Preservative & Gluten Free Pancakes

I made my first preservative free/gluten free pancakes the other day!

I just made up a recipe and was pleasantly pleased.

Preservatice & Gluten Free Pancakes

Put dry ingredients in mixing bowl:
1 cup Brown Rice Flour
1 Tbls dry brown rice cereal
1 Tbls cornstarch
1 Tbls brown sugar
1 Tabs baking powder
½ teaspoon sea salt
Add and stir in according to desired consistency:
½-1 cup buttermilk

May add blueberries or banana slices after placing in pan, before flipping if you like

Review: The dry Brown Rice cereal gave it a whole grain taste and texture which I liked.

They were fluffy and I didn't feel like I was missing out on "real" pancakes.

I'm not a big fan of pancakes, but once in awhile I like a really good one with fruit, and these really hit the spot. Try 'em, I think you'll like them, and so will the rest of the family.

Awards

What a wonderful thing to receive not one but two awards from

Sufficient Grace for Suffering Saints.

Award Creator

Please visit her. You will be encouraged by the words and heart she has to share.

I appreciate and accept the awards most humbly.

Now it is my turn to pass one some "humble buttons" as my dear Husband calls them.

Just a thought...how can you wear a humble button humbly?

Anyway, I  do know of others that deserve just such awards for their blogs.
So please visit and be encouraged as well.

Home Living

Guard the Home

His Beloved

No Treasures On Earth

The Quiet Pleasures of Home

Reflections in the Window

Abounding in Treasures

To the seven listed...

You have been nominated for these awards for using your blogs to encourage other women in Jesus.

I praise God for you. 

Lady Monika

Taking the plunge to Gluten Free!

Bountiful
Here I am taking the plung into Gluten Free Land!

I was in the middle of typing this up when jm asked why I went gluten free? So here is the answer and if you don't mind me asking jm...
why do you say it is expensive? Am I in for a shock?

I learned back in I think it was 2000 that I was allergic to something that was causing a severe itcthy skin rash on my hands. After a trip to Germany where everything was organic and I couldn't get any ibuprophen in the stores, (if requires a prescription over there), I was feeling better. When I came back home and the rash started all over again, I backed off to only water and tried to figure out what I was allergic too. I finally narrowed it down to chemicals (anaphalatic schock!) and preservatives and anti-inflammatories. All this without expensive allegy testing. It seemed to be under control, but over the years I have still had reactions. I ran across some posts on Celiac Diesease and it sounded exactly like what I was experiencing and it says there is no cure, you just HAVE to stay away from gluten.

Ok, that can't be so bad, as I've already turned my diet upside down years ago, and this will mostly affect the breads and cereals and pastas. Since there is no cure and it's just eating healthy there is no reason to pay for a doctor visit, which I hate anyway. So I began the Gluten Free life just a few days ago.

So I thought I would go out and get some Gluten free food. I have seen that disclaimer everwhere in the past...gluten free! But now that I need it...it's nowhere to be found.

I have found some ideas online for gluten feee flour baking mixes, and menus. So I searched the kitchen and here is what I have been feasting, and I mean feasting! This is great stuff! It's not as bad as I thought it would be, and I post these for anyone as ignorant in these matters as I am.





My first gluten free meals:



Kippers (smoked herring) and eggs with grape tomatoes.

Baked sweet potato with butter and molasses

Fried zucinni, with TVP (Textured vegetable protien) and stewed tomatoes

Brown rice cereal, just like cream of wheat only better.

Celery sticks with homemade chopped toasted almonds and cream cheese

Grapefruit and Eggs

BBQ'd Steak and baked beans with a salad

Strawberries and whip cream

Homemade Salsa

Tea

Water with Lemon Juice



Ok so now I am on the look out for baking recipes to make gluten free breads, or find a good store bought GF Bread. Does anyone else have any suggestions to share with me? Also from what I have read, most dairy products are fine, but is there a good gf yogurt? I've read that modified food starch is a no no, and is it guar gum that is a no no?

So much to learn.

The Front Porch Sale

What kind of laundry is hanging on your front porch?

We have had so much fun with our front porch sales.

Now that the weather has cooled off it is so nice

to sit out on the front porch in the shade

and enjoy talking with those who stop by.

I've had a lot of homemade items and vinatge items out front,

as well as a table of pretties and household things we don't really need.

Also a couple of bikes, one of which has already sold.

After hubby puts out the signs on near by corners we settle down on the porch

with a cup of coffee and he plays guitar and I work on another crochet project.

