Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins

Isabella, Adelaide and I made Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins. To make these muffins you need a chocolate cake mix, 15 oz can of pumpkin and a bag of chocolate chips. Mix those together without adding anything else. At first the batter will be dry, but keep stirring. When the batter is completely mixed place it in muffin or bread tins. Bake as directed on the cake mix box.



The Gluten Free Betty Crocker Cake Mix works well for these muffins. I find it amusing that Libby finds it necessary to print on the pumpkin can label "Naturally Gluten Free."

Mighty Hunters

Ricky, Jacob and Andrew and Matthew

"Be always sure you are right then go ahead." Davy Crockett

Jacob, Matthew and Ricky went bow hunting then came in for dinner. We had beef stew, biscuits and apple pie.















Gluten Free Biscuits

2 cups brown rice flour
2 cups potato starch
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons xanthan gum
1/2 cup butter (earth balance works well -chill in freezer for a short time before cutting in)
1 1/4 cup milk
1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 egg or substitute (I use 1 teaspoon chia seeds in 1/4 cup water)
up to 1 1/4 cup water

Mix dry ingredients, cut in butter, add milk, egg, apple cider vinegar and mix well. Add water as needed. Drop onto baking tray. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Makes 16 biscuits. For half recipe use whole egg or substitute for one egg.

Pork and Apple Stew

This recipe is from Rachael Ray and is easy to make with or without gluten. It is a tasty stew with pork, carrots, apples and dried cranberries. To make it gluten free I left out the flour and used a couple tablespoons arrowroot powder mixed in a small amount of cold water to thicken the broth. The following link has the recipe. www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/autumn-stew/

Beef Stew

This recipe is adapted from a recipe my friend April gave me. April made this stew for me when I visited her family in Tennessee earlier this year. I have made it many times since.

Beef Stew
1 - 2 pounds stewing beef
sea salt
pepper
coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil
4 cups hot water
2-4 tablespoons soy sauce (Bragg's amino acids)
1 teaspoon sugar
1-2 Tablespoons arrowroot powder or cornstarch mixed in small amount cold water
2 large onions, diced
4 bay leaves
thyme to taste
dash of chili powder
1 pound carrots, peeled and sliced
sweet potatoes and white potatoes to fill up the pan, peeled and sliced
(approximately five of each)

Heat a large pan over medium high heat, add oil and let heat then add stew meat and brown. Add the hot water, 1 onion, salt, pepper, soy sauce, sugar, bay leaves, allspice, thyme and chili powder. Bring to boil then reduce heat, stir in arrowroot and water mixture and simmer for 1-2 hours. Add carrots, sweet potatoes, white potatoes and remaining onion and cook for another hour or until vegetables can be easily pierced with a fork.
Matthew calls one of my bunnies "Stew." However, despite the nickname she is not intended for eating!

3R's Ten Year Anniversary

"There are three services which books may render in the home: they may be ornaments, tools, or friends. In the best homes they are all three simultaneously."

~Lyman Abbot (1835-1922)

3R's

September 17th, 1999- September 17th, 2009

Rachel, Renee and Ramona knew each other as homeschool moms. In 1999 their shared love of reading led to the beginning of 3R's Book Club. Through the years their friendship has deepened and they have broadened the scope of each others reading. Prior to 3R's Ramona had not read Tolkien's "The Hobbit" or "The Lord of the Rings." Since the first meeting when "The Hobbit" was the book being discussed Renee, Rachel and Ramona have read that and "The Lord of the Rings" three times for book club. In the past ten years they have read and discussed over 120 books. Enjoying a pot of tea and dessert has become a tradition along with a Christmas lunch and cookie exchange. Last summer Sharon joined 3R's. Sharon was unable to attend the anniversary celebration because she was in Wyoming visiting her daughter. The following picture shows Renee, Ramona and Rachel with a portion of the books they have read.

"There are peculiar joys attached to the implements of reading. When we collect books, we are collecting happiness. When we build up a little library, we are bolstering the delight of life."

~Zeno Philaton (1697-1742)