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greenbanner

24 December 2010

breathe.

the new tattoo

When our daughter lay in the ICU on her second day of being alive in the world, we stood above her bed and asked her to breathe. Her small hands were strapped to the bed because she was already so strong she nearly ripped out her breathing tube. (Somehow, though, she kept making a Buddhist mudra with her fingers and held it.) Her feet were tangled up in cords and covered in bandaids where the wonderful nurses took another vial of blood for tests to see what was keeping her from breathing. As soon as the nurses and doctors finished, Danny and I went back to holding hands over her isolette, leaning down to kiss any place on her face we could find without breathing tube, feeding tube, or tape keeping both of them attached to her.

We watched her, touched her, sang to her, and read stories to her. We tried to never leave her bedside. And every few moments, we leaned our faces down and said, in our sweetest voices, "Breathe, sweetie. Breathe. You know how to do it. You can. Just breathe."

I promised myself that if she lived, I would get this tattoo.

She started breathing. She got her breathing tube out on Danny's birthday. "Best present I ever got," he says. By my birthday, she was home with us.

And now, she's alive. This girl? She's tough. After all she has been through, she tumbles and comes up laughing. She's talking up a storm, saying thank you after meals, reading under the dining room table completely absorbed. She's active and in love with life, jumping on the bed as much as she can, her eyes wide open, her legs strong.

It is our greatest joy to be with her, to help her leap into life.

danny helping Lucy to leap

Two weeks ago, it was time to keep that promise I made to myself.

This is my new tattoo: breathe. It's on the underside of my right wrist, where I can see it easily, when I type or talk or wonder what to do next. For those of you who are font geeks, like me, it's in Garamond. A wonderful young man named Casey, who once was my student, almost 15 years ago, gave me this tattoo.

It feels good.

This tattoo is a sea change for me. (The name of the tattoo place is Sea Change.) I love the yes tattoo I got nearly five years ago. Everything that is good in my life has arrived to me from putting that yes upon me permanently. I will always live it.
But that yes has been outward and sometimes loud and throwing open my arms. This one feels more inward, slower, a chance to really breathe.

I need a chance to breathe right now. This has been quite the year.

Danny and I are eternally grateful for your comments, questions, and wonderful support. We are still in shock that our cookbook was named one of the best of 2010 by The New York Times. (and proud.) But better yet have been your letters telling us about dishes you made, successes with bread and pizza, the way our story has moved you and given you hope. We will never, ever forget this time.

And these past three weeks, coming at the end of the fullest, most delicious few months of our lives, have been filled with pounds of butter, flours on the counter, and 14 gluten-free cookie recipes. I've been thinking about cookies, working on ratios, making flour mixes, baking, photographing, writing recipes, writing essays, answering questions, and going back at it again the next day.

I hope you won't think I'm complaining if I say I'm exhausted. I'm happy too. Still, I can't remember the last time I had a day off from work.

Oh that's right. I do. August 6th. My birthday.

Time to breathe.

So we'll be taking a break from the blog for the next few weeks. We'll be back on January 10th with new recipes, videos about techniques, and ideas for you in the kitchen. (It's all going to be vegetables, whole grains, and green smoothies for awhile. I have no interest in sugar right now.) A real vacation.

Well, not entirely. I'll still be working — so sorry if you have sent me an email in the past five months and I have not answered — and we'll both be cooking and baking. We just need a little chance to revive ourselves, to look at food in a new way, and imagine new projects that might be on the horizon.

Mostly, though, I want a little more sleep, some time to read, and the chance to hold Lucy's hands while she jumps on the bed without thinking of the post I need to publish that day. I don't want to miss a minute with this kid.

Time to breathe.

Danny and Lu and I hope that all of you reading have a restful holiday, whatever that holiday might be. We hope there is enough food for a great dinner in a warm house with family and friends. We hope you eat cookies you didn't think you were going to eat again because we published these recipes. (If you did make any of the cookies from the past three weeks, and you had success, would you mind sharing your stories here? I'd love to hear.) We hope you laugh so hard your stomach hurts.

