Brownies To NOT Die For

May is National Celiac's Disease Awareness month. A few facts:
*  Celiacs is not just an allergy, it is an autoimmune disease
*  1 in 133 Americans have Celiacs
*  It takes an average of 8-10 years to be diagnosed in the U.S. (it took my husband 7 years)
*  $8,000-$12,000 is the average cost of misdiagnosis/person, not including missed days of work
*  For every 1 person who is diagnosed in the US, 8 go undiagnosed
*  There are over 300 symptoms for Celiacs
*  Untreated Celiac's Disease can lead to death from malnutrition
*  An endoscopy is the only way to diagnose Celiacs
*  A 100% gluten-free diet is the only treatment for Celiacs
Do yourself and your loved ones a favor, educate yourself about Celiac's Disease!

It has been a little over a year since my husband was diagnosed with this disease.  It has been trying at times, but also rewarding to see how changing one's diet can so greatly change one's health.  I am still learning a lot about preparing gluten free foods, but here is one recipe my family declares I have perfected, gluten free brownies.  They like them better than my old brownie recipe. 

Gluten Free Brownies
1 c. butter (I said they were gluten free, not healthy)
1/2 c. cocoa
1 3/4 c. sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp. (or a dump) of vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. white rice flour (I have made these with white rice, sweet rice, and brown rice flour--white rice is the best)
1 tsp xanthum gum
semi-sweet chocolate chips

**To make these truly gluten free you must make sure ALL of your ingredients are gf.  Many things, especially store brands, are processed where wheat is and thus they are not gf.  Check the internet.

Melt the butter.

Add the sugar and cocoa, taste, mmm, yummy.  (This is extra dark cocoa.)

Stir in the eggs and vanilla, stirring kind of well.  Add the salt, flour, and xanthum gum (the glue that holds gluten free baked goodies together). 

Add a few handfuls of semi-sweet chocolate chips. 

Spread into a greased 9x13 pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until top no longer looks wet.  Enjoy!!

Sunday Verses

AP Photo

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18

I can't imagine surveying this scene in person.  Seeing your material world completely annihilated and destroyed would be horrific.  I don't think I'd could be standing like these folks are, I would be devastated.  But, the bible promises us that God is with us always, no matter what.  It is comforting to know that he is especially close to those who are brokenhearted.  If you are crushed, whether by the recent tornado devastation, or illness, money woes or death, a broken relationships, whatever weighs on you, lean into God, He is nearer than you may realize, waiting to comfort you and save you. 

A Little Traveling Chandi

Before I start this post, I just want to say my prayers are with all of you in the South who suffered losses this week. What a horrible tragedy and a reminder that life can change in an instant.  For the rest of us, go give blood if you can, donate financially if you can, pray!

I picked up the cutest little travel case at the thrift store, and it didn't even smell inside.  I decided it needed some dressing up so, using my Cricut I cut out a chandi stencil from contact paper and a few minutes later had this.

I also made a fabric flower to attach to the satin ribbon.  I might add some white sheer ribbon when I get some.  Fun place to store magazines, chocolate stash, diamonds...

Find more ideas at Funky Junk Interiors!

Under $100 Linky Party

Hey all, hope you had a fabulous Easter.  Are you on the countdown until summer like I am?  I am afraid it is going to be a busy 5 or 6 weeks, but will be here as much as I can--it keeps me sane and junk is my drug of choice :)!  So, while I got very little done in the last week, you all were plenty busy sharing your fabulousness.  Such as:

Homeroad had me at roadside--love a good transformed roadside find.

These coasters from A Tutle's Life For Me really speak to me, so to speak.

I love the nostalgic feel of these little paper flowers from Ms. Smartie Pants.

Backwoods Cottage shared a fantastic lesson on painting hydrangeas.

This argyle changing table from Never a Dull Day is simply charming.

Meg and Mum's coffee table is repurpolisous!

And these smore's in a jar that Singing With The Birds linked up, mmm!

Can't wait to see your new links this week!
Under $100 Linky Guidelines

1. Please link to the specific post, not your blog!
2. Please only post ideas that cost $100 or less--it would be great if you share the cost of your project, but not necessary.
3. Please include a brief description in link up.
4. Grab my Under $100 button on the sidebar and include it in your post or a link to Beyond the Picket Fence so people can find you and more great ideas.
5. Please check and make sure your link works. If it doesn't you can delete it and try again.
6. Please no direct links to sales sites, i.e. ETSY or just a plain ol' commercial site, we are looking for inexpensive ideas we can recreate, thanks!

How Great Thou Art!

He is risen indeed. 

Happy Easter!

