2010 Reading

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
by Ina May Gaskin

"Another study compared perceptions of labor pain between two different groups of U.S. women: those who gave birth in the hospital and those who gave birth at home. The hospital group rated childbirth pain significantly higher than did the home-birth group."

"Good research shows that when the midwifery model of care is applied, between eighty-five and ninety-five percent of healthy women will safely give birth without surgery or instruments such as forceps and vacuum extractors."

2010 Reading

Just Do Something
A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will
Or
How to make a decision without dreams, visions, fleeces, impressions, open doors, random Bible verses, casting lot, liver shivers, writing in the sky, etc.
by Kevin DeYoung

"If you are seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, you will be in God's will, so just go out and do something."

"You don't get the sense that the apostle got angelic visits every other day and waited for his dreams to tell him what to do. With few exceptions, Paul planned, strategized, and made his own decisions about the nonmoral matters of his life."

"Study the Scriptures, listen to others, and pray continually- that's the best course of action, not just at the moment of crisis, but as a way of life. And as you engage in these practices, don't forget to make a decision-always with wisdom, always with freedom, and sometimes even with speed."

Gluten, Casein, Egg and Yeast Free Bread that Tastes Good!

The recipe is from The Whole Life Nutrition Kitchen Blog. Click here for the link.
www.nourishingmeals.com

Baby Shower

Tutorial for the 3-2-1 quilt is available from Modern Organic Fabrics. Click here for the link.

The play mat directions are in Handmade Home by Amanda Blake Soule.

For Noah

My neighbors have four children. Two boys, a girl and then Noah. The two oldest boys were always my pals. When they lived right next door I would hear little feet running through the house to wake me up or they would run down to greet me when I returned home from work. They are extra special since they were the first little ones I babysat. I have a "diamond" ring from one of them and a marriage proposal from both. I'm saving that ring to give to a future bride. Now that they are not so little they still occasionally honor me with their presence to play a game, help make carrot juice and even give up a day of spring break to go to an IV appointment with me.

Their sister Miranda has spent many Friday nights at my house. We like to sew, bake, watch movies and read together. She is always willing to feed the bunnies and goats and lend a helping hand with Knightly. Miranda is wonderful company and I look forward to her visits.

Then came Noah. Noah and I did not get off to a good start. When he was with me it was because everyone else was going to school or work. He did not want to be left behind and he did not want anything to do with me. Eventually we reached a mutual agreement to tolerate each other. After enough time spent walking to his grandma's or my mom's, going to the zoo, riding the train and watching Signing Time we started to enjoy each others company a little more and then a little more until we forgot about the rough start. Now Noah is a frequent visitor. We read books, watch old John Wayne movies and play with Knightly. I don't think I will get a marriage proposal, but the hugs and kisses he gives are more than enough. In August Noah had his sixth birthday. For my cowboy friend I made a cowboy pillowcase, pajama pants and a bandanna. Here are pictures of those items and pictures taken at his party.

2010 Reading

The Light at Tern Rock
by Julia L. Sauer

"If he came pounding on the sea door right this minute-wanting his old lighthouse back for Christmas-I wouldn't want to give it to him. I guess, Aunt Marthy, I want to be right here tonight."

In Grandma's Attic
by Arleta Richardson

"When the Lord sends me shoes, He send the right size!"

Mountain Born
by Elizabeth Yates

"Old Benji had once said, 'A man must have a care to what he puts in his mind, for when he's alone on a hillside and draws it out, he'll want treasures to be his company, not regrets.'"

"To Benji, life was a journey heavenward, and each day was a step toward that whole of goodness which he knew now in part."

Trader Joe's and Whole Foods

Trader Joe's and Whole Foods are grocery stores with a variety of gluten and casein free items. Ann Arbor is the closest location of these two stores to my home. The money we save on groceries plus the items only available at these stores makes it worth the trip. My friend Theresa (from Aunt Theresa's Adventures) visited Michigan in August. She generously took the time to drive me to Ann Arbor and help me shop. Since our outing was the Saturday before my surgery it gave me a pleasant way to spend my time waiting for surgery day. It was a privilege to spend the day with Theresa and Emma! (Unfortunately I don't have a picture of them)

Miranda's Casserole with a Twist

Saturday Miranda was here for lunch. We made her casserole with chicken sausage rather than beef.

Here is the recipe for her casserole from a previous post:

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!

Chicken Sausage recipe:

2 pound ground chicken
1 small apple, peeled and diced
1 small onion, diced
a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
1-3 Tablespoons maple syrup
sea salt and pepper
herbs (basil, thyme, rosemary)

I used about 1/4 pound for the casserole and froze the rest.

2010 Reading

Trouble for Lucy
by Carla Stevens

"Lucy Stewart walked beside her farm wagon carrying a small fox terrier in her arms."


Five True Dog Stories
by Margaret Davidson

"...the St. Bernard padded slowly into the courtyard of the monastery with the little girl riding on his back!"


Mary on Horseback
Three Mountain Stories
by Rosemary Wells

" the Glasgow Times April 7, 1925 ATTENTION! NURSE GRADUATES with a sense of adventure! Your own horse, your own dog, and a thousand miles of Kentucky mountains to serve. Join my nurses' brigade and help save children's lives. Write to: M. Breckinridge Hyden, Kentucky, U.S.A."

Scrap Basket Quilt

On a Friday evening when Miranda came to spend the night she asked to make a quilt for her doll, Helen Nicole. I was tired, so I simply gave Miranda a few instructions and let her go to work. Using a newspaper we made a pattern for the quilt size. Then with a 3x5 card and other size patterns Miranda chose, cut and arranged the fabric. Saturday she started sewing the pieces together. When that step was completed I helped Miranda cut flannel for the lining and backing. We took turns sewing, turning and sewing. When the quilt was finished I was sorry to see it go. It is darling! Miranda is learning quickly.

Gluten Free Thumbprint Cookies

3/4 cup Earthbalance, softened
1/2 cup organic sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons EnerG Egg replace mixed into 2 Tablespoons water (or 1 egg)
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
1 3/4 cups gluten free all purpose flour

Cream butter and sugar. Add egg replacer and mix. Stir in remaining ingredients. Place by spoonful on baking sheet and indent with thumb.

Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until bottoms are slightly browned.

Allow cookies to cool then top with jam. Store in refrigerator.

I leave the cookies in an airtight container and add jam as I eat them and eat them I do, that is why there is no picture.

Gluten Free Flour Mix

2 cups brown rice flour
1/3 cup tapioca starch
1/3 cup arrowroot powder
1/3 cup sorghum flour

Makes 3 cups gluten free all purpose flour.

Gluten Free Pumpkin Pancakes

Noah, Miranda and I made pumpkin pancakes. Click here for the recipe from Gluten Free Mommy. The pancakes were scrumptious and quite fitting for a fall day. Miranda said her older brothers do not like gluten free, but she does because it is yummy!