Saturday, December 19, 2009

~Gluten-Free Essentials Review~


~Gluten Free Essentials Review~
Chocolate Mint Fudge Brownie Mix
Lemon Poppy Seed Bread & Muffin Mix



Finished Lemon Poppy Seed Muffin
I received a surprise package in the mail a few days ago. What was funny was, I had just mentioned the night before how I would like a brownie. Now those who know me, KNOW how much I dislike Brownies. I could never find one which was moist or even tasted good. Imagine my joy when this package came. I was singing "I'm gonna have a Brownie, I'm gonna have a Brownie" I know a funny gal I am. I didn't hesitate to work up both mixes the same night.
I made the brownies first, since they were my craving. Making the brownies up was quite easy and quick. It only required 3 ingredients plus the packaged mix. Little did I know Ms.JavaGal could smell them baking all the way upstairs. She of course came to investigate. I should say she came to hound me until they were ready for consumption! lol
I had the following people taste them and give their opinion on them.
Mr.~ (Not one to mix words, simply stated)
"Soft, Moist, Tasty the mint isn't overpowering,very good."
Ms.JavaGal~ "I could smell these baking upstairs."
"I like how they taste like fudge at first. You can taste a hint of mint,but it doesn't take away from the chocolate fudge taste."
"I normally don't eat brownies because they are overly sweet, and make me nauseous. I was actually able to enjoy this brownie and not feel bad afterwards."
Lil Love~ "MMMMmmm, this is good Nina" "I like the brownie"
Mr.Java~ He admits to growing up with his mom using semi-sweet chocolate and dark chocolate in her brownies. So his reply was one I thought would be more interesting.
"If I was using the star rating system with 5 being the highest score. I would give this brownie a 4 1/2 stars"
Poetic~ Like I stated above I'm not a brownie eater. I was quite shocked to how soft and tasteful this brownie was. It did smell wonderful while cooking,The batter even smelled good!
I liked how ya could see the chocolate chips in the batter and they remained even after cooking them up. Most times the chips melt into the brownie mix. I personally enjoyed them.
Now for the Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins. I chose to make muffins over the 2 loaves of bread. Because when it comes to making breakfast I like quick things. Muffins are something ya can grab and go. Now making the mix up on this one I was in for a surprise. I didn't expect the batter to be so airy and light! It was extremely fluffy and smelled delightful. The batter reminded me of when ya make beer bread (which I no longer make because of gluten)
The muffins were so pretty when they were done. Here are the reviews on the muffins.
Mr~ "Moist, chewy, and tastful."
Ms. JavaGal~ "Looks yummy, sweet not overly lemon taste just right. I like it!"
Mr. Java~ " Moist lemon taste, Never had anything with poppyseed before, but I enjoyed it. Again 4 1/2 Stars!"
Lil Love~ "This has pepper on it, Nina" After explaining it wasn't pepper she responded with
"Hmmm, ok"
Poetic~ Now I found this muffin to remind me of sweet cornbread at first, then ya taste the lemon. I thought it made for a good breakfast muffin.
So this is the review my family gave on these two products. I suggest if ya can purchase them, to do so. I would truly make them again for my family. Plus it did satisfy my craving for brownies!