Mostly, I hope that you breathe.

Happy New Year, everyone. See you in 2011.

80 Comments:

At 12:27 AM, Blogger Gaile said...

Happiest of Holidays to the three of you. I hope your time off is full of all of the joy you can breathe in!

 
At 12:42 AM, Blogger Allison said...

That photo of Lucy jumping with Danny is one of my favorites of your photos - I just love the light and the joy in that photo.

Have a wonderful rest of 2010, Shauna, Danny, and Lucy, and a happy New Year! Your break is well deserved.

-Allison xoxo

 
At 1:20 AM, Blogger Marcella Alyssa said...

Heehee. Lindsay Lohan has the same tattoo! http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/04_03/lohan030507_468x274.jpg

 
At 1:28 AM, Blogger Beth said...

Thank you for a wonderful gluten-free year! I hope you all enjoy a well-earned rest.

 
At 1:55 AM, Blogger Angela Toucan said...

sucha beautiful story, Praising God for your miracle.
Enjoy Christmas Together.

And congrats on your book.

 
At 2:25 AM, Blogger Annie said...

Wishing every blessing upon you all. Take time to breathe - we'll still all be here when you come back!

Looking forward to the whole grains and smoothies (no, seriously, I am!).

Thank you - once again - for all that you have personally given me and my family. With four out of six of us on a gluten free diet you were the second ever source of support I came to and have remained a constant companion. I've got both books - and one day I hope to have the privilege of meeting you all in the UK.

Annie & family

 
At 2:26 AM, Blogger Unknown said...

Hope you have a wonderful holiday full of special moments with your family. Thank you so much for the December recipes, I haven't had a chance to make any yet but am planning to do so over the next month when I have my own breathing space. Thank you too for your cookbook - I love the bread, pasta and cracker recipes the best and they are now staples in my house. So from the other side of the world where here in Oz it's going to be perfect weather for Xmas day ( in less than 3 hours time!) -MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 
At 2:34 AM, Blogger theater simpleton said...

One of the things we remind the theater artists we work with is not to be so busy acting that you run 'past the text'. It needs to be held in your head, your body - just a moment,maybe a mere nanosecond, so the discovery of that acting choice is in it.
And before we go onstage, we conspire. To INSPIRE means to breathe in, and also to fill with an urge, a creative impulse... when we CONSPIRE - we breathe together, urging each other into a safe net of creativity - and yes - breathe together - taking a moment to BE with the potential.

I think it should be extremely evident, amiga, that you inspire many folks, and conspire with many more, helping make many creative impulses, ideas and hey-I'd-like-to and what-if's more of a possibility and within reach, then sparking further and whirling around the globe.
Breathing! It's so simple, and yet - so forgotten! It's about time you got a chance to catch yours. Hold it in your mind, your heart, and then sigh, giggle, whisper or shout it out.
Happy days! And congrats on EVERY FREAKING THING - the tat is awesome.

 
At 4:28 AM, Blogger Suzanne said...

Shauna~
Gluten-Free Girl was the book I picked up at the library right after my celiac diagnosis a year and a half ago. You helped me approach this major change in my (and my family's) life with an openness and intelligence that I might not have found otherwise. I waited all year for your cookbook to come out, and dove right in when it did. I often start my day at your blog, and print out recipes when they tickle my fancy.
Best wishes to you, Danny, and Lu for a magical year filled with joy and adventure! Thank you!

 
At 5:28 AM, Blogger DineInDiva said...

Happy New Year to You, Lu, and Chef!

 
At 5:30 AM, Blogger Elbow Chronicles said...

Thank you for all that you've shared with us this year. Thank you for showing me how to experiment and play in the kitchen and moving me to see that food is not the enemy. The holidays are a bit brighter, a bit more delicious and a bit more manageable thanks to all that you've given.
Saying Thanks doesn't seem enough but I am grateful - Thank you!
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! :-)

 
At 5:35 AM, Blogger Wendy said...

