Gluten Free Raspberry Thumbprints

Gluten Free Raspberry Thumbprints

3/4 softened butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups King Arthur Brand Gluten Free Multi-Purpose Flour

1-2 cups of crushed up sliced almonds
Seedless raspberry preserves

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine butter and sugar, blending well. Add vanilla and egg yolks. Mix well and add GF flour. Blend together for a couple of minutes until your dough is light and fluffy.

Using a mini scoop, make 1 inch balls with dough. Roll dough balls in crushed almonds. Place one inch apart on cookie sheet. Bake for 12 minutes or until edges are just turning a golden color. Remove from oven and press a "thumbprint" into the center of each cookie with the end of a thick, round wooden spoon handle. Allow to cool for at least 20 minutes before adding a small dollop of raspberry jam in the centers. Sprinkle with a touch of powdered sugar and enjoy your beautiful, delicious cookies!

Perfect GF Pumpkin Pie!

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie with Almond Crust

Crust:
1 1/2 cups almond flour or almond meal
3 tsp melted butter
2 tsp sugar

Filling:
2 large eggs
1 15 oz can pumpkin puree
1 12 oz can evaporated milk
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground cardamom
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, mix almond flour, melted butter, and sugar. Pat evenly onto bottom and up the sides of a glass pie dish. Bake 10 minutes and let cool.

Beat eggs in a large bowl, then whisk in pumpkin, sugar, spices, and salt. Stir in milk and mix well. Pour mixtures onto pie crust and bake for 50-55 minutes or until cake tester inserted near the center of the pie comes out clean. Cool on rack and serve chilled with whipped cream.

I found this recipe in a Fred Meyer holiday cookbook that came in the mail. Seriously the most amazing pumpkin pie I have ever tasted. Even if you prefer a different crust, this filling is simply the best, in my opinion. Enjoy!

Prosper Til the End

I love Sundays and I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Recently my husband and I have rededicated ourselves to scripture study and prayer as a couple, even over the phone, if necessary, as he travels frequently for work. We are great at doing these things with our kids, but in an effort to grow closer to one another we felt it was most important to put the teachings of Jesus Christ first in our marriage. I have always known the the gospel teachings were correct and would bring us more in line with God, but my testimony has just exploded this last week. Our lives have been overcome with blessings from above and the closeness we desired in our marriage is returning and strengthening more than ever.

As a result of putting the gospel first in our lives we are blessed with an outpouring of the Spirit of God in our lives, in our minds, in our hearts. We want to live better, be better, and keep on this path that is bringing so much joy and peace...not the kind that comes from things of this world, but true peace of mind and heart that can only come from obedience to our Savior's commandments to follow Him.

Today was our Ward Conference. All the things that Jay and I have been studying in the Ensign and from past General Conference talks came together in that meeting. Our Stake Presidency and amazing Bishop talked of enduring to the end. They explained that at times "enduring" can sound daunting and as if it were drudgery. Then my personal favorite scripture was shared:

"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life." -2 Nephi 31:20

Truly "having a perfect brightness of hope, a love of God of all men" can not be drudgery, our Stake President shared.

In our lives there are so many challenges that we must face. There are times we feel alone and that one more day is just more than we can bear. I have felt that way and it was at this point in my life recently that I decided it was time to remember my favorite scripture; it was time to feast once again upon the words of Christ. I knew that it would not be easy, but I needed to change and repent of some habits in my life that were keeping me from being close to my sweetheart. I needed all the help I could get, and there was no help to be found here on this world. I needed more strength than I could muster alone to overcome the challenges and temptations in my daily life. I remembered feeling the Spirit and knew that I wanted it again in great abundance. It was time to get back to basics and keeping the commandments.

As soon as Jay and I started reading and praying more fervently as a couple with the same goal of closeness in mind, the Spirit began to return. I felt that the adversary did give one more big push at the beginning of it all, but as I held on and just pushed through calling on God for help and strength, the peace given through obedience was readily available.

We do not have a perfect life or marriage...no one does. That is part of life. The trials we face and the choices we make define who we are and refine us into the people we want to be. However, I testify that when we choose to obey the Lord's commandments, He will immediately bless us and our righteous desires will be fulfilled.

I think I am the luckiest girl in the world to be married to such a tender-hearted gentleman. He teaches me again and again how obeying the Lord brings blessings and relief to our trials.

Today when our Ward Conference was over, my sweetheart leaned over, kissed me on the cheek, and whispered, "Not only will we endure to the end, but we will prosper til the end."

Awww Shucks!

This was written by my 7th grader today for a class assignment:

My Favorite Person

My favorite person is hard to say, but if I had to pick I would choose between my mom

and dad. I would choose between them because they both try hard to help me with school, and no, they didn’t help me write this paragraph. They always do what they can to help me keep my grades up. They always show up at my sporting events and cheer me on. They are super cool and always encourage me to do my best. They are always willing to help other people, no matter what it is. They are my favorite people because when it’s time to work, they work, but when it is time to mess around, they’re hilarious. They are the best people in the world and always know what to do. That is why they are my favorite people.