~Blackstitch Art Studio Giveaway I Won~



~Blackstitch Art Studio Giveaway I Won~
I happened upon Annette E. Padilla's You Tube channel "DomainCollective" and was in awe of her artistic skills. She happened to be having a Pay It Forward Giveaway. I gave it a shot and entered it, and I WON! I was so excited to see her work up close and personal. I will say this, She has skills!!!! I tried to take a picture of every item. The picture above was everything she sent me.
I also have to admit, I didn't open this box right away. I waited for Lil Love to wake up from her nap. She loves to help Nina open her packages. I think I made a HUGE mistake on that!
WHY? Because Lil Love claimed quite a bit of my goodies.
What Annette sent me was very generous. She sent what she showed in her video giveaway, yet she added quite a bit more.
I received the following...
A Handmade doll which was wearing a logo Blackstitch button and these awesome lil tennis shoes.
A small purse
A beanie cap decorated by her.
A felt hand which ya can mold. LOVE it for when I need an extra hand. :)
A Blackstitch Logo Cup & Frisbee.
2 pieces of her artwork ready to frame.
3 sets of Blank note cards with her artwork on the front.
A Handmade Kitty Blank Note Card.
A Snail Mail tote.
A small handmade pillow with some pins attached.
A Blackstitch sticker.
A Feather felted bird.
A Blackstitch Art Studio Zine.
The Blackstitch Doll Picture Book.
The Sad Times Gothic Poetry & Prose by Annette E. Padilla.
8 mini pieces of her Artwork.
A chickie in an eggshell ring.
4 Pins to wear.
4 Beautiful Necklaces.
A pair of Hello Kitty Earrings.
1 Clay Clown head she created.
A wrist cuff which reads "Back Off"
Lil Love claimed a couple my necklaces, ring and hat, she tried to steal my purse but I laid claim to that! lol
I didn't expect Annette to be so generous in her giveaway. She surely has a Beautiful heart. I'd like ya to take a look at her you Tube Channel and see some of what's in her studio. Please visit her blog as well. I want to take the time to thank her personally for being so generous! Annette ya made my day hun! Thanks again for ya giving heart. Lil Love and I appreciate it greatly.
~Big Hugs~


Thursday, December 17, 2009

~I Dislike Christmas~


~I Dislike Christmas~


Oh, don't be shocked I said that. I do, I dislike Christmas with a passion! I can fully relate to the Grinch and wanting Christmas to NEVER come! I've been this way since I was 7 1/2 years old. That was the Christmas that was the bestest and worst I've ever had. In my family (if ya could call it a family) We we're allowed to ask for only one big thing. All I asked Santa for was a baby doll, no name brand baby. Just a baby who needed love like me.
I've always gotten sick on Christmas Eve, Always the same thing earache, and stomach pains. I thought it came from excitement of Christmas and opening gifts the next morning. This particular Christmas I was excited, I couldn't wait to see what baby Santa sent me to lavish love on.

In our family ya didn't wake up and rush downstairs to the tree. No, we couldn't possibly be like other kids. We had to wait for our mother to call us down, then head to the kitchen to eat a huge bowl of oatmeal. UGH! We weren't allowed to get up from the table till it was all gone. Luckily we had a brother who could never have enough to eat. One by one we gave him our bowl of oatmeal. We finally got everyone in the living room to open gifts.

I remember now as if it were yesterday, the moment my father place that box in my hands. He smiled and winked at me. I knew it was my baby, it had to be cuz my father winked at me. I opened that box, and my heart soared with love for the baby within that box. She was a Vogue Doll, not that I knew what that meant back then. She was perfect! She wore a blue dress with white poka-dots. Her hair was blonde and short, and she had a fishnet over her whole face and hair. I guess it was to hold it in place. She had dimples and long lashes, white bloomers and shoes and socks. I was in awe of how pretty she was. Ya could feed her a bottle and she would wet her diapers ya put on her. I NEVER fed her real water, just a pretend bottle. I called her Ginny, didn't know that was the name on the box.


(This is the closest picture I could find of her.)


Once Ginny was in my hands I didn't care about the other gifts under the tree, I was complete in that moment. Ginny and I were constantly together except for meal times. My mother didn't believe in toys outside our rooms. When it came to being away from Ginny I always placed her in the middle of my twin bed. Her head resting on my pillow and she would wait for my return. I wanted Ginny to get used to this routine because I would be going back to school when Christmas vacation was over. Wanted her to know I would return for her. I know childish thoughts, But hey I was only 7 1/2! Back when I was in school we had a 3 week break, So I was able to to have Ginny for 2 weeks before going back to school.


