Union Jack Side Table

I took an old piece of furniture that is in my 14 year old daughters bedroom and gave it a face lift.

This bed side cabinet was purchased when me and my hubby first moved in together 21 years ago. Solid Pine it has travelled across the pond from Blighty to the USA.

My daughter, who never doubts my artistic ability obviously she has never spoken to my High School art teacher! Made a request I could not refuse.

I am so glad I did….

I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White and Provence. I did Clear Wax after distressing a little… it is 21 years old! The pink was a satin from Lowes I had hanging around.

She loves it!

Spaghetti Squash Bake… Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Paleo Diet

Today I am making Spaghetti Squash Bake…

Ingredients

3 small/medium Spaghetti Squash approx 6lbs
1.5lbs Lean Ground Beef
1 large Can Crushed Tomatoes with Basil
1 Large Can Diced Tomatoes
3 Eggs
1/2 onion
Tomato Paste

Pre Heat Oven to 350 degrees, cut your squash length ways without losing fingers and remove the seeds,

Lightly brush with Olive Oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper and bake upside down for 40 mins.

In the mean time you can be browning the ground beef and onions. Once nicely browned drain off any fat.

In a sauce pan place the two cans of tomatoes and a tablespoon of paste, I also threw in some italian herbs seasoning I had. Heat and simmer.

Once the squash is cooked, scrap out the goodness which will appear like spaghetti in to a large casserole dish. Add the ground meat, and the tomato sauce.

Beat the 3 eggs and mix in.

Bake for One Hour at 350.

It is delicious! Perfect for a Gluten Free, Starch Free Diet!

Repurposing an ugly hutch, now that is a challenge with AS

I repurposed and bought to life an ugly hutch.. read about it on my other page…

Repurposing an ugly hutch, now that is a challenge with AS.

Remembering Louis

My dear four legged friend passed away February 26th 2014.

Sudden Pet Death is so very sad.

Louis had a blockage in his small intestine, surgery was preformed and the vet removed a berry, smelly and rotten but clearly a Mulberry from our tree.

A section of the small intestine had to be removed so I am guessing this berry had been there a long time. Mulberries cover my garden in the summer months.

The following morning Louis had a heart attack and could not be saved.

Every day I miss his smiling face and the happiness he shared. He was always so happy, his tail always wagging.

I wonder… Did the berry pass his stomach to the small intestine and lodge there rotting for months or did is seed get lodged and the berry grew?

Either way the tree is coming down and something without Berries will be planted.

You don’t realize how much the passing of a pet effects the pets that are left behind. Charlie has acted strange and for days carried his toys from one place to another constantly moving them.

Now he just looks sad all the time, but he never smiled like Louis!

Oatmeal and Cranberry Cookies… Gluten Free and Dairy Free if you eliminate the Choc Drizzle or use Dairy Free Choc Chips

So I love the Trader Joe Oatmeal and Cranberry Dunkers and have been wanting to make version for the past week.

Today was the day. I started out trying to find a recipe online but then I just decided to use my Oatmeal and Raisin Cookie Recipe I always use and use Cranberries instead and add the Choc Drizzle.

Here is my recipe…

3/4 Cup Crisco Shortening I use the All Vegetable sticks

3/4 Cup Sugar

3/4 Cup Soft Brown Sugar Packed

2 Large Eggs

2 tsp Vanilla Essence

1 Cup Gluten Free Flour (Trader Joes)

1 tsp Baking Soda

1 Tsp Cinnamon

1/4 Salt

2 3/4 Cup Old Fashioned Oats (Gluten Free Bobs Red Mill)

1 Cup Dried Cranberries or Raisins

1 Cup Chopped Walnuts (Optional, I threw them in because I had them)

Mix Shortening and Sugars in a mixer until smooth.

Add the 2 eggs and Vanilla and Beat.

In another bowl mix together the flour, baking soda, salt and Cinnamon. Add this to the already mix ingredients. Mix until it is all mixed together nicely.

I add the Oats by mixing in with a wooden spoon, not my kitchen aid. Once the Oats are mixed in, add your Cranberries and Walnuts if using them.

You want your oven at 350 and I line my baking sheet with Parchment paper.

Spoon your mixture on to the paper, about 1 Tablespoon, 2 Inches apart.

Bake for 11 mins, Cool on tray for a minute or two as they will be soft when you take them out the oven.

Transfer to a cooling rack once they have started to harden.

Once cooled you can melt White Chocolate Chips in a glass bowl over a pan of hot water and then Drizzle over the top of your cookies. This must be Dairy Free if you want Dairy Free version.

Enjoy…

And the culprit is…..

After much sleuthing all evidence is pointing at King Charles aka Sir Barksalot.

Yesterday he took the bait. I placed an empty Dunkin Cup in a waste paper bin and yes, you guessed it. Charlie was seen in a like of laundry removing and chewing the cup.

Like me he is a fan of the French Vanilla.

Suspect #2

King Louis… Otherwise known as Mr. PP

He also should no adverse effects to cafeine. I wondering if the cup was empty… Have to ask hubby.

Suspect #1

King Charlie… Otherwise known as Sir Barksalot.

If it was him the caffeine did not keep him awake.

Dunkin Lid

Found the lid of the destroyed cup…

Still no clues on who did it!

Running On Dunkin?

There’s a dog in the house and it’s running on Dunkin!

Which on was it?!