Okay, so maybe I’m not actually a criminal but I did break the rules. My family and I went to the first game of the season, I won’t say what football game as they could track me down and never let me come back. Just kidding, I highly doubt they would do that.

Anyway, we went tailgating and had a nice time but as usual, I need to have extra food and first aide just in case something were to happen because I always need to be prepared. I had all my stuff in one of those drawstring knapsacks and was trying to cover it up by putting my sweatshirt and my grandmother’s sweatshirt on top. Everyone told me there was no way I was going to be able to bring it in, as everything in my bag was on the no-entry list, besides my wallet, but I pushed through the negative nelly’s and went through with it.

I know it probably isn’t a big deal to many people but I have never really done anything so crazy! It was a thrill, to say the least. I thought I would make it through but just as I was passed the bag checker, he shouts out, “Can I see inside your bag?”. I pretend I never heard him and kept walking but he came up to me and asked again. I obliged, he said, “you had it well hidden, I almost didn’t see it”. Cue big blush and heavy anxiety. He checks my bag and thankfully my poncho and wallet were the only visible items and he sent me on my way.

I almost had a heart attack but felt kind of impressed with myself that I was able to get in and proceeded to brag about it to my family. I wasn’t brave enough to do it right in front of him, I had to get out of his line of sight first. I didn’t feel too bad because I did purchase several adult beverages while at the game so they still got money out of me. Maybe if the concession stands had better food options for a gluten-free girl like me, then maybe I won’t have to sneak in food that I can eat.

They’ve done it again! Shake Shack has produced an amazing meal. I always order the Shackburger on a gluten free bun and their cheese fries. The burger is never overly greasy and they add a little something special called their “Shack Sauce” that puts a decent burger in the awesome category. Their crinkle-cut fries can come with cheese sauce and it’s none of that “plastic cheese” that you usually get with most concession stand nachos. I highly recommend trying this restaurant if you haven’t before now!

I made some gluten free donuts and everyone loved them so I thought I would share the recipe. It comes from the The Big Book of Gluten-Free Baking: A Sweet and Savory Cookbook by Paola Anna Miget.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups apple cider
• Shortening
• 2 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour (GF)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon gluten-free apple pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup cane or granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Oil/Shortening for frying
• 5 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 cup cane or granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon gluten-free apple pie spice

1. In a small saucepan, cook the apple cider over medium, stirring constantly, for about 10 minutes, or until reduced by half. Remove from the heat and let the cider cool to room temperature.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease two 6-well donut pans with shortening.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, apple pie spice, xanthan gum, and salt to combine.
4. In a large bowl, using a handheld electric mixer, beat the brown sugar, cane sugar, applesauce, melted butter, egg, and vanilla until combined.
5. Using a spatula, stir in half the flour mixture, followed by half the reduced cider. Stir in the remaining flour and apple cider until combined. Transfer the batter to a piping bag or plastic bag. Cut the tip and evenly fill the prepared donut wells with batter.
6. Bake for 10 to 11 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a donut comes out clean.
7. Let the donuts cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then carefully remove them from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. In a skillet, heat about 1/8 inch of oil over medium heat. You’ll know the oil is ready when a drop of water sizzles in it. Place 2 or 3 donuts facedown (lighter-side down) in the oil and flash-fry for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the donuts sizzle and pick up a little color. Watch closely to prevent burning. Flip and flash-fry the other side for 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the donuts back to the rack to cool.
9. Repeat with the remaining donuts. As the oil gets hotter, the donuts will need less time. Be careful not to burn them. Add more oil, as needed.
10. Place the melted butter in a small bowl.
11. In another small bowl, stir together the sugar, cinnamon, and apple pie spice.
12. Using a pastry brush, coat the top and bottom of each donut with melted butter, then dip it in the apple cinnamon topping to cover it completely. Keep covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.

You can also skip the flash-fry step and enjoy them baked.

I have no idea if this is already a drink but I just put a couple of things together and thought it was delicious so here is the recipe:

I put 1 Cranberry Rose mixicles from Kroger and then filled my glass with Blue Curacao until it pretty much covered the mixicle. I then filled the rest of the glass with Strawberry Lemonade Powerade.

