A Great Night in The Good's Household,

Man, last night Steve and I had the best supper, just don't count the calories! :)  I made a small roast and crreamed potatoes. To cook the roast I rubbed it with salt and pepper and then sprinkled "Glutano Cream of Mushroom Soup Base" all over it. I added just enough water to cover the bottom of the crockpot and let it cook all day. Then I made creamed potatoes from scratch. I was going to cook other items but we are leaving for Indiana soon and so we gorged on meat and potatoes. I was sooo good, I wish I had leftovers!

After supper Ben and Ashia brought Austin over to stay with us while they went to a high school basketball game. We enjoyed our time with her, we'll sure miss her while we are in Indiana.

She is beginning to watch movement and Steve and I had college basketball on TV. She would just stare at the screen, Steve said, "Oh, no your rubbing off on her." I wish that were so but I really think she would watch anything with a lot of movement at this time.

We talked a lot and she would coo and laugh, she is so much fun! I didn't take the little hat off for a long time because I was cold and it was so cute. When I did take it off her little head was sweaty, bad Gammy, she was much happier then.

Thank you Ben and Ashia for allowing us to have time with your little princess!

We'll be leaving for Indiana Sunday if nothing changes to receive our new Christmas present Joshua William!!!! YEAH

Party Time!!!

We attended a Christmas party with a lot of our friends last night. I want to thank Morris and Mariam for hosting the party and Cornerstone Community Church for providing the facilities. I also want to thank those who thought about my crazy gluten-free diet and provided foods that I could eat. DeColores!!!!!!

I took a few photos to share but was told by several others (mainly my family) that it was rude to take photos of people eating. Well, there's just one problem with that, when this group gets together all we do is eat!!

One of my friends went and bought Hellmann's mayonnaise and made devil eggs just so I could eat them! Thank you Mark and Karen!!!!

Some told me the ingredients to see if I could possibly eat it. As you can see I had plenty I could eat!

There was one person who didn't eat a thing, so I took a few photos of her. I think she was talking to Merl though.

Our entertainment!

Now for the new news I am washing and packing right now. It looks as though Joshua may make is appearance earlier than we had thought. So we are getting things ready to leave for Indiana to receive our Christmas gift! Maybe I can post photos of the new baby soon!

GALS (God's Amazing Ladies in Service)

This has been a fun week thus far. Monday we all went to lunch then Steve and I chased parts while Ashia and Ben went to Eupora and picked up Austin's newborn photos. She has grown sooo much since then it's hard to believe she was ever that small!

On Tuesday I went over and watched Austin for a while for Ashia. She was so cute, she laid down on a pillow and cooed and laughed. I swear she was trying to tell me something but I never did get it. She is really at a fun stage right now.

Tuesday night we had our GALS (God's Amazing Ladies in Service) Christmas party. We have had secret sisters for a year now and at this time our sisters were revealed!

I made Betty Crocker's "Chocolate Chip Cookies" and took. They didn't look great but they tasted good. I understand others have had similar problems and say that you need to add flour to the mix, maybe I'll try that next time. Steve has enjoyed the leftovers! :)

 

 The finished product! You can buy these mixes at your local Kroger.

 

I was Lynda's secret sister. Lynda lives down the street from us across from Ben and Ashia. It's a miracle that I didn't get caught, or Ben didn't, putting things in her mailbox. 

 Mrs. Ann was my secret sister but she was sick and didn't make the party. Mrs. Ann has sent me tons of happies, cards, and gifts. THANK YOU MRS. ANN!! I love you!

 

Ashia was Pooh's secret sister!

Ashia's secret sister was Natalie. Natalie is a friend of the family and I just knew that Ashia would figure it out but she didn't. If you know Ashia you know it's very hard to keep a secret from her but we did it!!!

Gluten-Free Life as a Grandmother,

Steve's been out of town the last few days, he's trying to wrap up his work in the Delta. Thursday night we used Steve's ticket for Austin and went to the basketball game. Can you believe that she has to have a ticket? I mean really all she does is lay in our lap and sleep! Everyone gets a kick out of her being able to sleep through my screaming over her head. I try to hold it back and not scream too loud I mean I don't want her to have hearing problems! We are excited about this year and our adventure with basketball! GO DAWGS

Does life ever slow down? I guess only when you are dead! We have been in the road everyday for weeks now. I honestly can't remember a day when I have had no where to go. Since Steve has been gone I've been spending the night with Ben and Ashia. I feel like such an intruder but last night Ashia bribed me to stay so I guess I'm a wanted intruder. I help with Austin in the mornings but they take care of her all night. She is becoming such a big girl and is sleeping much better at night although she has not been wanting to sleep during the day!

I just talked to Mary, her last appointment the Doctor said that we would have a baby around the second week of December. She is becoming increasingly more uncomfortable and is thinking a baby sooner than that would be ok. We'll see what the Doctor says next week. If nothing changes the  baby will be named, drum roll please, Joshua William!!!!!

I've been taking request from the family on what they want to eat for Thanksgiving. Here is the latest request.....

