- Good food, good company, good advice from Grandma

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I received samples of bread from Canyon Bakehouse to try, and tell you about. All opinions are my own.

As a relative newcomer in the gluten free market, Canyon Bakehouse has been producing their delicious gluten free breads in a dedicated gluten free facility in Loveland, Colorado since 2009. Their products are gluten free, Kosher Parve, 100% whole grain, and dairy, nut, and soy free. They started out making gluten free bread for the Rocky Mountain Region of Whole Foods, but are now in more than 1,000 stores nationwide.

Canyon Bakehouse products include 7-Grain, Cinnamon Raisin, Mountain White, Deli Style Rye, and Rosemary Thyme Focaccia breads. There are also Hamburger Buns, Hotdog Buns, and Cranberry Crunch Muffins. My favorite of the breads was the Cinnamon Raisin. The bread was soft and chewy, and tasted really good when toasted and spread with peanut butter.

My husband and I used the Canyone Bakehouse Rosemary Thyme Focaccia to make a gluten free pizza. I spread the bread with pesto, then added some tomatoes, basil and fresh mozzarella cheese. The combination was so good The taste and texture of the focaccia bread made it seem like we were eating “regular” bread.

I was most impressed with the hamburger buns from Canyon Bakehouse. They were soft and “squishy” much like regular wheat buns. I had put my samples in the freezer as soon as I received them, and popped one in the toaster to heat it up for an egg and cheese sandwich for breakfast. It was perfect, and I really enjoyed it.

Egg and cheese sandwich on a Canyon Bakehouse Hamburger Bun

I will tell you that the breads from Canyon Bakehouse are chewy, which makes them different from other gluten free breads I have tried. I think this makes them more like regular wheat bread in texture. Overall, I was pleased with the bread samples I received.

My Egg and Cheese sandwich on a Canyon Bakehouse Gluten Free Bun

2 Winner will receive a package of Canyon Bakehouse Gluten Free Breads just like the one I received, containing three loaves of bread, and a package of hamburger buns. Enter using the Giveaway Tools form below:

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I'm Getting Gardening Fever!

Karen · 24 Comments

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Last year I really wanted a small vegetable garden, but I was not able to do the work involved in getting one planted. So, over the last few months, I have been looking around the internetz and Pinterest, and gardening websites, and and and…I have figured out a way to make a raised garden that I won’t have to bend over or do heavy work like digging or raking or all that other stuff to get it prepared and planted. It involves using some normal everyday things in unique ways to accomplish my goals.

Yes, yes, I am going to use those two green canvas camp chairs for part of it. I might even use another blue canvas chair that has been under the back porch for more than a year. These chairs seem to be unstable at best, and they are very difficult for me to get up out of if I sit in them. So, they are going to be re-purposed into a veggie garden.

The concrete well head that is in our yard, covering up an old, out of use well, will also be incorporated into my garden. The last time you saw this, it was when I was planking you for voting for me in a contest. If ( and I really mean when) this garden is up and running, I will be showing you pictures of it every Friday for the entire gardening season. I am so excited and just can not wait!

So, I am planning to plant swiss chard, onions, kale, and English peas first. Later on, I want to plant some green beans, squash, peppers, and eggplant and some tomatoes. If you had a little garden, what would be your “must have” vegetable to plant in it?

Coping With a Relationship Breakdown When You Are Over 50

Karen · Leave a Comment

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This is a guest post by Hylton Potts who are on hand to assist with the issues and problems surrounding dissolving a civil partnership in the UK.

Life is often full of ups and downs, and it is hard to know what is waiting around the corner. The same applies regardless of a person’s age – illness, upset and accidents can really happen to anyone at any time. One thing that can be difficult to come to terms with is a relationship breakdown, and this is especially true for those who are in the over 50s bracket.

If you have experienced this yourself, you will know that the situation can be very tough for all of those involved: you, your partner, your children, and so on. There are many reasons that a relationship can end up being dysfunctional, and it is up to you to decide what to do about it. For those who have found themselves in this sticky situation, it might be helpful if you read a few of the suggestions below – it can be hard to do it alone…

Find the right support

The first thing to remember is that you shouldn’t need to go at it alone; there are many other places on the internet that you can find support so these can be very helpful. Whether it is connecting with other people like you on forums, or reading helpful legal guides, you will quickly discover that there is help out there if you want to reach for it.

