Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Under Construction
I have not had the desire to write in some time now. I am not sure why. I have been so dis pointed for not finding the desire with in too write. 
However after a lot of soul searching I figured out why. 
I have not been happy for some time with my space in which I write in. 
So with that said we are going under construction.  

This will take a while because my construction team has two full time jobs. So it will be in the wee hours of the night that I will be over seeing the changes.
So my dear sweet registered 14 followers please don't loose hope. I love you all for hanging on! And the ones who are not registered I love you too!
I am here...I have not moved away and forgotten to take you with me! 
I still have not found my farm house yet! 

So tune in more! We are up and repairing our great space here!
With much Love!
Cynthia



Can you guess where I am this week? 


Monday, May 14, 2012

Tonight this is where I am running too. 
How simple my life was over a month ago. 
My only worry was soaking in every moment with my children and making sure I documented it through my camera lens.
Every day my children ask me when are we going back to the magic of the amazing vacation we went on?
I sigh, and reply, some day soon. In my three year old's mind that is eternity because five minutes passing is a big deal to her. To the six year old that is a life time because each day takes forever. For my thirteen year old that is next spring break. For me it can not happen fast enough.

I am sorry I have not been a faithful writer. I think about you all every day. However I can not bring myself to just slap jiberish on this page. I want to give you quality to my creativity. So please be patient with me. Soon I will find my groove again and soon I will stop grieving the loss of not being on our amazing spring break all over again. 
I am counting down the days till next year and I am thrilled to say it is less then 365!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

You know you have been away from your blog way to long, when you return the behind the scene mechanics has all changed. It took me 30 minutes just to figure out how to write a post. 

I have so much to catch up on. 

My travels over the last few months.

A small home maker over 

The conclusion of our first home school year

new gluten free recipes

My time with Presley and Lu

And my family is expecting several new miracles this year! No, I am not having one, but very close family members are!

And last but not least, my flowers and plants who have too, taken a back seat lately. 

I will contain myself and give it to you in small doses. 

Can not wait to catch up!

 

Friday, March 30, 2012

My Journal Colored Eggs

We love tradition in our Home.
 
Coloring Eggs is one of our favorites!
 
 
 
 Happy Easter!
 Jesus gave it all for our sins!

 
 

Monday, March 26, 2012

Hello!
No, I have not been carried away to another planet, no my children did not take over the house and lock me in a closet to have the keg party of a life time, no I have not run away with the hot UPS man that comes to my home and opened all the goodies on his truck, and no Southern Man did not Wis me away to Paris finally for the romantic trip of a life time. 

I am still here, more busy then I know what to do with. I promise VERY SOON I will let you all in on what's been on my VERY full PLATE!!

I will ask for prayer, good vibes, happy thoughts,a new or-ha, peace meditation or what ever else you can think of because my body has forgotten what it means to sleep longer then three hours!!
I am running on Santa busy season time right now and I am not wanting too!!

We have so many amazing blessing and events happening right now...as usual Mommy and her "ME" projects come last right now!
Can any of you relate to that?

On a fun note!
I had the most delicious spinach,feta and artichoke quiche  for brunch with my Kido-s this am!
WOW!
I bought the ingredients to make one today. 
Maybe I will post a quick photo of how it came out!
Check back in about 12 hours!
Hugs,

Monday, March 12, 2012

My Journal It's Monday!

It's Monday! 
Can you guess why I am writing in green instead of my red?



That's right it's St. Paddy's week!
 
I am hiding right now from what I know I should be working on! 
My kido's are still a sleep after a big weekend!
Which is another reason I love home school! 
They are getting what they need right at this minute and in a bit when they wake up and feel rested. They will still be able to get in a full school day!

This week is busy! So keep stopping by! 
We have a lot to share!
See you soon!
Can you count how many fish there are?
Another photo from my trip to Hawaii
 

Saturday, March 10, 2012

My Journal Long week Lots of Great Projects!

