Saturday, February 13, 2010

A Trip of Faith

Steve and I had a trip to Florida planned for Friday morning to visit with family, who recently lost a loved one.  I spent more time looking out the window Thursday night than I did in the bed. The last time I looked there was no snow in sight all was clear. Friday morning I got up asking, Steve what do you think? I was so tired I really didn't I could make the trip must less get up and pack plus everything else that goes along with a quick trip. Steve's answer was, "we're going". Get up Grace and get moving! I hauled it out of bed and went to work. Before Steve left for the office he said, "Grace guess what? It's snowing." By the time we got ready to leave the snow was gathering on the ground but we decided to go ahead, since we were ready, and see how far we could go. Now, keep in mind WE NEVER have snow HERE and if we do it's only a dusting. We crossed bridges that made me a nervous wreck only ice and slush! By the time we drove to Meridian, I was begging Steve to turn around and go home. We stopped for lunch and the snowflakes were as big as quarters. Steve said, "honey lets eat and then we'll decide what to do." I think this was one way to get me to calm down. After we ate Steve felt we could make it and I felt he was crazy! LOL Now that I look back I'm glad we persevered and made it. Here are a few photos of our trip from Macon to Mobile, AL.


 

  

  

  

 



It was beautiful but that is one trip I'm glad is over!

We stopped and spent Saturday night with our friends/family Fred and Marion. 

This was one of those trips that took faith to make it and I lived by faith. Getting ready to leave in such a hurry I didn't thank about food. For supper Saturday night I made a quick trip to wal-mart and bought some ingredients for gluten-free barbeque nachos. I love these things and if I'm not careful I'll eat so much that I make myself sick. I use Loyd's barbeque in a tub, it taste great and is gluten free. Hey you have to be creative when you are living life  Gracefully Gluten Free.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Superbowl Sunday with recipes

I have been waiting some time now for the perfect day to make Red Beans and Rice. Recently I was in the cooking mood so I made them for our supper and took them to Ben and Ashia's so that Ben could enjoy them with us. Ashia doesn't eat any type of bean so she made herself a pizza instead. It was the perfect food for a cold rainy night. I also made corn bread, not from my favorite recipe but from a mix I had on hand. It was good but we still like mine a lot better. 

Red Beans and Rice

2 cups dried red beans
4 pieces of bacon, fried and crumbled, save grease
1 pkg. of your favorite sausage, fry and set aside
1 tbls. chicken stock granules
salt and pepper to taste
5 cups water


Prepare you beans for cooking. Fry bacon and sausage and set aside. Drain beans when ready to cook and add chicken stock, water, bacon and bacon grease. I cook mine for hours until they are very done and thick.


For Superbowl Sunday we went to Ben and Ashia's and watched the game with friends. Ben was in DC but made it home by the end and in time to eat, the most important thing right? 


I took a great sausage dip. Well, it is usually great but this time I used a different type of sausage than I normally do and I did not like it. Oh well, here is the recipe just be sure to use a sausage you really like, believe me it matters. :(




Sausage Dip
 

Ingredients:
2 lbs. ground sausage
1 8-oz. pkg cream cheese
1 16-oz. carton sour cream
1 10-oz. can Ro-tel tomatoes
4 cups shredded Mexican-blend cheese 


Instructions:
Brown sausage; drain. Stir in cream cheese, sour cream, Ro-tel and cheese. Put all in crock and cook until is melted and well blended. Keep hot and serve with Frito Scoops.



I also made chocolate cupcakes of course all was gluten free but they were really good. I love Pamela's mixes for a quick fix, you can buy them at any Kroger and they good.


Here are some photos from our game night.


 
 Austin was shown more attention than the game.


  
 But, she didn't mind!


 
What a great little helper.


 
Needless tweeting.....


  
 Something to do when you are bored.

We had a fun time and I was happy with the outcome although NOT everyone was! :(

Friday, February 5, 2010

Wow we made it....

We have been babysitting Punkin for Be and Ash to attend something with Farm Bureau in DC. I have been so excited about this time and have to admit the closer it got I was a little apprehensive after all it's been a llloonnngg time since I took care of a little one 24-hours a day.


Punkin is a sweet heart and kept us busy but we enjoyed every minute of it. Here are a few photos of our week.



 
MOST of the time after taking our bath and eating we watched a little Nick Jr.


 
We talked and laughed a lot!!!


 
Grammy tried anything to get a little cooking done. Mom said that this was her first time in a highchair.


 
I bet she got tired of videos and photos. 


  
She is teething and chews on EVERYTHING. Needless to say we're thankful for bibs and burp cloths!


 
Bless her heart she ran out of bibs so I put one of her Daddy's on her until I could wash.


  
Worn out and taking a short afternoon nap.


 
EARLY Friday morning dressed to go get Mom from Jackson. Watching Fox news with Pepaw.


 
On the road. She did great, she was so tired from a rough night and early morning that she slept most of the trip.


Steve and I had a bitter sweet feeling of Ash's return, we hated to give up Punkin, but we are really tired and thankful that now Mom is tending to her. We love being the grandparents who can visit and love on our grandchildren and then hand them over to their parents. Isn't that what grandparents are for?


On a gluten-free note...
I recently bought these little cookies to give them a try and I have not been disappointed, they are GREAT! I'm sure that I will buy more in the near future.





Sunday is the Superbowl, I'll share later what snacks I make! GO SAINTS!!!!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

You'll Know You Are a Celiac If........

I have to post this she is growing so fast and doing new things everyday!



This is sooo good and so true also!


...you've ever had to give a doctor a crash course in Celiac 101.


...you've "brown bagged it" to an elegant dinner

...a 7 course meal is a 1 course meal for you -Lettuce.

...you've driven more than 40 miles to buy a cookie.

...it takes you 4 hours to grocery shop and your eyesight is ruined.

...you hold your breath through the bakery section.

...you feel like you need a loan to pay the grocery bill.

...your bread weighs more than a moon rock and just happens to resemble one as well.

...you've disinherited loved ones for putting their knife in your mayo.

...you've brought a suitcase full of food with you on an over night trip

...your family thinks you're crazy for not tasting their new chocolate chip cookie recipe, because surely a little nibble couldn't hurt right?

...you show up at the annual church pancake breakfast with a mask and lettuce rollups

...having solid poop is the highlight of your day.

...you have actually considered using a gluten-free bagel for a hockey puck

...you've mastered saying "I actually enjoy MY food" (without your face twitching)

... you hide the gluten-free cookies when guests come over, so they don’t eat them.

...you read the ingredient label on green tea - plain green tea.

...you cried when you saw your family member brushing the crumbs off their hands (from making a gluten-containing sandwich) RIGHT OVER the open utensil drawer

...you hear of a new health food store opening in a city close by and get ridiculously excited only to drive there, spend 2 hours walking around, reading labels, only to leave empty handed

... if you know that Xantham Gum is not for chewing.

... if you don't lick stamps