Tag! You're It.

Image flickr baklein62

I was tagged today by sweet Kate at Kids & Cocktails. It's my first tag too, so, this is rather exciting!

4 things I did today
1.) Went grocery shopping
2.) Finally bought the newest Domino
3.) Played Frisbee with one of my pups
4.) Watched my husband solder my laptop power cord to make it functional again! It was a scary moment when I thought it was a goner. He is definitely my hero!

4 things on my to-do list
1.) Learn how to fly a plane (long term to-do!)
2.) Travel to Russia... and Peru... and India... and Ireland... and New Zealand... and ok, I'll stop here because truthfully the list is almost endless!
3.) Make Apple Crisp- I've been wanting to make some for days, but haven't gotten around to it.
4.) Finish some wedding thank-you notes (ack! I know, Mom! Some of the gifts only came in recently though.)

4 of my guiltiest pleasures
1.) The Hills & Army Wives...hokey shows? Yes. Am I addicted? Yes.
2.) Currently, Peanut Brittle Ice Cream (sadly, a seasonal flavor)
3.) Magazines (see below...)
4.) Starbucks (which I haven't had in a while b/c I've been making my coffee at home every day. Oh, but a flavored soy latte and slice of pumpkin loaf- yum!!)

4 random things you probably didn't know about me
1.) I've been a vegetarian for 12 years, although for the last 6 or so, I have only been a semi-veg, as, on occasion, I will eat fish.
2.) I am a complete magazine-addict and have a degree in Magazine Journalism, but I've never worked at a magazine.
3.) I hate tomatoes (it's a texture thing,) but I love tomato-things: tomato soup, tomato-based sauces, salsa, etc. Oh, and fried green tomatoes- delicious!
4.) In second grade when my youngest brother was born, I told my entire class his name was the one I had wanted, rather than the name my parents actually had given him! Embarrassing when I was busted two weeks later... :)

Thanks Kate!

If you'd like to participate, consider yourself tagged! Leave a comment; I'd love to read your list.

This little piggy...

I read about the Etsy shop Chez Sucre Chez on Design*Sponge today, and I am absolutely smitten with this tote! I really do adore pigs, and for me, this the sweetest way to imagine the ending of "This little piggy goes to market!"

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Corn Muffins

Gluten-free corn muffins with a pumpkin twist.

Today's muffin recipe is seasonal favorite- a tender and golden pumpkin corn muffin. It's one of the most popular recipes on Gluten-Free Goddess.

The coyotes were up bright and early this morning, yelping in the cool blue air as my old English tea kettle sputtered and complained. Tea for breakfast is not an efficient way to wake up. It's more of a coaxing than the throttle of a double espresso fueled Americano, but right here, right now, it will have to do. At least this week.

The closest cafe is an hour's drive away. 

When people ask what it is I miss most living out here in the rural desert, my answer is always the same. But the list is growing...

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Window Shopping {LF Jewelry Designs}

While I have bracelets and earrings a plenty, somehow I do not have the equivalent number of necklaces; they are an accessory that I love, yet do not manage to purchase quite as often.

While doing a little "window" shopping, I came across these sweet, delicate and affordable necklaces from Etsy shop LF Jewelry Designs. I like that most of them appear dainty enough for easy everyday wear.

Here, here, here, here, and here

In honor of her upcoming birthday and to celebrate the beginning of her last year in her 20s, the shop owner of LF Jewelry Designs is offering all regularly priced items at 20% off through the 2nd of October.

*Update- Lindsay, owner of LF Jewelry Designs, wanted everyone to know that the first image was photographed by Cameron Kline Photography

Oh Sew Sweet

I love that these Etsy shops have given new life to sewing patterns by repurposing them into new items.

Etsy Shop Natuur/-e

Here

Here

Here

Etsy Shop Paperwerks

Here

Here

Etsy Shop JenniferConway

Here

Here

Etsy Shop Blue Valentine Press

Here

Here

Etsy Shop copabananas

Here

Sew Lovely

I inherited my love of buttons from my mom, who has always had a soft spot for these notions. The variety of colors, shapes, sizes, and textures intrigues me as much today as it did as a child.

Image from flickr ojamaa9design

Vintage Buttons at Etsy shop onecozynest

Vintage Buttons at Etsy shop onecozynest

Vintage Metal Buttons at Etsy shop rakubuttons

Image from flickr calloohcallay

I imagine I looked much like this following a trip with my mom to gather sewing supplies; I love that the photo shows how gently these "treasures" are being held.

Cross Tribal Tattoo

Cross Tribal Tattoo

Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Recipe Index

Gluten-free dairy-free? No problem!

Welcome to Karina's Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Recipe Index. This GFCF recipe collection is a labor of love dedicated to all the beautiful Aspie and autistic angels out there- and the ASD families supporting neurodiversity with their own daily labors of love. I strive to make your day a little more delicious!

And I didn't forget you lovely lactose intolerant folks. This dairy-free, casein-free index is for you, too.