Reading your blog carried me through the discovery of my own gluten sensitvity 4 years ago. It is once again carrying me- at least part way- through food sensitvities for my 7 year old. She has problems with more than just gluten. Having had so much sucess with following your recipies as well as seeing your habit of just giving something a try has given me the confidence to do the same. I'm learning to substitute other things for dairy and eggs. Sometimes it works, sometimes not so much.

There have been times it has been utterly overwhleming, both through the drawn-out process of addressing multiple special needs and now with the process of modifying the way we eat once again. I have learned so much along the way, probably the most fundamental of which is that remembering to breathe is primary. The rest will come together from there.

Rest follows close behind. Enjoy your break.

 
At 5:38 AM, Blogger Howdy said...

Merry, Merry, Happy, Happy! Enjoy!

 
At 5:39 AM, Blogger MerryJennifer said...

You and Dan completely deserve a break. It's been quite a year for you. I'm so thankful that I was able to get to know you a little this year - it is one of my favorite parts of 2010.

Enjoy your rest, enjoy Lu, take care of yourself, and yes, breathe. *hugs*

 
At 5:53 AM, Blogger Jason Sandeman said...

Wow. That is totally a powerful word that is sure to have some magic every time you look at it. I love the idea of being able to look down when the crap hits the fan and be instantly taken back to that present that you got back there, and just breathe.
I guess it is something your daughter also taught you that is super important. In all of life, whenever something happens, no matter what, just breathe, and fight.
You are truly blessed!
Happy holidays to you, congrats on the cookbook, and I hope and wish for all the best for you AND your family in the new year!

 
At 5:56 AM, Blogger SMITH BITES said...

I love you Shauna - physical distance may separate us but you mentor me in ways I simply cannot express here in this little comment box. But I just want you to know that you have touched my life in a way that is good. I look forward to experiencing this next year with you, Danny and of course, cutie-pie Miss Lu - may she always jump, tumble, laugh and breathe abundantly. Merry Christmas!

 
At 6:02 AM, Blogger Mama Wong said...

My baby (almost 9) is well this Christmas because we solved the mystery of her celiac disease last fall. It took months for her to be better, and this holiday I am looking at a bright-eyed girl full of energy. Inspired by your sharing on your site she started her own blog for kids with celiac. Inspired by your recipes, we made the snikerdoodles, gingerbread men, no flour peanut butter cookies, and used your guidelines to adapt a pine-nut cookie and florentine recipe from Martha Stewart. We are heading into the holiday happy, healthy and not at all deprived. Thank you, thank you, thank you. May you, Danny and Lu enjoy all of the blessings of the season - your site has been one of ours.

 
At 6:04 AM, Blogger Aubergenie said...

Happy new year to you and yours, Shauna. The lettering of your new tattoo looks great :) And thanks for sharing so many wonderful photos, stories and recipes. All the very best for 2011

 
At 6:20 AM, Blogger Unknown said...

I've been reading the blog for a short while now even though I am not gluten free. I am a personal chef though and always want to be able to help customers.
Thanks so much and this is a great post. Enjoy your vacation.

 
At 6:21 AM, Blogger Unknown said...

Great post. Enjoy your vacation. Although I am not personally gluten free, as a personal chef I love being able to give my customers what they need and this is a great resource.

 
At 6:24 AM, Blogger Swiss said...

Happy Holidays to you, Danny and Lu. Thaks for all the beautiful posts and stories you are a joy to read.

Charr

 
At 6:46 AM, Blogger Tina Jackson said...

Enjoy your well-earned family time, breathing and laughing and celebrating the treasures in your home. Life is good :D

 
At 7:09 AM, Blogger jess said...

Thank you for sharing your story, it brought tears to my eyes. With all the busyness of the season, it is good to be reminded to breathe. I wish you and your family rest and contentment this season.