The day came to where I had to go to school. I woke up early and explained to Ginny Baby what I was gonna do. Got dressed, made my bed and laid Ginny Baby on the bed in her usual spot. My room was clean, I went downstairs had breakfast and left for school. When I returned from school I was in a good mood. I was gonna tell Ginny Baby about my day. That is until I walked in the front door!


In my house when ya come in ya say hi to my mother first, That is if ya allowed to. By that I mean if ya not met with a "Come here!" When that happened ya knew instantly ya were gonna get a beating. I don't mean the easy swat on the bottom. I mean the board which was 24 inches long and bore the name of every kid. She made ya get close to her and she hitcha wherever it landed. Then she grabbed ya close to her face and screamed, cursed atcha about what all she felt ya did wrong. Then it was a firm and loud "GET!" Her finger pointing to the upstairs. Which meant ya had to go to ya room. Now all this wouldn't have been so bad if the abuse ended there, but it didn't. The fact that ya just got the hell beat outta wasn't enough for her. The offended child then had to go to their room and leave the door open till the father got home. Then ya could hear her greet him with "J GET!" Her pointing her finger to the stairs for my father to see which childs door was open so he could administer more punishment with a belt 6 inches wide.


On this particular day, I came in from school got the "Come Here" and the beating, cursing, name calling. Told to go to my room and "Clean that ---- up!" I knew immediately what she did. I made it upstairs and was greeted with EVERYTHING I owned dumped in the middle of the room. When I say everything I mean everything. All pictures, bureau draws dumped out. The mattress and bed, etc... all of it in the middle of the floor. My mother was known to do this alot! Ya were to put ya room back in order then go back to her and ask her what ya did wrong. Why? So she could have her digs atcha again. I cleaned it all up, Took me awhile but I did it. But there was something wrong, I couldn't find my Ginny Baby! I searched everywhere. Then I knew my mother must have it. I crept downstairs to face her. I said "I'm sorry Ma, can ya please tell me what I did wrong"

She grabbed me close to her face and yelled at me for having a wrinkle in my bed. My bed was completely made up, yet it has a wrinkle in it! I replied with "I'm sorry Ma, I won't do it again. Could ya please tell me where my Ginny Baby is?" I don't think I should've asked her that. She grabbed the stick and beat me again. Then grabbed me by the hair and said "She's in the trash outside, And don't even think about going to get her!" That was my punishment for having a wrinkle in the bed. To top it off my father had to complete his punishment on me when he came home. I was sent to my room to wait for it.


Ever since then I've hated Christmas! I've never had a good one. I pretend I'm happy for the familys sake. But deep down it's never been the same. I believe my Christmas Magic was taken from me that day. I know this entry seems pointless and trivial to some who read this. But when ya child who has been abused lil things matter to ya. Ya see Ginny made my world a lil brighter. I was able to tell her about all the hurts done to me. The secrets that no one knew, she kept them for me. I know She was a piece of plastic! I know she had no feelings or couldn't talk etc... To a child who lives a life of ugliness any chance to find love is important. That's why I asked Santa for a "Doll Baby who need love" I knew Ginny Baby needed me as much as I needed her. At least in my lil 7 1/2 year old mind it made sense.

As an adult I know what I thought was utter nonsense. But it hurt to know I mattered nothing to my family except to be a personal punching bag, or some sexual object for the other family members.

I know there's a reason for everything. I wonder though why did I have to lose Ginny Baby out of everything in that room.
Why, WHY did she choose Ginny Baby to take away from me?
I'll never know the answer. A part of me keeps looking for Ginny Baby, I check online all the time. No Luck so far, I'll even settle for something similar.
I just know my Christmas' have never been the same since my Ginny Baby went away.




