The Bold Blend

May 20, 2013

Cooking Gluten Free With Betty Crocker – Baking Gift Pack Giveaway!

As a celiac mom, I’m rarely able to sample the baking that goes on in my own house. Thankfully, Betty Crocker now has a full line of gluten free products. You can make cookies, cakes, brownies, or even your own banana bread with their new rice flour blend. The best part is they taste delicious. I’ve served them several times and people are always surprised to find out they are eating something gluten free!

Gluten Free Banana Bread

It’s so handy to be able to pick up a box mix at the regular store and I really appreciate companies bringing gluten free options into the mainstream. Sweets aren’t an every day occurrence in our household but my girls LOVE to bake and look forward to each opportunity to mix up a delicious dessert in the kitchen.

Betty Crocker Gluten Free Products

As part of this My Blog Spark campaign for General Mills, I’m giving away a baking set this week! This gift set includes products from Joseph Joseph. One lucky winner will receive an adjustable wooden rolling pin, spatula, pastry brush, timer, and baking pan.

Joseph Joseph Baking Gift Set Giveaway

To enter, check out the gluten free options at Betty Crocker and leave me a comment telling me which one you think would be the most delicious!

One winner will be selected via Random.org. Contest ends at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday, May 25th. I will post the name of the winner on my Facebook page on Sunday afternoon.

Contest open to U.S. residents only.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

Filed Under: food, reviews · Tagged: gluten free

May 16, 2013

Apple & The Tree

By Barbara Davis · 12 Comments

On Monday, Latte participated in her school’s Field Day. Relay races, potato sack cavorting, ball tossing, and tug of warring.

I used to HATE those days.

I’m not athletic and don’t really enjoy the outdoors unless it’s a perfect 72 degrees with a light breeze. Oh, and if you see me running, you need to start. It either means something really bad is chasing us or there are margaritas at the finish line. Either way….start running.

I’ll lift weights, dance, kick-box, do yoga, and pilates. Just keep me off the track….and the field.

But I digress. This is not about me.

It’s about an apple that has thankfully fallen from a different tree.

Her father runs…..like the wind. She’s built just like him with long, strong legs. She doesn’t care if it’s 32 degrees or 112 degrees. She wants to be out in it. Just like him.

I present the Apple & The Tree….

Apple & The Tree

Mr. Coffee has been looking online for Fun Runs for them to do this summer, maybe a 5K.

Half Caff and I will cheer them on at the finish line having waited out the race time somewhere air conditioned, with cold drinks.

That apple fell from my tree.

Filed Under: Family, Fitness ·

May 12, 2013

Fun With Instagram

By Barbara Davis · 5 Comments

I’ve recently re-discovered my Instagram account. It’s fun to play with pictures!

Here’s one I took of Half Caff the other day…..

Preschool Graduate

Are you on Instagram?

Filed Under: blogging ·

May 9, 2013

Ah, Springtime

By Barbara Davis · 11 Comments

Ah, springtime.

I don’t know about you but this time of year just screams “rebuild, renew, refresh” to me.

We’ve been rebuilding…..the front of the house. Goodbye Smurf blue door!

Front Door Makeover

We’ve been renewing….commitments to exercise, clean eating, and the like. I’m preparing the kitchen for more kid friendly cooking this summer. The small fries are in a major food rut so they are going to start cooking more this summer. Typically, if they make it, they’ll eat it.

Cooking with Children

We’ve been refreshing….cleaning out closets, craft supplies, and other cluttered nooks and crannies. No picture of that though because to be honest, even a cleaned out closet in this house is still a hot mess.

Summer vacation starts tomorrow afternoon for Half Caff and Latte will join us in the frolicking later next week. The blogging which has been ~~hard because I haven’t had much to say that hasn’t already been said on the internets a million times~~ sporadic lately will likely become even more so. Time to get unplugged from the computer and plugged into summer fun. As usual during the summer, I’ll check in when I can. Thankfully, I don’t have a major surgery scheduled this summer so you’ll be spared Lortab laced posts about my tonsillectomy recovery and subsequent dental woes. You’re welcome.

Are you making things new this spring?

Filed Under: Family ·

May 5, 2013

The End Of Pre-School

By Barbara Davis · 13 Comments

This week is momentous for Half Caff. It’s the end of pre-school. Next year, she’ll join her big sister at our elementary school in their full day Pre-K program.

She’s so small, some days, I wonder if she’s ready. I tell myself that she’s going to be one of the oldest in the class, remind myself that Latte did great in Pre-K and that Half Caff will too. I think of all she’ll learn and that she’s growing up and that it’s time.

Still in my mind, she is this size….