 
At 7:12 AM, Blogger havenmaven said...

Shauna, Danny, and Lu.

Thank you. Your words, love, life and experience have blessed so many. Enjoy your break!!!

Much Love,
From All of Us

 
At 7:18 AM, Blogger Corrick family said...

Thank you for sharing your life (and recipes!!) with us - enjoy the break! Merry Everything!

 
At 7:35 AM, Blogger Iris said...

You deserve the time off! Enjoy and happy holidays to you, Danny, and Lu!

 
At 8:30 AM, Blogger Sizzle said...

I'm so glad I happened upon your blog (my sister has gone gluten free this past year and I've learned a lot reading your posts). I hope you enjoy your time with your family and the well deserved rest. Love the tattoo and the meaning behind it.

Happy holidays!

 
At 9:19 AM, Blogger Mariesa said...

Happy holidays! Have a great break!

 
At 9:39 AM, Blogger Linda said...

Wow. What a beautiful post! Enjoy your daughter as only you can!

 
At 10:20 AM, Blogger Audrey V said...

Thank you for the delicious cookies. We made the gingerbread people, yum, I prefer them a little thicker, like half an inch too. The madeleines were awesome, and my favorites were the jam tart cookies. I'm making your stuffing again, I made it on Thanksgiving and again now for Christmas. I'm enjoying your book too. Thanks for everything you share.

 
At 11:07 AM, Blogger Dana Treat said...

Wonderful Shauna! My first thought was "ouch!" because the wrist part of my tattoo hurt so much. But I know this is such a crucial and special message for you. I'm glad you are wearing it. I hope you three have a wonderful break filled with cooking and baking for fun and stories and sleep. Hope to see you!

 
At 11:15 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

GOOD FOR YOU!

 
At 11:57 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

beautiful. merry christmas!

 
At 1:22 PM, Blogger Brenda said...

What a wonderful post and great story. Glad of the happy ending. I've been reading your blog for a couple months now and I am finding so much great info and recipes it's ridiculous. Keep up the good work and enjoy your time off. You've certainly earned it. And congrats on the book. Made a great Christmas gift to anyone and everyone I know.

 
At 1:51 PM, Blogger MJ said...

I loved this post :) and what a great tattoo--a great homage to your daughter and the miracle that she is. Have a wonderful deserved break and Happy Holidays!!

 
At 2:31 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am not celiac, but I am allergic to wheat. I just found you blog yesterday, the day before the day before Christmas! So I haven't had a chance to make any of your cookie recipies. But I sure will be trying next year.

Thank you for all that you do. Have a wonderful vacation!

 
At 3:10 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

What a lovely sentiment and so beautifully put. I will hold your dear words with me as we pass into our new year.
All my love to you and your beautiful family.
Cat

 
At 4:12 PM, Blogger Justin said...

what a great post for the holidays, Shauna... love this

 
At 4:33 PM, Blogger debbie said...

Thank you for your wonderful, joyous blogs. I cried yesterday because I finally made something gluten-free that my husband liked! Your chocolate crackle cookies tasted amazing, but more importantly, looked and had the texture of a gluten filled cookie. All my previous efforts have earned, "Well, it's not terrible." These cookies got me a huge smile and a hug, so thank you, thank you, thank you! Please enjoy your break and have another Happy New Year.

 
At 5:53 PM, Blogger Cathi said...

Wishing you the happiest Christmas and New Year ever. You, Danny & Lu are so inspiring! xxoo :)

 
At 7:55 PM, Blogger Summer said...

Thank you for giving me sanity. I didn't have high hopes for Christmas this year, but my family and I made gingerbread cookies with your all purpose flour mixture tonight and I tasted Christmas and I feel better.

 
At 9:13 PM, Blogger Johanna said...

