When you can't decide what to cook............

I recently missed an important doctors appointment. I received a phone call Thursday afternoon to reschedule my follow up visit from my stomach surgery, it was on Monday and I had forgotten. After being put to sleep I never remember anything, not that I did before either. We call my palm my brain because if it's not in there it usually doesn't happen! The appointment never made it on my palm so I didn't show up.

I have had a hard time deciding what to cook lately; meal preparation has become a true chore. I use to watch Food Network all the time but quit because all I wanted to do was cook and eat. The cooking wasn't so bad but I was gaining weight because of the eating. So today I turned Food Network back on and watched several episodes then got up and cook a delicious supper. I had a roast seasoned with salt and pepper only baking in the crock-pot for my meat (pictured above). To go with it I melted 1/2 stick of butter in a baking dish and tossed in potatoes and carrots with salt, pepper and parsley for seasoning. I baked this until good and tender and then baked biscuits and made fried apples (recipe below) to go with them. I'm thankful for Food Network and I know Steve and the kids are too. If you ever have a hard time deciding what to cook just turn on Food Network, you will be inspired!

When you read this I'll be packed up and leaving for the Delta. We are moving equipment to begin harvest there this next week. I am traveling along in my car so that I can come home when I need to. My Dad and I plan to attend a family reunion in Alabama on Labor Day.

Fried Apples

Ingredients:
¼ c. butter
5 lg. granny smith apples; peeled, cored & sliced (or the apple of your choice here I used some leftover Fuji's and they were great)
1 c. sugar ( I didn't use this much sugar, it's your decision)
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg

Instructions:
Melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add apples, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Saute 15 to 20 minutes or until apples are tender.

A Great Big THANKS to all my Avon Customers!

I have made the final decision to stop selling Avon as of September 23 and Lena (Gauntt) Dawkins will be taking over my customers. This came after MUCH thinking and prayers because Avon does not fit in my future plans. For those of you I have serviced through the years THANK YOU! It has been fun.

Enough Harmful Stuff to Kill Me!

Ashia and I at her shower.


In my last blog I said I would share more about Ashia's recent shower in Jackson. It was given by her step-mother and attended by her family on her Dad's side and it was very nice. We appreciate the acts of kindness from all the family members. She received many wonderful items that will be used and treasured for years to come. If you attended or had any part in this a big thanks to you!

I am especially thankful that I was able to attend and see many family members that I have not seen in years!!! WOW what a blessing!! We laughed and talked about the old days. It's funny I look back to years ago before I was diagnosed with Celiac, the Lord was merciful because I ate enough harmful stuff to kill me. Not that I didn't suffer but I'm still here! Ashia's aunts and I were talking we use to stand at the bar in the kitchen, never mind sitting down we couldn't fill our plates fast enough that way, so we would stand and eat constantly. No wonder I eventually had a weight problem and had to go on a diet.

Here are a few photos that I wanted to share with you.




Ashia with the food, I really appreciated the fruit tray and dip!



Ashia holding a print of Austin that her step-mother framed for her and the frame matches Austin's room.



I thought this was cute, Ashia is trying out the burp cloths. I guess to see if they will fit her shoulder?


Ashia asked me to take photos with her camera, never mind that I've never used it before. When I made that comment she said that I needed to practice because I'm going to take photos when the baby comes. Do you know how upset my daughter will be if I mess up all the photos of her baby's birth? So this was the first photo that I took, not bad huh? After this one the others were all blurred until she put it on auto, sorry Ash maybe I do need practice.



To see all of the photos from Ashia's shower go to http://ashiacole.blogspot.com/

I have had a sinus headache for days. I don't know just what's going on out there but every time I go out my head starts hurting and sometimes hurts way into the night. Some nights I get very little sleep due to the intense sinus pain, so I am reaalllyyyy tired and ready for a break!

I can't believe how fast time flies the older I get the faster it passes by. It will soon be fall and our summer will be over. I enjoy reading about your summers, it makes me feel like I've gone on vacation with you. I am more excited about this fall than normal because it means the birth of Austin then our baby in Indiana. I've got to give Mary a call and see if baby George has a name? I call him baby George because his Dad's name is George and until this he is the only male in their small family unit!

