Chocolate Zucchini Yumminess - Gluten free and not !!!

 This is one of my most favorite desserts....especially topped with tart cream cheese icing.  I grieved this one hugely when I switched to eating gluten/dairy free.  I decided last summer enough was enough...that I would recreate a new version no matter how many attempts and wasted ingredients it took !!  I can't believe I haven't shared it yet.....

Gluten Free Chocolate Zucchini Cake

1 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup shortening
3 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
5 cups gluten free flour blend
8 heaping tbsp cocoa
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
4 cups grated zucchini
1 cup Enjoy life chocolate chunks
1 cup Rice milk

Combine dry ingredients....put aside
Cream wet ingredients......then add 1/3 of the dry....combine......1/2 of the milk......combine......1/3 of the dry.....combine......you get the picture......the last 1/2 of the milk......the last bit of dry and the zucchini......mix well.  bake in whatever format is calling to you.....at 325 degrees until a toothpick come out clean :)

 and for all you wheat dairy eating followers.....

The Original Chocolate Zucchini Cake

1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening
1 3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 1/2 cup flour
4 Tbsp. cocoa
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 cup grated zucchini
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Mix and bake just like above.....Oh ! and don't forget the cream cheese icing :))

Made some " regular " coconut & chocolate zucchini cupcakes for ball tonight....it's Sylvie's birthday :)

Flowers, Flowers Flowers

(Crocosmia - I have to say these are my favorites currently)
 

 ( Scarlet Runner Beans )

 ( Leek - I Love onion seed globes)

 ( Whispy sunflowers )

 ( I believe these are in the echinesha family)

 ( Butterfly Bush - we have mixed feeling about these ones....I think they're pretty, Mr. Jones could do with out them and we both agree they could smell better ! )

( Wild Rose)

Each and everyone of these lovelies brings a smile to my face....I just enjoy them so....:)))

My favorite source of potassium.....

Looky looky what Mr. Jones and I dug out this evening.....aren't they gorgeous  ?

The Anderson's

We had the great pleasure of helping celebrated our beautiful Michelle's marriage to the love of her life Don this past weekend.  The weather was stunning.  The atmosphere was light. Our hearts overflowing with happiness for them :)  Thanks so much Michelle, Don, Sam & Micheal for including us on your special day....we love you all very much !!!

Let the harvesting begin :))))

Aren't they just so beautiful ?

Camping with the Cleugh's

Thank you so much Sheri, Dave & Tribe for yet another great visit. !!!

Gluten Free Pineapple Coconut Carrot Cake

This recipe as evolved from one we use to enjoy from our " Better Homes and Garden - new Baking cookbook" ......before we switched completely to eating gluten/dairy/soy free.

Here's my current recipe :

Mix together in large bowl :

2 cups gluten free four blend ( if your blend doesn't contain xanthum gum I'd recommend adding 1tsp)
1 cup fine granular sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
sprinkle of sea salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup ground flax
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup unsweetened raisins

Mix together in smaller bowl or large measuring cup:

1 8oz can of crushed pineapple, juice and all
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup veggie oil
2 cups grated carrots
2 tsp apple cider vinegar

The original recipe calls for walnuts, sour milk & twice the amount of sugar.  If you like nuts...I'd add them in with the dry ingredients.  This cake is great on it's own....but if you'd like to dress it up with some icing and can do dairy....I'd recommend a tangy cream cheese icing.  Since we can't do that...I just use a store bought ready made vanilla icing....it does the job !  This cake even gets rave reviews from my white flour/sugar minimal veggie eating guys :)

Oooops!!! almost forgot ......bake at 350 in a 9 x 11 pan.  I always double to recipe and use my exlg glass pan......enjoy :)

First Camping Trip of the Summer !!!

What a great weekend.  We met up with several friend families....who all happen to have an adoption connection for this past long weekend at the " For all 4 Seasons " campground in Cedar. The weather was brilliant and intense all at the same time.  The company amazing.  The fun was never ending !!!

 ( barely unpacked and the card games were a started !! )

 ( beach combing )

( Marshmellows with Uncle Jim, Aunty Joy, Hailey & James )

 ( " You're the GREATEST UNCLE in the WHOLE world" ....compliments the fee for marshmallows :)

 ( Our Beautiful Hailey )

  ( Oh! so yummy )

 ( Hailey & Ana taking in the beauty....)

 ( Anthony & Moses )

 ( Good Morning :)

 ( Oh! so excited to get things GOING !!!! )

 ( Mia, Liam & Anaka )

 ( Miss Ana Rose :)

 ( Cathy & Laara )

 ( James )

 ( Ana enjoying a calm moment )

 ( Saturdays dinner.....greek chicken breast, baked yams, oysters, veggie kabobs & rice)

  ( Anthony & Mia )

 ( more beach combing)

 ( Liam & Keisha fishing with Jayden )

( quaying up for tubing & boat rides )

 We had such a great time.....visiting, exploring, tubing, boating, fishing, campfires, dancing, sharing & supporting, eating, celebrating, playing, swimming......and on & on :)

Thanks everyone for such a great weekend !!!