Merry Christmas to you!

 Merry Christmas to all!!

Thanksgiving Gluten Free Menu

Here is my gluten free Thanksgiving dinner menu, but don't tell, because it will be so good that nobody will know that it is gluten free! Works every time.

GLUTEN FREE DINNER ROLLS

They are a bit odd shaped but I like crunchy dinner rolls so I let them rise longer so they are full of air pockets. If you like soft dinner rolls just follow the directions on the package. These freeze very well too.

GLUTEN FREE PECAN PIE

I also made a pecan pie today and snatched a slice, it was wonderful! For the filling I use Aldi pecans, and for the filling I use Gluten Free Pecan Pie Mix from Calhoun Bend Mill.

I can't remember the pie crust name, but I bought it at Kroger in the frozen section. 2 pre-made (my kinda pie crusts!) gluten free pie crusts for around $6.00.

I plan to try the French Fried Onions from Aldi that I bought for my green bean casserole. I have not tried those yet. I will make those along with the mashed potatoes and gravy the day of the of our meal. 

May you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving. If you don't celebrate our holiday please take time to enjoy your family members, whether they are near or far.

Moe

Adoptive Momma Tears Flow

Spring time makes for wonderful fresh and new memories. Like the memory of the very first time our son brought me a Taraxacum officinale, a weed, better known as a Dandelion. I remember that day quite well, he was around 18 months old and we were walking home from an errand. Thinking back to the nine long years that we waited for a child and Spring days of wondering, "Will I ever be brought a bouquet of Dandelions, picked by eager chubby little hands?" The day I got my beautiful yellow weed was a day that will stick out in my heart and mind forever. That day my little man learned the difference in tears, happy tears and sad tears. As a teenager he can discern the difference in them with regards to his Momma pretty well now.

Just yesterday the nearly 15 year old young man brought me a Taraxacum officinale, a weed, better known as a Dandelion. That little yellow weed filled this adoptive momma's heart with love and her eye's with tears, happy tears that is. It made me thankful that he thought of me, stopped during his busy day and took the time to smell the flowers, even if they were just weeds. These are simple little pleasures a Momma gets and uses as teaching moments for her son. I remind him that his wife will enjoy getting a simple bouquet of flowers on a rare occasion, just because he thought of her. 

I treasure these moments as the days are fleeting and soon those Dandelions will be untouched. But I think that somehow I will be getting a bouquet of flowers in the Spring from my little man when he is all grown up, no matter where the Lord plants him.

Moe

 

Taming The Electronics Monster

I thought the blog title Taming The Electronics Monster is pretty telling. Electronics can become a monster in our home and eat up lots of our valuable time. I recently read a blog post by Sports Mom Survival Guide. She has a really cool idea and a printout to make your own printed "Electronics Tickets" for your children. You can print out 15 minute or 30 minute tickets to give to your child.

click here for FREE printable

Up until 7th grade we had implemented no media during the week and then 30 minutes per day on Sat/Sun. After that we have done 30 minutes per day and 60 min on Sat/Sun. For our family media means radio, TV (which we only have FREE TV channels), DVD's, VHS, Internet, Amazon Prime, video games and educational games). An extra 30 min can be earned through extra chores.

There are two areas that I am lenient on, one being in the car I have on talk Christian radio, Dave Ramsey, Medical School HQ podcast or a CD with a homeschool convention speaker.  The other being on Saturday mornings, the Homeschooled Young Man likes to listen to some young adults Christian radio programs. So while he is doing his chores or lounging ni his room he has free rein to listen to those programs.

Now on rare occasions (Mom is ill, Dad is off a day etc) then we will have a media frenzy, but it's very rare! Maybe 3x per year. It's usually either a Bugs Bunny or Deadliest Catch marathon...lol...yes, I know weird picks, but we like them!

I have printed mine out and and laminated them. Pretty cool idea!

How does your family Tame The Electronics Monster?

Moe