Welcome to Dana's blog!

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ #11 ~ 12/1/08

FOR TODAY...

Needing a little help here

Hi again. I'm asking for a little help. As I mentioned I'm in the process of going gluten free and am looking for some good recipes that have been tried and true so to speak. I did type in gluten free on the home page and did come up with a couple but if anyone out there has any ideas, good recipes, or web site suggestions I'd really, really appreciate it. I've tried google but come up with sooooooo many sites and don't know which are good sites or not.

Thank you in advance for any help!!

Michele

Ok, I did find one website I like. Here it is:  http://www.gingerlemongirl.blogspot.com/

It's December.......

Good morning everyone and Happy December 1st. Yesterday marked the first Sunday in Advent - what a joyous occasion. Our church is doing something new this year - our Christmas tree is being transformed to be a "family" tree. Each family will be bringing in an ornament representing the "true" meaning of Christmas - boughten, home made, ect... They will replace the Chrismons that have been placed on the tree for forever. I suggested using some of the prettier and smaller Chrismons too. It's in consideration. I'm thinking if they just stop using them there will be a division and that wouldn't be good.

I will be going to the storage unit on my way home this morning to pick up my holiday decorations. I'll get my tree this coming weekend - I'm off so will be perfect. I may suprise my niece and ask her to come along and help pick it out. I always go to a tree farm 15miles out - they have a nice variety, are fresh cut and if you don't find something you like that is already cut you can wander out to the field and he'll cut it for you on the spot. I've never paid more than $15 for any size tree. I'm going to go smaller this year as it's just me, the dog and the cat at home now.

I go for my diabetes check on Wednesday. I've a few things to talk over with my doctor. One of the things I've been researching is a low-no gluten diet. I'm thinking that may help my blood sugars since no matter what I eat seems to make them spike. I've totally banned white foods (breads, rice, ect) from my diet and it worked well for a while but the last 8 months it hasn't seemed to make much of a difference. I do have access to most all of the different things used in baking and cooking gluten free so won't have to order it from a company - that is fortunate and would make trying it much easier. To be honest, I'm also hoping it would help me feel better - I've been having stomach issues for about a year or more now and after reading up on this diet, I've been able to associate several issues to the gluten.  We'll see. The only down side if it were to be a permanant change is I've a LOT of whole wheat flours and such in my storage. Nobody in my family will use it so would have to find someone to give it to.

Well, it's order night so better get going. Wishing you all a blessed Advent season!

Basketball

My boys have started basketball and are thoroughly enjoying it.  The coach is fabulous and they are having so much fun while really learning the game.  It is so cute to see them out there. 

Coach going over the rules.

Gotta stretch!!

Parker playing defense

Dribble, Dribble, Dribble

And that was all I could take before my camera died.  I was so upset!!!  I LOVE to take pics of my kiddos and now I am camera-less.    I did get a video of each boy doing their warm-up drills.  For some reason they are not going onto the entry page.  To watch them click on the comments button and go to the end of the entry.  If anyone knows how I can fix this....please let me know!   Thanks!!

Here piggy ,piggy, Kristi and Ee

I am sharing pictures of Kristi and her pet sow Ee.  Ee is from our old sow Tuna.  Kristi picked Ee out as soon as she was born.  She told us with her cute little smile and batting her eyelashes " this is my baby".   With that cute look how could we say no.   Her brother begged Kristi so much to let him have her, but Kristi held firm on it, NO!!

This is Kristi and Ee when Ee was about 3 weeks old:

Don't they look cute!!

Here is Ee on her 1st birthday.  Kristi made her a birthday cake :

Here is Kristi playing with Ee at night:

Here is a head shot of Ee next to Kristi:

Kristi hurt her knee one day and the Dr told her no horse back riding for 2 weeks.  So what does she do??? See for your self :

A real piggy back ride!!  We took a picture to show her Dr. her "New ride".   Our Dr. knowing our family ( a bunch of smart butts, Dr. is also one)  just laughed and went around showing the nurses and other Dr.'s her new ride!!!

Here is Ee's mom Tuna:

Last we have some of Ee's puppies (babies I every baby a puppy)

One more. This is Ee with her children Tommie and Heffa:

We still have Ee and Tommi , but we sold Heffa to a neighbor.  We did not have enough room in our freezer for her.

God Bless, mj

I have been cooking and baking up a storm!!

