The Mariners

Another Seattle adventure for the Bradshaw family. Monday night was family night at Safeco field. Brandon and I braved extreme, and by extreme I mean taking our children out for MANY hours of sitting in one spot - we ventured out to a Mariners game with a few of our friends from the ward. We had a WONDERFUL time. The kids were good (good requiring you note that they are 2 and 4, they were as good as can be expected for a 3 hour baseball game) It was so fun. They did, however, get more enjoyment out of seeing the airplanes fly over the stadium than they did from the game. Kenzie loved the music, every time it came on she would dance and go crazy, even when the music was done - she loves dancing! Dillon had so much fun, he wanted to go back tonight (because Brandon went back, he got some REALLY good tickets from a co-worker and was going to take Dillon - who turned out to be very naughty today. . .) At one point during the game we asked him who was playing (Mariners & Angels) he informed us that it was the Mormons :) Go Mormons!!!

Brownies & Maple Bars

Life has thrown a new twist at me. I don't have a positive diagnosis, but I do have a blood test leading to my conclusion that I have celiac, yes I will eventually have the biopsy all of my family is bugging me to have but until then a positive reaction to my lack of gluten, is enough for me. I will keep you posted, if it is to the contrary I will post mounds recipes in a renewed salute to the joy and ease of wheat, if I am right, you can refer to my blog for various gluten free recipes in a salute to something else entirely.

I've watched for years as my father and sister have dealt with this disease and once you are eating the right thing it is completely manageable and pain free, if I must add yet another to my list of medical ailments I would choose this over MANY others! All I have to do is avoid gluten... although my passion for the sometimes floury substance is not as deep ceded as my husband's I am gradually realizing things I can no longer have and each day is getting a little harder -- oh, I can have them, I just have to make them from scratch and using strange expensive ingredients. I didn't realize how much emotion I had been holding in until I got to a friends blog (Meg, I will call her a friend even though we only met once because of how much emotional attachment her gluten free (gf) food blog now holds for me) She did this, not for herself but for the man she loves - certainly I can for myself? She had a gf brownie recipe, I love brownies. They are delectable and divine, I have spent years (5) finding the best brownie recipe only to be cut down once it's found, but I will prevail. I know my sister is a vast resource for my venture into gluten free - she has been doing it for 15 years now, but there was some block in my mind. Like if I called her it would all be true and she would console me, I do not want to be comforted, at this point I'm not sure if it's real and maybe a bit in denial - I don't have it for sure yet - this could all go away.

I am going to be me again. This will not stop me, it is only a speed bump. I feel like I am acting so silly over something so unimportant in the great plan of happiness, this makes me feel better, but I can't seem to stop myself from moping. All day long my mind is humming with activity - what else can't I eat? When is the next realization of a forgotten but much beloved treat going to hit? Maple bars, mmmmm, I loved maple bars but I would never voluntarily make them for fear of seeing what is actually in them... Ovaltine too, I don't know anything about it's claim on nutritional value but it does make a fabulous chocolate milk! Sorry for this post, it is against my better nature to post things relating to my serious side but it is quite a liberating experience, possibly I will delete it in a few hours and possibly not :)

Oops...

Kenzie has been potty training lately and doing quite well, despite her very lazy mother :) Today I was taking her potty and my mind was quite on other things. I was placing her on the "potty" and gradually become aware that normally she would be sitting by now and what .... oops, ummm, I put my toddler in the toilet. I had forgotten to put her little training seat on and her scrawny little hind parts went right through into the toilet. This isn't the first time that has happened mind you, but it is the first time it was her mother who did it :)

If, by chance she ever manages to be potty trained - it won't have been any of my doing :)

More Recipes, Powerball & Oatmeal Cake

These were requested from me so I thought I'd just post them and everyone can have them - I don't like making things unless I see a picture, sorry no cake picture, just make it - it's good! But here is a random little girl holding a Powerball, it's from the magazine WonderTime.

PowerBall - to replace the "dough balls" (frozen balls of cookie dough) I usually give my kids to snack on, I'm such a good mom, here have some raw eggs, butter and sugar for a snack :) We all have our faults...

Mix 1 C. peanut butter and 1 c. honey until smooth, gradually add in 3 cups oats and 1/2 c. ground flaxseed. Add 1 c. chocolate chips and 1 c. any combination of dried fruit and nuts (try chopped peanuts with raisins and craisins or blueberries) and smoosh together by hand or gently with your mixer. Roll into ping-pong sized balls. You can eat them right away but they will be less sticky after a night in the fridge. They freeze really well too layered on wax paper in an airtight container. Makes 40 - 48 balls.

Oatmeal Cake - this stuff is delicious!!!
1 1/2 c. boiling water
1 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. shortening
1c. sugar
1c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp salt, vanilla & baking soda
1 1/3 c. flour
Topping:
6 T. butter
2/3 c. brown sugar
1 c. coconut
1 c. nuts (we just added extra coconut)
1/4 c. cream or evap. milk
1 tsp vanilla
Pour boiling water over oatmeal and let stand until cool. Cream together shortening, sugar and eggs. Add oatmeal to mixture. Sift dry ingredients together and add to mixture. Mix well, Bake 350 to 35 minutes while cake is hot spread with topping and cook under the broiler for 3 minutes or until bubbly and lightly browned

Topping
Put butter in pan and melt over low heat. Add all other ingredients and mix well. Spread over top of cake and broil.

This cake keeps very well - if you hide it. It is perfectly acceptable as breakfast food, while your kids are eating their own oatmeal with a measly half teaspoon of brown sugar and some honey :)

A favorite quote

I believe in myself. I do not mean to say this with egotism or arrogance, but I believe in my capacity to do good, to make some contribution to the society of which we are a part. I believe that I am a child of God endowed with a divine birthright. I believe that we have a godly inheritance and that it is our responsibility, our obligation, and our opportunity to cultivate and nurture the very best of these qualities within us. I do no have to be a scrub, though my contribution may be small, I can perform it with dignity and offer it with unselfishness. My talents may not be great, but I can use to them to bless the lives of others. I can be the one who does his work with pride in that which comes from his hand and mind. I can be one who works with respect for my associates, for their opinions, for their beliefs to help them should they stumble. I believe in the principle that I can make a difference in this world.


Gordon B. Hinkley 1991