Under $100 Linky Party

Thanks all for so many fantastic links and comments last week.  I appreciate the time you take to link up!  Remember to visit each other's links and give a little comment love!  Here are some things that caught my attention last week:

I love how the white frames make this coffee sack art pop at Housing a Forest!

A Toddler and a Teenager painted up an adorable head and foot board.

This hanging bed from Life at Fire Lake Camp has me dreaming of long summer days.

Adore this scrabble wall art from 3 Crazy Chicks.

I have seen a lot of subway art, but this one from Sass and Frass Crafts is fun and different.

Lazy Chef's Recipes shared an orange pop cheesecake that is easy peasy and oh so delicious looking!

Can't wait to see your new links this week!
Under $100 Linky Guidelines

1. Please link to the specific post, not your blog!
2. Please only post ideas that cost $100 or less--it would be great if you share the cost of your project, but not necessary.
3. Please include a brief description in link up.
4. Grab my Under $100 button on the sidebar and include it in your post or a link to Beyond the Picket Fence so people can find you and more great ideas.
5. Please check and make sure your link works. If it doesn't you can delete it and try again.
6. Please no direct links to sales sites, i.e. ETSY or just a plain ol' commercial site, we are looking for inexpensive ideas we can recreate, thanks!

Live Simply

A simple coat hook, with a simple message.  I was pleased with the way the colors turned out--red, pale yellow, sea blue, ahhh, speaks to me!

Find more ideas at All Thingz Related!

Sunday Verses

The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out,"Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!"And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,

 "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!"                                 -- John 12:12-15

Happy Palm Sunday!  I like to picture the triumphal entry of Jesus, people waving palm branches, shouting Hosanna, laying their clothes down as a carpet for him.  I am sure it was quite a celebration.  It always is so strange and unbelievable to me that things changed so quickly for Jesus, that within a few days the same crowd that praised Jesus turned on him and demanded his crucifixion.

What do I take from the triumphal entry?   I think Jesus celebrated --he lived in the moment and enjoyed the triumphal entry, not in prideful way, but as a celebration.    We need to learn to celebrate when we can, to enjoy the little victories and moments in our life.  We never know when life may change, we may be celebrating one day and mourning the next.  Do you live in the moment?  Find something to celebrate this week, without looking ahead or worrying about what is to come.   

Steppin' Up!

I love little ladders, so many things you can do with them.  I showed you some things last year, but I will recap for those of you who are new to my blog.

As a decorative piece,

To hold stuffed animals,

In the bathroom,

As a picture display,

and as a wine holder.

I found another little step ladder and painted it up for spring "nesting".

It is gray, over blues and greens--I am loving gray, again.  I decorated with it 20 years ago.

Find more fun ideas at Donna's Funky Junk Interiors!

Under $100 Linky Party

I have had a few people ask me how I came up with the idea for an Under $100 linky party.  I have always loved the magazine 100 Decorating Under $100 (I haven't seen it lately), so inspired by it I started  showing you 100 ideas under $100, but then decided you all had fabulous ideas that were in my price range and thus, the linky party was born.  I love all the inexpensive ideas from furniture to food, crafts to organizational ideas and feel blessed each week that you participate.

On that note, while I love your participation, I have asked from the beginning that you do not link up to things that you are selling, as I want my linky party to be about sharing ideas that we all can afford to do in these times.  I occasionally do remove links to direct sales sites, and I don't ever mean to hurt anyone's feelings by doing so, I am just trying to keep to my original theme and intention for the linky party.  If you have a link to your etsy shop on your blog, awesome.  If you show us a tutorial how to make something and offer it for sale to those who don't want to make one, fantastic.  Please just don't use the linky party for direct sales.  Thanks so much for your understanding and now for some linky love!

This potting table from Homeroad has so many fun and creative little touches.

I cannot believe that Domestically Speaking's PB inspired mirrors started life as table tops.

The Vintage Nest claims she is not the painter in the family, but this sweet little piece has me doubting that statement!

Sweet Blessings shared the cutest little idea to show your love.

Sunni's Side of Life Anthro knock-off necklace is divine!

A fun and unique lampshade from Too Much Time On My Hands.

Living My Life On Purpose shared a recipe for yummy crescent calzones!

Thanks for linking!!  Looking forward to seeing your fabulousness this week!

Under $100 Linky Guidelines

1. Please link to the specific post, not your blog!
2. Please only post ideas that cost $100 or less--it would be great if you share the cost of your project, but not necessary.
3. Please include a brief description in link up.
4. Grab my Under $100 button on the sidebar and include it in your post or a link to Beyond the Picket Fence so people can find you and more great ideas.
5. Please check and make sure your link works. If it doesn't you can delete it and try again.
6. Please no direct links to sales sites, i.e. ETSY or just a plain ol' commercial site, we are looking for inexpensive ideas we can recreate, thanks!