My Wanderings in the Kitchen: Betty Crocker Apple 'Pudding'

I think this hit it out of the park! I tripled the recipe and there were no leftovers! I'll write out the real recipe's ingredients, and then the recipe where I changed some things to suit our needs and the directions which go for both recipes. :) Oh, and I don't have any pictures because we all scarfed it down too fast! :)

Gluten recipe:

Ingredients:

3/4 c. sugar

1/3 cup all purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

Pinch of salt

1 tea. vanilla

1 egg

1 medium apple, chopped

1/2 c. chopped nuts

Gluten-Free, low sugar, for a larger family recipe

1 c. sugar (we used natural)

1 c. sweet white rice flour or brown rice flour (you can use white or wheat if you can)

4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

Teaspoon of salt

2 teaspoons of vanilla

4 eggs (note: I found it very hard to mix which is why I added an extra egg)

3 medium apples, chopped

1 1/2 c. nuts (I used a scarce cup because that's what we had on hand)

Optional: pinch of cinnamon

Directions:

(Variations for gluten recipe in parantheses)

1. Heat oven to 350

2. Grease 13 by 9 pan (or 9 by 1 1/4 pie plate), set aside

3. Mix sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, vanilla and eggs in bowl

4. Fold in apples and nuts

5. Pour batter-it was thick and rather chunky-into pan

6. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes clean

It was really good and I believe Sara is making it this week. :) Enjoy!

Birthday Celebrations!

It was especially nice, in the midst of this exceptionally snowy, cold winter to get to spend time with lots of family on Saturday to celebrate 3 special birthdays! It was so nice to spend time with family that we don't get to see as often as we would like! First, we went to Mike and Jill's to celebrate Mia's 4th birthday! Sara did face painting, Jill made lots of homemade goodies from scratch....we got to spend some time with all the cousins....it was a wonderful time!
Then, we went to our cousins John and Kim's house to celebrate Maria's 14th birthday and Maggie's 9th birthday! What a blessing to be able to laugh, and spend time with special family! It was snowing gently (it's always snowing daily, anymore!) outside, but inside was so warm with laughter and yummy food....so much food!

~We're very much looking forward to Spring, when we can get out more and get together more often! It was a gift to be able to see everyone this weekend! It is so important to remember the gift that God gave us in families! ~Sue~

Fat Tuesday..Gluten Free Donuts!!!!

Oh, yes....I made gluten free donuts tonight! After explaining a little bit about the history of "Fat Tuesday" to my children....and why Mom is frying 'unhealthy' (Ronnie even said, why are you using white sugar? ) donuts....these turned out wonderfully!
The dough was a little difficult to work with, and I had to tweak the recipe so much that I don't think I could post it, but I am grateful for the experience in the kitchen that lets me know what the proper texture of the dough should be and adjust it...let's just say I used a lot of cornstarch!

When they puffed up and turned golden brown...I don't know who was more excited, me or the kids!

Sara...in donut heaven! LOL Good thing I'm only going to make these once a year! God bless you all on this cold, windy, snowy night! (yes...3 inches more tonight, and the chance of 3 inches tomorrow and 3 more tomorrow night....we needed donuts!) ~Sue~

When it snows....and snows, and snows.....

So...what do you do when it just keeps snowing and snowing....and you have 2 little ones coughing and coughing....first, you count your blessings! I love this flag hanging outside our front door!Then, you let them work off as much energy inside as possible! These scooters in the basement are a God-send! They also have those large balls with handles to bounce out some energy down there...and Ronnie is able to rollerblade all over the basement....we're so grateful for the basement! LOL

And you sew...and have your little sister "help" you!

You bake cookies....and make 'fun' messes!

You play games....and sew holders for your card games...(thanks, Dayna, for the idea!)

You enjoy going thru "Baba's" button jar looking for just the right one...


You crochet warm slippers....

And sew some more!

And crochet some more....

If you are one of our cats, Chloe or Doc....you spend a lot of time under the warm lamp!