I found this drink to be sweet though my mother found it to be a little tart. Either way, I could not really taste a discernible alcohol flavor.

Today was Abbie’s (my little sister) birthday, she turned nineteen. In our household, we always go out to eat on our birthday and of course, the birthday girl chooses the restaurant. We went to BJ’s out at Tuttle Mall. We have been there many times so we knew the food was going to be good. I ordered the Buffalo Chicken pizza on gluten free crust and it was so good. It had red hot sauce on the chicken, small cut up pieces of celery, cheese, and ranch drizzled over the entire pizza. I ate the whole thing by myself. We went around five o’clock so it wasn’t very busy and my family made good dinner company. Pazookies (giant cookie with ice cream on top) were eaten for dessert and we tried to see who knew Abbie’s favorite things (I think I won:)). It was a great Sunday evening and probably the last chance to be all together before Abbie leaves for her second year at OSU.

Before reading this standalone, I have read a couple of Christie’s Hercules Poirot mysteries and found them entertaining. This book makes me think of Sherlock Holmes because the crimes are a bit more outlandish than most thriller’s or murder mysteries. Unlike Sherlock Holmes, it is more up close and personal and you see everyone’s point of view except the murderer’s. This book is like the cozy mystery meets thriller. There are a lot of things going on but it made me take on a more analytical viewpoint. I liked that I didn’t like any of the characters because we all knew they were most likely going to die. I had an idea of how the crimes were committed but I picked the wrong person to have pulled it all off. If you didn’t like this book, I would love to hear why and discuss. If you did like it, I suggest checking out more of Agatha Christie’s novels, specifically The Murder on the Orient Express as it gives off similar vibes, from what I remember.

I am twenty-seven years old and have never been in a casino. Except when I was around thirteen and we stayed in a hotel attached to one in Las Vegas. I went to the Hollywood Casino in Columbus, Ohio with my grandmother, her friend, and my mother. We started at Wahlburger. I had high hopes but the gluten free buns they promised on their website weren’t an option and our order was wrong in so many ways. The staff was nice and the burger wasn’t totally unredeemable but I don’t see myself going back anytime soon. Afterwards, we hit the slots. I only spent twenty dollars and learned that slots are not for me and I can do without. Gambling=not my thing. I did meet some cool people who tried to teach me the rules of craps but all I remember is that the number seven clears the table. (And maybe don’t say the number because some are superstitious). It was an interesting afternoon and I would like to return if only to watch some high-stakes poker.

This is the first book I have read of Grady Hendrix. It evoked such interesting emotions in me from anger to sadness to doubt. It absolutely tears me up that society would turn on victims who become survivors. It’s always, “Why not you?” “How can you continue to live when you lost everyone?” and then proceed to judge those survivors and how they cope. This slasher novel thrilled me, kept me guessing as to who the culprit was (doubting the main character as well), and also threw in some life lessons that can be applied to not just “final girls” but everyone. It was a quick and easy read for me and I hope others like it too. If you have read it, liked it, and want more, Final Girls by Riley Sager is absolutely spectacular.

• Almonds are apart of the Peach family
• There are microscopic mites that live on our eyelashes
• A blue whale’s fart bubble can enclose a horse
• Cats bring you dead animals because they think you can’t hunt and want to help you
• Dogs will lock eyes with you when they are going to the bathroom because they are at their most vulnerable and want to know that you are watching their back, they will do it for you as well
• Male seahorses are the ones that carry the babies
• People are physically able to bite off a finger but our mind stops us from doing so
• Dogs have more than one set of eyelids

Finally! I have finally finished watching The Big Bang Theory. I have seen a lot of the seasons multiple times because every time a new season would come out, I would fall behind and just start all over from the beginning again. After starting the show from the beginning, yet again, I finally got to the last season and now the last episode. I am a mess. From what I heard, the cast had a difficult time keeping in character because it was the end of an era and an end to a long time of working with the same seven people. Well I too, was a sobbing mess at the end but I couldn’t have picked a better ending. I can rest easy knowing that this great group of friends will be okay. This show and these characters brought me joy and the ability to share that love with family. Los Robles Avenue will always be home to great people and great experiences.