Dearest Shauna, I am so glad you are taking some time away from the blog. As much as I love and appreciate the constant flow of cookie delights, everyday I would imagine how exhausting that must be for you. Enjoy! We will be here eager to learn when you come back. (I'm looking forward to some vegetables and whole grains!)

The jam tarts are possibly my new favorite cookie. I had a little trouble with dough coming together and the cookies bubbling around the edges while baking, but this was minor and they were still completely delicious. I brought a bunch to my family Christmas, which was my first time bringing a gluten-free treat to share with everyone versus bringing a little pathetic plate of food and treats for just myself. It felt AMAZING to watch my cookies disappear first, and to have so many people ask about them or compliment them. I shed a few joyous tears and counted you among my blessing this holiday season. Really, Shauna, thank you for your effort in converting this recipe, and so many others.

P.S. I love that you chose to place a period at the end. breathe. Indeed!

 
At 12:29 AM, Blogger Pétra said...

Have a wonderful well deserved break!! I'll miss your posts and will be looking forward to January.
Merry Christmas!
Pétra

 
At 7:06 AM, Blogger Angie said...

Happy holidays to all 3 of you. Thank you so much for sharing so much of your lives with the rest of us and for helping us find wonderful, tasty, gluten-free ways of living! Enjoy your time together and we'll all be looking forward to your return!

 
At 7:50 AM, Blogger Carrie said...

Happy holidays! Enjoy your very deserved mini-holiday!

 
At 8:15 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Christmas morning....I'm waiting for my family to wake up and reading a few Christmas posts from my favorite bloggers. None was more beautiful than yours, Shauna.

I'm too chicken to ever get a tatoo, but I do need to remember to breathe. .... Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family!

 
At 9:10 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

much love to you guys . . . happy holidays and happy sabbatical . . . we love you and will be right here when you're ready to come back . . . thank you for having the courage and heart to be who you are . . . for letting us in on the process . . . and for helping us all get well, too . . . :)

 
At 9:50 AM, Blogger Erin said...

I just found you and am already in love. You are amazing!

Your beautiful words have already made me cry, laugh and remember to breathe.

Last night my newly gluten free kiddos whipped up two batches of your cookies. They are chilling now and in a few hours we'll bake them up to share with holiday company( all gluten free eaters as well!) What a blessing !

While mixing and measuring the kids kept repeating "we can eat these!, we an eat these! Such excitement! You have opened up a whole new world for our family.

On a hunch we dashed into town last night and happened to snatch the last copies of your books from the co-ops shelf. Triumph!

With a stack of bookmarks we sat up reading and dreaming about all the meals we plan to make together.

From my little family to yours...Thank You! and have a wonderful break!!!

 
At 10:59 AM, Blogger Val said...

My family is enjoying cookies from your flour mix and recipes today- YUM. It's amazing how sacred a simple cut-out sugar cookie can feel. Thank you again and again!

 
At 3:58 PM, Blogger Alicia said...

Thank you so much for the delicious recipes! We are so grateful! We made the snickerdoodles and the yummies with the jam in the middle and gobbled them all down. If the recipe is from you, I know that it will be a hit at our house.

Hope that these next days are full of rest and joy.

 
At 4:18 PM, Blogger Jen Maraia said...

I just opened my presents and your cookbook was among them! I opened it near the beginning and I couldn't stop looking through it--my mom had to make me put it down and continue opening my other presents. Thank you for such a beautiful cookbook and I can't wait to read all the stories in it!! Probably my favorite present this year :) and got a scale for xmas also to go with the cookbook! Can't wait to try the recipes!!

 
At 4:50 PM, Blogger Serene @ MomFood said...

You are a beautiful human being, and I love that events conspired to bring you and your lovely family into my life this year. Thank you, and blessings on all of you, now and forever.

Much love!

 
At 6:56 PM, Blogger Amy said...

