GF Congo Bars

Gluten Free Congo Bars

(from Gluten Free Mama's Blog)

10 T. butter

2 c.brown sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

3 eggs

2 1/2 c. Mamas Almond Blend Flour

1 tsp. xantham gum

2 tsp. Baking Powder

1/2. tsp salt

1 c. chocolate chips

1 c. chopped nuts

Blend butter and sugar until fluffy, add eggs and vanilla 

and beat until blended. Add dry ingredients until well

mixed, stir in choc. chips and nuts.

Put into 9x13 greased pan.
Bake until very light brown, do not over bake!

Bake @ 350* for 20-22 minutes 

I only have one word to say about these...

YUM!!

Bridal Shower

My daughter-in-law to be had

her shower this weekend at my home.

The theme was garden party even 

though it was snowing off and on.

I got some pics of the decor but completely 

forgot to take any of the bride to be!

It was a HUGE shower and I was a little

scattered with all that was going on:)

 This suitcase idea was from Celebrations at Home

Engineer Hat

Our Challenge this week was to make

an accessory. I had already planned

to make this hat for Pierce's outfit

so I did that as my challenge.

see Post

Qucik Fix

Every time I have a big event in my home

I look at this one folding chair

and think..."oh dear!"

and then do nothing. But today I ran

up to my sewing room and did a 

quick fix that took about 5 minutes max.

Problem solved.

Glazed Pork Chops

Pork chops with Maple Mustard Glaze

(See Cooking Light for recipe)

I served these with a light version of Broccoli Salad

and baked potato wedges.

The guys in my family liked them a lot,

and so I think it was a success.

A Walk Around Bellevue

Me and My Guy went away for

a weekend of R&R

in Bellevue, WA.

In case you don't know where that

is -it is East of Seattle.

This is where Microsoft is based

and Bill Gates lives near there.

I lasted one day in the middle of the city

and then I just had to get out into the 

green spaces and walk until

I found some water and signs of Spring...

That's me...

I can find so much peace in Nature.

Coffee Time!

This week the challenge with

 was to take a photo, alter it and use it in a

project!

I took some photos of coffee, altered it with

color and texture and made this canvas

using different elements and papers.

I had so much fun with it that I made several more

with other photos and ideas:)

Fun things for the Wall

I have really been enjoying using canvases

in different ways...these

are a few examples. They will be for sale

at a later date in a Spring Sale

at my home.

Watch for details to come:)

Jumbleberry Crumble

Jumbleberry Crumble

(recipe from Taste of Home modified for GF)

3 c. strawberries

1 c. raspberries

1 c. blackberries

1 c. blueberries

2/3 c. sugar

3 T. tapioca starch

1 c. GF all purpose flour

1 c. qucik cooking oats

1 c. brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2c. butter melted

Mix berries, sugar and tapioca starch

together and let set for 15 minutes.

Pour into 9 x 13 pan. 

Mix together topping ingredients and 

sprinkle over berries. 

Bake @ 350*

45-50 minutes

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream

This was very good!

Just the right amount of tart and sweet

and no one would guess it was GF:)

Vintage Girl on Canvas #2

I tried another canvas with mixed media

and a painted figure (2) actually,

but still had some trouble with getting

the faces in the right spot.

I love the color combo on this one 

and the use of the two figures so 

my quotes could be about friendship.

I'm a Star Outfit

This weeks challenge for

 was to sew an item of clothing for a child.

This is what I came up with for Pierce.

The vest is made of a very soft corduroy.

Simplicity 2292 (modified) for vest and pants.
I'm also making a hat but need to measure his head first:)

2 More Bags

I'm on a roll!

My stash of cut out projects is dwindling

at last...

And no, I'm not planning on having a

bag for every outfit!

These will be in a sale later this spring.

Baked Pasta

This recipe is an easy and light

version that I tried for my

Baker's Review

 I also made it Gluten Free and no one

even knew:)

Baked Pasta

8 oz GF Pasta cooked and drained

1/2 lb ground Turkey cooked with 

Italian seasoning, salt, basil, pepper, onion and garlic

to taste.

1 jar of Pasta Sauce (I used Hunts)

1 T. Basil

1 c. grated mozzarella and Parmesan cheese

Toss all ingredients together except cheese.

Put 1/2 of pasta mixture in 2 quart pan,

sprinkle with 1/2 cheese. 

Cover with the rest of the pasta and 

remaining cheese.

Bake @ 350

30 min.

Button Jar

I managed to come up with a

quick idea so I could link up with Aimee

I have so many misc. buttons and have

just had them in a bag, but this

got me motivated to "cute up" a 

jar and put them in that instead.

Junk Salvation Show 2012

I managed to drag myself out of

the house today even though I have

a migraine and go to Hillsboro

for the Spring 2012 Junk Salvation Show.

I didn't buy much and felt kind of sluggish

from the meds I had to take 

but it was good show.

I just took a few pics as some of the 

booths were not allowing photos this time...

I've never had that happen before 

and am not sure why.

Perhaps a lot of copy cat designs 

are showing up in other shows? 

It is hard not to think,

"well I could make that and sell it for a lower price!"

So that could be the problem.

My Chunky Monkey

5 1/2 months already and 

weighing as much as his big 

sister did at 18 months!!

Look at the rolls on his arms- you should see 

his thighs...LOL

Pierce

Grandma's 2nd pride and joy:)

Tuscan Turkey Soup

Tuscan Turkey Soup

1 c. onion chopped

1 c. celery chopped

1/2 c. chopped red pepper

1 tsp. minced garlic

2 T. olive oil

28 oz chicken broth
1 lb. ground Turkey, browned

1 15 oz.can pumpkin

1 can white beans

basil

salt

pepper

grated parmesan cheese

In a large saucepan, saute onion, celery, red pepper 

and garlic until tender.

Stir in broth, turkey, pumpkin, beans and seasonings.

Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, 

uncovered 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serve with Parmesan cheese on top.

This may sound like an odd recipe

 with pumpkin etc in soup, but actually it was delicious! 

The pumpkin is not readily obvious when you taste it, 

but it adds creaminess and fiber without fat and it

is packed with protein so it's a great 

soup for eating healthy too.