My Granddog Max

My current posting photo is of my granddog Max.  He is so ugly he's cute.  My son and his wife adopted him when he was about four months old.  Before he was adopted, he was found and rescued by a deputy sheriff who, while patrolling, spotted Max and two other pups abandoned by a bridge.  All three had been shot with a bb gun and beat with a hammer.  Sadly, it was too late for one puppy.  Max and his brother survived after some emergency attention by one of our local veterinarians. The deputy's mother cared for the two pups till they were adopted.  
We are not sure of his breed but think that he might be part Bulldog and Pit Bull.  He is not the smartest dog (probably because of the head and face wounds from the hammer) but he is one of the sweetest, goofiest, most loveable dogs I have ever met. 
He reminds me a lot of the dog in the movie Turner and Hooch, including the drooling, the massive chewing of anything remotely resembling leather, and the fierce loyalty to his family. 
It's sad and scary to know that there are people in this world that will resort to such violence to rid themselves of unwanted pets.  But comforting to know that there are people such as the deputy, the veterinarian and the deputy's mother.  And, of course, my son and his wife who have loved Max even when he chewed up their leather coffee table (yep the table) and a few other household items that weren't meant to be eaten by a dog, even one as ugly/cute as Max!

I really need my Father in Heaven Today!

If there was ever a time in my life that I needed God, its now.  We are struggling with our finances (isn't everyone though).  My middle son has to have a growth removed on his neck (might be Cancer but hopefully not).  My youngest son is starting his first year of college and my 13 year old daughter thinks she's 18.  My self-employed husband is working a little but not enough to completely pay the bills and no one wants to hire a 51 year old woman who chose to stay home with her two youngest children the past eight years.  What's up with that!? My brain didn't rot while I was at home.  Okay maybe I'm a little rusty in some areas but I can still learn can't I.  My working hours might be slightly limited (somebody has to at least check on the wannabe 18 year old), however I'm flexible for the most part. 
Luckily for me, my Heavenly Father is available 24/7.  And I don't have to use texting or even touch my cell phone to talk with Him.  But sadly, he's usually my last resort.  I run around like a chicken with it's head cut off trying to figure out how to make everything in my life perfect.  When I finally run out of steam, I think, oh wait, I can ask my Lord for help.  And there He is!  Waiting for me to bring everything to Him.  Reminding me how blessed I am with a wonderful church, a great family that loves me, a place to live, food on my table and my quilting.  He's pretty great!  He puts up with my nonsense and listens to me no matter what I have to say.  I feel better now and I might actually get something accomplished today. 

The best flour in the world for a Celiac!

I found this amazing flour for celiacs.  It's called Domata Living Flour and it is cup for cup equivalent to regular flour in recipes.  It is by far the best baking flour for my situation.  I love it! And my family can't hardly tell the difference when I use it (I feel so sneaky sometimes)!  Try it and let me know how you like it. 

Do I eat this and not that!?

You would think that a celiac would be thin.  Not always so.  When my family practitioner said that I needed to quit eating wheat, barley and rye products, I was borderline obese.  I lost enough weight to be in the normal range but it was a tremendous struggle.  Not just enough to give up those particular grains and the many foods that have small amounts of those grains in the ingredients (a lot of processed foods have wheat proteins or wheat starches in them).  Heaven forbid!  I had to give up my chocolate and real sodas, try to drink enough water to sink a ship and I couldn't depend on the frozen diet meals at my local grocers.  Most have wheat products. I had to be creative and make my own diet meals. Eventually the weight came off and I kept it off for about two years.
Unfortunately, I got really creative with some yummy gluten free cookie and brownie recipes, along with gluten free pizza and biscuits.  Comfort foods mostly. Inevitably, some of the weight found it's way back into my life or my hips and gut if you want to get the specifics.  About 15 pounds.  So here I am again, trying to get back into the normal range for my height.  And get back into my clothes. 
My sweet husband, who knows that I am trying to lose weight, presented me with four different kinds of chocolate for my birthday the other day.  Am I being paranoid or he is trying to sabotage my weight loss?  Ah well, I love him anyway. 
Okay, enough talk about my weight struggles.  On to quilting.  Moda is having a Blog Hop this month.  Check it out at their website under Fun Stuff.  There are interviews with several different Moda fabric and pattern designers.  And chances to win cool fabric and stuff. 
My quilting consists of several projects going at once.  A quilt for my mom, one for my daughter and a couple just for the heck of it.  Also, I am looking for a specific quilt pattern.  It's an applique of tiny chickens in 30's fabric that I saw at a quilt show and regret not buying.  Any ideas of the name of the pattern or the pattern maker? 
Thanks and happy quilting!

Dear Mercy! How does this work!

Okay...my 13 year old daughter went back to school today. Even though there's a foot and half of snow on the ground and the roads are still slick.  Worse, I need her help with this blogging stuff!  Oh well, here goes nothing...