Sleds and Snow

I can't believe the snow! Amazing how just one week ago (last friday) the snow was melting and we were bummed because we couldn't go sledding. Well, that changed! Today for about an hour it snowed non-stop, like a white out, then it kind of mellowed out. Due to the gorgeous snow, we have been sledding alot and today we went sledding up at our neighbors house. I also, being the best sister I am (Just kidding of course), pulled Ronnie and Anna (total weight being 100+ lbs) up the hill. Man, I never knew just how steep that hill was till I pulled someone up it :) LOL


The ride down was fun, even though I was still pulling! Since the road was too dangerous to pull them down, I pulled them on the edge of people's yards... ruining the perfect snowfall, but I was being cautious. Anyway, since downhill was easier than uphill by a long shot, I was the horse and they were my passengers. I spared no snow mound or little hill, and down we went! Here is an script of our ride down:

Ronnie: Can you pull us?

Anna: Yeah! Pull the sled, pull the sled!

Sara: Sure, hop on... not literally! Hold on TIGHT!

(Sara starts galloping wildly,

stopping periodically to make sure they're not drifting towards the road)

ANNA AND RONNIE: WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

That's the extent of the ride... now I have to go to sleep because tomorrow is the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby at 8 AM, so Meghan and I will be watching Anna while Mum takes Ronnie. I should probably hit the hay now... bye!

Snow and Goodies

Today was great for me! Once I got all my school work done, I decided to call and ask a friend who lives up the street if she needed me to pick up her daughter from the bus stop (right down the street) rather than take her 1 year old out in the cold. She said they were planning on playing in the snow anyways, so I invited them to our house for some winter fun! Snow can be a menace, but it can also be great! Here are some pictures of our snow fun!Anna loves making snow angels, then making smiley faces on them!

Ronnie sliding down the hill on the toboggan! I think he was about to bail out!

Ronnie was making a, "Jedi Angel"... he made a light sabre on it!

After our snow day, we came back inside and just chilled (Ha ha, get it?) until dinner was ready. With a yummy dinner of lentil rice casserole (see previous post) and veggies, I cleaned up the kitchen while my mom went to Michael's to buy more yarn for her scarf. As I was drying a pot, I noticed a gluten free cook book on the counter. I picked it up and found a recipe that looked really easy, so I asked my mom if I could make it and she agreed. One stipulation: I had to clean every scrap up. I said yes, and got to work. It is also Tuesday, so this post will also be my taste tester Tuesday because I made successful gluten free brownies! They tasted real, and everyone loved them! Here is a picture of the dessert and one of me, holding my prize!

I must say, these were really tasty!

The cook book is Special Diet Solutions by Carol Fenster, Ph.D and it's a great book! She also wrote Wheat-Free Recipes and Menus and Special Diet Celebrations. The recipe for the brownies is on page 115. Here is the recipe and it's definitely a keeper!

Gluten Free Brownies

1/2 cup of brown rice flour

1/4 cup potato starch

1/4 cup tapioca starch

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

1/2 TSP. baking powder

1/2 TSP. salt

1/2 TSP un-sweetened gelatin

1/3 cup canola oil

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

2 TSP. Vanilla extract

1/3 cup hot water

1/3 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and grease a 11x7 pan. Stir together dry ingredients (From flour to gelatin) then set the bowl aside. In a large mixing bowl (This is where the K-Tec comes in handy!) beat the oil, sugars, egg and vanilla on medium speed until mixed. With the mixer on a low speed, add the dry ingredients and the water to the mix. Mix until just blended, and the mixture should look somewhat thick. Stir in 1/3 cup chocolate chips, then spread the batter in the prepared pan with a wet spatula. Bake for 25 minutes, then let cool for 10 minutes. Cut into nice size pieces, it makes 12 brownies.