As I've gotten older, and wiser, chasing the almighty dollar has become less important and how I live each day has become more important. On this website, I write about the things I love doing and share ideas and projects.

Being a maker at heart, I am often inspired by things around me and just have to make something. Creativity is in my bones, whether it is crafting, cooking, or a DIY project. After a while, you just run out of family members and friends to make things for, so I decided to start sharing some of my creations here.

I also face the interesting challenge of gardening at the altitude of 7,000 feet with short summers, very cool nights, frequent droughts and critters that eat just about anything green. First lesson learned-the old way of composting (i.e. a big pile turned frequently) doesn't work here because it is so dry that everything mummifies unless you water constantly, which isn't practical with water being a precious commodity in the high deserts of New Mexico. All in all, an interesting challenge after twenty years of gardening near the Texas coast (i.e. flat, wet and warm).

Last but not least, I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 1982. I feel very lucky that I had a doctor who did not stop testing til he found out what was wrong with me. For years before that, I was told it was IBS--or my nerves and treated with antidepressants. I'd be dead now were it not for him.

​Since then, other family members have been diagnosed as well. Scary as that is, it is comforting to know exactly what is wrong and what I need to do to live with it. I am as normal and healthy now as one can be living with food sensitivities. Since then, I have learned that I am sensitive to sulfites and dairy as well. I can't even eat goat milk cheese or yogurt. Unless, of course, I want to spend the majority of my day in the bathroom.

I modify recipes almost daily to be gluten and dairy free and it recently dawned on me that maybe I should share some of that online. It is a way of life for me after so many years, but for many out there it is a new and daunting challenge. Do not despair! I give up a few things, like eating out where ever and when ever I want, but it is all worth it to be healthy.