Hi Friends!
It has been a long week with lots of great projects! I have to say the taste of warm weather Mother nature gave me lit a warm fire in my under parts! Because I am giving my home a slight make over with some TLC!
Can't wait to show you what I have been up too!
As for today it's cold again!
And I am wishing I was back here in my warm Hawaii! 
This is the port where our Catermaran docked in and out of during our outing. More on that another day!
For now, Enjoy the view!

Friday, March 2, 2012

Great finds Healthy Choices

You have to check out this new amazing website!

Our family is on a constant quest to fill our mouths with as many healthy snacks we can find. 
One thing I can always be thankful for is that Southern Man is so supportive of the way I want to raise our children. When I tell him about a new healthy choice I have found he will join in on that quest and be the best hunter you have ever seen in adding to it.
Just tomatoes is this amazing website filled with great snack choices!
Our order is on the way I can not wait to taste it when it arrives!
This might result in a free give away! 

Monday, February 27, 2012

Book Review Dr. Suess 2012

 Well it's here and we are all tickled in my home! 

It's Read Across America Week!!!

We are jam packed with our Dr. Seuss books, scattered through out our home!


Don't you just want to spend the day rhyming after a Dr. Seuss book? Lord knows I do!

We have read 3 so far this week.
Dr. Seuss's Sleep Book
Horton Hatches the Egg
The Lorax

Both books have such powerful meanings inside them.

My children have also have been watching The Lorax the original version. That too has a powerful message in it. We have always been a family who recycles and tries to make as many earth friendly choices that we can. 
This planet is our home and I want to see it last. It was a gift from God and like all things we should take care of it. 

Recently though after reading the Lorax story and seeing the dvd several times now my six year old has taken the message from that story to heart. As we travel through our day he applies that message to his world around him. He reports people he see's not making earth friendly choices. Like not recycling. Poor guy he get's so upset. However, then I remind him that he is making good choices and that is what matters now. Someday down the road though, this guy is going to make a big impact on this planet! I am so proud of him! 

What Dr. Seuss books are in your home this week?

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Home Schooling Read Across America Day March 2nd, 2012

It is almost that time! 
My children and I gear up for this day for a long time!
We are just tickled to celebrate the man that brought us so many wonderful stories! 
That's right...
March 2, 2012 is Dr. Seuss Birthday!
It is also Read Across America Day!!
Here is the link to learn more about it!
I also included Seussville.com site so you can check out all they have to offer as well! 
Will you be wearing your red hat that day??
We are going to have our red hats on and some yummy cupcake to boot!
Check back in with us to see how our celebration went!
Cheers! 

Friday, February 17, 2012

Travel A Gluten Free Meal Zpizza

I don't think I have ever labeled my eating habbitts in my life up until 10 years ago. I use to love and take in all types of foods. Shellfish, good New Haven style pizza, a veggies lovers sub, Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Marco an,Steak, boiled Lobster, steamed crab with butter and lemon sauce, fresh baked bread, coconut cake, apple pie,pecan pie. You name it I would try it. 

Today, I can not eat half of those items on the list. I don't know what happened, I have never been fully diagnosed. However, about 10 years ago I was eating a large handful of trail mix and all of a sudden my tongue started to swell. Southern Man at the time, was my fiance, I scared him to death with my reaction to the trail mix I was eating. So much so he rushed me to the doctor and insisted I was food tested for allergies that day.We later came to find out I had sever food allergies. I just about laughed so hard I nearly knocked my self off the exam table as the doctor read the list of no-nos. He would say, no shellfish, I would reply I had crab buffet the night before and here I am! He would then reply, you have angels watching over you!
He would say no more nuts, I would say I eat peanut butter and jelly every day and trail mix and he replied and here we are today because of those choices! 
The darn list went on and on!! At the end of his list I began to cry, I said well I guess I will just have bread and water! He said no you won't because you are allergic to bread!! Actualy he said wheat and gluten! 
I thought my life was OVER!! I grew up in 2 large families filled with pizza, pies, shellfish, you name it, it was on that darn no-no list now!!