Wish you all could have seen the whirl wind of mixing and baking and such that has been going on in my kitchen in the last few hours!!!  LOL  My friends Marcia and Caina came by today to help me get ready for the big dinner party tomorrow, and we got more done in a couple of hours than I might haven gotten done all day long.  Marcia is a slave driver and fast with her hands, so she stepped in to mix everything as I chopped some onions, grabbed utensils and ingredients for her and kept Noah occupied playing in the sink with some soapy water and a few mixing spoons and cups.  (He had a blast and by the time we were done, he was drenched from head to toe and my socks were drenched with water he had flung on the floor too!  LMSO  Now, before you say Why would you let him do this??? Listen people, it is just soapy water, and I changed his clothes before his nap, and well, the floor was going to be mopped after all the baking anyway.  LMSO  Now I have one spot of the floor that doesn't need that uch scrubbing.  LMSO)

The girls needed to go to the store for a few items, and they are bringing back 2 missing ingredients that hubby forgot to get me last night while my Noah (he was getting tired after all the water play! *giggles* naps and I keep my eye on the things in the oven.

So far today we have:

1. Made a double batch of hot rolls (they are baked and cooling now.  I will warm them up for the dinner tomorrow)

2.  Made a double batch of pecan pie muffins (which fell apart when we were taking them from the muffin pan, but man do they taste good.  we may make another batch in muffin papers if we still have time)

3.  Mixed up a batch of sweet and sour meatballs (they are in the fridge with sauce awaiting to be cooked tomorrow)

4.  Made a double batch of wrapped little smokies( they are in the oven now and making me sooooo hungry!!  You take little smokies, wrap them in a small piece of bacon, secure with a toothpick, and then pour a mixture of brown sugar and water over the top..........YUMMO)

5.  Put a large pork loin in the crockpot (with broth and onion soup mix on LOW)

When the girls get back:

1.  Mix up spinach dip and cheeseball

2.  Make cornbread dressing (will bake today and heat up tomorrow)

3.  Mix up green bean casserole (bake tomorrow???)

4.  Make up a seven layer lettuce salad

5. Mix up and pour cheesecakse into a crust

Matthew bought 2 pumpkin pies last night at the store because I told him I had a new recipe I wanted to try on pumpkin dessert in the crockpot.  He wrinkled his nose and said he would buy 2 pies.  LMSO  Isn't he funny?? Oh well, maybe I will try the recipe for Christmas instead.

Well, the smokies in the oven are calling my name.  I think I should go and taste test them before the girls get back. LMSO

See ya later!

Homemade Ideas for a 15 year old: for tcrossland and others

I am having a blast making homemade gifts for my friends and family members this year!!!  How about you guys???  Well recently I posted a blog about homemade Christmas and how our family is cutting WAY back on gift giving.  Some of the reason of course is a tight budget and the seemingly always rise of cost of living expenses.  The other reason??? Because some (not all, don't think I am preaching, because I am not) store bought gifts are thoughtless, and think about it.  Is that person going to use it, or stuff it in a drawer and sell it at their next yard or garage sale?  LMSO

I wanted our Christmas this year to be filled with joy and not fretting over what to give.  I want all the presents we give to be from the heart and for us this year, alot of that means homemade.  I am putting alot of thought into each person's gift and I hope they appreciate all the time and effort I am going into making them as well!!

I had a commenter ask ifI had any homemade ideas for a 15 year old boy, and I thought,  sure, I will just right a blog about it!!

I have a few upper teen and lower twenties guys I am going to be making for, so here are a few of my ideas for them:

1.  A "special pillowcase" with lots of zippered and other pockets in it to carry stuff in.  An ipod shaped pocket of course is a must!

2.  An ipod cozy!!!  You can crochet these, sew them, make them from felt.  Google ipod cozy and you should find many ideas on this one.

3.  A  T-shirt quilt!  This is one I am using for my hubby this year.  He has a collecton of old (and very well worn, little pinholes in them, etc.) Christian T-shirts that he will not let go of.  I have bouught him new ones and he loves the new ones, but he still wears the ratty ones.  To get them out of circulation, I am going to cut the designs out, sew them together with fabric strips and make them into a blanket.  This one will be a 9 t-shirt quilt, but if your boy has many many t's....then make them into a twin sized cover or larger.  (This is an excellent idea for a boy going off to college to display his quilt on his bed at college!!)

4.  A fleece scarf or fleece blanket.  You can buy all kinds of fleece now, some with college team logos on them even.  Find out his favorite team and buy some fleece and sew up a scarf or blanket, or if you don't sew, cut you can blanket stitch or just cut and fringe the ends!  Let him show off his team spirit with a wonderful homemade gift.

5.  A blue jean blanket.  I am making one of these for my 22 year old nephew.  He recently married my neice and he is a farm boy through and through.  I think he will love the blanket and of course I am making it big enough so he and his new wife can cuddle under it together.  I have been collecting jeans from friends and family as they clean out their closets, and buying bags full at the thrift shop for only 10 cents a piece, so this is a cheap present. 

