Miranda's Casserole

The other day Miranda and her cousin Breanna walked to my house. I was cooking supper and when they walked in Breanna said,"Something smells good." Miranda replied, "It always smells good here." While we waited for the casserole to finish both girls sewed a tag square blanket for their dolls. When we ate supper the casserole was a hit. We kept eating "just one more bite." Soon we had finished it all. Miranda asked if the casserole had a name. It was nameless, but now is
"Miranda's Casserole."


1 pound beef (I used stew meat)
1 onion, shredded
3 carrots, shredded
3 large potatoes, shredded
1 zucchini, shredded
sunflower oil


Place small amount of oil in a skillet, brown meat and then add more oil. Place vegetables in the skillet, cover and cook until tender. Remove cover and let oil cook down.
Serve with sea salt


A food processor is helpful in shredding the vegetables!

2010 Reading

Anna Karenina
Leo Tolstoy

"Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."

GF Zucchini Bread

combine:
1 1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Gluten Free Flour
1 1/2 teaspoons xanthan gum
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 - 1 cup Sugar
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
3/4-1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

add in:
1/2 cup Sunflower Oil
1 Tablespoon Vanilla
1 Tablespoon Energ Egg Replacer mixed into 1/4 cup water
(equivalent of two eggs)

gently mix in:
1 1/2 cup shredded zucchini

divide batter between three small bread pans, greased

Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes

This is the final results of tweaking a couple different recipes.

No Bake Cookies

Gluten and Casein Free!

In a saucepan combine:

1 3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup rice milk
1/4 lb Earthbalance or butter substitute
1/2 cup cocoa

Mix well then boil one minute.


Remove from heat and add:

1/2 cup peanut or almond butter
3 cups gluten free oats or 3 1/2 cup gluten free crispy rice cereal.

Mix then drop onto wax paper in desired cookie size.

These are yummy!

Knightly

He is my handsome puppy! Although, he is never very clean. :)

Noah's Casserole

Miranda and Noah came over yesterday afternoon and stayed until this morning. During supper we discussed what to name our casserole. I asked if I should call it"Noah's Casserole" to which Noah replied, "Yes! do it!"

The conversation after Noah had cleaned his plate:
Sarah-"Would you like more?"
Noah-"What do you think?"
Sarah-"Yes?"
Noah-"YUMMY! That means yes!"

Miranda and Noah enjoy having tea in Mona's little tea cups. Our favorite is Ruby Red Chai from Trader Joe's. Miranda and Noah have also learned that dark chocolate is always available at my house.

Noah's Casserole
2 pounds mashed potatoes
1 pound ground beef, browned
1 package bacon, cooked and cut into bite size pieces
zucchini, cooked and chopped

Mix all ingredients together. Add salt and pepper.
Serve with barbecue sauce.
My mom added tomatoes and cucumbers.


Watching "Dreamer."

Pictures from the Fourth

Matt's Nine Layer Sandwich

Gluten Free Bun

Trader Joe's Mayonnaise
Guacamole
Whole Food's Bacon
Turkey from Otto's Turkey Farm in Middleville Michigan
Salami from Trader Joe's
Cucumbers
Green Onions from Anne's Heath Food Store in Hastings Michigan
Gluten, Casein and Soy Free Cheese

Bun Recipe
Adapted from a recipe in Special Diets for Special Kids by Lisa Lewis, Ph.D.

1/2 cup Brown Rice Flour
1/2 cup Tapioca Flour
1/2 cup Potato Starch
1-2 teaspoons sugar
3 teaspoons Ener-g egg replacer or 1 egg
2 teaspoons xanthan gum
2 teaspoons baking powder
Mix dry ingredients then add:
1/2 cup sunflower, safflower or olive oil
1/2 cup rice milk

Mix, scoop onto baking sheet and flatten.

Bake for 17-20 minutes at 400 degrees.

Officer Potter

Marshall PD Welcomes New Officer

Battle Creek Enquirer
July 7, 2010

MARSHALL— Police Chief Jim Schwartz swore in a new police officer at Tuesday’s Marshall City Council meeting.

The Marshall Police Department hired Charles Matthew Potter, a Bellevue resident and recent Kellogg Community College Police Academy graduate. Before attending KCC, Potter served in the U.S.Marine Corps. until 2007.

