TV Appearance Video

Thus far, I've spent:

• Yesterday afternoon and all evening trying to get the file to upload to YouTube.  After many, many hours, we made it to 35%.  Never farther.
• Money to get the right software to convert the video file to the proper format for YouTube.
• More than 3 hours this morning uploading the properly formatted file to YouTube, only to find out the file is too long.
• All afternoon trying to figure out how to cut things like the opening credits theme song and commercials, as well as trying to figure out how to divide what's left into 2 chapters.

And while I have to say, it was so fun and exciting yesterday, I'm really ready to stop watching myself at this point!

So please bear with me while I go through a little on-the-job-training.  I was hoping for a download to go live at midnight CST.

It should be easier than this...

(sigh)

TV Appearance & Special Guest Star Today

Pretending to be a celebrity today - will be back tomorrow - COMPLETE WITH VIDEO FOOTAGE!

Helping me out today is my new friend and Special Guest Star Pamela.  She's quite the baker, and I think you'll agree that the goodies she's brought in her basket today are OUTSTANDING!

The Night Before the Day that Changes Everything

There have been very few nights in my life like tonight.  The night before high school graduation.  The night before our wedding.  The nights I was in labor with the children.  The night before my mom died.  They're the nights before the days that changed everything.

Tomorrow, I'll be on TV for the first time ever.  Hopefully, I'll be able to reach the right people who need to hear that gluten free is not a death sentence, it's a promise of a better, healthier life.  That this life is not as complicated as everyone thinks it is.  That you can still ENJOY delicious, nutritious, quick and simple food.  You may have to think about things a little bit more than everyone else, but it's really a minor trade-off for feeling good for a change.  No more being sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Tomorrow, the voting opens for Creative Bloggers Got Talent.  Hopefully, my project will be able to stand tall among the giants, and impress both the judges and the general voting public.  Hopefully, I'll be able to make the top 15 and move on to Round 3.

Tomorrow, SPH hosts our first Guest Star - Pamela from Pamela's Heavenly Treats.  She's got a really great recipe that will knock your socks off!  Be sure to stop by and check it out!  Hopefully, when you try it, you won't eat the whole batch!

So tomorrow, everything changes...

Have a great evening, and I'll see you again on Wednesday!

Princess Makes It Monday - Gluten Free Bread Pudding Recipe

Last time she made dinner...

Today, she makes dessert!

Some Lovely Reminders

Whew, what a week this was - glad it's over, and a new one is starting!

As I'm catching my breath and making my lists for the week (and checking them twice), I wanted to let you in on the action...

Craftivism Challenge Link-Up

Here we are already at the end of Feburary!  Time to show and share about your beautiful HeartScarves.  Remember, mail them to:

WomenHeart HeartScarves Program

c/o Big Show Fulfillment

1525 Gin Road

Gold Hill, NC 28071

Thanks again for all your efforts!

International Dog Biscuit Day

Something special for the 4-legged wonder(s) in your home!

One Yard Wednesday - Green Fabric Votives

It's time to start pulling out all things green...

Tea for Tuesday - Crochet Tea Cozy Tutorial Wrap-Up

So let's take our flowers and our "basket" and put them together to make something useful...

Today's Schedule

Well, a blog is supposed to be a personal log/journal.  The story of your life, per se.

This couldn't be truer this week, when I've had one continuous Monday!

As promised, the tea cozy tutorial and One Yard Wednesday are on their way, as well as something special Princess and I had planned for today.

I'll be finishing up Project B, and allowing it to dry.  And because every mom is a multi-tasker, I'll be watermarking my photos from Projects A and C and getting them posted here.  When B is dry, it will be up, too.

I am so sorry for the confusion, and as much as I'd like to promise it will never happen again, I live in the real world.  With real kids.  And a dog.  And a husband.  And a camera that occasionally takes a sick day when I need her the most.

So, if you'll excuse me, I need to go stir some glue, and get to work.

See ya' soon!

Schedule Update

Just wanted to bring everyone up to speed...