As I said before, some of these presents I have intentions in making before Christmas for presents, so when I get them done, I will post pics of them on my craft blog:  www.homesteadblogger.com/craftypudding

Feel free to visit my posts there anytime to get ideas or inspiration for your own craftiness!!!

Happy and Content...

On Thanksgiving I was blessed not to have to cook.  It was a nice meal that my MIL had prepared.  My husband's nephew and his (nephew's) girlfriend came up to visit from Colorade.  It was really nice to see them.  They are nice kids... can I say that???  LOL... they are younger than me!  LOL. 

Last night I picked up my nephew and he spent the night with us, wanting to share in the Friday morning sales.  This has been a tradition for us, although it is becoming apparent that a NEW tradition may need to be started.  We only needed "two" things this year and so we got up early (3:30 am) and went to get the items.  We had to hit 4 stores to try to get the best price, so we split up... my daughter taking another daughter and I took my nephew and another daughter.  By 9 am we were done shopping... really didn't have anything we wanted... so we went out for breakfast... the funnest part of the tradition, I guess... the kids enjoy getting together and when we eat out, somehow we can eat what we like and my nephew what he likes and everyone is happy.  (and I don't have to do dishes or cook!) 

Since we were done with early bird sales, I went to Menards to get some room paint for my kids' rooms.  After the rebate we'll pay about $3.50 per gallon of paint.  I got 4 gallons of paint and that is enough to do 3 bedrooms!  They needed painting so the paint rebate sale was a blessing for us!  That wasn't an early bird special... just a sale that we happened to want to hit.  I also hit a Friday sale at JoAnn Fabrics.  Our family tradition is to get new pajamas each year.  Looking at the prices, I just sighed... I opted instead to buy some fabric on sale and make our own.  Flannel was on sale for $1.49 a yard and I figured I could make a pair of pajamas for  between $3 and $6 each. 

My girls happened to be tired of shopping and opted to go home while I ran some needed errands.  I stopped by the  bank, filled up the car with gas and that is then when I stopped at the fabric store and enjoyed a peaceful time of looking at material and patterns without a little one trying to steal my attention.  I arrived home to a clean house.. the girls cleaned the house and even mopped the floors. 

I am tired tonight.  From being up so early, I imagine.  That is Okay.  After watching so many people today... I have been pondering much about my interactions, our traditions, etc.  I long for the quiet and some time to think.  After each store we retreated to our car which played softly playing Christmas music.  It was soothing.   Our favorite part of the day was simply just eating and talking together.  My kids have enjoyed this 5AM tradition of shopping (I got up at 3:30 simply because that's when I woke up).  I realized they just enjoy getting together with their cousin and spending time together.  They don't have much in common with him, so the "Shopping" was a way to connect.  But today they found they connected by just eating together and making conversation.   Perhaps God is leading our hearts to change!  Perhaps it is time for traditions to change. I saw my nephew open up today.  My youngest, Paige, cried when I picked her up at 7:45 am so Dad could go to work.  She wanted to be with Daddy.  My nephew quietly watched her cry (and I noticed a sympathetic expression in his manners) ...I simply kissed her and said... I like being with Daddy, too.  It was enough... Enough to have someone understand her little heartache.  That heartache, however is a longing with my nephew that he just doesn't talk about at all to us.  His Dad has never been around for him since birth.  He talked to him a couple times on the phone, but to my knowledge has never met his Dad.  When my sister came to pick him up, they talked a bit and she shared that her other son was visiting his Dad and she was upset that he wasn't a good role model and my nephew just simply said... at least he has a Dad, I'd give anything to spend time with my Dad.  My sister just pushed that aside and changed the conversation.   I just was amazed that my nephew said that outloud.  He has often shut down, cried but would never open up...(not even to his Mom and especially not us) and to have him open up today... was quite amazing.  It had to be God working in his heart!  So tradition is good in the sense that it got us getting my nephew comfortable with going shopping together for 3 -4 years now... and I'm hoping that with him feeling able to open up a bit, that perhaps we can connect on a different level than "shopping".    Much to think about and ponder!

For now, I am content and happy.  

Warmly, ~Melissa

The Day After Dinner: Not What You Would Expect

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family yesterday.  It was hosted by my brother and SIL, so she did alot of cooking and everyone brought a dish.  Needless to say, I was thrilled I didn't have to cook for all the people that were there, approximately 35!  The house was crowded, and when our Noah walked in and saw everyone, he turned around and walked right back out. LMSO  He was a little overwhelemed with everyone wanting to say hello to him, and was very clingy at first.  But after dinner, everyone cleaned up and the gang spreads out in the basement (the men who watch the football game on the big screen, which usually turns into the men who fall asleep in the recliners. LOL), the kids on the main floor playing Wii and the women in the dining and kitchen area talking and laughibng, some of the littlier kids playing outside on toys or in the sand, or at the table in the sunroom playing with playdough, and a few upstairs playing computer games.  By then Noah found some toys and was making himself at home and visiting with everyone!!

