Hi Ho, Hi Ho it's off to Indiana I go!!!

That's right, I'm going and take care of my three grand-babies while our oldest daughter has surgery for kidney stones. OUCH  She has been having problems for sometimes now and they are going to have to operate. I'll be blogging from IN so keep watch on what this grand-parent is doing. Taking care of a 2-month old baby, umm can I do it? Sure I can but I will be worn out and that's no joke. So at this time I'm busy baking "My Favorite Gluten-Free Sandwich Bread" to take with me, washing, packing and things like that.

Hold on Mary I'm coming!!!!

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!

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!

Shop GoodSearch and Give to The Celiac Disease Foundation

I had my surgical procedure on Monday and this time has been tougher than the past. The Doctor said the hole from my stomach into my intestines was closed smaller than pea size so he opened it as wide as possible. Normally after this procedure I sleep off the anesthesia and then I am up and going. This time I have had a good bit of pain in my stomach area, which is to be expected, but is not fun. Each day I wake up thinking I'll be over it but so far it still hurts. This morning I was thinking isn't it wonderful to think, this too shall pass. No matter how hard or uncomfortable we get from time to time with our different diets and life in general one day it will all be over.


Today I was making "My Favorite Sandwich Bread" and realized it was time to order more mixes. I am a thrifty shopper so I went to The Gluten Free Pantry and checked out the price there but was able to get a much better deal at Amazon.com through goodsearch.com. I am so pleased with my purchase I was able to give a percentage of the proceeds to the "Celiac Disease Foundation"! Go to Good Search and select your favorite charity then there is a list of stores or you can search for the store you want to shop. I am amazed at how many stores are listed, check it out. It is easier for me to spend our money if I can help someone else in need.

Helpful Hint From My House to Yours



This morning I was in the mood for Banana pancakes but didn't feel like making anything from scratch. I used my "Pamela's Baking Mix" for the pancakes and then added a small banana. I covered them in a little butter and Blackburn's Butter Pecan Syrup. Talk about good it was wonderful!!!!!

Have a nice weekend friend whether sunshine or rain make the most of it.

My Easy Gluten-Free Pizza

I had a nice time with Syd (our grand-dog) and I am now back in the Delta with Steve. It is sooo humid and hot here so I'm not sure that I will be doing a lot of cooking. Tonight for supper we had homemade chicken salad and green salad with either ice cream or watermelon for dessert. When it is this hot we prefer meals to help us cool down.


During my time at home for breakfast one morning I had one of my favorite gluten-free meals. "Van's" frozen blueberry Waffles (the plain are also good). They are delicious and you can't get any easier! I buy them at the local Kroger but will only allow my self to have them a few times a year due to the calories.

After Steve got home for supper one night I made a gluten-free pizza. We had rather have the gluten-free version than the regular now. Of course it's been ages since I ate a regular pizza but Steve assures me that my gluten-free is better and I believe him! Here is my EASY gluten-free pizza way.


I use "Gluten-Free Pantry" french bread and pizza mix. It makes two 12" x 14" pizzas, so I use one immediately and freeze one for later use. This takes time the first time around but the second pizza is easy!


I make it according to package directions using my food processor to mix it.


The dough is a little hard to work with so I smooth it in the pan using a moist spatula.

After baking the crust until it is no longer shiny and starts to firm up I spread gluten-free pizza sauce from a jar (Kroger brand etc) and ground sausage, cooked and drained. I top it with shredded pizza cheese.


I have recently talked to Ben and Ashia and it seems that Syd misses us, well I really think it's Steve she misses. That crazy dog loves Steve, you should see her when she sees him outside the house are hears him drive up. She goes nuts! If you are holding her you had better put her down fast because she spins off on you running to get to him and in the meantime you look like you have been in a cat fight. But I can understand I love Steve too!

Have a good week and remember it doesn't have to be difficult to eat Gracefully Gluten-Free!

Who Am I To Judge?

Sitting at my computer in the Delta. I'll be there again soon!


Good Food Doesn't have to be Difficult!!!!

My last blog talked about finding gluten-free ingredients in Wal-mart. The items bought were put to good use!


