TGI…wait…it’s Friday?!

 

Oh man…what a week!!! (I really should put 1,000 exclamation points; it’s been that kind of week!)

Even Max is tired!

So…where to start? First I want to say THANK YOU so much to all of you for your dear comments and emails. I am so thankful to have such sweet readers and friends. My Grandmother actually did not pass until Sunday. She was in hospice for 7 days, but she was comfortable and pain free. Hospice is such an incredible blessing! So I started out last weekend making a gluten free gift basket for my family. Celiac Disease is pretty dominant on my father’s side, and I have 3 gluten free aunts and one uncle. My family is originally from rural SC, and so I’m sure you can imagine that there aren’t too many gluten free options.

I filled the basket with calming teas, gluten free Chex, vanilla soymilk, gluten free bars, and three baked fresh goodies. I was on a tight schedule, so I went to Whole Foods and picked up the mixes for cornbread, muffins, and chocolate chip cookies.

These mixes are AWESOME!! My family members gave them two thumbs up, and they traveled well. And of course, I had to “test” the finished product! :)

Tastes just like Nestle!

The batter is seriously crazy! It appears to be way too crumbly, but when you roll a dollop into a ball, it sticks. Mmmm….buttery.

Gluten free muffin mix with fresh blueberries added. Best served warm with a pad of butter.

Gluten free cornbread. Best served with…a pad of butter :)

Thankfully, the basket was a hit. I am so blessed in regards to my family. I adore my aunties, so I was really happy to make a gift for them!

This past Saturday I thought I was going to be heading to SC, but the trip didn’t end up happening until Monday. So I was able to hang out with mine and Parrish’s close friends, Mack and Amy. We ended up going on the Piedmont Farm Tour, and our first stop was the Chapel Hill Creamery.

 

Too cute jersey cows! You may remember my post about their cheese earlier this month. Soooo good! Their facility is top notch and super clean. We had to wear booties! Amy looked so cute in her booties!

Next we went to ECO Farm. It’s a grass roots smaller farm, but they produce a ton! Shitake mushrooms, pork, and veggies: Talk about diverse!

Did you know that you grow shitakes on logs? Am I the only person that didn’t know this?! In the picture above, Farmer John is explaining how you drill holes into logs and then plug them with a mixture of sticky wax and moldy shitake smut. Then you just pray for a few weeks that mushrooms will grow!

While the farm does have pigs they process for meat, they also have potbelly pigs they have rescued: Vernon & Dixie.

 

Red Russian Kale (aka future Green Monster!!)

The last stop on our tour wasn’t actually a farm, but it’s an educational agricultural center that was started by a farm. The best part was that they had a miniature donkey!

Farm Tour friends!

Farm tours are always so much fun! I highly suggest going on one.

And then (as if this post wasn’t long enough!!!!) on Tuesday I started my new job. My last day at the co-op was March 31st, and I didn’t have to start my new job until April 28th!! I was beginning to forget what it felt like to work. My new job is even better than my last job!! I am a lucky gal, because I really won the job lottery. I am the new Assistant Director at a non-profit, completely fair trade store! I love it! There are only two paid staff, the rest is volunteers. Everyone is incredibly nice (and sweet as sugar); I love it! Did I mention that I love it?!

Ok, I will be returning to my regular posting schedule soon! It’s been a crazy busy week, but hopefully I’ll have new recipes soon. Just as soon as I can find time to get in the kitchen!

Ahh! I almost forgot! Today is Day 2 for my twin brother: gluten free! :)

Ok, Ok, this post is waaaaaaay to long!