I don't have the "restriction" of needing to live without gluten, but your recipes are so inspiring, I bought the GF Flours to make your cookies, the way you make them. I also made (and blogged) sweet potato cheesecakes with the pistachio-cranberry crusts! I couldn't get that thought out my head once you mentioned it. You inspire me to make beautiful food that is safe and delicious for everyone. Have a wonderful rest- you deserve it!

 
At 8:43 PM, Blogger Kate said...

thank you shauna for all of your hard work these past few weeks. you certainly deserve a break. I must admit I have been too selfish to alter and adapt recipes several times over ~ too worried about undoing work at the gym! but I made your sugar and gingerbread cookies this year, our first christmas without gluten. We didn't need it. I made your cinnamon rolls as well (on two hours of sleep - it sounds like you and I were the definition of supererogation this year) but the look on my dad's face was worth it. My youngest brother didn't feel left out with my relatives because he had his own special cookie tray - he said the cookies tasted even better without gluten. thank you thank you thank you for all of your hard work, beautiful posts, inspiration, liberating cookbooks, and the sense of community you build with this site. Merry Christmas!

ps - I might tweak the sugar cookie recipe, updating the flour mix from your 2010 holiday baking post and trying to convert into ounces.

 
At 12:08 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

Happy Holidays to you and your family and enjoy your break. You deserve it for everything you do for the gluten free community. I got your newest book for christmas and cannot wait to read and cook!

 
At 8:02 PM, Blogger GlutenfreeNP said...

Take a break. Take several. I check in randomly just to see what is brewing but I have enjoyed your blog for years. YEARS! That in itself sound tiring.
I just wanted to comment because I received your book for Christmas and have been devouring it ever since. I have wanted it for such a long time but as a grad student I don't always indulge in what I want. But I finally have it and it's beautiful and passionate. It makes me warm and fuzzy inside. I can't wait to start cooking! My daughter has even taken an interest in trying some of the recipes.

Thanks Shauna

 
At 7:38 PM, Blogger Jennifer said...

I was inspired by your cookie posts to buy a food scale and bake the spicy gingerbread cookies. My kids and I made stars & people, and wow! they were delicious! The addition of orange rind, fresh ginger, and black pepper made for an especially flavorful treat. I feel a bit like a mad scientist weighing the ingredients. It's been years since I've eaten wheat pastries, but I was a professional baker and I have to agree that the texture of gluten free baked goods, done right, is preferable to gluten containing ones. My cakes have a more dependable crumb these days. Thanks for getting me baking with confidence and joy again. Have a lovely hibernation!

 
At 12:07 AM, Blogger Paige said...

I made the smoky bacon ginger cookies, the chocolate krinkle cookies, and the pistachio-cranberry rounds. They were amazingly good, especially the pistachio-cranberry. When I took batches to a Christmas party, I was hailed for having the best cookies ever -- but really, you deserve the credit. I can't believe that a year ago when I got my diagnosis, I was saying that I'd give up baking. Thank you, and enjoy your rest.

 
At 4:33 AM, Blogger Unknown said...

happy holidays shauna, danny & lu ! i LOVE your new tattoo & the story behind it...lu is truly your miracle love & together you three are quite the trio...you all deserve this holiday break to do exactly as you please, savoring the moments and breathing all the while..definitely looking forward to your first post of 2011, and more than happy to wait while you all have fun together!


cheers & a breathful new year!

 
At 9:29 AM, Blogger { MELBOURNE ROAD } said...

ENJOY your much needed time away with your family :o)
see you when you return
Lori

 
At 9:52 AM, Blogger Soup and Song said...

You are such an inspiration. Rest well and thank you for the reminder to breathe. I think we could all use that reminder right about now!

 
At 10:26 AM, Blogger Emily said...

Your writing is so lovely! I got your cookbook for Christmas and cannot wait to start making the delicious recipes in it.

I made the cranberry pistachio cookies and (an older recipe from this year) the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and both were just incredible. I also substituted your flour mix for the all purpose flour in some of the recipes in Good to the Grain, and it worked out great!

Thanks so much for your wonderful recipes and writing and sharing.