Thursday, December 10, 2009

~I Am A Native American~






~I am a Native American~
I am a Native American with hopes, fears, and dreams.
I wonder what my future will bring?
I know what I want it to be.
I pretend to watch the sunset on a rocky mountain edge.
I want to live among my ancestors and be one with them again.
I am a Native American with hopes, fears, and dreams.
I remember the stories of how I came to be.
I worry that when I am gone no one will remember me.
I ignore the ignorance of others who keep my spirit from being free.
I feel my ancestors blood running in me.
I say to others keep alive your history.
I am a Native American with hopes, fears, and dreams.
I dream of life among the plains.
I see how ignorance bound us like chains.
I fear my history will fade away.
I try to remember how my ancestors would pray.
I hope I am bringing them honor each day.
I am a Native American with hopes, fears, and dreams.
I am She Who Wanders
© September 1999 Poetic Dreams
I was asked of I would share some of my Poetry. So I will take the time to share some of them here with you. I only ask that they remain here and not passed around without my permission. I've written poetry since I was lil and I enjoy sharing them with others when I can. My poems deal with what I was going through as a child growing up. They have a wide range of emotions from death, abuse, happiness, to plain silliness. I just want to letcha know ahead of time, some of what I share may make ya uncomfortable. I don't do this to upset anyone, I do this to enlighten ya and to share what I've endured. My poetry is a huge part of who I am as is my artwork. I would hope ya find them inspiring.
~Thanks Poetic Dreams~








Wednesday, December 2, 2009

~Gluten Free Dee~

My friend Dee is looking for people to spread the word about this great cause!
This is a Gluten Free Pantry for those who are in need of food, But have Celiac Disease. It's easy to just visit a food pantry and gather food there. But what if you can't eat anything which they give you? What do you do then for a meal?
What most people don't understand is people with Celiac disease can not consume breads, crackers, pasta, soups, etc...Most of which are handed out in everyday normal Food Pantries. This isn't to knock the other food pantires, Not by a long shot!
What it is about, is getting much needed food to those who require Gluten Free Products.
Please click on the link above, and gather information needed to become a part of this wonderful cause. Please contact Dee and see about starting a Gluten Free Pantry in your area. Dee is the go to gal where Gluten Free information is concerned.
I'd like you to visit this site and hopefully help her out.
Even if it's just spreading the word, That would be wonderful.
~Thanks~








~Review of Gluten-Free Norlander's Original Sauces~


Last week I received a package containing Norlander's Original Sauces. I was quite suprised to be able to have an oportunity to try them. I haven't had Terriyaki sauce in the longest time and was excited. Now I'm the type of person who tries things in small increments. So instead of trying the Terriyaki sauce with my chicken or beef, I did something unusual.
I mixed the Terriyaki sauce with some softened cream cheese. Mixed it up and used some pretzels and crackers to try it with. Although I'm the only one in my family who can't have gluten, I had my family try it as well. Besides myself, my appointed taste tasters were...
Mr. age 48
Ms. JavaGal age 27
Lil Love age 2 1/2
Now I was quite surprised as to the opinions they gave.
Mr~ Seems a bit bland to me. Thought maybe it was missing something.
Ms.JavaGal~ "Ooohhh I like it!" She went on to say she would use this as a dip for her next party.
Lil Love~ "MMmmm Nina, I so acited" She went on to dip cracker after cracker in her dip bowl, till it was gone. In betweens bites was quite a few audiable "mmmm's".
Now I have to say I thought it was a bit on the sweet side. To me I know it's going to sound crazy but it reminded me of a caramel type dip for apples. I throughly enjoyed it.
We later had lunch, where I had a piece of plain grilled chicken. I used the Terriyaki sauce as a dip for my chicken, It was quite tasty. Now I haven't used the Mesquite one as of yet, when I do I'm sure I'll give another review.
I know Christmas is in 23 days and I'd like to offer a suggestion for ya Celiac friends. Visit the Norlander's Site here http://www.norlandersoriginal.com/index.htm And order them and yaself some of these sauces. I also left a link above to Norlander's site where they have some recipes to try with their sauces. I recommend buying some of these sauces and trying them for yaself. I know this will surely be the sauce we buy from now on.
I'm happy to finally be able to enjoy Terriyaki sauce again.