Coffee Bean Roasting!

Where did the last year go? I decided to resurrect my blog and was shocked to find my last post was shortly after my daughter married her love; that was a year and a half ago! Life gets rather busy and the things I thought were important slowly faded to the side, as the things of most importance- family & friends- filled my time, and before I knew it a year and a half had passed and I was unaware of how quickly the time slipped away. When I thought of raising this blog up from the dead, it wasn't without questioning wether or not I could keep up with it. I pondered the fact my husband is traveling more frequently and my closest child lives over 300 miles away, so I will attempt to keep the blog up and running as long as my mind can keep up...no guarantees.

Good friends of ours built a home here on the Palouse, with large glass windows overlooking the beautiful fields that are now covered in lush green velvet, most likely wheat. While I was visiting, David poured me a home brewed latte full of rich, creamy flavors, smooth and delicious. I asked where he got his coffee beans, fully expecting a bag of rich dark beans to be tossed my way. Across the counter shot a bag of green non-roasted coffee beans. He brought me outside on their back porch where he roasts his aromatic beans. Intrigued, I went home and did a little internet searching to find the beans and how to roast on a budget. Anyone can do this, you can do this!

As I searched Sweet Maria's for a variety pack, I watched a few videos on how to roast your own beans.

If you can't afford a roaster right away (around $300), you can use a Whirley Pop or an air pop popcorn popper, just make sure the air popper has teeth on the side of the shaft and not just an air hole in the bottom. The air needs to come in from the sides and move the beans around. If the popper has air from the bottom only it will burn the beans.

I pulled my air popper down from the shelf, only to find the wrong kind, so I drove to Walmart. They did not have this type of shaft either, so I decided to stop by the Goodwill. Not finding any poppers, I was about to leave the store  when I overheard a boy say to his dad, "Look at this awesome popcorn popper, Dad!" I never would have known it was a popcorn machine unless he had said something. I purchased it and am now the proud owner of a basketball air popper! Yes, I think it is ugly, but it has the right shaft!

Place about a half cup of green coffee beans into the shaft and turn it on. I stirred the beans occasionally with the end of a wooden spoon. Be sure to place a bowl in front of the open area where the popcorn normally comes out. The dry chaff from the beans will come off during the roasting process. For a light roast heat for approximately 5-7 minutes, listening for the beans to crack. If you want a darker roast, heat for 7-9 minutes listening for the second crack. I roasted a light and a dark and mixed the two.

When you are done roasting, place your beans in a glass jar with a lid. Do not place the lid on tight because the beans will omit Co2 while they rest. Allow your beans to rest 12-24 hours before grinding.
I purchased a sugar jar because of the whole at the top of the lid; it works perfectly!

I plan to grind my first cup in the morning. I'll let you know when my first coffeehouse opens...but then again, there is that little problem called priorities.

Quinoa & Chickpea Salad with Feta & Herbs

As I packed up my youngest son's room this weekend preparing for his move to Seattle, I found myself lingering on the memories of his childhood. His little model airplane hanging in the corner of his room, school recognition awards line the wall, and a box of Legos remains tucked under his bed. He grew up, but in many ways, his room still reflects the passions of a little boy. I'm having a difficult time thinking of turning his room into a guest bedroom. For now it will remain a shrine to an era gone by. How quickly those years flew.

I called my mother and told her what a difficult time I was having letting go; my baby moving to Seattle to start his life without his parents. My mom was compassionate as she listened to me and then near the end of our conversation she said, "Honey, give it time. I love you and your siblings, but I wouldn't want you back home. You'll get use to it." I guess I will.

This I know, we've raised him well and he's ready for the world. It's time to let him soar.

Quinoa & Chickpea Salad with Feta & Herbs

Quinoa is a wonderful tiny grain that contains more protein than any other grain. It was a main staple for the Inca Indians dating back thousands of years. Known as the mother grain or super grain of the future, quinoa is gluten free and simple to make. Enjoy this light, delicious salad made with quinoa and chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans).


1 cup quinoa
1 (15 oz) can of chicken broth
1 (15 oz) can of low sodium chickpeas drained and rinsed
1 cup grape tomatoes sliced in half
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 scallions thinly chopped (stalks included)
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1/4 cup chopped basil

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

(Rinse quinoa in a cheese cloth or sieve until water runs clean.)

Place quinoa in a pan and add can of chicken broth. 

Bring to a boil and place a tight fitting lid over pan. Reduce heat to low and simmer 

for 15 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let cool.

Chop scallions, parsley, and basil. Slice tomatoes in half and set aside. 

When quinoa is completely cool add olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper.

Add in chopped vegetables, feta cheese, chickpeas and herbs. 

Stir until well blended. Serve cold.

Irony of a Gluten Free Gal

I find it ironic that I am gluten intolerant and am surrounded by wheat fields. This is a picture taken from my deck two days ago.

I love watching the combines maneuver the curves of the ripened fields but often wonder if the chaff in the air has any affect on my health. I have lived in the Palouse region for nearly 30 years and try my best to keep my windows closed tight during this season of harvest. My favorite time on the Palouse is shortly after the grain has emerged from the ground. A beautiful blanket of velvet green rolls softly over the hills. The early morning light casts gentle shadows creating an ocean of green rolling waves.

