Another GREAT gluten free experience.

Many of you know that we eat gluten free around here. My son was diagnosed with Celiac disease at the age of 2. That was 10 years ago and my how things have improved for him! I too eat gluten free because I have had digestive issues for years. My doctors have always said IBS, but I always wondered... it is genetic, it probably came from my Mammaw (who past away before people even knew what Celiac is,) and IBS treatments didn't work for me. So, a year ago I went gluten free too and have felt awesome since. It would have been quite a leap had we not already been doing "mostly" gluten free for all of us already, (of course my son has been 100 percent since diagnosis... he must.) So we are so thrilled when we find restaurants and stores that are willing to cater to those on a gluten free diet. Having said that, we have some kudos, for a really positive experience, to pass along.

Oh my! A little too close-up there honey.

On a recent trip to Washington D.C. we visited a downtown pizzeria,

"Pet's NewHaven Style APizza"

It was right off a Metro stop, very easy to find, and oh my the food was good. They offer almost all the topping options on a gluten free crust. They also have pasta dishes that can be made with gluten free pasta and I even had some gluten free pumpkin cheesecake... so good! The manager came out to talk with us, and make sure that we were enjoying our meal. We, of course, told him how thrilled we were to have such YUMMY gluten free options. He told us what he had heard from other customers, "there is a growing demand for quality gluten free food and people are coming... often... to request it." If you get a chance... and your cruising D.C. you should visit Pete's. http://petesapizza.com/index.htmlsho

and tell the kindly folk that the Dutchess says, "howdy and a hearty thanks again."

Fried Pies and Those Lyin' HGTV Hucks!

Okay so I promised you that I would expose HGTV for the lying, liars, who lie that they really are... so here goes! About 6 months ago... HGTV premiered a show about the Hwy. 127 yard sales. On "said show," the shiny little host and hostess featured a "lady" in Jamestowne TN. who was the sole purveyor of fried pie for the entire "yard-saleing" event. This lady's pies were supposed to melt in your mouth and be so light and flaky that you thought you were dreaming! My best friend saw this "show" and her daily fried pie fantasies began! Everyday she longed for the moment she would taste this southern ambrosia and revel in it's sweet and moist goodness. So the plan was concocted... we would start our yard sale adventure in Jamestowne so that we might first start our trip with a taste of heaven! Of course this was a bit out of our way... but is it not worth the inconvenience? So as our first day of yard sales dawned, we went in search of pies... not just any pies,no... these were the golden chalice, the holy grail of fried pies! Through much traffic, we made our way north on Hwy. 127 to Jamestowne, not a large town mind you, to seek out doughy goodness. Alas we arrived, circling the town square once, twice.... three times! No fried pies anywhere! Finally in a tearful rage (well more tears of laughter, but tears none the less) we decided to stop into City Hall where surely if there were pies to be had, this seat of government would be the pulse of it all! "No," the lady behind the counter said, "there's no fried pie lady here." "But down at my hairdresser's shop there's a little lady who brings some in to sale on Saturday." Saturday! It was Thursday and we had planned to be well into Alabama by Saturday!
"HGTV are liars! We've been dooped!"

Sadness, dejected, weeping and gnashing of teeth! "If I see those HGTV people out here this year, they're getting a piece of my mind," Best Friend said. Another night passes and dreams of being chased by large fried pies with microphones ensues. "No, don't douse me with your chunky apple filling!" Then as another day dawns we move forward, boldly, undaunted by the previous day's events. On to Crossville and hopefully we can forget the empty void in Best Friend's belly. As one mega-tented sale unfolds into another, we turn our minds to bargains instead of pies and lying TV hosts. The Senior Center might be the perfect spot for antiques and crafty things, so we decide to go in. But what did we find? Bargains on antiques? No. Alas, sprawled out in front of the most angelic yet aged face you've ever seen, not chochkees, not nick-nacs, not even bric-a brac... just the most splendidly perfect FRIED PIES you have ever seen! (Que Mormon Tabernacle Choir performing "Hallelujah Chorus" here!) As Best Friend approaches, mouth a-gape, arms akimbo, a single fat tear resting on the rim of her cheek... she quietly utters the phrase, "Fried-Apple-Pies." " I baked these last night," the angel spoke. "I'll take one please...." Best Friend whispered.

I know it looks like we're at McDonald's... and we are... but that's no Mickey D's fried pie... we were there for iced coffee, (because fried pie ain't gluten free ya know?) So, as the day progressed we DID run into the HGTV jokers, twice. But, since Best Friend was hyped up on sugar and fried dough
she was no longer disgruntled! I however was annoyed that every time I'd see a nice pile of Jadeite... there they'd be, all up over it! I even heard one of the little hostesses calling Jadeite "china!" That's no china sister... that's glass... and you need to be schooled... but I'm too busy looking for kettle corn right now to do it! So all's well that ends well and we learned a very important lesson... stay calm, carry on and there's always a fried pie at the end of every rainbow!