Gluten Free Blackberry Oatmeal Bars

 Oh, let's see...

Back in December, I made a birthday cake for a friend's daughter.

It was a whole bunch of chocolate deliciousness.

Unfortunately, her dad couldn't have any.

I told him he could lick the frosting...

he just looked at me cross-eyed. :)

So anyway...I promised him I would make him some GF brownies.

Well, let's just say...I haven't done it yet.

I'm new to this gluten free thing!

I did pick up some oat flour...but didn't realize that for

most recipes you also have to add in Xanthan Gum.

Well alrighty then!

Needless to say...I haven't gotten that far.

So fast forward a few days.

{Okay, okay, months...}

I was cleaning out the fridge and discovered,

not one, not two, but THREE open jars of

seedless blackberry jam.

I questioned Sara about this...she laughed.

Laughed!

She said...oh...

I guess if I couldn't find one...

I'd just open a new one!

{picture me rolling my eyes here}

 I decided it would be a good idea to use some of it up.

What better way than with some Blackberry Oatmeal Bars?

I could try out my recipe, get rid of some jam...

and kinda keep a promise to a friend...

if you count these as brownies.

You're gonna start by creaming some butter and brown sugar together.

Mmmmm...is there anything more heavenly?

Well...okay...chocolate...coffee...nutella...

Mash half of it in the bottom of your pan like so:

Then you can use up some extra jam your

daughter has so graciously opened for you.

Just spread it around till it looks about like this.

You may or may not need the whole 10 ounces

depending on how much jam you like.

You will need to pick apart little pieces

to crumble the rest of your mixture on top.

It mixes together really well.

Try not to eat the dough.

Bake until it's golden...

don't burn your tongue trying to eat it right out of the oven.

They're actually better once you've let them cool completely.

Gluten Free Blackberry Oatmeal Bars
printable version

• 1 cup {2 sticks} butter, softened
• 1 1/3 cups brown sugar, packed
• 2 cups GF oat flour {I used Bob’s Red Mill}
• 1/2 plus 1/8 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 10 oz jar {approx.} blackberry jam or preserves

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. Preheat oven to 400° F.
2. Beat the butter until smooth.  Add brown sugar and mix well.
3. In a separate bowl, combine oat flour, baking soda, salt, and oats.
4. Add this to the butter mixture and mix well.
5. Use your butter wrappers to grease a 9 X 13 pan.
6. Press HALF of the crust mixture into the bottom of the pan.
7. Spread the jam/preserves over the bottom.
8. Crumble the remaining crust mix over the top of the jam.
9. Bake for about 20 minutes at 400° until golden.
10. Cool completely {if you can wait that long} and cut into bars.

PLEASE NOTE:

I am NOT a gluten free expert...

having said that...I checked and double checked

all my ingredients to be sure none contained any

gluten bearing products {namely wheat, barley, or rye}.

If you don't need this to be gluten free...

you can certainly use regular flour.

I have made this with raspberry preserves AND strawberry.

All yummy!!!

I haven't done peach, so if you try it,

let me know how it goes.

I hope you are all having a wonderful week!

I believe spring is almost here...yay!

See you soon...

Serving dessert here:

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Stone Gable

The Gunny Sack

Home Stories A to Z

 The 36th Avenue

Serenity You

I Heart Naptime

I Should Be Mopping The Floor

The Dedicated House

Clean and Scentsible

Lil' Luna

High Heels and Grills

Redfly Creations

A Peek Into My Paradise

Will Cook for Smiles

Anyonita Nibbles

Carole's Chatter

Follow Me on Bloglovin'

Happy Sunday morning lovelies!

 

I bring to you a public service message:

 

Since Google Reader is going Bye-Bye...

I've recently discovered Bloglovin' and have

posted the link for The Moon and Me here:

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

 

It's easy and I found a great tutorial for transferring all your

Google Reader blogs from Danielle over at SewMuchCrafting.

Check it out!

 

GO! Now!

If the link isn't showing...you can also import from your profile page.
Go to {view profile} then {edit profile} and the
button to import is close to the bottom of that page.

 

 

Here's a bit of prettiness to ease your woe...

 

Now...off to make the corned beef minus the cabbage.

Yeah...my family doesn't like that part.

 

I don't do much for St. Patrick's Day...but I do make corned beef.

 

And this year I made a cute little shamrock garland.

 

 

Hopefully that will keep me from getting pinched.

:)

 

Wish me luck!

 

 

 

 

A Homely Tray Becomes A Beautiful Sign

Ever want to be on one of those makeover shows?

I used to think I did.

But then I realized I just wanted them to

give me the $5,000 to buy new clothes.

I didn't want them to tell me that I needed to wear bright

colors or floral prints or anything funky like that.

And I certainly didn't want them to color my hair or tell me I should

straighten out my curls when it took me so long to decide I liked them.

And then there's the whole idea of

"how bad do you really have to dress before someone nominates you"

kind of thing.

Yeah...I didn't want to think about that.

So I stick to doing makeovers on inanimate objects.

