Just Dreamy Treasury

Great dreamy gift ideas. Thank you Anne Hopher for this lovely feature of items and including my apron.

All pictures are linked to the original website.  So feel free to click them, and check them out.

Decorating with Placemats

Here's a look at my table decoration for thanksgiving.  I used to not use placemats but table cloths with a clear plastic vinyl cover to keep it clean.  The vinyl cover looked great for awhile but it got dirty  too fast with grandkids.  But the problem with this cloth was it just wouldn't come clean when washing it.  I tried several times to scrub and clean it.  So I bought a new one and started over, once it was dirty tried and tired to clean it, the surface looked clean but when held up to the light it still showed finger prints.

I finally gave up the idea of using the vinyl cloth and just use fabric cloths and decorations to make it look nice.  Now, my idea was to use a table runner with placemats. I like the look  here above.  Now the question I pose to you is,  are placemats for look or for use?  My daughter uses her's only for looks and I use mine for looks and use.  I want the kids to use the mat so the table cloth will stay clean longer.

Share you opinion on do you use your placemats for decoration or use them as a function to keep the table cloth clean or table clean?

Do you Have Gluten Intollerance- Celiac Disease?

Have you ever wondered?  Do you know the signs or symptoms?  Listed below are a few of the symptoms I have found by researching.

How Is Celiac Disease Diagnosed?

Diagnosing Celiac Disease can be difficult and frustrating for both the patient and the doctor because each person is affected individually. With no definite set of symptoms to cause suspicion, the single most important step in getting a diagnosis of Celiac Disease is to recognize its myriad features.

People who have any of the following situations should be evaluated for Celiac Disease:

• Symptoms indicating nutritional deficiencies.
• Unexplained digestive problems such as IBS, acid reflux, diarrhea/constipation, bloating, chronic abdominal pain.
• Chronic skin disorders, especially when itchy.
• Unexplained visual problems including poor night vision, dry eye, or cataracts.
• An auto-immune disease like Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus or Sjogrens Syndrome.
• A chronic disease like arthritis, migraine headache, or polyneuritis.
• A relative who has Celiac Disease.
• A relative who has Dermatitis Herpetiformis.
• Frequent or long bouts of colds, bronchitis, and other respiratory infections.
• Long recuperation from illness or surgery.
• A history of tuberculosis.
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
• Cancer, especially of the digestive tract.
• osteoporosis
• 
  

Very good diagnostic tests are available, but no one test can definitively diagnose or exclude Celiac Disease in every individual.² And, because all diagnostic tests look for harmful effects of gluten, you must be eating gluten in your diet when any diagnostic test is performed. Tests may be inconclusive if you strictly eliminate gluten for longer than two weeks.  So if you think you may have Celiac Disease or feel better going without gluten for a week to 10 days, go get tested before continuing.

The more I research this problem the more I find things that I deal with myself.  I have found I have 6 of the items listed here.  So I either go the the doctor to have this confirmed or I just go off gluten myself as a self diagnosis.

Source: glutenfreeworks.com

Product Review - Dirt Devil Steam Mop

We have tried the old tried and true rag mop and the Swiffer Wetjet.  But nothing beats the Dirt Devil Steam Mop we just bought.  This mop steam up the dirt and makes it easier to remove stuck on food from children's spills.  The triangle base makes it great to get into corners.

It works just great the only complaint I have is the instruction guide.  The guide kept referring to a different model and not much about the model I have.  It didn't even tell you were the on switch was for this model but the other model not purchased.  So had to search for it, it wasn't in the typical spot on the handle but on the red water tank.

Featured Artisan Deni of Breitwerk

This weeks Featured Artisan is Deni - Breitwerk accessories & Gifts.

Deni has delightful creations in her shop. There is something for everyone!

You can find Breitwerk on:

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Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Casserole

My daughter has celiac disease and can't have wheat and other grains.  So I've been looking into helping her have a happy healthy pain free holiday.  In doing so I have found some new recipes I'm going to try this season. Here is my first one I will have this Thanksgiving!  Bon Appetit!

SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE

6 or 7 cooked mashed sweet potatoes (baked or boiled) selection tip: choose small or medium sweet potatoes with smooth skin and no/few bruises

1/4 cup butter

1 egg

3 or 4 Tablespoons brown sugar

1/2- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla, depending on taste

1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon (optional)

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (fresh is important or you may get a flavor that overwhelms the sweet potatoes- so aim for fresh!)

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

1/2 cup pecan halves for topping

salt to taste

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a bowl except the egg and the pecan halves (topping). Taste the mixture and adjust your salt and sugar if needed. Stir in egg. Put in casserole dish and top with pecan halves. I like to make some sort of design with the topping, but it is not necessary. Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees or until set.

Make ahead: This sweet potato casserole can be made one day ahead. Just refrigerate and top with plastic wrap. I add my pecan halves before I put it in the oven and add an additional 5-7 minutes to the baking time.

Serves 8-10

Source: glutenfreemommy.com