Family members and friends can also be incredibly valuable at this time, however you will want to find the right balance when it comes to what you speak about. If you have children, you will not want to influence the way they see their other parent, as this would then begin to affect their relationship too.

Decide whether to make amends

Is your relationship at the end of the road, or do you believe there is still potential to make things work? Problems can sometimes arise from the decisions that people make, or the lack of communication that is needed to make a relationship work. Sometimes all it takes is to lay everything on the table and really tackle the problems that exist.

For that reason, some people find that therapy or counseling sessions are worthwhile, and there are sure to be a range of options available in your local area. If you live in a remote location, you could always see if there are any web or phone based resources instead.

Seek legal advice

If you have decided that enough is enough, you might want to seek legal advice to find the best possible resolution to your relationship breakdown. Whilst you may still find the situation upsetting, you can at least be reassured that the issues surrounding your house, possessions, pets and children will be in the best possible hands. To get this process started, have a look online, or speak to your friends or family members to get a recommendation.

Take A Survey To Help Me Decide What Ads To Place Here

Karen · 1 Comment

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I know y’all can see the ads I have placed here on Fabgrandma.com. I also know that some people don’t like ads. But having ads is necessary to help pay for the costs of maintaining my webhost, the domain name, and all the other costs associated with having a blog. I would like to know what kind of ads would be most beneficial to you, my readers. So, I have created a survey for you to take, that would let me know more about what to advertise here. Even if you never click on an ad, or never buy anything online, would you please take a couple of minutes to complete the survey? I would appreciate it very much

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world’s leading questionnaire tool.

30 Minutes A Day Sewing Challenge

Karen · 5 Comments

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I wasn’t kidding when I challenged myself to make an effort to spend 30 minutes a day doing something sewing related. I haven’t sewn anything much to speak of since May of 2012. It has just been too painful for me to do. But then when I was thinking about it the other day, it came to me that I was working under the assumption that I HAD to finish a project if I sat down to do it, no matter how it made me feel. And that is where my 30 minutes a day challenge came from: I challenged myself to do 30 minutes and no more. When the timer goes off, I am done for the day, no matter where I am in the project. Doing this saves me from hurting myself, but allows me to do something again that I love to do.

Days 1, 2, and 3 of my personal challenge were spent cutting out patterns. You know how when you buy new patterns, all the pieces are on one big sheet of tissue paper, and have to be cut out before you can use them. I have always cut my patterns apart as soon as I buy them, so that when I do get in a sewing mood, I can get right to it. And I bought about 15 or so patterns the other day at Joann when they were on sale, so I have a lot of that to do. On this type of sewing related activity, I can actually spend a couple of hours sitting in my recliner doing it, and so I have only got six more patterns to cut.

I pinned Parker's quilt today — I pinned Parker’s quilt today

Today was Day 4. I spent my 30 minutes pinning Parker’s quilt. This quilt was actually stitched in November and December of 2011, and circumstances caused me to put it away unfinished. I have been wanting to pick it up and finish it for him ever since I got back to Georgia in November 2012, but I have not been able to. I think with my new attitude of doing something for 30 minutes, I may just get this finished before the end of March. Only a year and 2 months late, but I will finish it. And that is what matters.

Win A Craft Class From Craftsy To Celebrate National Craft Month!

Karen · 1 Comment

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If you love to craft, sew, quilt, knit, crochet, or would love to learn how to do any of these to see if you would love it, you can now take classes online at Craftsy. Craftsy is the place online for crafters, cooks, and quilters to learn more advanced techniques, or for beginners to learn to do the basics. There are literally hundreds of classes available in categories like Cake Decorating, Jewelry making, Crocheting, Knitting, Paper Crafts, Quilting, Home & Garden, Spinning, Weaving, Fine Art, Photography, Embroidery, Sewing, and Food & Cooking.

Just as an example, take a look at the Quilting category: There are classes for Fundamentals, Quilting Techniques, Quilt Design, Art Quilts, Modern Quilts, Home Decor, and more. You can also check out free mini classes in each category.

In addition to all those great classes, you’ll find patterns, supplies, and a fantastic photo gallery of projects completed by Craftsy members to give you inspiration for your own projects.

