It's Fall and Gluten-Free Soup's On!

We just returned from a much needed, sunny, warm vacation by the sea and came home to cooler weather that reminded me of how much I love Fall.  The chilly air urged me to dust off my huge IKEA kettle (actually, it's not that dusty because I love it and use it alot) to get rockin' and cookin'!

Since mini-me has picked up yet another bug from kindergarten, I chose to whip up a batch of my chunky-chicken-noodle soup from scratch.   I don't have soup recipes, I always just wing it and it they always come out to be the most delicious soups (so I'm told.) There is NO skimping going on here with my ingredients.
 
I first start by baking skinless chicken breast tenders in a bath of organic milk (soy or cow cream, whatever you fancy) and Earth Balance (or regular butter) to keep them from drying out.  It only takes about 30 minutes at 350 degrees F, so while they are in the oven, my kettle heats just enough olive oil to cover the bottom on medium/high heat.  Add a chopped onion, some chopped carrots (a small bag of large ones or baby ones), and a bunch of celery with leaves (or celery seeds if you don't have any).  Once these veggies soften a bit, I add a bag of frozen cut green beans (and sometimes 1/2 a bag of frozen peas & carrots).  Then I like to sprinkle on dried basil, parsley, salt, and sometimes oregano.  Again, no measuring...I just eyeball it and it looks to be about a tablespoon...I just sprinkle enough to dust everything in the pot.  After a few minutes I add 1 quart of chicken stock (be sure it is gluten-free.)  I let it bubble, and then add another quart, bring to bubble, and then add another.  So, I use about 3.  Once it bubbles again, the chicken may be almost done, so take it out of the oven.  Keep a large cutting board nearby with a fork and a nice large chopping knife.  So, when the broth is most likely bubbling, I add a 1/2 box of GLUTEN FREE pasta and cook per directions.  I LOVE Trader Joe's corn spiral pasta.  It is awesome, and tastes like regular wheat pasta.  Now, if you don't need to go Gluten-Free, just stick to whatever you have in your pantry then.  While the noodles cook, time to chop up the chicken into small chunks on the cutting board (I like small bite size for little ones.) When the noodles are done, add the chicken.  Finally, I like to add 2-4 cups of cold filtered water to help cool down the soup.  Before serving anyone bowls of my soup, I always have to add a few ice cubes to the bowls, and then fill with soup before serving, so it cools nicely.  

My kettle is HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY!

 

I make such a big batch, that I always have enough to freeze in small containers to have on hand for quick and easy kid-size meals.

 

See?  NO SKIMPING!  Yummy, chunky, chicken noodle soup!

 

I like top my soup with fresh Romano or Parmasean cheese. 

Whatever you fancy.  Enjoy!

I've Been Going Nut-Free Nutty!

The summer has come and gone, and I deeply apologize for not updating my blog the past few months.  I do not have enough words to accurately describe the stressful feeling inside me as I have been preparing the love of my life to experience the joys of kindergarten.  I thank heaven that I discovered the The Nut-Free Mom Blog, which, to me, has been holding my hand on this journey.  She has been my go-to source of information, as she truly understands the fear of having a child with a life-threatening food allergy.  I have had no experience as far as what to expect from a public school regarding the safety issue in this matter.  I have been homeschooling for the past 5 years, in a dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free bubble and stepping out of our safety/comfort zone has been sheer terror.  Sure, there is a nut-free table in the cafeteria/dining room, but that doesn't sugar coat the fact that some parents send their kids whatever they want for lunch---PB & J.  It seems like to be a staple in every kids diet.  How about splurging on some sunflower seed butter?  It looks like peanut butter, it's delicious, and it's healthy.  I would not recommend soy nut butter or almond butter.  As a peanut-butter thing lover, I am proud to report that I have been very pleased to eat a whopping spoon of this fine substitute right out of the jar.  I even made AWESOME peanut-free peanut butter cups a long time ago, but since I ate them all (my child must be insane not to like them) I thought it was in the best interest of my rear end that I didn't immediately make another batch knowing full well that I would be the only nut to devour them all.  It seems to me that I am way over due to make more.   So, I will just save the cheap, nasty-tasting soy nut butter for the following traditional project that every kid should be able to make:

PEANUT-FREE, BIRDSEED, PINE CONE BIRD FEEDERS
(What a tongue twister.  Say that 10 times!)

 
With a big sigh, I can honestly say that I now feel comfortable, as my mini-me is in a school that provides excellent care.  So far, there is a never ending stress of safety being the first priority for children, and curriculum is second.  (Whew! Take a deep breath, Mama.) I have been impressed with the school so far, but my child is disappointed.  She complains (in so many words) that she is not being mentally challenged enough.  Perhaps homeschooling should be my top priority?  We'll see.  I have been extremely busy focusing on so many other family and business issues in life that the idea of having to add homeschooling to my never ending to-do list has a good chance of sending me to a loonie bin, which I never would have expected.  I LOVE my child and I deeply miss her, everyday as I leave her walking the intimidating, long and endless halls of elementary school, as if from a horror film.  The entire staff is wonderful, so as I drive away, sobbing and wiping my eyes so I don't veer off the road, I remind myself that she is smart and I prefer that she continue her education in the Homeschool of Mama, but I must let her experience fun in kindergarten, at least for a little while.