And.....sew some more! Neutral, patchwork placemats from thrifted fabric~
You sew matching craft/beading bags for little cousins who love to bead!
After you go thru the 2 huge bags of fabric that were so generously given to you!
And sew some more bags!

~In addition to all the sewing and crocheting and beading going on around here, Ronnie has been making the coolest Lego creations....lots of Lego vehicles from a set he got for his birthday....setting up and playing with his hockey guys in anticipation of the Olympics, experimenting with his Snaptricity kits...and beating everyone at Wii bowling!

Anna LOVES to color...and has been making lots of artwork for her dolls and everyone else! Sara and Meghan have been in the kitchen making lots of yummy things! Lots of reading books going on....and make-believe battles with Playmobils....lots of tents/forts made out of blankets....in spite of it feeling like a very long winter with all the snow and coughing....it has also been a very cozy, warm time and the Lord is teaching us so many lessons thru this winter...lessons that I am writing down to be able to remember, and make some changes towards what is God's best for our family!

May you all be warm and blessed this Winter!!! ~Sue~

Lyrics: Stellans Song

Some of you may know about Stellan McKinney, his mother blogs over at http://mycharmingkids.net nut for those of you who don't, this little boy is a miracle. He was born with multiple heart problems that caused him to suffer from Supra Ventricular Tachycardia... to read his story, go over to the blog and snoop around. Anyways, I wrote these lyrics back in early january when his SVTs were really bad. Then, this december, I checked the blog again after being absent for a while and he hasn't had one SVT since November! Praise God for miracles!

Stellan's Song
Written by Sara

From the first day, I hear people say
This one is not like the rest.
I know my mommy and daddy have tried
they've done their absolute best,
Slowly... Hopefully...someday soon I might be healed
(But until then)

(CHORUS)
Jesus, please heal me soon
Maker of the sun and the moon
I know if you don't that it's not your will, but still
I hope that soon I'll be cured
But until then my hope's in the Lord
Because I know, thru trials, when push comes to shove,
I'll be cradled in your blessed love.

A "Real Life" Love story....

Love is a choice...and an action. A dear friend recently used the phrase a "real life love story"...and it got me thinking!

As my wonderful husband took me out to one of our favorite places to eat for Valentines Day, we talked a lot about all the years that we've been together....this is our 23rd Valentines Day together.

Our 'love story', I think, has only gotten better with time...richer, deeper. Our commitment to each other to love thru sickness and health has been tested...thru richer or poorer has been tested...in good times and bad.....Oh, how much more we appreciate each other now!

We talked about the numerous job changes that Ron has had over the years...some, for many years straight commission sales jobs....moving...adding each new child to our family....thru my illness and fatigue...thru a child's disability....another child's surgery (and 3 months in a body cast)...thru the death of a parent....the stress of Ron working night turn and weekends for 9 years....and trying to homeschool 4 children while keeping them quiet because "dad is sleeping"....

That is all 'real love'....it isn't always starry eyes and roses...it isn't always pretty....but the longer that we are walking with our Saviour...the more we are in God's word, the more we learn to die to self and accept each other the way we are...and appreciate each other's strengths....the deeper our love grows.

So, Honey....here's to another 23 years of being your Valentine....and many, many more! I love you! ~Sue~

Valentines Day Reflections

Ah, this holiday celebrating romance is here yet again! Though at our home, aside from Mum and Dad's dinner date, and a party for Sara and I earlier in the day, we don't really make a big deal about it but it is still one of my favorite holidays. :) Mrs. Gardner-I'm really in the mood to hear Frank Sinatra sing My Funny Valentine. :)