About eating gluten-free, ok let's see if I can make an excuse. Due to being really busy, lazy, or let's just say uninterested I haven't cooked anything new or worth blogging this week. I made spaghetti but thanks to Great Value's Gluten-Fee Spaghetti Sauce I made a quick version. Really I have been gone daily until late in the afternoon and it's hard for me to run in and cook a gourmet meal, so we've ate simple this week.

Please continue to watch my blog because I promise to give recipes and hints on how to live Gracefully Gluten-Free.

Love to you friend!

Easy Gluten Free Hamburger Steak

Hey friends, I tried something new this week and it was easy and good, my favorite combination. I wanted a chicken fried steak but thicker like hamburger steak. So I took my hamburger and patted it out in hamburger steak like patties then pressed it into "Bob Mills Gluten Free All Purpose Flour. In the past I've used a combination of flours but this time I only used this one seasoned with a good bit of salt and pepper. They turned out brown and crunchy outside with a soft juicy inside. Due to calories we ate them plain instead of with gravy and I served them with creamed potatoes and green peas. They were wonderful and we ate every single one before I realized I had not taken a photo. Sorry, just picture what I am talking about.

While I was in Florence for Ashia's baby shower I ran across these in my computer case. I had forgotten that Mary had given them to me, but not anymore they are framed and up in our living room. I'm looking forward to our new babies, but I love my big girls!!!

This was taken at school right after Alayna's bicycle accident in the Spring.

Emma's pre-kinder photo.

Emma's graduation from pre-kinder photo. I hate we missed it, we were planning to be there. :( Maybe we can be there for her next graduation!

 

Samuel David Prystupa

On the way to Florence we stopped by my cousins to borrow a cradle for Ashia to use when Austin first gets here. Sam was not impressed with the cradle at all so maybe Austin will like it. I have seen Sam and heard over facebook how wonderful he is to cuddle and I was able to experience this first hand. After he ate and played for a while he nuzzled his head into the side of my neck and went sound asleep. He is so funny he has to have his face completely buried in something to sleep, if I moved him from my neck he tried to get under my arm. I decided the neck was the better of the two, so with sweat on my neck and his face Sam took a nap.

It is hard for Dad to cook for me, he can't get use to what I can and can not have, and I think he just looks forward to eating out so when I'm there we do a lot of it.

Sunday morning I was going to attend church and lunch with my Dad then pick up Ashia from her Dad's and head home. Wrong again! Ashia woke up Sunday morning feeling bad, I think she was overtired, and so her Dad and step-mom brought her to meet me and we headed home. Spending time with my Dad and seeing some of the Thompson's after all these years was fun, but it's great to be back with Steve on the farm again.

Ashia will be blogging about the baby shower soon and I will probably include some of the photos next time. Until then try to eat Gracefully Gluten Free!!!

At It Again!!!

I have had a great week. Life is Good!




This is my girls first day of school. For those of you who are not friends with Mary and have not see this photo. Emma (on the left) started Kindergarten. Alayna (on the right) started second grade. They are growing up really fast and making room for a new baby brother in December! YEAH!!!!




Ben and Ashia ate supper with us and Ashia got up from the table and started baking. She, Ben and Steve enjoyed the "Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting". I enjoyed my chocolate ice cream. :(

Ben, Ashia and I went to see what Austin is going to look like. I really think her strongest features are from Ben, but then when watching the video after we got home I saw some of Ashia in her also. If you would like to view some of the photos click here. It pays to follow Ashia's blog she will keep you posted on her progress.




Ashia had another Doctor's appointment the next day and we made time to do a little shopping. Here are two more outfits that I have bought Baby George. (our Indiana baby) Aren't they cute?



They even came with matching wooden hangers, as you see over this onsie. I was hoping that I could find something with Grandpa on it but Grandma will have to do for now. I'm still looking though, I know I can get a Grandpa something at John Deere!

Ashia has her first baby shower this weekend in Jackson so keep up with her blog I'm sure she'll post photos.