I tried creating a new recipe today using teff flour. It flopped. Not because of the teff,  but simply because my proportions were incorrect.  Baking gluten free is not for the faint hearted. Understanding some recipes will fail, having a sure-fire determination to not give up, and the willingness to venture into uncharted territory will eventually produce a good recipe. I will post a new bread recipe using teff flour, but it won't be today as I had hoped. Udi's makes a delicious gluten free bread using teff. I found it in my local co-op. I understand some Safeway stores carry it as well and Amazon carries a few of their products. 

Morning at the Market

Our farmer's market must rank as one of the best in our region. I had my husband drag the camera along this morning so I could share it with you. Everything at the market is personally grown or crafted as I've mentioned in past blogs. But it is more than just the food and crafts that keeps me going back for more. 

Living in a relatively small town, you run into people you know on every corner, so a trip to the market is never quick. It's a time to catch up with old friends, make new acquaintances, enjoy the eclectic group of people from our community, and pick up a few fruits and veggies along the way.

I am always drawn to the flowers first. There are several vendors who pick fresh bouquets from their gardens. I have to peruse every stand before choosing.

Our next stop along the way is the Boothman's stand. 

Roger and Kristine are dear friends that go back to our 

college days. They travel 3 1/2 hours every weekend to 

bring their wares to the market. I've been told that Kristine

is a fabulous bread maker, but I have to take my husband's 

word on that, because she doesn't bake gluten free.

They also bring over delicious fruits and vegetables. 

Tonight we'll enjoy freshly cut sweet corn.

Another stop along the way we find

fresh carrots, potatoes, and garlic.

Music fills the air every Saturday morning with a different band. 

This morning we enjoyed the Hog Heaven Big Band.

At the end of our day I chose my prize bouquet!

And now I'll enjoy them for the week.

Three Flew out of the Coo-coo's Nest

We visited our middle son last week in Tahoe, our youngest son is in Canada for four weeks and next week we'll head to Seattle to visit our daughter. We've become the traveling parents because the chicks have flown the nest. I am amazed how fast the years have come and gone. I remember hearing older women say, "Enjoy them while they're young because the years will fly by." Well they have, and I'm not sure I like it. But I realize our goals as parents are to nurture and raise up children who will love the Lord, contribute to society, and in turn raise wonderful families of their own.


Raising kids is a daunting task. I remember when one of our sons was around two years old. I ran upstairs to put some laundry away, and in the course of about five minutes, he had knocked down nearly five loads of folded laundry from the couch, poured a remaining can of pop all over the coffee table, and grabbed my lipstick out of my purse and drawn all over himself, the toilet, and the cabinet! No wonder my husband had a frazzled wife when he came home. I look back now and think, why did I leave pop in the living room? Why did I leave my purse within reach? Why didn't I put him in a playpen?


Once, when our daughter was around 2 1/2, she watched her daddy set a sprinkler outside. She asked me what he was doing. I told her daddy was trying to make the brown grass turn green (she has always had an inquisitive mind, perhaps that is why she is a cardiac nurse). It was maybe a day or two later, when I was in my sewing room, that I heard a strange noise coming from the living room. I went out to see what my daughter was up to. In total shock, I surveyed the living room being doused with water from the sprinkler! Frantically I ran outside to shut it off. When I asked her why, she merely said, "I wanted to turn the brown rug green." It was completely logical to her.


Yes, raising kids was exhausting at best. But the rewards we reap today were worth every moment at home, every book read aloud, every "why" questioned answered, and every patient moment for them to tie their shoes because they were in the "me do" phase. 


As I sit in my quiet house, I wish I heard the pattering of tiny feet, the "but why, mom", and the "are we there yet" questions. I guess I'll have to wait for grandkids. And if any of my kids read this, I know it's too soon, but I can hardly wait! Love you all.

Thoughts on marriage

At the end of this month my husband Scott and I will celebrate 26 years of marriage. Today's blog is not so much about my gluten free recipes as it is about a recipe for a lasting marriage. I would love to say that we've had a perfect marriage, but we haven't, and quite honestly, I don't know if they exist. The recipe that has made our marriage last through the good times and the bad has been forgiving one another, keeping short accounts, good communication, serving one another, laughing at each other and ourselves, and loving often.

I realize through the years when problems arise in our marriage it is usually due to selfishness on one of our parts. Learning to compromise and being willing to watch out for each other's best interests are good ingredients for a happy marriage. Always remember to look at your spouse as a gift. Don't take them for granted. Find small ways to show you appreciate them. 

About a year ago Scott bought a motorcycle. I called it his mid-life-crisis, but he didn't agree. He wanted so desperately for me to ride with him. He purchased a comfortable seat for me, bought me wide floor boards to rest my feet on, and many other products to make the ride as comfy as possible. Two weeks ago we rode a little over 600 miles together. He asked me when we got home if I loved riding the motorcycle. I sayed, "I don't love riding, but I love you, and so I ride." He smiled and I smiled back.

The foundation of our home has been the word of God. It sustains us, gives us renewed strength, disciplines us, and draws us closer to each other. Like our marriage, I'd love to say I've followed God's word without question, but I haven't. I am a sinner, saved by His grace, and the closer I adhere to His loving Word, the sweeter my marriage becomes.

1984