I tried to deny it! I went ahead and forged on! However the reactions got worse and bendryl became a routine part of my day. I knew there was no way out, I had to make a change. So I just gave it all up all together! Accept for a holiday treat. Well that worked for a while. Until Christmas rolled around that year and I wanted to make cookies. I thought I will still make the cookies I just won't eat them! WRONG!! I nearly gave my self a life altering sinus infection from the over overexposure. Well what the heck was I to do??? 
I reached acceptance a few months later and I started trying to find alternatives. There was NOT much out there. Especially tasty ones! God bless Southern Man, he too tried to eat like me, for support. Well he was just as grumpy as I was, that was not going to work! So I learned to live on a new adventure and he learned to not feel guilty. 
Today a large part of my diet is eating gluten-free. And Southern Man is a good egg, he eats the gluten- free pastas, my baked goods and our finds along travels. It has come such a long way in 10 years! 
I use to dread travel after I was new to learning to live gluten free. Now, I am shocked every time what I will find on my journeys. 
In fact, look what I found in Hawaii during my recent travels there! 
 If you have never had Zpizza, you are missing out big time!
The menu has a ton of organic choices! Not to mention...GLUTEN-FREE pizza!! 


Here is a little tour it's a simple place.
There large cooking area and lots of tables. They keep it simple! I like simple! 
Of course I got my usual! 
 Can you just taste it? Mouth watering peperoni and artichokes! I am craving one now!!
Southern Man could barley grab the shot before I stuffed the entire pie in my mouth!

 YES, those are possessed eyes!! I was so hungry!! We had been exploring for several hours and I needed my lunch! 
I wish I had ordered another one to bring back to the hotel, that was soo yummy!!
This is a trip you want to make and bring home extra when you order! 
It is amazing to me how far gluten-free living has come. Especially what yummy food I find on my travels these days!








































 

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Red Velvet Whoopee Pies

My Step-Mom is an amazing women. She always shocks me with the thoughtful ways she shows how much she loves me. 
I went to visit her recently and she made me a delicious treat! 
Gluten Free-Red Velvet Whoopee Pies

They were amazing!! 
I had 2!! 
She decorated them for Valentines which was so sweet.
She used a simple gluten-free yellow cake mix. Coco powder and red food coloring.
For the frosting she choose a cream cheese recipe, I will have to get back to you with the one she choose.

It is a amazing what you can do with a simple gluten-free cake mix!
 
 Any one is the mood to bake now?





 

Monday, February 13, 2012

Gluten Free Cook Book My favorite Southern Man's Enemey!

This is one of my all time favorite pasta dishes lately! I just can't not get enough of it!



It just looks yummy! Greek Spinach Spaghetti with fresh Parmesan cheese!
And the Monkey's love it! We have it at least 3 times a month!


Well today I just could not help the craving for it. I made it for lunch, the Monkey's were excited! Southern Man arrived on the scene for lunch,the expression on his face when he saw what I had cooked for lunch left him looking, like some one smashed his lap top! Now, he does not gripe in front of the monkey's, however, when he asked,"why do you hate me so much?" I knew he was not happy! The good news is, he ate it and lived!! I think if we all had a chance to eat lunch with his mother she would give you quite a tale about spinach and her son!
Here are the ingredients to this great dish:
1Kraft Greek Dressing
2 bags of heartland gluten-free pasta
1/2 bag of frozen spinage
freshly grated Parmesan cheese
olive oil and salt for the cooking water.
It's so simple to make! In a large pot fill 3/4 way with water. Add olive oil and salt to the water. Wait for it to boil. Add in spinach and the pasta. Cook through the cooking time. Drain in a netted cullender.I also rinse it a bit with hot water. Once it is drained, drop it into a large serving bowl, add the Greek dressing, to your desired amount,grate the cheese over it toss and repeat! Then at the end, grate a bit more cheese! We love fresh grated cheese in this house!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Home Schooling Creativity!

Today as I climbed our long staircase during quite time, to put away laundry, I almost stepped on this very important party of people at the stop of the staircase.



This is just one of the many examples of how my children are free to express themselves through out their day.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Home Schooling Math Chart

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9.....





