Gluten-Free Miracle Flour

Gluten-free baking has always been my nemesis.

Normally, I use recipes as a guideline and then add my own twist to it,

but not when baking gluten-free.

I follow it line for line...

which is really difficult for me.

I've had so many baking disasters with gluten-free treats, even when I follow the directions! 

It's temperamental.

But those days may be over!

Thanks to the fabulous Bob's Red Mill products.

Again, I'm sooooo fortunate to live close to the baking and grain mecca that is Bob's Red Mill. 

I'm not sure how other people get their questions answered, 

or pick up the BEST baking supplies in the world! 

(Okay, I'm sure they just email someone...)

When I have a question, especially with gluten-free, 

I just go see one of the knowledgable employees at The Mill. 

Seriously, they're amazing! 

Bob employs the best people! 

(Thank you Bob!) 

Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour

(http://www.bobsredmill.com/Gluten-Free-1-to-1-Baking-Flour.html)

And now I really want to hug Bob, 

because this flour is MAGIC!!

No, really...it really is a miracle.

I've made a lot of gluten-free treats, 

using combinations of flours and other so-called 1-to-1 baking flours...

Nothing compares to this! 

A-MAZ-ING!

Just look at these beautiful cookies!

Gluten-free little beauties.

Crispy edges, chewy center...perfection!

I see more beautiful gluten-free choices in my future and maybe yours too. :) 

Want to try this baking flour for yourself?

If your in Portland then you probably know where it's located,

but if not...

Bob's Red Mill 

(http://www.bobsredmill.com/)

Whole Grain Store, Restaurant and Bakery

5000 SE International Way

Milwaukie, OR 97222

tel:503-607-6455

When you go, bring containers or prepare to fill yours up 

when you get home because the bulk section is the best.  

In fact, I'll probably be there too. ;) 

Cheers to less frequent gluten-free baking disasters! 

Birthdays and not growing up

Birthdays have always felt funny to me, 

even as a little kid. 

You want the attention, but then, once all the focus is on you, 

you want to run and hide under a blanket. 

Anyone else know what I'm saying? 

Anyone? 

Now I know it may surprise you that I want to hide under a blanket. 

I tend to not be a shy one...and I'm not. 

But there's something about ALL those eyes on me that brings out shy Little Lori. 

She's there. Really. 

She's the one who cringes every time I do something ridiculous and self-deprecating. 

I think she's like Linus from Charlie Brown always carrying around a blanket. 

Of course her blanket is to hide under. 

It's taken me until now...no really, now, to not want to hide. 

I think it's called "maturity". 😉 

See I'm mature about some things.

So I'm embracing the celebrating because people like to celebrate each other. 

I sure do! 

If there's a birthday to celebrate, 

then I'm there and I'll wear a birthday hat and sing really loud. 

So, if I love to dish out the love to others on their birthday, 

then I need to be able to take all the love too.

And Little Lori secretly loves the attention too. 😉 

She's smiling and giggling a bit under that blanket. 

All in all, this is a very weird THANK YOU 

to everyone who has made me feels so special for my birthday. 

I'm soaking it all in and filling my love bucket up to the brim. 

Whoops! It's overflowing! I love that. 

But as Peter Pan said, "I won't grow up!"

Nope, I don't plan to any time soon. 

I'll wear the silly hat, sing loudly, dance like a crazy person, and belly laugh until I cry. 

Who's with me? 

http://youtu.be/sye2NanCYHI

The Unexpected Book Gem

#1- The Unexpected Book Gem

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared

When I first started listening to books,

I stuck with authors that I knew or books that I had heard about before.

Then this book was recommended to me

based on my previous reading choices.

I stared at it for a while,

and then I dove in!

I'm so glad that I did. :)

Centurions fascinate me.

My own grandma is 103 years old, 

and it's always amazing to me to think about all of the 

major world events that she has been alive through. 

She is a history book,

but her stories are unedited and bias.

Of course that makes for very interesting views.

This book also provides insight into the expansive life that 100 years brings.

Allan Karlsson isn't thrilled to be in a retirement home.

And he's even less thrilled that they are throwing him a birthday party for his 100th birthday. 

Cake, singing, and reporters...definitely not what he wanted.

He was never one who enjoyed all the attention that parties bring.

Allen figures, "What's the big deal? So what if I've lived for 100 years?!"

He wanted more and an escape from the party he never asked for,

so Allen set out on an unexpected adventure. 

He climbed out the window of the retirement home and started walking...

And that began a true adventure into the world of Allen Karlsson.

With each step, turn, and seat he took, I eagerly went with him.

Jonas Jonasson weaves the past and present of a seemingly ordinary life,into extraordinary things. 

Allen's life has had it all...drug dealers, world travel, presidents, dictators, and atomic bombs.

Allen was an old man that I'd enjoy sharing a park bench with.

He's the type of person that I'd share a drink with,

and hope to have in my train car as we zipped across Europe.

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared,

is an unexpected trip through a truly amazing life.

Allen becomes a centurion that I would hope to be.

Need an adventure in your life? 

Go with the 100-Year-Old Man.

You won't be disappointed.

Lovin' DJ

There are so many times that we go to build fences 

and we never see the families that we are helping. 

