Happy Birthday Rosie!

Rosie's birthday was on Thursday and now she is 4 years old! Seems like a huge jump from 3 to 4. It makes me want to cry really, seems to me like she should still be my baby! Every one older whose been thru it tries to warn you when you have your first child about how time begins flying. But you'll never really understand until it happens to you! I am so afraid I am going to wake up one morning and they are all going to be in college. As much as I tire of the noise and the chaos that three little girls bring to this house, I can't imagine life without them. They are each a blessing, and this week we have a wonderful time celebrating the blessing that Rosie is to us!


The cake was super ooper chocolaty and Gluten Free!! You can find the recipe on the back of the Hershey's coco powder box and substitue the gluten free flour mix for the flour! It turns out very moist and no one would ever guess it's not made with wheat flour.

Here's Rosie and her cousin Kyle, can you see him? He just turned 4 a few weeks ago. They have so much fun together!


Oh, and by the way the studio is rented!! I'll let you know when we have another unit available, I think ours is next!

Studio Apartment For rent- again.

If you know anyone looking for a place, send 'em our way. Our renter is breaking her lease and we need to rent the studio again. Here's the specs and some pics. Thanks!

Cute East hills lower level studio apartment on Lake Dr. Close to Downtown Eastown, Bus lines, restaurants, entertainment and Colleges. This unit has a great layout, large storage closet in living room, large closet for clothes, fireplace, big front porch. Rent includes ALL UTILITIES!!! Gas, electric, water, trash removal, off street parking, and WIRELESS INTERNET!!! This is really a great deal, it saves you money every month and you only have one check to write. No gas bill to budget for in the winter. Your housing costs stay the same every month. This is a great location and a great house to live in. Great neighbors! There is a nice backyard with a big picnic table and a garden area.

Email or call Jen (616) 301-3757.

Available immediately. Various lease options available.

sewing for me!

I apologize for the lack of posting lately. Things have been so crazy and our family has really had a hard time getting into the swing of things in the new year. We seem to have contracted every virus on the planet in the last few months. Lily has been struggling with her school routine, especially riding the bus and the Baby has been worse than ever about sleeping at night. She is doing better now, and I think that it is due to the fact that I have weaned her totally. She seemed to have entered a new developmental stage lately and it just kind of worked out. She will be 18 months old this month, can you believe it? I can't!

I promised myself as I was sewing night and day before Christmas that I would make some things for myself in the new year. I have been living up to that promise this week so I thought I would share a couple things. Sorry the photos are not the best, I was in a hurry and I couldn't figure out any other way to photograph my skirt with me in it except to use the photobooth on my computer.

I made myself a new purse last weekend:

and I finished a new wrap skirt today:

So stayed tuned to hear more about our gluten free cooking, sewing, the toy swap, those crazy kids of course and most exciting, the spring growing plans!!! Anyone else out there planning a garden?? What are you growing? Interested in sharing seeds and planting together??

Banana Bread

We have been making lots of gluten free banana bread lately. For some reason no one eats the bananas I buy lately, so I just mash them up and make a loaf when they turn brown. Gluten Free Baking is always kind of inconsistent it seems, but we usually have very good results with this recipe. It's another one from the Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook and we just substitute the flower with our gluten free flour mix.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp salt

1 egg

1 cup mashed ripe bananas (3 medium)

3/4 cup sugar (or less, 1/4 cup is enough)

1/4 cup cooking oil (e.g. canola oil)

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

1/3 cup cranberries (optional)

1/3 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Preparation:

Grease the bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides of an 8x4x2-inch loaf pan; set aside. In a medium mixing bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Make a well in the center of dry mixture; set aside.

In another bowl combine the egg, bananas, sugar and cooking oil. Add egg mixture all at once to dry mixture. Stir just till moistened (batter should be lumpy). Fold in nuts, cranberries and chocolate chips.

Spoon batter into the prepared pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 50-55 minutes or till a wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove loaf from pan; cool on rack. Wrap and store overnight before slicing. Makes 1 loaf (16 servings).

From Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book