Monday Must-Have’s

It’s been forever since I’ve posted anything. I’ve been busy with work and life. I’m sure you all know what I’m talking about! Am I right?!

I’m trying to make some time to get back in the swing of things for the blog. So I’ll start with something easy. Things I must have. Things I use all the time. Things I simply don’t think I could live without. Time for  “Monday Must Have’s”.

Let’s dive right in!

1. Leopard print shoes

2. “Dilly” Green Beans

3. Little “Sparkle” Bag

4. Movie Night with the kids

Hello leopard print shoes. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these shoes. I wear them all the time. I’m not the only one who loves these shoes. I get compliments on them every time I wear them. I wear them with leggings, dresses, jeans, capris. Pretty much anything. They are fun, they are comfy and they were only like $30. FABULOUS. Where did I buy these fabulous shoes you ask? TARGET. The brand is Sam & Libby. Sophie just had to be in the picture – silly dog!

 

These are “Dilly” Beans (pickled green beans). I tried them at one of my husband’s Christmas gatherings a few years back. I fell in love and had to have the recipe. Luckily – the “outlaw” Kris shared it with me and I’m sharing it with you all. You’re welcome. And mind you – I can say “outlaw” because I’m a outlaw too. LOL. She’s a sweetheart and I’m so thankful she shared the recipe with me. They really are a great snack.

Dilly Beans

Brine:  

2 1/2 cup water

2 1/2 cup vinegar (brown)

1/2 cup canning salt

In (EACH) Jar (wide mouth ones are easiest : put in jars prior to stuffing with beans)

1 head of Dill

3-4 cloves of garlic

2 tsp red cayenne pepper

2 jalepenos (cut in half)

**Stuff jars as tight as you can with beans. I always triple the brine. Have hot bath water ready. Pour HOT brine into jars. If brine is not hot and you put jars immediately into boiling water the jars will break.

Fill jars about 1/2 inch from the top with brine. Leave stems on beans. Beans that are long and skinny are ideal.

Hot bath approx 10 min. Long enough for lids to seal.

Store for 2 weeks in cool dark place.

This is my little “sparkle” bag. I always have it in my purse. It carries some of the items I can’t live without. I’ll talk more about those later. Right now I’m focused on this adorable bag. It’s small enough to fit in my everyday purse and big enough to carry some of the items I need to always have with me. Medicine, lip gloss, gum, tums, mints, etc. Go get one today. Seriously. I can’t remember where I got this specific one but I recommend T.J. Maxx for little bags!

My husband is a golfer. Ugh. Are you in the same boat? Anyway, he has golf league on Mondays which = Movie night for the kiddos and me. They love it and I get to be with them AND rest at the same time. WIN. They get ready for bed: you know the drill, shower, pj’s, snack, brush teeth and then we get all cozy in my bed and watch a movie. It’s easy. It doesn’t cost any money (unless they’ve talked me into buying a new movie) and it makes them happy. Sometimes it’s the little things.

Have a great week everyone.

XOXO

~ The Sheiliac

Hey! I’m Sheila and I’m a Sheiliac. There I said it.

Hi everyone! My name is Sheila and I’m a Sheiliac. What’s a Sheiliac you ask? Well – it’s really just my name and Celiac Disease put together. Why? Because I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in the fall of 2012 and it’s who I am, it’s a big part of my life and it’s never going to go away. I’m also a farmwife and mom of two – a sweet farm boy (G-money) and a sassy Diva. Sophie (a miniature schnauzer) our inside dog and Lucy (a black lab) our outside dog complete our family.

I can’t forget my “other” full-time job! I work at the Iowa Turkey Federation as the Director of Membership Services. I love it. I get to visit with farmers and all the companies that supply goods to the farmers and I plan the parties – I mean meetings. I also design our magazine – Turkey Talk. It lets me be creative and showcase all the wonderful things our organization, famers and allied members do throughout the year.

Why I started blogging – well that’s actually a really long story but my friend Katie, from On the Banks of Squaw Creek – has told me and told me I needed to. I had seriously thought about it when I (and my daughter) were diagnosed with Celiac Disease but then my daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and I knew it was time.

So what is Sheiliac going to blog about anyway? Good question. Seriously. This is why it took me so long. What the heck did people want to read about and why would they want to read mine??? I struggled. Now – I know. Hearing other people’s struggles and success with Celiac Disease and Type 1 Diabetes has been a life saver. It makes it easier somehow. So….

• The Diva & Diabetes – I will share the stories about my sassy little Diva living with Type 1 Diabetes and anything else related to her – not to mention our favorite diabetic recipes.
• Sheiliac – it’s really all about me. LOL. Seriously though – my life, celiac disease and gluten free recipes. Trust me, my grandma (GG) is awesome at making recipes into GF recipes. LOVE HER.
• Sparkling Chaos – Life is awesome but let’s face it, it’s always a little chaotic. Plus I am a major sucker for fashion, glitter, sequins, design and parties.
• Levis & Boots – my husband and our little farm boy and of course our farm. What’s on the farm? Glad you asked – we are turkey farmers and we also row crop corn and soybeans. It’s awesome and I can’t wait to help you understand farming more.

Other stuff I love and that I just might blog about sometime – DIY, summer life – aww, warm nights and steamy days, water skiing, fitness and photography.

All of this makes up Sheilapalooza – it’s a crazy life but hey it is what it is. So let’s be friends – I’d love to know about your chaotic life too!

XOXO

~ The Sheiliac