Wow, I can't remember the last time I came to this forum. It was definitely before I got my new laptop over a year ago, because I've found that if I don't "bookmark" a site, I tend to forget about it.
So much has happened, I won't even try to detail it all. But the most important, regarding cooking, is that after several months of feeling unwell I discovered that I have a gluten sensitivity. Yep, Vicci (who loves to bake and eat those baked goods) can no longer indulge as she used to. Gluten is not totally "out" for me, but I've had to cut back drastically. I have found a decent recipe for gluten-free bread (a lifesaver), and have worked out some good quickbread recipes, gf pancakes are great, but I absolutely cannot find a decent pizza crust. *sigh*
DH and I have been busy at the farm. We had an addition constructed last year with a new bathroom and a pantry/ laundry room extension. I also got rid of the huge commercial stove and replaced it with a great new range and a set of cabinets beside (more counter space- yay!). Unfortunately, the contractor underestimated, ran out of money, and left. So we have muddled through finishing it on our own. It looks good, but has taken forever! But now we have to ramp it up a bit because...
we have signed with a builder to build a home in Lewes, DE. After years of back-and-forth (do we retire to New England? If so, where? Or to a milder climate? If so, where? And so on.) we decided on this area for many reasons. I can't believe that I will have a new house soon. One with a bigger kitchen, all new appliances, and best of all-- new houses don't require much maintenance for many years! I will never catch up with work on the farm. Ever. And that fact has just depressed me terribly over the past couple of years. Now we have to finish what the contractor didn't, and do a few more projects, then find someone who will take over the stewardship of this lovely historic farm.
And, most importantly, Spooky is still with us. Our little cat is now over 14 years old, the last 6 or so with kidney issues, but still continues to be the light of our lives.
Okay, off to look at some of the more recent posts, in an impossible attempt to "catch up".
It's nice to be back, and I'll try to check in as often as I can (now that this site is, again, bookmarked!!!)
So much has happened, I won't even try to detail it all. But the most important, regarding cooking, is that after several months of feeling unwell I discovered that I have a gluten sensitivity. Yep, Vicci (who loves to bake and eat those baked goods) can no longer indulge as she used to. Gluten is not totally "out" for me, but I've had to cut back drastically. I have found a decent recipe for gluten-free bread (a lifesaver), and have worked out some good quickbread recipes, gf pancakes are great, but I absolutely cannot find a decent pizza crust. *sigh*
DH and I have been busy at the farm. We had an addition constructed last year with a new bathroom and a pantry/ laundry room extension. I also got rid of the huge commercial stove and replaced it with a great new range and a set of cabinets beside (more counter space- yay!). Unfortunately, the contractor underestimated, ran out of money, and left. So we have muddled through finishing it on our own. It looks good, but has taken forever! But now we have to ramp it up a bit because...
we have signed with a builder to build a home in Lewes, DE. After years of back-and-forth (do we retire to New England? If so, where? Or to a milder climate? If so, where? And so on.) we decided on this area for many reasons. I can't believe that I will have a new house soon. One with a bigger kitchen, all new appliances, and best of all-- new houses don't require much maintenance for many years! I will never catch up with work on the farm. Ever. And that fact has just depressed me terribly over the past couple of years. Now we have to finish what the contractor didn't, and do a few more projects, then find someone who will take over the stewardship of this lovely historic farm.
And, most importantly, Spooky is still with us. Our little cat is now over 14 years old, the last 6 or so with kidney issues, but still continues to be the light of our lives.
Okay, off to look at some of the more recent posts, in an impossible attempt to "catch up".
It's nice to be back, and I'll try to check in as often as I can (now that this site is, again, bookmarked!!!)