Kindness

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, KINDNESS, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

Galatians 5:22

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Pumpkin Cake { gluten free }

I have not one but TWO exciting things to share today. The obvious news is my new gluten free Pumpkin Cake recipe but also I have finally, after a very long search and many trials and errors, learned how to make my recipes printable! I think this new method will be quick and easy for me as well as those of you who want to print out the recipes. 

So back to my gluten free Pumpkin Cake. I decided to have a taste test to see how much of a difference there was between my regular and my new gluten free Pumpkin Cake recipes. I made one of both and after Sunday Supper I served everyone a piece of each cake, except of course, those that are gluten free who tried only the new GF version  All of us agreed that there was virtually no difference in taste or texture between the two cakes and gave the new recipe thumbs up! 

I am feeling successful x's 2!!!

And I am happy to say I have posted my new printable recipe below.

Enjoy!

print recipe

Pumpkin Cake { gluten free }

by http://thegrandsurprise.blogspot.com

by Jennifer Stull

Ingredients

• 1 { 16 ounce can } pumpkin
• 4 eggs
• 1-2/3 cups sugar
• 1 cup oil
• 2 cups Bob's Red Mill 1-1 gluten free baking flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder ~ gluten free
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda ~ gluten free
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions

CAKE: Combine pumpkin, eggs, oil and sugar in large bowl and beat until light and fluffy. Add gluten free flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, baking soda and nutmeg to pumpkin mixture and mix thoroughly. Spread batter in ungreased 15 x 10 inch jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool. FROSTING: 6 ounces cream cheese 1 cup butter 2 teaspoons vanilla 4 cups powdered sugar Cream together cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Add powdered sugar and beat until mixture is smooth. Frost cake.

Yield: 24 squares

Happy Monday!

There is a place....2016

Have a blessed Sunday!

Little Wallets

Happy OCTOBER!

I just finished up a Little Wallet order this week and took a few pictures before mailing them. 

In the past I have used all pearl snap closures however I tried some black snaps on a few this time and like how they turned out.

 

Now that I have the Little Wallets finished I have a few fall projects I am working on and hopefully will have them finish soon. 

Have a beautiful Saturday!

Summer Home Improvement Projects

Front Porch
{ JULY }

After 18 years our front porch was in need of replacement and was the first big project on our summer list. 

Once the old porch was removed the electrical and irrigation lines could be moved to more convenient locations. The new porch was built just the same as the old one although the rails were extended along side both steps. New caps were added { not pictured } to the top of the posts, trimming replaced and the final coat of paint will be applied when the house is painted in early fall.

Backyard Fence
{ AUGUST }

The 2nd project on our Summer Home Improvement list was a new fence. The old fence was built almost 30 years ago so it was definitely time for something new and an updated style as well. One portion of the fence was hired out so that was easy however it only went about two thirds of the way across the back. The other one third of the fence is shared by another neighbor and she agreed to have my hubs build that portion and also remove a line of Willow Trees.   The trees were planted too close to the fence line by the previous owners and had grown so big they were now pushing up against the fence. 

I am happy to report that all the trees were removed safely and there were no major injuries.

As you might imagine, our backyard was covered in branches and large chunks of wood

but it was cleaned up in no time. As for the fence, it was up a couple days later. 

The new fence has now been stained and the outdoor lights are back up. There are still fences on both sides of the yard that need replacing and we are planning some changes in the flower beds however those will be projects for next summer. 

For now, 

it's onto prepping the house for exterior painting! 

Have a great Saturday!

Nicaragua 2016 ~ LEON

We traveled by school bus to a church/school in a small village outside Leon to set up a medical clinic.

Horse drawn carts and herds of cows in the street were common along the way.

Pigs and hogs could be seen tied up or roaming near the houses and shanty’s. 

Most houses had cement wash tubs outside and clothes hung to dry on barbed wire fences. 

The children were very excited when our bus arrived.

Some wanted their pictures taken, others wanted to play soccer and some helped pump water for the school.

The girls gathered around Miss E and pointed at her braids. It didn’t take long to figure out they wanted their hair braided just like hers.

It also did not take long for a line to form so we all started braiding the girls hair. 

Before we knew it the girls were taking their braids out and getting back in line to have it done all over again. 

A thunder storm arrived suddenly with lots of wind and rain which flooded the playground and the roads almost instantly. 

Then just as quickly the sun returned and the massive puddles disappeared. 

This is the kitchen and food is prepared over an open fire in the little brick room.

The medical team set up their clinic/pharmacy in the school and set up 4 classrooms for the doctors to use as examining rooms to see patients privately.

The clinic saw 107 patients that day and an 82 year old man had to be taken to the hospital.

The freeway is shared with the farmers and their livestock so travel can be slow however we made it back to the Villa Esperanza in time for a wonderful meal prepared by the school staff. 

Happy Saturday!