It’s a GREAT day! Why you ask? So many reasons! Among them:
1. The sun is shining!
2. My boy didn’t scream when I left him at preschool
3. I got all of my shopping done when the same boy was at preschool
4. I saved more than I spent at Meijer- I love coupons!
5. Oh, yeah… I HAVE A NEW NEPHEW!!!!
The Ranger and the Mrs. had their baby early Friday morning. Mom and baby are doing well- and that little boy has his Aunt Val wrapped around his little pudgy finger! I can’t show you pictures because I used to work for the Department of Child Services and I am paranoid about kids on the internet. (Which is why you only know my kids as C and T. It’s possible that I am totally overprotective and slightly insane, but I’m willing to chance it! Anyway…) But if I could show you a picture of him, you would agree with me that he is the most adorable baby boy! Perfectly round and pinchable cheeks, little dark eyes that stare into your soul. Oh, I’m in love!!!!
Because the little man was born, all heck broke loose in my life for the last couple of days. But it has been so much fun! I got to see all of my nieces and nephews that live in the state over the weekend, and the new baby’s big sister stayed with Aunt Val for a night before she went to Grammy’s. When Grammy (my mom) came to pick her up, I got to introduce her to my new favorite obsession- Puccini’s gluten free pizza! Puccini’s is a local chain in Indiana, and they were my favorite pizza place before my body revolted against me. They have some unusual pizzas, but they are faaaantastic! And their buttermilk herb dressing is homemade and worth its weight in gold. So, not too long ago when Puccini’s started selling GF pizzas, I was in heaven! The first pizza I got, I didn’t even get around to sitting down before I inhaled the entire pizza. I mean the ENTIRE pizza. In one sitting, er, standing. And I was so happy, I didn’t even care that everyone in the house was staring at me in horror…
So, when Mom came up to get my little Turtle girl, we ordered pizza. I don’t think she was expecting it to be as good as it was. She took one bite and her eyes got really big. She finished chewing and said, “This tastes like real pizza! “ Oh, yum, don’t I know it! But her reaction got me thinking. Just because we can’t have the “real” thing, doesn’t mean that we should settle for something that just isn’t good enough. And I guess I really don’t. I am constantly trying new recipes and ideas and products to get the taste or texture that I am desperately craving. Nature’s Pharm in Castleton has been a true lifesaver in this- introducing me to Organicville Ranch dressing, and even carrying items that I have requested- like Organicville mayonnaise. If you have issues with eggs and dairy, Organicville is the closest thing to the real thing I have found. I even dipped my Puccini’s pizza into the ranch, just like the old days!
I have noticed that my mood often follows the food that I have eaten. If I am somewhere that doesn’t have a lot of food that I can eat, I tend to get grumpy- I’m sure it’s a blood sugar issue… ;) And when I have had good food and have been well fed, I am a happy girl! Between the Puccini’s pizza on Friday, the smoked meat goodness at my in-law’s house on Saturday, the Pizza King nachos that I snuck yesterday and the meal tonight that I’m looking forward to making, I’m in a great mood! Now, I’m off to eat a piece of crustless Pumpkin pie. If you’re lucky, maybe I’ll share the recipe next time… Happy Monday!
Hey Val! Just wanted to say that I baked your wacky allergy-free cupcakes for my (gluten-free) neighbor as a thank-you for handing down their bike to H. I snuck one after they came out of the oven, because I wanted to be sure they tasted ok. (It's not that I didn't trust your recipe; I didn't trust my baking skills.) They were so yummy! Just like the "real" thing. You'd never miss the butter, milk, eggs, or flour. Keep it up!
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