Potter will replace Sgt. Shannon Koepke, who left for a job with the Calhoun County Courts, Schwartz said.

Congratulations Matthew!
My strength has the strength of ten because my heart is pure.
-Tennyson

2010 Reading

Gaudy Night
Dorothy L. Sayers

"Well, that's his risk, if he likes to take it. He doesn't seem to lack courage."


Unnatural Death
Dorothy L. Sayers

"But if he thought the woman was being murdered-"


The Documents in the Case
Dorothy L. Sayers

" He says I am just going through a 'difficult phase' at present, and that if only I can hold on and not let things get on top of me for the next year or two I shall come out of it quite all right."


Have His Carcase
Dorothy L. Sayers

"The best remedy for a bruised heart is not, as so many people seem to think, repose upon a manly bosom. Much more efficacious are honest work, physical activity, and the sudden acquisition of wealth."


The Princess Priscilla's Fortnight
Elizabeth von Arnim

"- well, as for Priscilla, I propose to describe her dreadful conduct."


Carry On, Mr. Bowditch
Jean Lee Latham
Recipient of the John Newberry Medal

Prince smiled. "No fool tries to sail in the teeth of the monsoon? Is that what you meant?"
"Well, yes," Hudson admitted. "I mean - the navigation. You'd have to have a man who could work lunars-"
Prince shrugged again. "What's so hard about lunars? Every man in my crew can work a lunar."
Hudson's face was blank.

Gluten and Egg Free Pancakes

1 cup rice flour
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
2 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
1 Tablespoon oil
4 ounces applesauce
3/4 cup rice milk


Pancakes with peanut butter and maple syrup = such comfort!

Pictures with Knightly

Remarks on the Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence

We are obliged to conclude that the Declaration of Independence represented the movement of a people. It was not, of course, a movement from the top. Revolutions do not come from that direction. It was not without the support of many of the most respectable people in the Colonies, who were entitled to all the consideration that is given to breeding, education, and possessions. It had the support of another element of great significance and importance to which I shall later refer. But the preponderance of all those who occupied a position which took on the aspect of aristocracy did not approve of the Revolution and held toward it an attitude either of neutrality or open hostility. It was in no sense a rising of the oppressed and downtrodden. It brought no scum to the surface, for the reason that colonial society had developed no scum. The great body of the people were accustomed to privations, but they were free from depravity. If they had poverty, it was not of the hopeless kind that afflicts great cities, but the inspiring kind that marks the spirit of the pioneer. The American Revolution represented the informed and mature convictions of a great mass of independent, liberty-loving, God-fearing people who knew their rights, and possessed the courage to dare to maintain them.
-Calvin Coolidge
July 5, 1926

Happy Birthday America!

Is life so dear, or peace so sweet , as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almightly God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me: Give me liberty, or give me death!
~Patrick Henry

How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!
~Thomas Jefferson


It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment, independence now and independence forever.
~Daniel Webster

Where liberty dwells, there is my country.
~Benjamin Franklin

My patriotic heart beats red, white, and blue.
~Author Unknown

I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.
~Abraham Lincoln

Sure I wave the American flag. Do you know a better flag to wave? Sure I love my country with all her faults. I'm not ashamed of that, never have been, never will be.
~John Wayne



O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
~Francis Scott Key

Thank you to Blessed for posting most of these quotes!

GF Wacky Cake

1 1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Gluten Free Flour
1 cup sugar
3 TB cocoa
1 ts baking soda
1 ts xanthan gum
1 TB vinegar
1 ts vanilla
1/4 cup plus 1 TB vegetable oil
1 cup water

bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes in an 11x7 baking pan
allow to cool then frost

Thankful

Yesterday:
Anna calling from Honduras
Visiting with Erin, Isabella, Adelaide and Octavia

Today:
Dr. Hendricks is back
Liza giving me a painless IV poke
Acupuncture from Arkadiy
Sharon's thoughtfulness when I checked out after my doctor appointment
Red Raspberries picked by Beth
Kisses from Knightly
My mom made lunch and did my laundry
Chocolate
Letters from Theresa