Another Monday in the wilderness. The weather has taken it's turn toward Fall and we are experiencing low 40's in the mornings which is so refreshing and crisp. Yesterday's high was still 103 degrees, but the rest of this week is in the 70's and 80's. WOOOHOOOO….

Zucchini Bread topped with almonds and raw sugar

Our lives are so rewarding, fulfilling, gratifying and blessed. We have been working non-stop all Summer on our projects. We are tired and yet invigorated. We get up, eat, work hard, eat, go to bed and get up and do it all over again. We fit some play time in here and there, but right now we are on a mission to get our projects done before hunting season.

The chicken coop is completed and full, the rabbits are here and just need a full-time home, the boys 10′ x 10′ tree house is built and just needing the final touches added, the greenhouse is currently on the back burner until the cabin is completed. We are busy, but loving our lives.

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While all this is going on I have been putting up as much food as I can, drying and dehydrating what I can and baking my butttooty off. 🙂 (I think that is a word)…

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I love to bake and cook for my family. There are times I am racing around my house like a chicken with my head cut off, but I am still very thankful that I am able to make and bake everything from scratch. With a gluten free (wheat) and casein free (dairy) diet 100% necessary for our boy and all the nasty preservatives and fillers added in the foods today I am determined to never buy anything packaged or processed again. Currently the only thing I have not been making from scratch is tortilla chips and some of our condiments. I have the recipe sitting on my counter to start making homemade tortilla chips. The condiments will just be fine tuning things for my family in making the perfect ranch dressing, honey mustard and barbecue sauce.

Mountain Woman Nectarine Pie

Mountain Woman Whoop Dogs (A whole post of it's own upcoming)

Eating healthy and fresh is so important to me. The only way you can accomplish this in our location is to do it ourselves. Our growing season here in northern Idaho is so short that a greenhouse is essential in providing for your family. Our own eggs, meat, vegetables, etc… Self preservation at it's finest.

There is nothing more rewarding to me than making fresh meals, baking healthy snacks, granolas and the smell of fresh breads baking. There is an element of teasing that goes on while the smells from the kitchen travel outside through the screened windows to the men working outside. 🙂

I like to think that one way my love is shown to my family is through the food that I prepare for them. <;3 Today's baking will be fresh bread... Many loaves to keep my family fed this week and next. I will be making a fantastic Brown Bread that we found care of Nicole Hunn (my savior - she has AMAZING recipes) http://glutenfreeonashoestring.com/brown-bread/

I must sign off now and head to my kitchen to get the bread rising and the smells wafting through my kitchen and out the windows….

Blessings and happy baking and cooking with love…. <3 ;

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Simple Lives at gnowfglins.com