And so far it's worked out juuuuuust fine.

It all started when I saw this sign on Antique Farmhouse.

At least I think I saw it there first.

I don't know why, but I couldn't bring myself to pay $50 for it.

{I think that's what it was.}

Then I saw it in a local shop for $75...and I realized just how LARGE it was.

Since I've had a little time on my hands this week...

I decided to make my own.

I've had this tray I picked up on clearance at

Hobby Lobby a while back and thought it would be perfect.

While it's not totally hideous to start off with...

there was definitely room for some improvement.

The clerk kinda looked at me funny until I told

her I was planning to paint it or something.

She said, "oh, good." :)

I used 2 coats to cover the harlequin design.

I should have used more...you'll see why in a bit...but that's okay.

I forgot to show you the vinyl I created on

my Silhouette before I started painting over it.

My bad.

You know, the theory is that if you first paint around the

edges of your stencil with the base color...

you won't have the fill color seep under the edges.

Whatever.

It never works for me.

I always have touch up work to do.

I used some DIY chalk paint to cover the whole thing.

Sanded it lightly between coats so it was smoooooooth.

Then I peeled off the vinyl.

I lightly distressed the whole thing...

but it still seemed a little too bright for me.

So I added some dark wax.

Beautimous.

See what I mean about only using 2 coats of black?

You can kinda see the diamonds peeking through where I sanded it slightly.

I'm okay with it if you are. :)

So that's the story of how an ugly duckling tray

became a beautiful swan pie sign.

I hope you enjoyed this make your own makeover.

I must run...I've got 13 yards of fabric calling my name.

I've been trying to ignore it...but the living room is begging for new curtains.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Partying here:

Tatertots and Jello

Serenity You

Sassy Little Lady

I Heart Naptime

I Should Be Mopping The Floor

The Dedicated House

Home Stories A to Z

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Clean and Scentsible

The 36th Avenue

The Gunny Sack

Kammy's Korner

PJH Designs

 Lil' Luna

High Heels and Grills

Thrifty Decor Chick

Jennifer Rizzo



Homemade Chicken Soup ~ Good For What Ails Ya

Whew!

I have been out of circulation!

 

And while I knew it was going to happen...

I was totally unprepared - blogwise.

 

Not for lack of trying.

I had a couple ideas for posts but couldn't seem to

pull them together to be ready for scheduling.

 

Oh well.

 

 

So, now that I am convalescing...I might as well get to it.

 

It's been cold and snowy and yucky here and the

other day I decided we needed some hot and hearty soup.

 

I had what we needed to make my world famous chicken soup.

 

 

Okay, so maybe it's not WORLD famous...

but everyone in my family LOVES it.

 

That's probably because it's the best chicken soup on the planet.

Just sayin'.

 

You start with some chicken {well, duh.}

Any chicken will do.

About 1 1/2 to 2 lbs.

Sometimes I use a whole cut up fryer...sometimes 3 or 4 leg quarters.

The other day I had 3 large breasts in the freezer...so in they went.

 

 

This picture above?

It's very important...commit it to memory.

 

I have had a hard time locating the large cut Veg-All and almost did

a happy dance in the grocery aisle when I found it.

Almost.

 

I wasn't feeling up to it, or I might have.

 

The other important thing is Paprika.

If you don't have any...don't attempt this soup.

 

Trust me...it will be a huge disappointment and you will

forever be sorry about omitting that one yummy red spice.

And may even be ruined of chicken soup for life.

 

 

Let's get down to business...

 

Bear with me...I don't usually measure things when I make this soup.

:)

  

Kelly’s World Famous Chicken Soup

1 ½ - 2 lbs chicken pieces

8 cups water

2 cubes Knorr chicken bouillon (caldo de pollo)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 medium onion, chopped

salt and pepper to taste (about 1 tsp or so of each)

1 tbsp paprika

1 bay leaf

1 ½ tsp dried thyme

1 tbsp dried parsley

1 packet Knorr vegetable soup mix

1 29 oz can Veg-All large cut vegetables (or 2 of the smaller cans if unavailable)

2/3 cup rice 

In a large pot, cook chicken pieces in 6 – 8 cups water.  Also add bouillon, garlic, onion, salt and pepper, paprika, thyme, the bay leaf, and parsley.

Cook for approximately an hour…until chicken is tender and falling apart.

Remove chicken from soup mix and allow to cool slightly.

DO NOT dump water…this is your soup base.

Shred chicken and return to pot.

Add packet of vegetable soup mix, Veg-All, and rice.

Bring to a boil, and simmer about 45 minutes until rice is tender…adding more water if needed.

This soup is really thick, especially once it sits in the fridge overnight.

But it is OH SO GOOD!

 I recommend sampling as you go in case you need to add more flavor.

But don't burn your tongue like I did.

Like I said…I don’t always measure the spices…I kinda eyeball it…

feel free to add more if you wish. I totally would. J

I hope you enjoy this fabulous cold weather soup.

We certainly did!

