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Most of you know that for the most part we are gluten-free/wheat-free. I havent been as consistent or as picky about it. Until about a month ago when I found out that my son is very sensitive to wheat and possibly dairy. Therefore I did more of a strict diet and it has seemed to help the problems we were facing (nasty runny diapers, rashy area and unsoothing crankiness). However, I do not like experimenting with recipes so much. I want what is put in front of me and I want to get out of the kitchen as quickly as possible. I know, great homemaker attitude there huh?
For the most part when I started out doing GF with David I didnt find many recipes that appealed to us. Rice bread was always dry and substituting a certain flour just made it edible. But in the past couple weeks I have made:
Shoofly pie with GF crust- Got an A from Hubby
Bread 2 weekly (A+ from hubby and I’ll actually eat this)
Tonight I found a nice moist cornbread recipe (pst, worked really well in the cast iron skillet)
Who knows what else lies out there? I found 2 blogs:
http://glutenfreemamafriends.blogspot.com/
http://mennonitegirlscancook.blogspot.com/
So, what else is going on in our little corner of the city? Well, yesterday my husband made a chest/box/window seat for our livingroom. I havent taken pictures because the lid isnt made and I already filled it with um, stuff. But he did a good job.
I have been sewing and learning to make pretty cards;

I have also been trying to create a winter nightgown like the one I have on my Etsy store-
This is what I have so far. It may look dull and uncreative but I hope it will be a cute nightgown soon.

Still looking forward to start plowing the ground for fall. I need to get a move on it yesterday.
Its so blazing hot again. 103 today. 75 last week. This is definetly the desert.

Tuesday:
I cleaned out 10 old bills and papers and newspapers that were just clutter. I should do my homekeeping magazines… but I’m hanging onto those.
Wednesday:
Cleaned out 4 skirts that didnt fit me well
1 shirt that was too small
5 jewelry cases.
Thursday:
2 dresses that dont fit Euphemia
1 old paper fan
4 books
3 peices of fabric that I will never use.
Is anyone reading my blog joining me? How is it coming along?
Of course I was SOOOO blessed today with a bag/box of clothing for Stephen. I think I kept almost everything in there except a pair of pants and a jammie set only because I knew that the jamies he had plenty of and the pants I knew someone could use very much.
Overalls are all mine. Sorry.
I’m by nature a follower… so I’m following Mumsie’s decluttering challenge. It was easy today.
Today I got rid of 10+ gift wrapping/bag items and freecycled them. And I barely touched my stash. <blush>
No pictures though….
My friend sent me these LOVELY napkins. I’m in heaven. I love them. How refreshing to sit with a cuppa tea and know that you’ll love your napkin beside it. Quality fabric, and quality sewing. Ahh yes. The good life.

But I have a daughter that needs more than a napkin, She also sent me a bib that has been used well for the day. The bib she is wearing now was a baby gift from our crazy packer fan. It always makes me think of her when we use it. Such a smile we all wear while she wears her bib. Oh yes, Stephen uses it too.

And we harvested our first very puny strawberry today. Unfortunetly if we didnt pick it soon the birds would have feasted on it. It might be the only strawberry of the season. I so long for the days when you could just grow a field of them and enjoy them all summer long.

And lastly, My gorgeous and wonderful Sister Braelyn took family photos a couple weeks ago. Here is a sample of what we have!

May God richly bless you all! Thank you for reading this blog. I very much enjoy comments so drop one by!
Outside my Window-
David cleaning a new vaccum and Emma playing in the wagon.
I am thinking…
That Stephen really likes noise makers.
From the learning rooms…
We are learning how windmills work.
I am thankful for…
Beautiful Summer days that allow fresh air and exercise.
From the kitchen…
Gluten Free Quiche is ready to be made.
I am wearing …
A Summer plaid button down dress. Very feminine. David loves it.
I am reading…
Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and TRYING to get through a Debbie Macomber book.
I am hoping…
To get some sewing time in today.
I am creating…
New outfits for the kidlets. Froggies. Dell would like that.
I am praying…
For healing to those that need the Great Physician, Strength for the weak, and grace for the sinner.
Around the house…
I am trying to acomplish a clean livingroom.
One of my favorite things…
Watching my husband give a good hearty laugh.
A few plans for the rest of the week…
Family walk, Birthday dinner for Daddy, Nice bike ride.
A picture to share…
Our favorite pastime around here…

