Happy Halloween

Colors Are Changing

Bayley and Marlee got a much-needed bath today.  They do not like scrub-ups :/ but the temps were in the mid-70's today and perfect for puppy baths.  Bathing them is a lot like a chore.  So glad it's out of the way for a little while, anyway.

The leaves are finally taking on their gorgeous hues.  I was so afraid they were just going to turn brown and fall off, but no, the hills are alive with color and I am loving it.  :)  My mums are beautiful, and bring a smile every time I glance out the window.  On days like today, their fragrance drifts on the breeze and they hum with bees getting drunk off of their nectar.  We had our first hard freeze last Saturday morning, so these are the only flowers left blooming.  The cotoneaster is full of red berries, and the barberry is dressed in lovely colors.  My favorite time of the year...

Happy October

This is a  little wallhanging that I made for my friend's birthday.  Her birthday is Sunday, and although there are tons of other seasonal things I would love to make for her, I always seem to end up with a pumpkin---just because it's AUTUMN LOL.  I used the folded square triangles to hang it and stuck in a goldenrod stick as the hanger.

I Think I've Finally Found It...

my quick (relatively speaking) and easy go-to tortilla/flatbread/pizza crust/rollup gluten free bread recipe.  I just try making a few, and they were yummy while warm with butter and rolled up.  Kinda like a chewy butter biscuit...well, sorta, kinda :D

http://thesittingtree.blogspot.com/2010/08/gluten-free-tortilla-recipe.html

Gluten Free ~ Full Moon Flat Bread Recipe::

3c. gluten free flour mix

1 1/2 tsp. xanthan gum

2 tsp. sugar

1 tsp. salt

1c. warm water

Mix all of the dry ingredients together.  Add water and mix until smooth.  Divide dough into 8 balls and on a floured surface, roll dough thin like a pie crust.  Heat a small amount of oil in a griddle and cook until golden brown on both sides.  Cool and serve.  We love it with tacos, cream cheese and veggies, pb&j, and honey!
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Chunky Apple Muffins (Gluten Free)

This is what the sky looked like 3 years ago today :)

 

These are muffins are amaaaazingly good :D

Chunky Apple Muffins

 

Prep time: 10 minutes       Cook time: 20 minutes       Yield: 15 muffins

 

Ingredients

 

1 1/2 cups (210 g) high-quality all-purpose gluten-free flour
3/4 teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if your blend already contains it)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup (100 g) sugar, plus 2 tablespoons more
8 tablespoons (112 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup (240 g) plain Greek yogurt or sour cream (not fat free)
1 extra-large egg at room temperature, beaten
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups (200 g) peeled, cored and diced firm apples (I used Gala, but Granny Smith would be even better) – about 2 medium-sized apples
2 teaspoons cornstarch

Directions

• Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with greaseproof liners and set it aside (or set up 14 to 15 nut cups, if using those instead).
  
• In a large bowl, place the flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/2 cup sugar, and whisk to combine well. Add the butter, Greek yogurt (or sour cream), egg and vanilla, one at a time, mixing to combine after each addition. Set the bowl aside.
  
• In a separate medium-sized bowl, place the diced apples, and add the remaining 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and the cornstarch, and mix gently to combine. Place 2/3 of the diced apples (about 1 cup apples with cinnamon, sugar and cornstarch) in the batter, and mix until evenly distributed throughout the batter. Fill the prepared muffin cups about 3/4 of the way full with batter and smooth the tops with wet fingers. Place 3 to 4 of the remaining diced apples on top of the batter in the cups, and press in gently to secure them.
  
• If using the nut cups, place them about 1 inch apart on rimmed baking sheets. Place the muffin tin or baking sheets with muffin cups in the center of the preheated oven and bake until lightly golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean (19 to 21 minutes).
  
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the cups (or muffin tin) before serving.
  

This recipe was brought to you by Nicole Hunn of Gluten-Free on a Shoestring:
http://glutenfreeonashoestring.com/chunky-apple-muffins/

© 2013 Gluten Free on a Shoestring, All Rights Reserved.

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Happy First Day of Fall

I borrowed this photo from online just to wish every one a Happy First Day of Fall

Attitude Adjustment

Full Harvest Moon Tonight

I am so saddened and appalled at the shooting at the Naval Yard in D.C. 

We Will Never Forget

Ready to Embrace September

Happy Labor Day weekend---happy September.  I am ready for the seasons to change; I'm a seasonal kind of person.  Don't think I could live very happily where there is only one Season.  For the most part, this Summer has been so much nicer than last year when we went from Winter straight into sweltering Summer.  I have had a love affair with my zinnias this Summer.  I want lots and lots of zinnias.  I am flinging my intentions out into the Universe that next Spring I'm planting lots and lots and then some more Zinnias. They are such happy flowers, and bring a smile to my face every time I glance out the window.

I've been learning to bake and eat gluten-free.  These banana muffins were absolutely scrumptious.  We had company, and they didn't even know they were gluten-free.  Oh so good.

I am missing being with my sister (and all of the others in our family) this Labor Day Weekend.  My mind and heart are spending the weekend in Hillsville, VA, with family and friends.

Had a lovely long chat with my dear niece, Glorie, mostly about quilting, etc., and now that I have finally cleaned up the kitchen (once again), I'm going into the Black Hole of Fabric and cut some 4" squares.  I ALWAYS am inspired to play in fabric when I talk with Glorie.  :)

Something to Ponder---

A conscious being...

SOMETHING TO PONDER: George Carlin

George Carlin's wife died early in 2008 and George followed her, dying in July 2008. It is ironic George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent and so very appropriate. An observation by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember to spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

And always remember, life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by those moments that take our breath away.

George Carlin

Sweltering

Juvenile Bald Eagles