Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bundt Closet Cake

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Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bundt Closet Cake. What a name, right?

I came up with this cake for my oldest daughter’s half birthday this year.  She is the baker of our family, so I wanted to give her a break and try whipping something special for her to enjoy. I originally planned on carrot cake, but since we always keep pumpkin in the pantry, I figured if I could nail a pumpkin version, we’d have a go-to cake recipe with ingredients we always have on hand.

Well, everyone RAVED about it—I’m talking crumb-scraping-the-board kind of good. That’s a total mom win! 🙌

The kids and Mr. Awesome didn’t believe I made it from scratch (I’m not the baker in this house), and those who actually saw me make it couldn’t believe how good it turned out. Thanks, I think? 😂

They loved it so much that we’ve made it several times over the last two weeks. I even had others test it out to make sure it wasn’t just beginner’s luck, and now I feel confident enough to share the recipe.

Why “Closet Cake”?

My oldest son came up with the name because I literally hid the cake in our closet until the big half-birthday dinner reveal. The clothes in there smelled like sweet fall spice for a few days!

I did use a store-bought frosting because we found one with minimal ingredients and had it on hand. There is no sense in over-complicating things.

Also, I used my mixing bowl and a kitchen scale to measure everything in grams. I’ve really come to love baking this way—it’s consistent, makes fewer dishes, and everything I’ve baked by weight turns out better. Do you use a scale when you bake? I’ve included standard measurements after each ingredient, for your convivence.

Here are a few handy affiliate/referral links, like to my favorite flour, bundt pan, kitchen scale, and frosting.

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bundt Closet Cake

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Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Can Pumpkin puree 425g
  • 200 grams Granulated sugar 1 cup
  • 100 grams Brown sugar light or dark 1/2 cup
  • 180 grams Neutral oil I like avocado 3/4 cup
  • 4 Eggs
  • 260 grams King Arthur Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour 2 cups
  • 5 grams Baking soda 1 teaspoon
  • 6 grams Baking powder 1½ teaspoons
  • 3 grams Salt ½ teaspoon
  • 9 grams Cinnamon 1 tablespoon
  • 60 grams OPTIONAL: Water ¼ cup

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a bundt pan thoroughly.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, sugars, oil, and eggs, until smooth.
  3. Next, add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
  4. Stir well. Add water if the batter seems very thick.
  5. Pour batter evenly into the prepared bundt pan and smooth the top.
  6. Bake for 50 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.
  7. Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

We have enjoyed this with and without cream cheese frosting (If you don’t make your own, I like the Miss Jones brand from Wal-Mart). The general consensus from everyone we have served it to is that it really does not need the frosting, and the flavor pops better without it.

The Story Behind My Son’s Name: A Resurrection Reminder

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Two years ago, I was preparing to welcome a new life into the world. My due date was April 9th—Easter Sunday. The timing alone felt like a divine appointment after going through a season of grief. As I walked through that pregnancy, I kept reflecting on the significance of Easter: resurrection, renewal, and hope.

During that season, a particular Bible verse stood out to me. It mentioned a colt—a young donkey—tied up, waiting. It was from the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem:

“Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to Me.”
—Matthew 21:2 (NKJV)

That verse stirred something in me. The colt wasn’t just a detail—it was part of a prophecy being fulfilled. It symbolized obedience, purpose, and being chosen for something sacred. Even in its youth, the colt carried the King.

The word colt stayed with me, knowing we were looking for a name that started with the letter “C”. I prayed on it, and eventually the name Colter came to mind. It felt strong and gentle all at once. We didn’t know prior to his birth if we’d have a little girl or boy, and we never did settle on a girl’s name

Colt was a name we considered 6 years prior for another child. In my heart, I knew I was meant to have a son named Colt, but when the day came to name that child, Colt didn’t feel right. For a couple of years, I wondered why I had such a strong tie to the name that we never used. I thought maybe someday it would fall to a future grandchild, or a puppy- ha!, since I thought I’d never get to carry another child in my womb.

I praise God that I did get to know the depths of pregnancy and nurturing a newborn again.