So, I’ve been wanting to get a haircut for months. Finally I could stand it no longer and did an internet search on cutting you own hair. I had a lot of sceptical look and comments. But now, once they see my haircut and how we did it, they are floored… in a good way. I saved $90 doing this myself.
Using this method, I ended up with this look;

Valentines is coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love is in the air, so, this month I am offering a girlie set of burp cloths. They are handmade by me (of course) from the most cutest flannel ever! Its unique shape offers a nice lay-over-the-shoulder look and feel. If you cant use them, they make excellent baby shower gifts. The edges are hand stitched and its just darling! I have used them with both of my children. My husband asked me to make some plain ones (rectangle as aposed to my shapley ones) and then hated them. There is a set of five. I’ll pay shipping.


Valentine is also a season to make lovely cookies. The cleanup shouldnt be a drag, so I’m also putting in these two dishcloths.

All you have to do is enter! Winers to be anounced Next monday. Happy Valentines Day!
No not my own, my friends blog linked me to this one
http://mountainmorning.blogspot.com/2008/08/this-weeks-giveaway.html
I enjoy Martha Greene so much and wanted to share this opportunity. And a free vintage apron too!
Ok, for my healthy recipe-
Zuccini and Italian sausage side dish
Skin the italian sausage. cut into quarters. Cook covered, in some chicken broth over low-med heat.
Once cooked add sliced zuccini peices. Note; you may need to add more chicken broth.
Serve over rice and with some baked Chicken.
The joke’s on me! I didn’t look at the dates posted and therefore missed the fact that this contest was held back in August. But enjoy the recipe anyway!
Hello! We are all adjusting over here to a new little one in the home, and what a home it is too! Slowly but surely our little nest is becoming a haven. A place where I am content, satisfied, at peace.

We have been battling a very nasty cold/cough over here. Dearest husband has had it the worst. 104 temperature. A cough so hard your muscles hurt. He has been home all week… which, if you know my husband, says a whole lot. So weak, so achy, barely eating, its been hard. The kidlets have had pink eye (including our newest, Stephen). I think its finally clearing up with them but with the adults, so light is in sight. We have been guzzling water, echinecea, garlic, and chicken broth but no avail. Its nasty whatever it is. A lot of the males in the valley have had it the worst. My daddy had it for a while and it was rough for him too.

I have been very busy today but I kept telling myself all day to get busy. Isn’t it funny how that works?
I took care of sick children
Took care of sick hubby
Made meals
Cleaned up
Had an appt with midwife
Cleaned many diapers
Made Christmas pajama’s (3)
Sewed three jumpers
And just finished a bonnet
Its amazing once you start writting out your doings that you realize how much you have acomplished. Luckily all the sewing was easy since the hard parts were mostly done.

Enjoy the Holiday Season!
For two days now its has been gloriously raining. I love the smell of fresh air after a rain. Our valley here has so much dust in the air that at night, if you take a flash light and shine it up to the sky, you can see all the dust your breathing day by day. Its scary. But rain dampens all that. We now have such fresh air to breath. OUr plants are so happy with the water and our land is rich in soil.
I love the sky after a rain. This picture was taken this morning-

It was hard to take a picture of the majestic sky. The sunrise brought a glorious color to our valley. The kind you only can read about or see in a movie. I love today’s weather.
We also harvested some green beans. We have a WONDERFUL crop this year. Last year we would save our daily pickin’s til we had enough for a meal. This year, we pick as needed for a meal. Its so wonderful and they are sooo delicious!

And then Emma and Daddy enjoyed their corn on the cob. I thought this was sucha cute picture.

Have a wonderful weekend!