We have been able to speak with and to give away many of our cd's that contain

music with a godly message to those who stop by.

I've photographed a few of the things I've made and

as I was looking at the clothesline we strung up across the front of the house

it made me thing of a story to share with you....

I thought these pictures were so pretty that I wanted to share them with you,

and many who stopped by admired the nice things.

But can you imagine if I had put out all the dirty laundry to share with the world!

How many people do you think would stop by to look at

the dirty kitchen towels and wash rags or even worse?

Just imagine what's in your dirty pile of laundry waiting to be washed.

I don't think I would stop to admire someone else's dirty laundry.

When I took these pictures it reminded me of the saying...

"We don't air our dirty laundry"

I would much rather read things here in blog land that

encourgage me to walk closer to Jesus, to read my Bible,

to keep my home, to be a good mother and grandmother, and wife.

It's not that I think of women as "perfect" or "not real" with uplifting blog posts,

just forgiven.

So keep those godly woman posts coming.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Phiippians 4:8

Simple Woman's Day Book

Outside my Window...a bit more traffic due to a new catholioc church opening up down the street.
I am thinking...whatever is true, just, pure....and Lord please watch over all the kids and counselors at kid's camp please.
I am thankful for...my grand daughter and her beautiful smiles.
From the kitchen...anything gluten free
I am wearing...my nightgown...not feeling well
I am hoping...to feel beter soon
I am hearing...the street cleaner preparing for the fall rains
Around the house...cool, quite, and peaceful, with the hum of the washer and dryer
One of my favorite things...coffee and a walk on the boardwalk
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...bible study, sewing, visit with a friend, find out more about gluten free food
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... my husbnad and his mom on her 84th Birthday!

The Simple Woman's Day Book

It's Frugal Friday

Click on over to the Frugal Fruday Posts for this week's post.

For more Frugal Friday tips check out

Sufficient Grace for Suffering Saints

Fruits of Summer Labor

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

Proverbs 6:6-8

It has been so warm lately but there is still work to be done in the kitchen. I took time this weekend to put up some fruits and veggies and chocolate sauce for the winter. I also had some roses that my dear husband gave me for my birthday that dried nicely that I tossed in the picture for added beauty. Speaking for my dear husband, he likes, really likes Italian food so I put some of the ingredients (mushrooms and bell peppers), in the freezer for the upcoming fall months. These two ingredients go in my homemade Lasagna and Spaghetti sauce and I also top my homemade Pizza with these items.
It also helps to put these things away myself so I know exactly what is in them as I am allergic to chemicals and preservatives.. A salad bar may look great but it could be sprayed with preservatives! When I can find a good deal on produce I begin an assembly line and work till it is all put into the freezer before the heat spoils it. Although life does intercede at times and I loose some produce to the heat.
Mushrooms: Wash and dry then slice, and pat dry. I place mushrooms directly into plastic zip lock baggies, then into a paper back that has been dated and then placed into the freezer for up to six months.(Dehydrating the sliced mushrooms give them a fantastic flavor and shelf life as well....just prepare the same way and dry them on a dehydrator, and store in an airtight jar)
Bell Peppers: Wash, dry, and  core, then scrap all the seeds out. Slice and then dice and place into zip lock bags and into a paper bag and date... then placed into the freezer for up to six months.
If the power goes off in the winter up here you can just place them on the back porch in an ice chest :)


St. Bernard with Keg in Snow, Sun Valley, Idaho
Strawberries: As soon as I get these beauties home from the fields or the store, I drop them into cool water while I put away the groceries and then remove the stems and freeze a batch whole and make a batch of Freezer Strawberry sauce according to Pomonas Universal Pectin. I only use one cup of sugar to make a batch. The flavor is so much closer to the real thing in the winter! It does come out a bit thinner this way but company loves it over ice cream with a bit of the chocolate sauce drizzled over it as well. Strawberries can spoil so quickly in the heat so only leave out a few to eat fresh and put the others away for the future.Straw berries can also be dehydrated. Wash, de-stem and slice the strawberries. Soak slices in lemon juice and water for a few minutes and drain (Or sprinkle with Fruit Fresh)  and dry on a dehydrator. Tear the strawberry in half..if no moisture beads are present, they are done and can be stored in an airtight container.
These methods work well with other fruits and veggies like...cantaloupe, carrots, onions, bananas and many more.
Chocolate Sauce: This is the part Dear husband likes. When I find a good deal on cocoa I will put up a catch of chocolate sauce as well. I usually just store this in the fridge in small batches as it is easy to make and goes quickly.
Melt 1/4 stick butter in a large sauce pan on low heat, stirring constantly to keep from scorching
add four cups powdered sugar and 3/4 cups cocoa
with a wire whisk stir in one can evaporated milk until smooth
add 1/2 cup chocolate chips and stir till melted
turn off heat and add two teaspoons good quality vanilla
and stir until glossy
Store in glass canning jars in the fridge.
Can be reheated in the microwave.
Except for the small amount I leave out to share with family for a taste of these items, we save the rest for the winter months after the first snow fall. It is such a good feeling to know that you have prepared in advance to feed the family, saved on store prices and have gourmet, chemical preservative free foods to use and share with invited guests.
Herbs: Planting herbs around the garden and home make for a nice addition to the family meal. After harvesting the herbs, wash, pat dry de-stem. Place the leaves on a dehydrator shelf till dry. Place in air tight containers. Basil, rosemary, oregano, and cilantro bring added flavor to your meals, and Mint, Chocolate Mint, Fennel, Chamomile, and even Rose petals are nice to have on hand for making tea.