Heart shaped cookies, valentines, roses and chocolates abound amidst this special day dedicated to letting the ones you love know just how special they are. Couples will share special glances, 'dates,' and heartfelt sentiments in beautiful cards; single women, young and old will experience bittersweet emotions as they look to the future of when the man the Lord already has chosen for them will come into their life. Only being sixteen going on seventeen and having some years to 'wait' for the Lord to bring my husband into my life, I have not experienced many of the emotions and struggles older singles have gone through. I'm not going to act like a Pharisee and think I won't go through any of the struggles singles have gone through just because (fill in the blank)...I'm sure I will and already one or two insecurities surrounding my getting married have arisen in my heart. Knowing that I only have one more year of schooling at home also causes me to think of the future a little more frequently now, though. Certain insecurities like 'I have to be pretty and thinner' or 'I have to get over this heart issue, that sin issue, etc' before I can get married. Through the blessed process of growth that will not cease until the day we die, I've realized getting married and yes, having a heart's desire fulfilled is not the main thing. I believe yes, the Lord gave us these desires, but we are to strive to be fulfilled and content through the Lord and His love. Click here to listen to one of my new favorite songs that's recently encouraged me pertaining to said topic...

I believe we were all put on this earth to serve God in whatever capacity He wills for us whether we're 16 going on 17 or 29 going on 30 and still unmarried. In our season of singleness, in school or not, I believe we are to immerse ourselves in the Lord and lead a Lord-led productive life from the capacity of our home until the Lord brings our husband into our life. I'm not saying it's a sin to work outside the home in order to 'save up' for the future or go to college....in fact, if you strongly feel the Lord's leading, who am I to say it's a sin if you aren't a ''stay at home daughter''? There are many seasons of life that are difficult and hard to go through, and the season of singleness (all women have one!) is most certainly one of them but the Lord is the same then as in the joyful seasons of life like becoming engaged, planning a wedding, and then learning you'll be a mother. His promises are faithful! Sarah waited for literally decades to give her husband a child and hold him in her arms and did struggle through her waiting season but then it was a testimony to the Lord when she held her child in her arms joyfully after so many hard years of waiting. It will be the same one day when we are literally swept off our feet by our husband and the Lord's promise to us that He will give us the desires of our heart, is fulfilled.

In conclusion....

So on this Valentines day, 2010 I encourage you to joyfully wait for the Lord, be encouraged and remember that the Lord's love never fails.

**When I say these things, I realize that many of you have probably heard it many times over and may be thinking, 'sure, I know it's all true but it doesn't make it any easier to wait!' I don't claim to know how you are dealing with your season of singleness and what you're struggling with (and please know I'm not judging you if you are) but I firmly believe in encouraging others in their struggles to lift their eyes ever upwards and rest in the Lord's love even when it's difficult.**

***Here is my post last Valentines Day if anyone would like to take a peek and also here is a wonderful article from YLCF***

Happy 20th Birthday, Gabrielle!!

Our dear 'adopted' sister, Gabrielle, is turning 20 today!!! Our precious 2 and a half week visit this past summer was one of the most memorable summers I will ever remember. We had such a great time and as we're both fond of saying now, it really cemented our friendship. She flew across the country from Idaho to humid Pittsburgh for my 16th birthday! It was a total surprise, kept for months. She is such a wonderful girl and we've now formally adopted her into the Gorecki family.

Gabrielle, we love you, miss you and can't wait to see you again this summer!

Have a happy birthday filled with blessings and memories as you reach your 20th year.

Beautiful Gabrielle having a swinging good time. :)

Our first picture together with many to come!!

My big sister I never had. :)

Ronnie, Gabrielle and Sara....isn't this an adorable picture!?

Hehe....Station Square during our tour around Pittsburgh day

Flipflops instead of high-heels, remember? :)

A beautiful result of one of our thrift-store trips!!

Running mad around Pleasant Hills, where her dear mother grew up. Gabrielle was quite the photographer! :)

She and I working together in the kitchen....I don't think we stopped talking the whole time she was there-oh, except for sleeping, I guess. :)

At our Maidens group-it was so wonderful to have her there!!!

Remember going to the Galleria and you and Sara being models? (hehe, to the annoyance of the salesclerks) :)

Antiquing and modeling vintage hats.

So in conclusion, happy, happy birthday, dear Gabrielle!! We all love you so much!

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Gabrielle,

Happy birthday to you!!

God's blessings on you!!