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Moroccan Coconut & Chick Pea Soup

A delicious gluten-free soup with Moroccan flavors

On a whim I threw together this North African inspired fusion of flavors led by cravings and intuition. We slurped it down and scraped our bowls. Turns out that sweet potatoes, chick peas, roasted green chiles and coconut milk make for one scrumptious soup. I think you'll love it.

Dairy-free never tasted so good.

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Fancy Ladies

In 1st grade, I had a "Fancy Ladies" birthday party. My distinguished guests and I were attired in the loveliest frocks from our respective dress-up collections, and we feasted in my family's dining room. If my memory is correct, my parents even served us with their finest china, crystal, and silverware (did they really? what were they thinking?? I am hoping now that they just set the table with "fancy" chargers!)

I had such grand designs for the party, but halfway through dinner, I ended up crying on our steps. When my mom told me I needed to stop crying and rejoin my guests, I replied with the age-old classic, "It's my party, and I'll cry if I want to..." I then sang a woeful rendition of the chorus. Life is tough at the age of seven.

Oh, and the reason for my tears? Two of my guests were absolutely not acting like "fancy ladies." I did return to the party, and soon my tears were all but forgotten.


Thankfully, I have not found myself crying on my steps during any parties since, although, I have not hosted another "Fancy Ladies" party either! The "Syracuse" dinnerware, by R. Haviland & C. Parlon available at Horchow, makes me believe I would happily take the plunge again.

A Room Reveals A Wedding {A Relaxed Elegance}

This is the first post of "A Room Reveals A Wedding," a new segment that will be featured on Under A Paper Moon. I enjoyed Cassandra's Inspiration Board Contest so entirely that I wanted to be able to showcase this concept on a regular basis.

Inspiration for weddings can come in many forms, and one such source can be a room, which speaks to a person's style and taste. In "A Room Reveals A Wedding," a room's mood and design will be interpreted into an event inspiration board.

This first inspiration room is an elegant, yet relaxed bath featured in Homes & Gardens. I love the tranquility in this space; it's very easy to imagine unwinding in this bath after a long day. Through the use of warm-hued whites, accents of tan, brown, and green, and varying textures, the bathroom feels quite inviting.

The Inspiration RoomHomes & Gardens

The wedding based on this room would exude the same warmth and relaxed elegance.

The Inspiration Board

Row 1: L to R- Homes and Gardens, Our Labor of Love photography, West Elm
Row 2: Kelley & Nate- Photogen, Inc., Carrie Patterson Wedding Photography, Tulips via flickr kmjdepalma
Row 3: snowberry bouquet- Martha Stewart, Whitebox Weddings, Rebecca Cole Design
Row 4: Leigh Miller Photography, Programs- Dasha Wright photographer via Brides.com, candy buffet- Martha Stewart

The Whole Foods Market Food Blogger Budget Recipe Challenge

Gluten-Free Goddess blog has made it into the finals for The Whole Foods Market Food Blogger Budget Recipe Challenge. The recipe? A personal (and family) favorite- my Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas. Why am I mentioning this? Because, Dear Reader, if you visit and vote for my vegetarian enchilada recipe, you just might win a $500 Whole Foods Gift Card- and other prizes!

How cool is that?

This audience sweepstakes will run from today through Wednesday, October 8th. Anyone who posts a comment on any of the contest recipes (at the Whole Foods website only) will be automatically entered to win a $500 gift card or other prizes. So please support Gluten-Free Goddess by giving the Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchilada recipe some comment LOVE.

The winning recipe will be selected primarily on audience feedback, and the winning blogger will receive $250 worth of Whole Foods gift cards (I'm giving mine to my two sons, Colin and Alex, if I win). The winning recipe will also be featured on the Whole Foods website.

Starting this Friday, September 26, 2008 the Whole Story blog will feature a daily Q+A with one of the 6 finalists.

And much good luck to my blogging pals: Hannah, Jaden, and Rachel!

Stay tuned-

And thank you for your support!

Hanging Art- Part 3

This last collection of images features groupings that are a further evolution from the order seen in Part Two and are quite the antithesis of the groupings in Part One. These arrangements feature repetition and symmetry in a structured way.

House Beautiful

Cottage Living

Cottage Living

Metropolitan Home

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart

S.R. Gambrel

After viewing this group, tell me, what style appeals to you most? Do you prefer organized chaos, straight organization, or something in between? I may know Christine's answer, and I am looking forward to hearing yours.

Hanging Art- Part 2

Following the organized chaos in Part One, these groupings, while still featuring frames varying in size and shape, appear to have more order in their placement.

David Netto Designs via Ill Seen, Ill Said

West Elm Gallery Frame

Domino

Martha Stewart

Beth Webb via Desire to Inspire

Hanging Art- Part 1

My dear friend, Christine, will soon be putting together her own gallery-style wall full of amazing photographs. I've put together a collection of images, in three parts, to serve as inspiration.

This first set of photos features a bit of organized chaos; these groupings, with many different size and shape frames, give the appearance of being placed haphazardly, although, certainly, the placement is quite intentional.

House Beautiful

Domino

White and Wander

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart

West Elm Gallery Frames

Stay tuned for Part Two and Part Three.