Spaghetti and salad with Gluten-Free brownies for dessert (I used a package mix from Gluten free Pantry and they were great)


My favorite lunch, Gluten-Free Pantry bread, made into a BLT with Salad greens.

My birthday was Friday, June 5th. On Wednesday I had received a call from my Dad that one of his aunts, who was like a grand-mother to me, was really low and they did not give her but a couple of days to live. On Friday night I had a friend and Ben and Ashia (our children) over to grilled out. The neat thing about my birthday is that it is also Ben's birthday so we like to do special things together. After supper we were talking about my aunt and I made the remark if she'll only hold on my birthday will be over. Not 30 minutes after I made this statement my cell-phone rung and I knew because of the ring tone it was my Dad to tell me my aunt had passed away. So I guess you are thinking these things happen, so get over it. Sometimes I think these things happen more often to me. I had a grandfather who died the day before my birthday, another grandfather died on my birthday and my aunt died on my birthday; now this great aunt makes the fourth death of a family member on or very close to my birthday.

I am sad as I write this; the thing that bothers me most is possibly my Aunt did not go to heaven. She was a sad bitter woman due to the tough life she had lived. Many times we talked to her about the Lord but she always became very irate and told us that we had never gone through what she had and she didn't want to hear it. You see my Aunt went blind at a young age after this she became a recluse and only went outside her house to go to the doctor. Years later her house burnt down and they lost everything. My Uncle was thankful that they had each other, but my aunt felt that God had let her down. Seven years ago my uncle was found dead working in his garden and once more my aunt felt God was against her and she became extremely bitter and mad at God. As I go to attend the funeral I can only pray that her heart was right, there is no way to know what she has been thinking or feeling these last few weeks of her life. Who am I to judge??


In cooking Gluten-free here are some helpful hints:
Absolute No-Nos On A Gluten-Free Diet:
Wheat is so ubiquitous in the Standard American Diet that we often forget that we are eating it. Here are a few foods that you may not realize contain wheat.

• all-purpose flour
• self-rising flour
• semolina (the flour used in most pasta)
• couscous
• most soy sauce
• Campbell’s Cream of ______ Soup
• cornbread mix
• most cold cereals (barley malt flavoring)

Until next time, you too can live Gracefully Gluten-Free!

Gluten Free Pantry at Wal-mart in the Delta!!!!

I took my usual trip to Wal-mart after getting settled in my castle (or camper) in the Delta to buy the ingredients for a gourmet meal. (Usually something VERY simple!) Farmer Steve had suggested that I make something with pasta for supper and my reply was kind of cocky. I told him that he must have forgotten that I have to eat gluten-free and there was no where to buy my pasta close to us, that he should have suggested that before we left home.

I had a small list of things I needed and had planed on buying some type of chicken to cook but then when I walked into the store it consumed me. I started at the back and walked up and down each and every isle dreaming of everything in the store being gluten-free. While checking to see if they had the Betty Croker Gluten-Free cake mixes I had a vision. Right in front of my eyes was "The Gluten-Free Pantry" baking mixes for brownies and muffins. I reached up and took one of each and then realized that this was not a vision it was a dream come true. Up until this point I was walking slowly as if dead lice was falling off of me but not NOW. My adrenalin started pumping and I started speed walking up and down the isles. I thought that if they have these in the store what else may be hidden on these shelves. As I approached the isle with pasta I walked right by it but then had a second thought, maybe they have gluten-free pasta now? THEY DID on the bottom shelve there it was "DeBoles Gluten-Free" pasta in spaghetti style and one other type that I can't recall right now. Also, in their brand (Great Value) they had spaghetti sauce with "Gluten-Free" in big bold letters.

This is all I ran across on this trip to Wal-mart but you had better believe I will be looking closer every time I go there for more gluten-free treats. I will also be checking out the Wal-mart stores near Macon to see what they have.

Thank you Wal-Mart you are helping to make life easier for us Celiacs!


The Finished Product



I recently found a gluten-free Milky Way spread so I thought this would be a great addition to my brownies. YUM