If its Summer, it must be picnic time!

It seems that everyone is having a picnic this summer! That's o.k., I just need to find the time to fit them all in. Boulder County Celiacs picnic is July 27th. For more info visit their web site at

http://www.bouldercountyceliacs.com/ The Denver Chapter #17 of CSA is August 2nd. 11:30-1:30pm at Addenbrooke Park, 600 South Kipling. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.

And of course mine is August 9th. We are having a Gluten Free Farmer's Market and Picnic at the Hilltop Schoolhouse in Douglas County. We are selling a gluten free lunch or bring your own and tailgate. The Hilltop Schoolhouse is a 100 year old one room school house set in the country under tall pine trees. Come see us between 10am - 3pm.

The photo is of a Chocolate Chip pound cake with Orange Sauce. So easy to make! Make the Sour Cream and Walnut Pound Cake and omit the walnuts and add 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Bake as usual. Chill. Orange Sauce - In a small saucepan on med heat, mix 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons corn starch. Add 1 1/2 cups orange juice and zest of an orange. Heat and stir until thick. Remove from heat. Peel orange and cut into small pieces and add to sauce. To serve - Place a piece of cake on plate and top with orange sauce. Yum!

Let the Market's Begin!

Next weekend, May 31st. and June 1st. is the first two days of market season. We start at Lone Tree on Sat. and Parker on Sun. You will notice that we have changed our packaging this year. We now are a "green retailer" using 100% recycled paper boxes. They are FDA food approved and you can carry on by reusing the box for storage or sharing some of the pumpkin or banana bread you bake with a friend. Dress up the box with a little colorful tissue paper and a pretty little bow and make someones day!

The other new thing this year, we have changed our recipes just a little. We are not using any dried egg whites. You will have to use fresh eggs or replacers. Many people are very allergic to eggs, so we are doing our part in helping out. We also can make any of the mixes Sugar Free by special order. You will have to add your own sweetener of choice, and not all will work well. I like a half and half mixture of Splenda and Xyitol. If you have a special blend that you find works well, please let me know so we can pass it on to our diabetic customers!

Thanks, and Mark and I hope to see you soon!

Leslie

May Celebrations

May is a fun month for me. I celebrate 3 major events in one month! Mother's Day, my Birthday and my wedding Anniversary. I just usually pick just one day in the month and celebrate all three. Just One BIG Party! This year is a little more special though, Mark and I are celebrating our 30th Wedding Anniversary. We are going to Tulum, Mexico for a few days. That is on the Maya Riviera, one of the most beautiful places you will ever see! So needless to say, no shipping product May 16th - May 20th. Feel free to place your orders and I will get to it as soon as I get back in town. On your next BIG occasion, try my Double Sour Cream and Walnut Pound Cake! Guaranteed to please! To all those mothers out there, Happy Mother's Day! Leslie

No Show in Boulder!

Hi Everyone! Sorry, but the Sunflower Farmers Market is a no show!! They will be open and the local fair I believe is still on for Saturday the 19th. However, I will not be there. Until June, the calendar is on the web site, you can order there, or wait until the "real" farmers markets start and get your products from me. I am planning a August GF Picnic! More about that soon!
Leslie

Grand Opening of Sunflower Markets in Boulder, Co.

News flash! If you live in the Denver, Boulder Colorado area or even the State of Colorado, Sunflower Markets are having a Grand Opening Local Vendors Fair at their new store in Boulder. Co. on Saturday, April 19th 7-11am. Come and see this beautiful new store and visit me! Even though I currently do not sell in their store, I will be giving out samples and even being allowed to sell my products to raise money for my charity, mamocomo foundation! How sweet is that! I will have my new Spice Cake Mix and samples! Looking forward to seeing all of you, Leslie P.S. The picture is Dried Blueberry Coffee Cake made with my new Spice Cake Mix.

Gotta have the recipe, well its on the back of the bag! Come and get it!

Spring has Sprung!!

I just love the smell of spring in the air! It has sprung up on me early this year, with Easter just a few days away. My fingers are just iching to get into the dirt( still frozen here) and get that garden going. I am planting a fall garden this year, pumpkins, sunflowers, squash and corn. Until then, I guess I will start my taxes. I like to save this tast for one of those spring blizzards we always have in March or April. Put on a big pot of Beef Stew to warm the kitchen and the heart and dig in. I have a great tax tip for you all. This came from Howard J. Kass, CPA and was printed in the March issue of Taming of the Sprue, Denver Metro Chapter #17.

"The Cost difference between gluten containing food products and specialty gluten-free alternatives is tax deductible for celiac patients. The cost of other items, like xanthan gum, are completely deductible. The shipping cost for these items are also tax deductible. However, in order to qualify, you medical expenses must exceed the 7.5 percent of the patient's adjusted gross income." So keep you recipts and cancelled checks. Isn't that great!! Happy Easter! Leslie

2008 Gallo Awards

My Sour Cream and Walnut Pound Cake has been choosen as a finalist in the 2008 Gallo Family Vineyards Gold Metal Awards!! Since 2006, Gallo gives out awards to companys that offer products that adheres to tradtional artisanal methods. There is 7 different categories, mine being in the Outstanding Bread/Baked Good.

For me, this is the ultimate compliment! I could not be any more proud! Judging is March 26th in New York City.

Wish me luck!! Leslie