For whatever reason they don't want to come out a see or talk with us. 

But other times, like yesterday, you have a family that is there every minute of the build. 

They greet you at your car to introduce themselves and hug you at the end. 

We don't build fences for the humans, though they benefit too...

We're there for the dog/s,

But it's sure nice when the families love their dog as much as we do.

And that's exactly who DJ's humans are...they love their dog.

And who couldn't adore this sweet face!! 

Jerry sure couldn't! A smooch encouraged with a cookie. :)

Circumstances made it so that DJ could no longer be an indoor dog.

It happens.

Landlords don't want dogs inside their homes...

So families do what they have to do to keep their furry family member safe...

And it hurts the humans' hearts.

Luckily for DJ he lives in an area that has Fences For Fido,

and we're always ready to build a fence for a needy fido.

After a day building a fence for DJ 

and hanging out with all of the family member...

It was time for the best part of the day,

The RELEASE!!

DJ's humans did the honor.

And everyone could feel the joy!

DJ made sure to thank all of us. :)

And then it was time to live it up and enjoy his freedom.

Melinda, our amazing Client Outreach Coordinator ever brought DJ a splashy pool.

I think he and the little humans will enjoy it too.

Now doesn't that make you smile?

This was a build to remember, for sure...

Awesome family, loving dog, and the best crew of volunteers.

A perfect day.

Do you want to help unchain more dogs around Oregon and SW Washington?

Go to Fences for Fido and donate.  

Remember that every dollar counts.

Or better yet, come out and volunteer with us! 

Who wouldn't want to cuddle a Fido and change their life?

Live-Life-Free

Audible Addiction

One of the things that became frustrating over the last few months,

was the lack of reading that I was able to do.

Life became too busy to sit and just read.

I would try to go to bed and read,

but as soon as my head hit the pillow,

I was out.

Sound asleep.

So my stack of books grew and grew...

No end in sight.

Now this was a problem for this book nerd...

A BIG problem.

But the solution was sooooo easy!

A subscription to Audible.com was all I needed.

The miracle of audiobooks saved this book nerd from 

missing out on all the books that I wanted to enjoy.

And boy, have I been listening to books! 

I listen as soon as I wake.

I listen in the car, while baking, cleaning, doing yard work, and even in the shower! 

I know...it's an addiction,

but a good one! ;)

Since school has been out,

I've listened/read over 20 books! 

Yikes! I did say that I was a book nerd right?

Not all of the books have been stellar.

Some that have been recommended to me have been ok.

And some were awful!

So here are a few of my favorite reads so far...

Just like my music tastes,

My book choices are just as eclectic.

I've listed them in order of my #1 read on down.

#1- The Unexpected Gem

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared

#2- The Post-Apocalyptic Zombie Awesomeness

The Girl With All the Gifts 

#3- The "Grim Reapers Rule the World" Book

Croak Trilogy by Gina Damico

Young Adult Fiction

#1 Croak

#2 Scorch

#3 Rogue

#4- The Girlie Reads

-Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple

-What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

#5- The "It is so different from the movie" so I like it, book.

World War Z by Max Brooks

Over the next few days I'll be giving detailed recommendations for each of these book choices. So stay tuned for that! I have a feeling that there will be one, two, or three of these books that you'll fall in love with too.

Happy reading or listening!

Lori :)

Love and Hate Relationship

 The 4th of July
marks the beginning the best celebration in the world...
my birthday month.
Yes.  I wrote month.
But that's not what this post is about.







The 4th of July is a great celebration of The United States
declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.
So long taxes on tea, playing cards, and sugar!
Hello taxes on...well everything else. Ha!
But the 4th is a great day to celebrate,
I just don't get why we had to do it with loud bangs, pops, and KABOOOOMS!
Yes, the American Revolution had guns involved,
but do we need to replicate that part of the war?
Couldn't we just get together and hug our relatives and friends,
like they're returning from battle?
Couldn't we just cook, eat delicious food together,
and toast our good fortune in life?
I think so.
And so does my dog.

Murphy...
the protector of all,
except from fireworks.
He can't help me there,
because he is hiding in the bathroom, by the tub
waiting for this ungodly attack to STOP.

Actually, many times you can find him on top of me,
trying to gain some sense of safety.
So in that case I guess that I'm really protected...from everything.

Thus, my love and hate relationship with the 4th of July.
Love = July (my month), family, friends, and food.
Hate = All fireworks and the people that started setting them off 3 weeks ago.

So if you are like me, you are armed with all the supplies needed to make this holiday less traumatic for your furry friends. 
Me, I have everything.
Thundershirt?  Check.
Calm-K9? Check.
Anxiety drop for his water? Check.
Loud Movies and/or music? Check.
Sedatives (For me and him)? Check and Check.

Okay, I guess I'm ready.
Bring it on.

I know that there is nothing that I can do about it...
And I do enjoy the 4th,
but it does put a damper on the celebrating
knowing that my boy is at home terrified.
So I celebrate early and then hunker down.
But that's love for ya...sacrifice.
And I do love this dog.

So if you try to reach me for the next couple days,

just know that there is 67 pounds of dog on or around me.

Leave a message, and I get back to you as soon as he lets me get up.

Have a happy & safe 4th of July to all!