This simple number chart makes a world of difference in my son's ability with learning to add. Do you have simple tools you are using during your math lesson?
























































































































Monday, January 23, 2012

My Journal My Travels to Pete's New Haven Style pizza

If you are apart of my family growing up pizza was it's own food group!
My very first job out side of baby sitting was working for the famous Restaurant Rossini's Pizza in Cheshire,Ct. 
They were the real deal when it came to Italian food. They still are and still yummy!

I lived for my night I worked there! At the end of my shift the owner Ralphie would always send me home with a pie all my own with what ever I wanted on it! 
When I became gluten intolerant 1o years ago, I had the shock that I would no longer be able to eat at my Rosinni's any longer.
Now, I have found an answer to my search!
 They have gluten free pizza! 
It was delicious! 
What an amazing! 

Artichokes, pepperoni and onions, just the way I love it!
Southern Man ordered 4 more of these to take home for me! I wrapped them slice by slice and froze them. I had them for great quick meals. It last me almost 2 weeks! Yes I ate for 2 out of me 3 meals a day! I had not had pizza like this in 10 years! I could not help myself!!

 See our family style cozy booth! What a great time we had there! Good food, good music, great service!
This resturant was amazing! Even the soda was healthy!
Corn Syrup free!!
Pete's prides themselves on great service and healthy choices!

There were a ton of cute shops to explore and the neighborhood was friendly and clean!

This was a great family day adventure!































































































































 

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Adventures with Animals, Lady P,

This is her actual asleep look. This poor girl is always on the job! 
She is NEVER off the clock! 
She is always, looking out for our family, giving a caring kiss, listening, watching, playing, looking,counting, eating,drinking, dragging her toys out..right after I have put them away! 
The list goes on and on! 
This amazing creature..never sleeps! 
I think she needs to go on vacation more then I do!

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Sunday Brunch!


I am a creature of habit, maybe! Well I do know this, my grandparents took me to church also most every Sunday and when they did we always went out for brunch after wards. 
That is one special tradition I will never change. I love warm Sunday Brunch, church too of course!
Tomorrow it's going to be warm pancakes on a cold winter morning!




First I make my batter!





Then I warm up my amazing pancake griddle.

Then on to, the end result! Warm buttery syrup added! Did I mention these babies are gluten free?




Friday, January 20, 2012

Home Schooling Advanced Readers

My children ages 3 and 6 this morning walked into my room while I was preparing our new math book for our home school lessons today. 
Each of them was holding a chapter book in their hands diligently looking through it.
 
My 3 year old daughter was reading, The Confident Child,by Terri Apter, PHD.
My son holding in his hand Kitchen Confidential, by Anthony Bourdain

I asked them both how their books were, my daughter replied," I am working on my confidence."
My son response was,"What...I like Kitchens?"
I think home school is going pretty well, considering their reading choices!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

My Journal My Daughter's Song!

The other day, my little girl and I were waiting around for her Daddy(Southern Man) to arrive home and kill those few minutes before we sat down to dinner. She was so ancy for dinner. So I decide to seize the moment and write her a song to occupy her mind.

There we were two silly girls, singing along to the words we were coming up with to make her song. We were having so much fun.
Yesterday on a trip to the dentist, I heard her sweet voice coming from the back seat of my suv singing her sweet song. She was so proud! I started singing along with her.
We had a dear friend traveling with us and she was so tickled to hear the song we had come up with.
We are having our quite time after lunch right now. I sat down to write to all of you and what did I hear coming from her room, but the sweet song she had made for me....
"Mom, Mom, I love you Mom!"I love, I love, I love you all the time. Mom, Mom I lovvvvvve you!, Oh Mom, I love you".
I am sooo holding back the tears right now! Her sweet amazing voice just made my heart grow twice in size!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Home Schooling If you have questions this answers them!

This you tube video was sent to me by a home school girl friend. I hope all of our home schooling children say this some day! 
 
If you have questions about what life is like for a home schooled child,  this should answer them!
Take a look