any of these mixes, they work great no matter what you make! I promise!!!

---

Product Description

Italian Bean Soup is cholesterol free, vegan friendly, and easy to make. Place in crock pot on medium 5-6 hours if desired.
View Nutrition Fact Sheet

Ingredients

Freeze dried black, kidney, and navy beans, mixed dried veggies (dehydrated celery, carrots, red and green bell peppers, onions, parsley, tomatoes), garlic powder, crushed red peppers, rosemary, bay leaves, celery powder.

Directions

In 8 quart pan, add 8 cups water, 2 cups crushed tomatoes and package mix. Bring to a boil for 10 minutes, reduce heat and cook for 25-30 minutes until beans are tender. Last 10 minutes, add 1 lb. cooked ham or Italian sausage.

Mississippi State Basketball and Gluten Free Travel Reviews.

 We are enjoying our weekend with the kids. We got here on Thursday morning and had to unload the truck and leave to drive Honey's older brother to Tuscaloosa. We stopped by B and A's to see them one minute before we got on our way. I always hate to just kiss punkin and then leave, I want to stay and play.

Thursday turned out to be a good day, Honey's brother has lots of issues in his life and when we spend time with him we always realize that it could be the last time we are together. When we arrived to pick him up he had bought me flowers and a box of cookies. It was so sweet of him but I can't make him understand that I can't eat the cookies. I told Honey when he ask about how I liked them just tell him I'm working on them.

We arrived back to the farm in time to eat supper with B and A, and to see Punkin in one of her Christmas outfits. A had taken her to see Santa at "Sisters Photography" studio and she was scared of him. We're hoping that she will enjoy breakfast with Santa at North Greenwood Baptist in a few weeks.

Punkin gives all of us love all the time now, needless to say we don't mind.

So on Friday the men worked and we rested then Saturday we spent the day in Starkvegas where we watched the bulldogs 1st basketball game of the season. It was an exhibition game but that's ok with me as long as I see them play. Sorry friends you'll be hearing a lot about basketball for a while now, I watch every game possible. By the way God has blessed us with season tickets for seven years in a row now.

After the game we decided to go to a Japanese Steak House "UMI" in Starkvegas. I can't remember the last time that I went to a Japanese Steak House and I'm not sure if Honey has ever been but we both enjoyed it. The funny thing was there were three people sitting at the hibachi with food allergies and the waiter nor chef had any problem catering to each individual specific need.

The food and service were wonderful and I definitely will be returning in the near future.


You can look here for more gluten free travel reviews.

Look at my travel reviews!

If you have any reviews you can submit for a restaurant in Mississippi we sure would appreciate it. We're lacking for reviews in the Mississippi area and people we are known as the Hospitality state. What's wrong with that?

Thanks for stopping by see you soon.

I realized that I had a problem.

Yes, this is me and I haven't been blogging because I feel terrible.

After numerous headaches, feeling bad checking my blood pressure I realized that I had a problem. I called a local doctor but it took a week before he could see me. While waiting I tried to be a good girl, rest and keep a check on my pressure but it has gotten out of hand. When the doctor took it, it was 181 over something. The nurse never told me the bottom number she just took it several times and then had the doctor check it also.

They did a blood work up at the clinic and next Monday I am to go to the hospital for a Captopril Renal Scan, whatever that is. Due to my size and age the doctor is trying to get to the bottom of what is causing this.  For the time being he has given me a medicine that I will take temporarily until we know more.

Honey has some work to do on the farm so I will go with him over the weekend to take care of Punkin while her Dad and Mom are busy.

This does not mean that I will quit blogging I just have to get in the kitchen so I have something to blog. For sure I should have some photos of Punkin soon you don't want to miss that!

Stick with me friends I'm not forsaking you!