Nerves of steel...and Gluten-free clam chowder

Recently Honey and Be went to the Delta on business and I spent the day with Ash and Punkin. Punkin is growing up too fast and is more fun everyday. Here are some photos of her playing on her play-mat. I cherish the moments spent with her.

When deciding on what to cook for supper Ashia wanted soup and I suggested that we try a Clam Chowder recipe that I had from another blog. We printed it and changed some of it just because Steve is allergic to onions and we weren't in the mood for some of the ingredients. I have to admit the closer it came to time to make it I was afraid that we wouldn't like our recipe. Well, we persevered and made it and it was WONDERFUL, even our men liked it. So here is our version, it is supper easy and GREAT!!!!


Creamy Clam Chowder

1 cup clam juice
2 cups FINELY diced potatoes
1 (6-10 oz.) can minced clams WITH juice
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
**1-2 tablespoons cornstarch

Add the cornstarch to a bit of the clam juice and set aside. Add all other ingredients to a large pot and the add cornstarch mixture. Cook slow until potatoes are tender.

Makes 4 large servings.


You should know by now I am an avid basketball fan! I could watch basketball all day 24-hours a day and I don't care who is playing or where. Our Dawgs have won their last three games and considering they have been conference games this is a BIG THING. If you have an opportunity watch a SEC game, the defense is awesome. I am a die hard fan and State could loose every game and I would still support them! I don't understand people who only go for the winning team, I mean how can they do that? What has happened to loyalty or commitment? I have to admit to attend any college basketball game you need to have nerves of steel. Here a few photos of our last game...

Before the game we went to one of our many favorite places to eat Harveys! I have no problems eating there. I have told them of my gluten problem and three times the chef has came out and met with me. After asking about many dishes I know exactly what I can eat so now I just go in and order but still remind them of my problem so if by chance a recipe has changed. Thank you Harveys for making your restaurant a safe place to eat.

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

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!

Family, Entertainment, and Gluten-Free living

I have finely found the time to set down and work on a blog. I want to recap some of our latest events. Here is our oldest daughter Mary holding her new niece Austin.

We enjoyed our time together and look forward to seeing Mary and her family soon. I talked to Mary recently and it appears Joshua will be born anytime after Thanksgiving, I'll try to keep you posted on that. In the meantime I need to start planning to go to Indiana! :)

Last weekend we took Austin to her first college men's basketball game. It was a scrimmage game and we went to see how she would do before we try getting her a ticket to the other games. Can you believe that a baby has to have a ticket to go to MSU ballgames? Well, she did GREAT, she slept practically the whole time. Needless to say we are looking forward to the basketball season as we can all go as a family.

  Steve and Austin, good bed! Pepaw!!











 Ben, Ashia and Austin after the game! She didn't like the way they held her.

Our baby girl. MSU FAN

 YEAH our season tickets are here. Let the season begin!!! GO DAWGS!!!






Mama Marion!

We just had a visit from Fred and Marion. Ashia and I worked with Fred and Marion in Guatemala for years and while there they became my parents and Ashia's grand-parents. It sure was fun having them visit and meet our little Austin. Thank you Fred and Marion and we look forward to seeing you again soon. We love you!

I received this in the mail today. Kroger is offering exclusive savings for living gluten free! WOW






















While I had company and did a lot of cooking it was many of the same things that I cook a lot. Here is one of the recipes that we love. This time I used "Pamela's Baking Mix" instead of the first five dry ingredients. They were wonderful and didn't last long at all!

Banana Nut Muffins
Servings: 12

Combine in Large Bowl
3 bananas; very ripe, peeled & mashed
¼ c. oil
1 c. dark brown sugar
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 egg
Whisk together in separate bowl
1 ½ c. GF all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
1 tsp. xanthan gum
1 tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
½ c. mini chocolate chips optional
½ c. nuts; chopped optional
½ c. dried fruit optional

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.
Add the dry ingredients into the banana mixture and stir until well blended.
Mix in your choice of add-ins. Spoon batter into muffin cups and bake for about 20 or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.. Cool muffins on wire rack. Wrap leftover muffins; bag and freeze for easy on the go treats. Reheat briefly in microwave, if you wish.