Yesterday, my camera took a sick day.  It's hard to do a tutorial for anything without photos.  I mean, I could...But you wouldn't be able to see what I was doing when.  And I wouldn't have any way to show you what it looked like when I was done.

So here's the schedule for today...

As soon as I can have everything done, I will post the tea cozy tutorial wrap up.  Then, I will work on the One Yard Wednesday, and have that up next.  By tomorrow (hopefully) everything should be back to normal.

Or at least what passes as normal in my house - we always say that normal is just a setting on the dryer and dishwasher...

Thanks again for your patience and understanding!

Tea for Tuesday - Technical Difficulties

Went to finish up the tutorial this morning and my camera isn't working.  My camera is older (like one of the first 5 megapixel digital cameras), so my fingers are crossed.  She has been with me all across our great country, documented many momentous occasions, and captured some amazing moments in nature here in our own little neck of the woods.

Please stand by - I'm trying to charge her in hopes that this is only a battery issue.  As soon as she's up and running, I'll be able to post our tutorial.

March Quilt-Along

Just got a WONDERFUL new catalog from Connecting Threads this weekend.  In March, to celebrate National Quilting Month, they are hosting a quilt-along, complete with tutorials.  The patterns will be free, the tutorials will be free, and signing up is free.  Go to their website and sign up for their free emails, and you will be able to get the info, right in your inbox.

I'm going to participate and share my progress here.

Hope you'll quilt along with me!

Gluten Free Cherry Pie Recipe

Today is National Cherry Pie Day - probably in honor of that age-old myth about the father of our country, George Washington, and a cherry tree that met its demise...

Mommy Study Time Today

Studying today - please do not disturb (unless you are bringing me chocolate)...

I'll be back again tomorrow, and wait til you see what I've got in store for you!

February Craftivism Challenge - Knit HeartScarf Pattern

Let's practice our knitting skills some more, and learn something new...

Every Creative Endeavor UPDATE

WE'RE IN!!!!  Thank you all so much to everyone who voted for me from the bottom of my heart!

You can see the final 20 HERE...

So this morning, I'm finishing up the scarf tutorial.  It will be posted later today.  Thanks for staying tuned!

Every Creative Endeavor - Creative Bloggers Got Talent Contest UPDATE!!!

Ok, holding my breath! Remember, the top 20 move on from the auditions to round 1...

Just a few minutes ago, I reloaded the page, and listed the numbers of votes everyone had. Some were pretty obvious (154 votes), and there were lots of people between 40 and 50 votes. As I counted backwards from highest to lowest, there was a 3-way tie, at #'s 18, 19 and 20, at 47 votes.

I am in that three-way tie! So, like I said - holding my breath to be sure that's the final announcement. I'll know more in the morning. I'm sure the host is doing what I just did. Making a list and checking it twice.

Thank you all so much from the bottom of my heart!

Every Creative Endeavor - Update

Voting ends at 8 PM Mountain Time - so please go vote for me!  Click the button in the right hand column, then scroll waaaaaaay down to #123 and #124.  Click the little red "like".  It's that simple!

And thanks so much!  I really appreciate your support!

Gluten Free Sausage Cheese Biscuit Appetizer Recipe

So what do you do, when it's the night before trash day, and you have an odd assortment of this and that?  And it's dinner time?  And you haven't really thought about dinner yet? And no one really wants a meal - they'd just rather snack?

Gluten Free Pumpkin Orange Pancakes with Cinnamon Maple Syrup

The orange in these is a really surprising bright pop of flavor - you've GOT to try them!

One Yard Wednesday - Giant Round Table Cloth

Maybe you have a round table in your house.  Maybe this round table is 20" in diameter.  Or maybe, like my round table, it is bigger.  Like a LOT bigger!

Happy St. Valentine's Day from Princess

A bonus Princess Makes It!

Princess Makes It Monday - Gluten Free Apricot BBQ Crock Pot Chicken Recipe

Another great recipe from More Make It Fast, Cook It Slow by Stephanie O'Dea!

Gluten Free Crock Pot Split Pea Soup Recipe

I've had this ham bone in the freezer since Christmas, and it's time to use it up.

