Conference Traditions: Baking

 It's a Cookie!

Yes...Ladies and Gentleman, you too can make cookies that are gluten free and taste just like the regular wheat variety.  This little gem just happens to be a cookie of the Shortbread variety.  It crumbles, crunches, and is rich just like the original. 

So I made 3 dozen for my adoring family who thinks I walk on water because I can still bake.

My secret (and the reason I did not put this on my recipe blog) is this:

Thanks BOB!  Your are a miracle worker...

Saying Goodbye to September

Everything is whizzing past us this month....

It's hard to take time to stop...and smell the roses...

And enjoy the fruits of our labor.

The lazy days of summer are gone...

Happy Fall Everyone!

And The Winner Is.....

AFTON!!!

 Now, do you want me to drop it off tomorrow when I go get my hair done at Corrins.  Or would you like me to snail mail it to you?

Happy Baking!  You'll love the ease, the taste, and the crunchy on the outside chewy on the inside texture.

(of course the random drawing was done by my daughter who picked a number...  :)  )

Ok, My First REAL Giveaway

Now that I know exactly how many people actually read my blog (gotta love the new stat feature!) I feel like celebrating!  Nothing like having 74 people read your blog in one day to give you a big head....  Anyway, a short while ago, I lived a carefree life and could eat anything I wanted.  But being a mother of 5, I was also trying to feed said children healthy things while on a budget.  Not just a money budget, but a time budget as well.  After a friend told me about this book, I immediately went out to purchase it.

Making this bread was easy, yummy and cheap!  Unfortunately, I pay $4.99 for a small loaf of Udi's bread now for my non gluten family members and will be going cold turkey on gluten for the whole family within a few weeks (shhhh!  They don't know it yet, so don't tell them...there might be weeping, wailing, and knashing of teeth!)

So now I have this almost brand new book that is absolutely fabulous, if you can eat wheat, and I can't bear to send it to Goodwill.  Herein lies the giveaway....if you can give me some kind of helpful tip for kids lunches in a comment that does not include wheat or dairy and can't be a repeat of something someone else has already left on a comment, then I will include you in a random drawing for this great book.  I'll even ship it to you!  That's right, I will fork over the cash and go to the post office (no small feat for a mother of 5), so comment away (only once please) and I will pick a winner on the 27th (Monday).

Picture Day (Hair Art)

My daughter has a healthy head of hair.  It's almost down to her waist and she doesn't want to cut it anytime soon.  Recently, she has asked to get it permed like Taylor Swift.

So I set about to make her wish come true for Picture Day.  Rather than spend an unholy amount of time in the morning, I thought I'd give rag rolling a try.  And what goes best with rag rolling waist length hair?  Of course, watching Pride and Prejudice!  While I patiently rolled each section, we enjoyed the ramblings of Mr. Darcy and the Bennetts.

We also discussed our latest read, Catching Fire.  Oh how I love teenagers!  In fact both my son and my daughter read, I Am Number 4, with me.  Ok...I digress...

So this morning I woke up bright and early to "unroll" and see how it turned out.  This was the result...

Let me tell you, this picture does not do it justice!  She liked it.  But when she got home, she was practically bouncing off the walls like Tigger and his amazing corkscrew tail!!  "Mom, I loooove curly hair.  I want to wear it like this all the time.  Mom, I don't care that I didn't buy pics this year....here, look at my Student ID."  She was giddy.  Her only complaint was that she wanted to wear her hair like this all the time and if putting up in a bun for ballet would ruin her new found love.  

My how I love being creative and giving my daughter even more reason to love me.  :)

The Master (following the theme of Art for September)

Today, I became well acquainted with my room.  Nothing brings you closer together than spending every waking (and non-waking) moment together.  I really have a great appreciation for my bed today.  As I lay moaning in agony, waiting for the next wave of pain to hit, I enjoyed the heavy blankets, the red lamps  

and the fan in the background that knocks out all unwanted noise.  I have to admit, I have a profound love for my bed.  My Temperpedic and I have had a great relationship.  He supports me and I continue to move his heavy butt all around Oregon.  So in tribute to him, here is where I spent most of my time today, pondering cross contamination of gluten foods with non gluten foods.  I'll tell you one thing, if you don't understand what being a Celiac is like, next time I'll invite you to my own private hell when a crumb gets ingested inadvertently. 

(I'm fully aware of the overdone color scheme, but the bathroom has red tile and a red hexagon sink...it works.  Besides, the only thing I had to buy to make it work was the new red lamp shades that make anyone look gorgeous and create quite the mood too.  :)  Oh and my romantic heart just loves the art "The Swing" and "Romeo and Juliet" that go perfectly in a red, white and green room)

(the other side of the room with "Romeo" and some random piece of art I picked up a few years ago...not really done with this side of the room yet, but it's functional.)

My Art

                        My "Creations" and their unique personalities...

The "Diva"

The "Athlete"

The "Scientist"

The "Lover"

The "Star Student"

What I love about these shots is they are totally unplanned but showcase all of their different styles...this is as real as it gets...