 
At 6:08 PM, Blogger CapeSummerGirl said...

Hi Shauna,

I'm new to your site and am currently in the process of reading GF Girl. WOW.
I was diagnosed a few years ago with Crohn's disease, after a lifetime of difficulties. Last year a friend suggested I try out a GF diet. I did, and with much success. Sadly, I allowed an unexpected health glitch to throw me off track. The bad news is the difference in the way I feel is noticeable. The good news is the difference in the way I feel is noticeable. What? Yes. Because I now see - and feel - the stark difference in my well-being depending on what I eat, I am that much more motivated to eat well.
That said, I can tell your book(s) will have a profound impact! THANK YOU!!!!
One question - before finding your book, I purchased online GF flour from Tom Sawyer. I love it and use it in much of my cooking. Can it be used in your recipes, specifically where it says, "Flour mix?"
Enjoy your downtime, and LOVE the tattoo! (My next is going to read "I am enough.")
Blessings!!
Kat

 
At 6:08 PM, Blogger CapeSummerGirl said...

Hi Shauna,

I'm new to your site and am currently in the process of reading GF Girl. WOW.
I was diagnosed a few years ago with Crohn's disease, after a lifetime of difficulties. Last year a friend suggested I try out a GF diet. I did, and with much success. Sadly, I allowed an unexpected health glitch to throw me off track. The bad news is the difference in the way I feel is noticeable. The good news is the difference in the way I feel is noticeable. What? Yes. Because I now see - and feel - the stark difference in my well-being depending on what I eat, I am that much more motivated to eat well.
That said, I can tell your book(s) will have a profound impact! THANK YOU!!!!
One question - before finding your book, I purchased online GF flour from Tom Sawyer. I love it and use it in much of my cooking. Can it be used in your recipes, specifically where it says, "Flour mix?"
Enjoy your downtime, and LOVE the tattoo! (My next is going to read "I am enough.")
Blessings!!
Kat

 
At 10:55 PM, Blogger Heather Pelczar said...

Happy Vacation!! I love you poignant honesty about your Lucy. Enjoy her. Every minute. And thank you for the turkey brine recipe. The first turkey I ever roasted in the 7 years of my marriage- crisp s,kin. spice rub after a good brine. It was restaurant quality from my own tiny Italian kitchen. Scrumptious and savory. who every would have thought that the breast meat on a turkey could have been so tender moist?

 
At 3:53 AM, Blogger marla {Family Fresh Cooking} said...

Shauna, that story is beautiful & touching. Thanks for a gentle reminder for us to do what is most essential for life. Danny & Lu are breath taking & breath giving in that photo. Deep inhale, exhale, SMILE.
You are a wonderful family & I hope that you get rest to leap into 2011 with loads of boundless energy.
xo

 
At 11:15 AM, Blogger Katherine said...

I love the tattoo!! I have one on the same place on my left wrist, and I am so pleased with it. Yours is so beautiful. And I love the message behind it- I think tattoos should always have meaning, and yours is obviously very meaningful.

 
At 5:49 AM, Blogger manuela garcía sánchez said...

Shauna,

Bless you and your family for all that you do and how much you give to all of us out here. Enjoy your free time, your breathing, the preciouss moments spent with your loved ones. In the short time that I have known your blog and cookbook, I have posted a few questions. I hope that I have also remembered to tell you how much I enjoy your work. I take the oportunity to say THANK YOU! May the New Year bring health, joy and a plentiful of wishes to you all. Manoli

 
At 12:40 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just bought your book and am excited to read it.

Merry Holidays :)

 
At 8:44 AM, Blogger Soot said...

I love your blog and wish you and your family a happy, healthy new year. Your writing (and oh, the food!) make me and my friends happier than you can imagine. Thanks for everything. xo

 
At 8:18 PM, Blogger Katharine Eliska Kimbriel said...