Mark Your Calendars

Mark your calendars:  I'm guest blogging again over on Dotted Line Crafts on February 16th & 17th, and also on Fun on a Dime on the 22nd.

Hope you'll come over and join me!

Gluten Free Orange Chicken Recipe

A quick, simple, healthy, delicious and economical dinner...

Gluten Free Sweet Dip Recipes

So I've seen several of these around, and wanted to share them with you...

Tea for Tuesday - Crocheted Tea Cozy - Part 2

Sorry for the delay, and thanks for your understanding!  Hope you had the chance to go visit Between U & Me!

On Sale at JoAnn's

I know you are all anxiously waiting for part 2 of the tea cozy tutorial - and I promise it's coming...
But, I wanted to share with you some good sales coming up at JoAnn Fabrics.

For those who are new to crocheting and knitting, you may want to pick up some hooks and needles in some new sizes.  Hooks and needles are on sale for 25% off.  Also, knitting looms are on sale for 25% off.  These are not only a great way to get kids started crafting, but they are a quick and easy way to get some simple knit projects done for a grown-up as well.

To go with your new needles and hooks, several yarns are on sale for $2.79.

Oh, and you know the motto (on sale and with a coupon)!  There's a coupon in this same sales flyer for $5 off a $35 purchase.

The Presidents' Day Weekend sale has Simplicity patterns 5/$5 and a coupon for 10% off your entire purchase.

That same weekend, Feb. 17-20, are also military discount days, so service members (past or present) can present a Military ID, and receive 20% off their purchases.

Every Creative Endeavor

So, I saw this today, and decided to enter...

Technical Difficulties

Due to technical difficulties, today's post was published on 2/3.  Hopefully, it will magically reappear in your inbox today.  If not, we learned how to make homemade vanilla and citrus extracts.  Just click this link, and it will take you back to the original post.

Sorry for any confusion!

Making Your Own Extracts

Better flavor for less than half the price?!  I'M IN - LIKE I'M ALL IN!

One Yard Wednesday - Vintage Inspired Apron

A lovely, vintage inspired apron - perfect for St. Valentine's Day!

Tea for Tuesday - Crochet Tea Cozy Tutorial - RESCHEDULED

Today's tutorial has been postponed until Thursday - come back and see us then!  Meanwhile, go check out the guest post at Between U & Me!

GUEST POSTING TODAY - BETWEEN U & ME

I'm so excited to be doing a guest post today over at Between U & Me!  Come on over and join us!

Pay It Forward - Versatile Blogger Awardees

Coming up with ONLY 15 bloggers to pass this award on to sure beats any other challenge!  And what a great challenge it is!

Heidi - My Simple Country Living

Amy - A Farmish Kind of Life

Heather - The Little Things

Melanie - Bear Rabbit Bear

Diana - Diana Rambles

Cathy - My 1929 Charmer

Six Sisters' Stuff

Melissa - The Polka Dot Chair

Amy - Positively Splendid

Michelle - Fun on a Dime

Courtney - Between U & Me

Steph - Crafting in the Rain

Vanessa - {Nifty Thrifty Things}

Jill - The Prairie Homestead

Heather - Raising Mighty Arrows

I will be posting comments for them all today - be sure to stop by and say congrats to these lovely folks!

12:22 pm CST - all bloggers have been notified, so #'s 6 and 7 - DONE!

A SPECIAL AWARD!!!

I am so honored and humbled...

Mlissabeth has presented me The Versatile Blogger Award!

Isn't it pretty?!

The divine Miss M is an inspiration to us all - a two-time cancer survivor who lives with MS everyday.  Such an awesome warrior spirit, and she's so nice, too!  I'm just so thankful to be able to share virtual space with folks like her.

So here are the rules of being presented with the award.