Chocolate Pie
Servings: 8 Category: Dessert
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Cuisine: American
Preparation Time: 20 minutes Rating:

Ingredients:
2 eggs; separated and save the whites
1 cup sugar
3 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 Tbsp cornstarch
2 cups cream or milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 Tbsp butter

Instructions:
In a sauce pan, combine egg yolks, sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and cream. Stir well. Cook over low heat until it thickens. Add vanilla and butter. Stir until butter is melted and mixed well. Pour into baked pie crust.
Meringue:
2 egg whites, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tsp vanilla. Beat egg whites until stiff. Gradually add sugar and vanilla, beat until well blended. Pour on top of pie and brown under oven broiler.

To make gluten-free I always use Gluten-Free Pantry's "Perfect Pie Crust Mix". This mix can be bought in your local Kroger!

The visit of our children.

What a great week! Our girls and their families, except for son-in-law Eric, were home for a few days and we had a blast! Well most of us had a blast our two grand-daughters Alayna and Emma were sick most of the time so it may not have been a blast for them. The aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and great-grandparents had fun visiting each other and with baby Austin.

We also worked in a little celebration, Alayna's 8th birthday was the 14th so we had her a small party with her grand-parents on Sunday afternoon. Then we had the local Good's over (pardon the pun) to visit with the girls and their families, some of them managed to get in some Austin time too. I'm not sure what Austin thought of all the attention, she acted as though she enjoyed it.  It was so funny Alayna was excited that so many people came that day just to celebrate her birthday. 

My Dad came and spent a few days to see everyone and he had a little Austin time also. Our next guest are to be some more of Austin's adopted great-grandparents, we're excited to see them again and to show Austin off once more.

Steve had to leave in middle of our visiting and return to the Delta to try and finish up harvest there. Ben has been popping in and out and working late nights here. I'm sorry that I was the one able to spend most of the time with Mary, George and the girls NOT!!! :)

Here are some photos along with a recipe for a "Chocolate Pumpkin Loaf" that I want to share with you!

Ashia or Austin received more gifts from the family! 

Aunt Sarah enjoyed bragging to a cousin about where she was and who she was holding while Dad checks out the all natural huggies.

I tried to spend time with ALL my grand-children and grand-dog. LOL

Sarah having more Austin time.

Emma with her Austin time.

Alayna and Dad watching a little TV.

Alayna's Austin time.

Party Favors

Wow a tomato you can throw. She liked this better than her real gift!

The Princess Sitting pretty at the party.

The cake

Pop having a little Austin time.

My poor sick girls they spent the day on the sofas.

Alayna

Emma

Emma had extremely dry hands so we gave her a hand treatment. She's using my socks to cover the wrap. She doesn't look happy does she?

 We also had a baby shower for the baby due in December. All four family members opened gifts for baby Joshua.

 

Emma opening her gift.

Chocolate Pumpkin Loaf

Source: Gluten-free is Life

Ingredients
1 ¼ c. GF baking mix
¼ c. unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ c. sugar
½ c. brown sugar; packed
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
½ can (7.5 ounces) pumpkin
¾ c. chocolate chips
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325 F. Grease loaf pan.
Combine all ingredients in large mixing bowl; blend well.
Once mixed, pour batter into loaf pan.
Bake for 40-45 minutes, until top is firm and toothpick comes out clean.
Allow to cool for 15 minutes; dust with powdered sugar (if desired).

I hope you enjoyed visiting with my family. Have a good weekend.

Time for the family!

I am so excited and I can hardly contain it, our girls and most of their families are coming home for the weekend!!! I say most of the family because our son-in-law Eric can't come, he has to work. :(  When you read this blog we will be visiting with our babies. My house is clean, my menu is made and the recipes printed, I'll try to remember to take photos so I can share some of them with you.

On the menu is "Chocolate Pumpkin Bread" that I have taken from "Gluten-free is Life" it looks great and I can't wait to try it.

I also have a special pasta recipe that Ashia makes that I have adapted to gluten free. If I was gonna say any of my recipes were to die for this would be one of them, it is wonderful.

There is "Roasted Tomato Basil Soup" that I am going to try and many other items.

So tune in next week for photos of my precious family and some yummy recipes!!!!

I had to add one!

Saturday football & a bowl of homemade Chili

Over the weekend we gathered at Ben and Ashia's to listen to our favorite football team and oh what a doll Austin was. She's learning early, she screamed and cheered and I have photos to prove it! =)

I was so excited it had finally cooled off and I was able to make Chili for Ben, Ashia and I one afternoon. My family doesn't eat soups during hot weather so that is one of the things I look forward to, fall weather and homemade soups! Mmmm It gives me more options for a meal.

 Classic Beef Chili

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

1 pound lean hamburger

1 sweet onion; chopped

2 cloves of garlic; finely chopped

1 TBLS. chili powder

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 14-oz can tomato sauce

1 15-oz can red kidney beans; drained and rinsed

1 10 oz can mild tomatoes with chilies

1 4 oz can tomato paste

½ cup water; warm

Instructions:

Cook beef and onion together, drain. Add chili powder and cumin. Stir to combine. Combine tomatoes. beans, and tomato paste in slow cooker. Stir in beef mixture, cover and cook until flavor blends well. About 1 hour.

Being southern I always make "My Favorite Corn Bread" recipe to go with any soup.

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

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.