Today, I am making one of hubby's all time favorite meals.  What he doesn't know is that I love making this meal because it is so darn easy!!!  LMSO  We call is Cheesy Potatoes and Ham.  I put one bag of shredded potatoes in the crockpot with 2 cans of cheddar cheese soup and 1 can of milk and stir.  I add chunks of thick sliced ham and let it cook.  I some back every once in a while and stir it, but that is basically it! LMSO  SOOOO easy!  Tonight about supper time, I will pop some crescent rolls into the oven and some peas on the stovetop and we will be done!! TA-DA as Noah would say.

I am making a super easy dinner tonight because I am cleaning today and tomorrow and cooking in the evenings getting ready for hubby's family Thanksgiving celebration this Sunday.  They will be coming to our house (thank goodness....if you have read my blogs any, you know I don't like their messy house and refuse to eat my MIL's cooking due to the uncleanliness and lack of cooking abilities the lady has) and I will be cooking everything.  Matthew's sister asked last night if there was anything she could bring and I said sure, bring some pop and a small bag of ice! LOL  We rarely ever have pop in the house, but his family drinks it constantly.  It is simply something we don't buy and I won't spend money on, so this way she can pick out the flavors her family drinks and I figure before the day is over, we will definately need more ice for drinks.

Tonight (after hubby gets home with a few crucial ingredients from the store.  He is working today, so the house is nice and quiet.  LOL  I can't seem to get my cleaning done when he is here!  Are any of you like that?) I will make the spinach dip and cheeseball and refrigerate.  And sometime today or this evening I plan on making pecan pie muffins (I chate pecan pie, but I adore these muffns!!! YUMMY! ), a bundt cake and a plain cheesecake (toppings will be available). 

Tomorrow will be a day to clean the rooms I didn't get cleaned up today  (LOL), and to prep things for Sunday morning to be popped in the oven.  I will prep some little smokies (we wrap them in bacon, and put them in the crockpot with a little water in the bottom and sprinkle brown sugar over it all....they are delicious!!!!!!!! Addictive!!!), and sweet and sour meatballs (along with the dip and cheeseball and crackers will be appetizers).  Then I will put a pork loin and vegetables in another crockpot.  I also plan on making green been casserole, stuffing, seven layer salad, and hot rolls, several of which I can bake off and reheat or at least prep on Saturday.

For desserts we will have a chocolate cheesecake, a regular cheesecake, the bundt cake, a pumpkin dessert thingy (crockpot), and of course I will eat the pecan pie muffins as a dessert!  LMSO

Sounds yummy doesn't it??? Of course I am making WAY too much food.  But that's ok, because some can be eaten for leftovers on Monday and Tuesday.  Other things will be frozen for a leftover night later on in the following week.  None will go to waste!!!  (Hope it doesn't go to waist either!!)

I was very careful yesterday not to overeat (becky helped by grabbing my fork and pushing the pumpkin roll away as I was practicially drooling on it wanting a second piece! LOL), and I will do my best to do the same on Sunday!!!  So far, since the whole diet thing started, I have lost 22 pounds (took a month off to not push myself so much in October, and I am glad I did!!), and I don't plan on gaining any during the holidays!!!

More Crafty Goodness: A Small Fabric Dollhouse

Hello all.  I have been at it again.  Crafting and sewing up a storm.  LOL  These following things are for a swap in which we craft or sew things for each other's children.  I was so excited to see the tutorial for the dollhouse on my partner's wish list that I decided to make her one as well as one for my neice for Christmas.  The felt items were also on her wish list, one for each child. 

So, here are the pics!!

These are the three felted notebook covers and pencil pouches she requested. 

And here are some pics of the fabric doll house I made for her little girl!!  This is the front of the house with a front door (and a bluebird above it), and window made from felt added on.  The red on the top is the ribbon handles.

Here is the side of the house.  As you can tell it closes with loops (made from small hair ties) and buttons. 

Here is a picture of the house opened up to see the inside.  The green portion is to resemble the garden outside.  How cute huh???

And another pic of the whole house!!! 

Interested in making a fabric dollhouse for a sweet little girl in your family??? Here is the online tutorial I used. http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2008/08/fabric_dollhouse_tutorial.html?CMP=OTC-5JF307375954     In some areas it was a little hard to understand what she was talking about, but I can honestly say I muddled through.  If anyone is interested in making it, and gets confused, please feel free to message me and I can see if I can help!!!

I seriously want to be a littl girl so I can make myself one to play with. LMSO