Farmers Market in Merrickville Starts Saturday!

I am so excited! This Saturday, June 4, will be the first day of the Merrickville Farmer's Market! I will be sharing a tent with Louise of Fireseed. We are in a great location, right beside the Main Street Restaurant, across from the Blockhouse and we'll be there each Saturday from 9AM until the afternoon - pretty much we figure we'll be there until the customers stop coming :)

Not only am I selling my fantastic jewelry, but I'll also be selling some delicious Gluten Free, Low Allergy bakes goodies! I made the "mistake" of telling some of the other market goers that I bake gluten free. Let's just say that was all it took for them to pounce on me and tell me I had to sell it at the market! So far I am planning on selling my Maple Peanut Chocolate Fudge with Sea Salt, Oatmeal cookies (made with certified GF oats, some with GF chocolate chips, some with organic raisins), Chocolate Chip cookies, Peanut Butter cookies (some plain, some with GF chocolate chips), as well as my Famous Apple Cranberry Chocolate Bundt mini-cakes, and hopefully some bread as well. I'll also be happy to take custom orders :)

In other news, the photo above shows a custom necklace that I just finished today. I wasn't sure how it would turn out, but wow, the client has such good taste, and it turned out beautifully! I used about 100 shell beads attached with headpins to a simple chain mail chain to make a bib-style necklace. Then I used silver plated chain and a hand crafted sterling silver clasp to finish it. In total, it is about 18 inches long, but wears like a 17 inch necklace due to the bulk at the bib part. Heavy and gorgeous, I also have enough beads to make another similar one... any takers?? It won't be exactly the same, but that is the great thing about one of a kind, you will never see the exact thing on someone else!

Until next time, have a great day!

Tuesday's Treasures: Getting in the Baking Mode

So I had wanted to take a photo to show you all how they turned out, but apparently I have gremlins in the house! With the holidays fast approaching, one of my favorite things to do, and gifts to give, is baking. These are simple, delicious and so pretty that I had to share with you! Put on some holiday music, grab your bowl and spoon, and get ready for one delicious recipe.

Meg and Mel's Holiday Balls

1 Cup Butter
2 tbsp Agave Nectar
1 tsp Brandy

2-1/4 Cups All Purpose Gluten Free Flour Mix (see the link for the flour recipe)
1/2 Cup Gluten Free Icing Sugar
1/4 tsp Salt

3/4 Cup Chopped Walnuts OR Chocolate Chips OR Dried Cranberries OR a combination of them

Granulated Sugar for Sprinkling (Optional)

Cream the butter and agave nectar. Add in the brandy.
Evenly sprinkle the flour, icing sugar and salt over the top and mix until just combined.
Mix in the walnuts/cranberries/chocolate chips and blend.
Wrap in plastic wrap and chill until cold.
Preheat oven to 350Fahrenheit. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Using your fingers, make small, teaspoon-sized balls and roll them in the sugar, if using.
Shake the excess sugar off the cookies and place them about 1-2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
Bake for 11-13 minutes, until they are golden around the edges.
Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool.
Enjoy!

I would also like to thank everyone for their kind words. Brennan is very proud of himself for keeping the secret for over 6 weeks while it was made, and we are both very happy :)

Have a great day!

Thoughtful Thursday: What Can You Do? And Dog Cookie Recipe

With Christmas around the corner, the advertisements, window displays, catalogues and spam will be filling our senses with the need to spend, spend, spend, and another year may go by with us feeling empty, empty, empty. Things don't mean love, friendship or any of that. Our actions, thoughts and feelings do. To remind us all what kindness really is. And think to yourself...what can you do for someone, instead of what can you buy for someone? Some thing small, like holding the door for a person with a stroller? How about giving a can of just bought food to a local food bank? Think about it, and post it here when you've done it. You might just win something :-)
My thoughtful thing today is to share Arwen's favorite dog biscuit recipe. Here it is (it is easier than you think!!):
Arwen's Favorite Biscuits
2 Cups Meg's GF All-Purpose (Bread) Flour Mix click the link for the recipe for that)
1/2 Cup Garfava Flour (or bean flour)
1/2 Cup Pumpkin Seeds (raw, unsalted)
Dash Organic Garlic Powder (optional)
1/2 tsp Salt
3 tbsp Olive Oil
1/4 Cup Unsulphured Molasses
1/3 to 1/2 Cup Milk
Preheat Oven to 350F.
Mix all dry ingredients together in a medium-large bowl. Add wet ingredients and mix until combined. Mixture should be slightly tacky.
Roll into tablespoon sized balls, place on a lightly greased cookie sheet and press lightly with fingers, until 1/4 inch thick.
Bake for 1/2 hour. Turn the oven off and let sit in the warm oven for another 15-30 minutes. Allow to cool thoroughly, then place in resealable container to store.
To serve: break cookies in two (smaller pieces for smaller dogs) and serve 1/2 at a time.
Cookies will stay fresh for a month, more if placed in a freezer or fridge.
Enjoy!!

Please try and do something thoughtful today. Try and do one little thoughtful thing each day and encourage others...it might not change the world, but it can certainly change someone's day for the better :-)

Happy Thursday,