Wow! Talk about a pleasant surprise!  :)

Familes are Forever

There are people who come into our lives that we simply just love right away. Rand Sherwood is one of those people. He was always kind, accepting, smiling, loving, and willing to give a helping hand to those he didn't even always know very well. Yesterday Rand returned to our Heavenly Father suddenly and his loss is greatly felt in our family. He is an extra special man with extra special children, two of them being very close to me: a brother-in-law, Jason, and a great friend with whom I shared fun college memories, Jeremy. His wife and daughter are just as wonderful and beautiful.

Rand, I love you. Thank you for helping my family and giving me one awesome eternal brother-in-law.

Please take a moment today to tell the ones you love how much they mean to you.

My Hubby is Famous!

Jeremy and his awesome Choffy distributing buddies, Jenn Coats and Don Sorenson, created this Choffy video!

If you love this video and Choffy, you can sign up for your own Autoship at: www.DrinkChoffy.com/Chocolate.

BFFs are a Girl's Best Friend

Every little girl needs her BFFs. These childhood memories stand the tests of time and mean so much to us grown little girls.

Yesterday Avery had a good friend come over after school. I enjoyed watching them interact and have fun together. It reminded me of when I was my daughter's age and the memories of my BFF, Casey Cronin, came flooding back. I could not resist taking them to the mall, buying them matching Valentine's earrings, and getting treats. Before the night was through, we went to Bath & Body Works and sprayed ribbons with new fragrances and then tied them in the girls' hair.

My husband was getting a kick out of how much fun I was having! It was like reliving my childhood with Casey! My little girl and her friend were having so much fun together singing, playing, just being themselves. As we left the mall, they were holding hands. It just made my heart melt.

I am grateful for my BFF, Casey, when I was a little girl just like Avery. Casey and I were like sisters and always got along. We just clicked and it was wonderful girlhood magic.

I LOVE having a daughter and that she is so kind and sweet to others. I hope that she is a great friend to others and enjoys the blessings of receiving great friendships in return.

I know last night was magical for these two little girls, but it was magical for me as well. I was 7 years old again with my BFF and remembered things I had forgotten years ago. Time flies so quickly, but the memories are priceless.

I love you, Casey.  :)

I {heart} Valentine's Day!

There is just something so fun about having an entire day to celebrate all things LOVE! From the little cards to the treats you give to put a smile on someone special's face, I just can't get enough of it.

I hope if you are reading this post, that you can feel a big lot of love from my family to yours!

Happy Hearts Day!

Allison's Amazing Gluten Free Breakfast Quiche

From my friend, Allsion...this is AMAZINGLY delicious fresh and reheated!

About half of a loaf of Udi's bread
Chopped onion to taste
1 cup shredded cheese
1 pkg cooked crumbled bacon
8 eggs
2 cups milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

"I usually use my 11 x 7 Pyrex baking pan. Spray with nonstick spray. Tear bread into pieces and place in bottom of pan. Sprinkle chopped onions over bread, followed by cheese and bacon. (At this point you can put the pan in the fridge and bake later.) In a bowl, beat the eggs. Stir in milk, salt, and pepper. Pour egg mixture over contents of the pan. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 35 - 45 mins, or until eggs are set. Works well with ham, sausage, or different kinds of cheese. Mild chorizo with green chiles is tasty, too." -Allison W.

Just a Thought on Zack

I love my son. This kid is one special boy. I know that every boy is special, but I have just been so impressed with my Zack lately. He is 12 and is in 7th grade. It is hard to make correct decisions when surrounded by a world filled with loud and incorrect influences. He loves fashion and sports and cool things as much as the next kid, but his desire to be clean and choose the right makes me appreciate him more each day. He is an incredible example to me of rising above the noise and making a positive difference in this world.

Plus, look at that grin! Who could resist that smile?

My Latest Yummy Gluten-Free Find

A few months ago I discovered that I am gluten intolerant. Since then I have found some pretty fantastic gluten-free foods (as well as some not-so-fantastic ones). On the top of my "fantastic" list has got to be these AMAZING double chocolate brownie bites by Enjoy Life. The flavor is full of chocolately goodness, the texture is soft and chewy, and the size is just perfect to eat 2 or 3 and not feel guilty. 

If you have a Fred Meyer, you can find them in the gluten-free health food section. If not, I have also found them on Amazon.com.

Seriously, if you are GF (or heck, even if you aren't!), you have got to give these a try! If you are in the neighborhood, come on by; I've got lots in my pantry!

Peggy's Picks: Magnetic Chore Chart

Peggy's Picks: Magnetic Chore Chart

This is a great idea! I would use words on the magnets rather than images because my kids are older, but either way...this is just too cute!

Thanks Peggy!