Oh, the orange zest in the gingerbread cookies! I used a clementine I had for the zest, and when I opened the oven, the entire apartment smelled like spring! (I didn't reduce the pepper after all.) I made them quickly, but the parties were later, so I experimented with bagging them and freezing them, without icing. They have held up very well in freezer bags with the air sucked out of them. The spices meld more after freezing; they are very good and have both a good surface "crack" and a softer center -- I make them thick, too!

The chocolate shortbread cookies were greeted as chocolate pecan sandies in texture. Half my munchers really liked them, the other half found them good in texture and chocolate level, but not sweet enough. The sweetness was perfect for me -- although I loved the 36 hour CCs, they were a little rich/sweet for me!

I did make the 36 hour chocolate chip cookies (well worth waiting 36 hours!) and they were enthusiastically received. Even people who have been dreading GF cookies loved the recipe. (I traded out brown rice flour for the potato starch -- this was before your informative post on weights and GF grains into flour, starch, etc. I lean toward macrobiotic cooking, so no potato starch. The brown rice flour gave the cookies a nice heft -- somewhere between Toll House cookies and whole wheat pastry chocolate chip cookies.)

I very much want to try the Mexican Wedding cakes and the spritz, if I can figure out where my spritz press is (I almost gave it away, but I'm sure I held on to it!) I am also lusting after several recipes in your cookbook, which I received from my sister for Christmas. I've decided I'm going to invite a few friends to partake, and start cooking for small gatherings again. It's been way too long.

And...I can't believe I am saying this...I've been looking for my own copy of GF-G, haven't found it yet. I may just have to Xerox the cauliflower recipe out of it before returning my library copy. I'm a super-taster, and I've always hated the big C and Brussels Sprouts, but you have intrigued me with chocolate and chiles. Even avoiding nightshades, I can see I will try this recipe!

Thank you for putting some of the fun back into food! You and Danny and Lu have given me back something I'd lost in my search for health. Now I'm not just slowing down to smell the flowers...I am following my nose to the peaches, my tongue to the spices, and my heart to my pizza stone.

2011 will be the year of glorious food! Have a lovely break, and I'll look forward to your posts next year.

 
At 10:17 PM, Blogger Lisa said...

Happy New Year to you and your loving family.

The relationship you have with your husband and daughter is just beautiful.

Thank you for sharing your lives and recipes here!

Wishing you heaping fulls of down time!!

 
At 4:57 PM, Blogger woochild said...

My DIL sent your link to me because I am being tested for celiacs. I have a rare blood disorder but as of the past 2 years I seem to have become allergic to glutens and casiens (sp?) anyhoo, I thought it was going to be terribly hard, but with sites like yours, I'm finding it exciting and even enjoyable :) So THANK YOU and HAPPY NEW YEAR to you & yours....
God Bless you and your miracle daughter :)
btw... LOVE the Breathe tat ;-)
(I have to remind myself to do that a lot!) lol

 
At 7:28 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

Beautiful tattoo. Beautiful message. Beautiful story.

 
At 4:56 PM, Blogger Ginny the Sock Monkey said...

love the new tat! it's a fantastic reminder of something that's essential. a great choice, and a great way to start the new year.

 
At 8:01 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Shauna, Danny, Lucy, you lovely three, enjoy your time away, your time together. Fill these next 365 days with Together. And enjoy.

 
At 8:09 AM, Blogger Healing Cuisine by Elise said...

What a powerful story! Thank you for sharing. Hope your Christmas and New Year celebrations were warm and cozy :)

 
At 3:29 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Beautiful post and tattoo :) Hope 2011 is a healthy, happy and safe year for you and your family!

Nisrine

 
At 4:11 PM, Blogger Soccer Mom in Giggle Town said...

That is a wonderful tattoo with a wonderful story!

blessings & giggles
Jeanie

 
At 10:06 PM, Blogger Lleonor said...

Enjoy life to the fullest and be stress free. This is a beautiful story. Love it.

 

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