1. Add the award to your blog.   

(done)

2. Thank the blogger who gave it to you.

(done - and I can't say thank you enough)

3. Mention 7 random things about yourself.

(see below)

4. List the rules.

(done)

5. Award to 15 bloggers.

(making a list and checking it twice)

6. Inform each of those 15 by leaving a comment on their blog.

(top priority for these next few days)

So the seven random things about me:
1.  I have been to all 50 states.
2.  I am both a registered girl scout and a registered boy scout.
3.  My two favorite colors are dirt and blue jeans.  And speaking of blue...
4.  All my vehicles have always been blue.  In fact, they've alternated light blue, dark blue...My current vehicle is a light blue that is pretty close to faded blue jean blue.
5.  I have always wanted to learn to speak Italian.
6.  I am a published poet.
7.  I can sing the children's song "Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes" in 3 languages:  English, French and Japanese.  I can also sing "Old MacDonald" in French.

I have to confess I am really REALLY struggling with my list of 15 bloggers.  There are just sooooo MANY talented, wonderful, generous bloggers out there - can I just say for now I'm giving you all a great big hug and a smooch?  Your work inspired me to start my own blog, and you continue to inspire me every day.  So those last 2 may take me a bit, but I'm honoring my commitment!  When I have my final list in the next few days, I'll post it.

So, if you'll excuse me, please.  I'm going to virtually polish my virtual award and place it with loving care on my virtual mantle.  Pretty cool...

Have a great Monday everyone!

February Craftivism Challenge - Crochet Heart Scarf Pattern and Tutorial

I am soooooo sorry this has taken sooooooo long to get posted!  Did you ever have a week where everything takes 3 times longer than usual, no matter what you do?  That's been the last 4 days of my life.  Hopefully, whatever's up with this time-warp issue has finally been resolved and is on its way OUT THE DOOR!

Housekeeping

Just some housekeeping items:

1. Did you register for the giveaway?
2. On Tuesday, I'm guest posting at Between U & Me, so be sure to join me over there!  Our Tea for Tuesday will be rescheduled for Thursday.
3. Scarf pattern for our Craftivism Challenge should be posted later this morning.
4. If you get the chance, take a wander through all the wonderful linky parties and blog hops I post on.  There are lots and LOTS of really talented folks out there who'd love for you to visit and leave some comment love.  You'll also get some amazing recipe, craft and DIY ideas!
5. I was presented with an award this weekend, and will share more about that tomorrow.
6. SPH will be on WSPY on 2/28 at 8:30 am - check out the broadcast area on my original post about it, then mark your calendar and tune in!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Pull It from the Pantry Gluten Free Black Bean Soup Recipe

Had a hankerin' for some black bean soup, and stared at the pantry shelf...

February Craftivism Challenge - HeartScarves

Did you know that heart disease kills more women each year than breast cancer?  In this season of hearts, our monthly Craftivism Challenge will be making scarves for women facing the challenges of heart disease.

REALLY FANTASTIC EXCITING {NEWS}!!!!!

If you live in the far west Chicagoland suburbs:
West of Route 59
East of Route 39
North of I-80
South of I-90

I have a special invitation for you!  SPH will be on WSPY (Comcast channel 18) on Tuesday, February 28th, at 8:30 am.  If you'd like to put a face to the name, I will be on for a half-hour segment, and the producer and I will be discussing gluten-free topics.  You know, the stuff you've seen here, and then some!

I'm hoping to get a copy on DVD, and have Bubba show me how to upload it to YouTube.  Then, I can add the video to the blog and everyone can watch for themselves.

We are pretty excited about it here at the Suburban Prairie Home, and hope you'll watch!

Gluten Free Carrot Cupcakes Recipe

Today is National Carrot Day - and what better way to celebrate than with carrot cake!

Gluten Free Pizza Fondue Recipe

So you're going to a Super Bowl party this weekend and you need to bring as a dish to pass...

Super Easy Gluten Free Chocolate Covered Cherry Fudge Recipe

This recipe miraculously appeared in my inbox when I needed a little something extra to take to a bake sale.

One Yard Wednesday - Romantic Heart & Roses Headband Pattern and Tutorial

Why you should visit the Parties and Blogs page - you never know when you'll find a real gem!

Dining Gluten Free for Super Bowl Sunday

So maybe this is your first time going to a big party after figuring out you need to be gluten free, and you're not sure what to eat when you get there...