More help with canning and freezing...Frugality 101

Let's worship King Jesus!

Let's worship King Jesus!

Simple Woman's Daybook 18

Outside my Window...The cool morning glow is sweet and serene after the last few days of intense summer heat. I see the squirrel is back for a frinedly visit on the telephone lines.

I am thinking...I need to set out a cob of corn for the little guy, and what a brilliant ball of fire the sunrise was on Sunday Morning!

I am thankful for...the stillness of the early morning hours to spend time with Jesus.

From the kitchen...lots of fruits and veggies "put up" for winter

I am wearing...A white blouse and navy skirt with sandals, my hair is pulled up into a bun secured with a silver clip, and my tan linen arpon with white lace.

I am hoping...the heat will come to and end soon.

I am hearing...the birds chirping all around the water spray out back.

Around the house...I've rearranged pictures and pretty things to give the rooms and new fresher look.

One of my favorite things...sing with me now....

Pictures of poses, and cute spots for sittin',

hankies for noses,

and clothes that are fittin',

long strings of yarn to crochet for my friends,

these are a few of my favorite things!

When the heat comes, in the summer,

and I'm feeling bad,

I simply remember my favorites things

and then I don't feel .....

sooooo bad! :)

(I couldn't resist)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...Wait patiently for the cooler weather that is forcast for later in the week. Yeah!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... Strawberry Freezer Jam

Some strawberry freezer jam I "put up" this weekend for the winter months to come. I'm dreaming fo winter already!

Visit Peggy at "The Simple Woman"

Vintage Handkerchiefs

The elegance of a freshly ironed delicate handkerchief.
A treasured item by most ladies young and old.

"HANDKERCHIEF, n. A small square of silk or linen, used in various ignoble offices about the face and especially serviceable at funerals to conceal the lack of tears. The handkerchief is of recent invention; our ancestors knew nothing of it and intrusted its duties to the sleeve. Shakespeare's introducing it into the play of "Othello" is an anachronism: Desdemona dried her nose with her skirt, as Dr. Mary Walker and other reformers have done with their coattails in our own day --an evidence that revolutions sometimes go backward.” ~Ambrose Pierce

It is not correct for a lady to carry her handkerchief in her hand. She should use a reticule or bag, if she be too proud for pockets.
G.W.M. Reynolds.The London Journal,For the week ending June 14, 1845.

Handkerchief - The wedding handkerchief is often kept and passed down from mother to daughter and from generation to generation. Early farmers thought a bride's wedding day tears were lucky and brought rains for their crops. Later, a crying bride meant that she'd never shed another tear about her marriage. Today, we carry a handkerchief to dab away the tears of happiness and joy.

I remember as a child, my German mother would place in my possesion my purse filled with my freshly washed and ironed handkercheif. Along with these items I would wear my white gloves on Sunday mornings when the family went to Church.

It just so happened one of the first days in Kindergarten that I was having diffculties communicating with my teacher. I kept telling her that I needed my "Taschentuch", but she couldn't figure out what that was! She finally called my mother at home and she explained to the teacher that "Taschentuch" is German for handkerchief. All's well that ends well.

So what do you do with your collection of Ladies handkerchief's ....besides the obvious?

Take a look a Nanalulu's Linen Closet and see what she suggests.

Too bad Paul isn't around to prespire on one for miraculous healings :) just joking. The power wasn't in the handkercheif, it was and is in Jesus!