All Craftsy Classes come with these guarantees: 100& Money back guarantee; watch classes on your own schedule wherever, whenever you want; and your access never expires.

So, now that you know all that stuff about Craftsy, here is another reason to go take a look at them: One reader from Fabgrandma.com will win one class of their choice! . Go Enter to win a Craftsy class!

The giveaway closes on March 31, 2014 at 11:59 p.m. EST. You must register on the Craftsy website to enter the giveaway. Winner will be chosen at random by the Craftsy staff, and will notified as soon as possible after the giveaway closes. Leave a comment on this post to let me know you entered the giveaway. Good luck!

Power Up Your Grandkids With Power Rangers Super Megaforce!

Karen · 7 Comments

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Disclaimer: I am part of a the Saban Brand-Bassador program, and I received promotional items to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own. Thank you for reading.

If you are a grandma or grandpa who is looking for things to do with your young grandchildren, The Power Rangers Super Megaforce season 21 premiered on February 15th at 12 pm/11C on Nickelodeon. If you missed that date you can watch or DVR the encores of new episodes every Saturday at 8pm/7C. That way, you can have a Power Rangers Super Megaforce marathon next time your little rangers come to visit.

In the last episode of last season, the Power Rangers defeated the evil Warstar Villians. Now in Power Rangers Megaforce, Pince Vekar arrives with a massive alien armada to conquer Earth. With the help of their supernatural guardian Gosei, the Power Rangers have been given special morphers and keys that let them morph into Super Megaforce Rangers. Using these keys, they also have the new ability to morph into AMY team of legendary rangers from the past. They gain access to their incredible powers, weapons, Zords, and Megazords.

In addition to the series, there are downloadable coloring sheets that you can make into a mask. While you’re making the masks, you can plan easy movement and exercises that you can do together for added fun, and that will make you the best grandparent, ever!

The Power Rangers Deluxe Legendary Morpher is available at Toys “R” Us and Target.com and retail for $34.99 Kids insert the keys to activate light and sounds. The Morpher recognizes Rangers from 20 different Power Rangers seasons. There are more then 60 keys available. The Power Ranger Deluxe Legendary Morpher includes 2 Ranger keys.

My Personal National Craft Month Challenge: Do More For Me

Karen · 3 Comments

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I have been giving this a lot of thought, ever since I learned that March is National Craft Month. I know I am not the same physically as I used to be, and I may never be back to my whole self again. I struggle with that knowledge every single minute of every single day. I often walk into my sewing room and just sit in the chair for a few minutes. I look around me and see all my favorite things in there. My sewing machine. My trusty seam ripper (Yes, even though we have a love hate relationship, I still miss that old fool), all the lovely lovely fabric piles. And I make myself miserable when I do that.

A project for me--wall hanging organizer — A project for me–wall hanging organizer

Well, then this notion of National Craft Month came along, and I started thinking that maybe I could start with baby steps. Now, my idea of sewing is to get myself in the mode, cut out a hundred (okay, maybe 5 or 10) projects so that as soon as I finish one, I can pick up the next one and not lose momentum. And sit in that sewing room for hours on end, only coming out for nourishment and to use the bathroom. But then I thought that maybe, if I change my attitude and my modus operandi, I might be able to accomplish something in just thirty minutes a day. I have been in this thinking spree for a few days now. And then, I saw this post today. And I knew it was time for me set out on my journey up that damn mountain. If I never get out of the recliner and try, I will never make anything for sure.

I am going to start out with a goal of just thirty minutes a day. 30 minutes to cut, or pin, or stitch, or press, or whatever it is I need to do to MAKE SOMETHING. Or to FINISH SOMETHING. That is where part of my depression comes from: not being able to DO SOMETHING. So, I am going to start by just doing something for thirty minutes a day. I have a kitchen timer I can set, and when that thing dings, it’s like the end of the round in boxing–I’ll slink off to my recliner, my corner, and just rest for the remainder of the day.

I really don’t know what I will do first. I have so many things on my list, but the most pressing are these: Finish Parker’s quilt; finish Seth’s quilt; cut fabric for Emily’s quilt; make a circular needle case for Becca; make shirts for Parker, Spencer, Owen, and Michael; make a dress for Amelia; make an iPad cover for me. And many more things for Emily, Sarah and the other Sarah. It might take me all year to do this, but the end result will be a happier me.