 

 

Dishing it out here:

 

I Heart Naptime

I Should Be Mopping The Floor

The Dedicated House

 Stone Gable
Sassy Little Lady



See Me in Sage Online Magazine

Remember this post about chairs?

 

Well...it and

 

 

my 3D framed heart art are included in this

month's issue of Sage Magazine...an online publication.

 

Check it out HERE!

 

 

How exciting is that?!?!?!?

 

 



Say It With Cake...

Well, I have been a little "unwell" and kinda missed

wishing you a Happy Fat Tuesday and Happy Valentine's Day!

So, I made you some cake to make up for it.

Actually, I made these last year I think...

This was for my dad's birthday since it fell close to Mardi Gras...

And this was for a friend who was surprising her husband with a weekend getaway.

Love and cake...

how can you go wrong there?

Hope your heart day was a happy one!

Laissez les bons temps rouler!!!


Sharing here:

Saving 4 Six
Embracing Change
Love Bakes Good Cakes

Valentines For Grown-Ups

So...

has a fat cherub flown by and smacked

you upside the head yet this year?

Yeah, me neither.

But I totally think that's what MY cupid would do...

no heart shaped arrows here.

Anyway...I am so excited to show you these

"sending homemade love" Valentine treats.

But first I've got a little tutorial for sending a Heart Attack...in a can.

The good kind.

Trust me.

I put this together to send in Sara's Valentine treat box.

:)

Start out with a clear sided can.

The silver one I found at Hobby Lobby...the red one was an extra

one I picked up in the Target dollar section at Christmas.

Grab some cute scrapbook paper and awesome

sparkly stickers and you are on your way.

Apparently I looked as if I needed help with this project.

She got up and sat with her font paws on the paper.

These instructions might seem unnecessary, but I'm gonna tell you anyway.

Measure your can...just the clear part.

You might need to take a little off if there's a lip.

My can is about 3 inches across so the circumference is

small and allows the 12 inch paper to circle all the way around.

Mark your paper and start snipping.

Nice long strip...perfect.

Roll it up and slide it into your can.

I lined up the ends of the paper with the seam on the can.

I didn't want my paper sliding around so I pulled out the handle

and used a pencil to poke some holes directly through the paper.

Then I just re-inserted the handle through the paper...no more sliding.

Ta-da!!!

I wanted something for the lid, too...

so I just used it to measure a circle from some more scrapbook paper.

Attached it to the lid and HAD to add a SWEET cupcake sticker.

I cut out a BUNCH of hearts with my Silhouette

from different colors of cardstock.

You could totally cut them out by hand or I'm sure you could

find a package of heart shapes somewhere this time of year. :)

My husband and I did about half...I gave the other half to my folks.

We used them to write things we love about Sara on each one.

Pretty much filled up that can!

How awesome is this for encouraging someone?

Now...on to the sweet treats.

Peek-a-boo!

Standard chocolate chip cookie recipe here...

I just subbed Valentine M&Ms for the chocolate chips.

Easy peasy.

I portioned them out just like I was gonna bake them...

but rolled them into balls and stuck them like this on a metal cookie sheet.

I put them in the freezer for an hour or so until they were hard.

Once they were firm and I knew they wouldn't stick together,

I transferred them to something I could put a cover on and keep them all together.

Yes, this is a margarita bucket.

No, I did NOT empty it JUST to put the cookies in.

But I would have if it came right down to it.

The things I do for blogging.

I ADORE these cartons I ordered from Garnish.

LOoOoOoOve. I tell you what.

A little Washi tape around the lid...some baker's twine...

I printed out a label with baking instructions...

And away we go.

I fit about 10 cookie dough balls in here.

If you made yours a little smaller, you could get a whole dozen.

Shhhh...I'm giving these to the girls at work.
Don't tell.

You could do this for ANY occasion or holiday.
Just change up your colors and have a ball!

These make me smile.

Do you do some homemade treats for friends and co-workers?

What's your favorite to give or get?

Have a fabulous weekend!

See you on the flipside.

Sharing here:

The 36th Avenue

Savvy Southern Style
Clean and Scentsible
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Jennifer Rizzo
Serenity You
Tatertots and Jello
I Heart Naptime
I Should Be Mopping The Floor
The Dedicated House
Home Stories A to Z
Reasons To Skip The Housework
Ivy and Elephants
Just a Little Creativity
The Turquoise Home
Put a Bird On It
Embracing Change
 Living Well Spending Less
Saving 4 Six
Glitter, Glue, and Paint
Live Laugh Rowe
Craft Dictator
Whipperberry
Crafts a la Mode
Lil' Luna
Horrific Knits
Serenity You
Cheerios and Lattes
Will Cook for Smiles
Six Sisters Stuff
It All Started With Paint
A Peek Into My Paradise
Life On Lakeshore Drive
Averie Lane
Dwellings
Plaid and Paisley Kitchen
 A Stroll Thru Life
Love Grows Wild
My Craftily Ever After
Love Bakes Good Cakes
Love of Family and Home