As I close this post, I will say that it has been relatively easy to go nutty with so many issues on my plate, but I have remained amazingly strong...just the way I like my coffee. 
 

Roaring 20's Chair Makeover

I picked up this little chair from the Gdub last summer and it looked cute, but just so sad.

It has the original manufacturer's tag still attached underneath dated 1926. 

Strangely enough, this Aztec looking cover was the second cover.  I don't dare show you the one underneath-it was scary.  I happily removed all of it (yuk!)  I gave her a gentle sanding, a coat of primer, and finished with a coat of enamel.  Then I used a new foam cushion, cut it to fit, and covered it with a nice toile fabric using a staple gun.  Voila.

Isn't she pretty?  I am sure she will find a good home.

I proudly donated her yesterday to my local habitat for humanity.  :) 

Table Makeovers

I painted furniture for family over the years and thought of starting a business last year.

I honestly do not have enough assistance, resources, or time for that just yet.  So, I decided to first start with small pieces to finish by hand for fun!

This was my first table makeover that I donated last year.

 

It went from yukky brown to shabby chic lavender.

These two tables screamed for help.  They looked horrendous.

After some major sanding, primer, and paint, they both look like new.

Double ooh la la!  They look like pretty French end tables.  I will be loading them in my car today to donate to my local Habitat for Humanity.  I hope they find a good home.  :)

Four Oh Birthday Weekend

I celebrated my birthday at home this past weekend with my family.  It was heart warming to receive a gift from my 5 year old.  She picked these dainty flowers from our yard and wrapped them scotch tape.  They just make my heart giggle every time I look at them!  What is the fascination with roll after roll of this flat, translucent, sticky, paper-like ribbon that adheres to just about everything?

I love it!

We had a family brunch of my favorite artery clogging breakfast foods:  eggs, bacon, hash brown potatoes, and coffee.  I drank my gluten-free greens to cancel them out.  Later that evening, Grammy and Grampy babysat while my hubbie took me out to my favorite restaurant, "The Prickly Pear", which serves modern Mexican cuisine.  We started out with fresh guacamole, which was made at our table, served with fresh multi-colored corn chips.  It is my favorite!  I would have had it as my main meal, if it wasn't for the grilled salmon quesadilla that was topped with cilantro pesto.  Everything on the menu is fantastic.  I highly suggest a visit here if one ever visits Mooresville, NC. 

We celebrated with dessert at home with a decadent, chocolate, triple layer birthday cake from La Patisserie.

We had to share it with the entire family.   

I promise to run another 5K this month to wipe out that cake!

A few days ago, I finished reading my daughter her first chapter book.

It is my favorite book.  I still own my copy from childhood.  It has been 60 years since Elwyn Brooks White wrote this wonderful story.  I was so excited to read it to my little girl, and the fact that she liked made me shed a tear.  For the finale of my big day, we all watched the newer movie together.  It is not exactly like the classic movie I remember, but still it is a very beautiful story.  It gives me a new fondness for spiders.  

I had a blessed 40th birthday.

Cocoa Powder Room

We have our house up for sale and I figured perhaps that "TinkerBell Green" is not a safe color for a downstairs powder room.  This picture makes it look like a nice, soft and soothing green.

Do not be fooled by such trick lighting, as it really looks bright green.  It is almost flourescent and quite alarming when one's eyes get a glance at it while passing by the lu.
I figured neutral color would be safer.  So, it is now a softer shade of cocoa.  It seems rather pleasing to the eye now.

My daughter calls it, "boring brown".  The actual name is "Aviary Nest", from the Earth Collection by Freshairechoice paint that I am in love with since it has no VOCs.  I think a nice basket to house rolls of tissue add a nice touch.  Would a little round nest with some aqua, egg-shaped soaps be too much?

A Tie Dyed Easter!

We have been very busy spring cleaning for showings and I am sorry that I have neglected my blog.  We had a bit of fun on Easter Sunday.  We colored our eggs to look tie dyed!

It was very easy and quick!  The idea is from Family Fun magazine, refreshed by Pink and Green Mama.
Why not color eggs for any occasion?  How about a spring brunch?  The colors just pop so nicely on a white plate.  How about a milk glass cake plate?  I am very excited and hope to win one this week that I am bidding on ebay.  It's not just for for cakes.  I am thinking it will cradle gorgeous, colorful fruit to sketch and then house cupcakes for a day.  Who doesn't love an adorably decorated cupcake, or muffins and scones?  Oh goodness.  I am getting the munchies for breakfast goodies and a steaming cup of coffee to accompany a plate of freshly baked pastries.

I hope everyone had a wonderful and blessed Easter.
Happy Spring!