This name carries the memory of Easter, of God’s promises, hope after hurt, and of the quiet, powerful ways He uses even the smallest among us for His glory.

So, when my baby boy arrived— 3 days before Easter just as God knew He would, in the most beautiful way, wrapped in love, joy, and peace—I knew without a doubt: his name would be Colter (his brothers names end in “er”.

I’m reminded of that Easter Sunday when we took our 3-day-old baby boy and family to a church so packed full that we watched the service from the church’s basement on a projector. The hope of resurrection, and the tender ways God weaves meaning into our lives.

Colter’s name is more than just a name—it’s a testimony.

If you’re in a season of waiting or walking through something hard, I want to encourage you: hold on to hope. Just like that colt, seemingly unnoticed and tied up, God sees you. He has a purpose for your life that is greater than you can imagine. He can bring beauty out of waiting, joy from sorrow, and life from what feels broken. Easter reminds us that with God, nothing and no one, is ever truly lost—only being prepared for something greater.

Time-Saving Homeschool Planner | Skylight Calendar Review W/ Discount Code

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I published a video on YouTube where I shared our family’s approach to organization and homeschool planning using the Skylight Frame Calendar.

I wanted to be sure to put a link to that video here too, because you guys, it has just been THAT good for our family. I had always been a good homemaker and felt pretty on top of housework…until we had baby #5 in 2023. That sweet boy has blessed our socks off, and I have spent the last year just enjoying having him in my arms. As a result, the house, and homeschool planning, had kind of gone by the wayside.

That’s okay, friends, these seasons of life come and go. I do not at all regret that time, but I do wish I had put a better system in place earlier so we could’ve at least kept the house a little more company-ready.

If you watch the video you will discover how this sleek modern device has become an integral part of our daily routine, enhancing communication, coordinating scheduling between family members, and bringing a touch of user-friendly technology to our home.

From coordinating lessons to creating a shared family calendar, I want you to find out how the Skylight Frame has transformed our homeschool scheduling experience, fostering a more connected and efficient household.

If you too think that a Skylight Calendar Frame may benefit your home, I would love to pass along my referral code to you, where you save $20 on your order, and I get $20 as well. You can find those links below.

With Love, Quincey

Skylight Referral Link: https://skylight.refr.cc/quinceyb Discount Code: FRIEND-8CQSGN7 Their shipping is pretty quick!

Or, you can purchase through Amazon if you would rather. There is no discount code there and the price does fluctuate some there, but the shipping is extra quick. This is my affiliate link, which does not cost you any extra to use, and clicking this will take you directly to Amazon: https://amzn.to/3TmctA3

Gluten Free & Dairy Free Spring Egg Rolls

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On the menu this week: Our version of egg rolls, or maybe they’re actually spring rolls? They’re delicious, no matter what they’re called.

Filling: I put cabbage, carrots, and spinach in the food processor. You can do this ahead of time and store it in the fridge.

Cook up turkey sausage, add the chopped veggies, and drizzle in some coco aminos, or whatever flavoring you’d like and let that cook together for a bit.

Wrap in rice paper, and lightly spray with olive oil.

We bake them in the oven (oil your pan first). Like my Grandma Edna said in many of her recipes, “bake until done”. 😉

I bake them at 350° for about 20 minutes, because we were also making cookies at the same time. You could definitely turn up the heat and cook them for less time.

Note: We use rice paper because it’s gluten-free.

We’ve made this before and it was a hit! I know it’s not super authentic, but we love it. I’m grateful for our amazing neighbor, Kong, who taught us the basics of making an egg roll, and hopefully isn’t disappointed in the modifications we made. Ha!

Red Light Therapy For A Slightly Better Health

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All LifePro: BioHeal Panel on the door, Rove Elliptical on the left, Turbo3D Vibration Plate on the right.

10 years ago I would’ve thought Red Light Therapy was a faux treatment targeted as a luxury placebo effect for wealthy housewives. A scam of sorts. I would’ve been quick to disregard the benefits or put any time into research for myself. Okay let’s be real, even 3 years ago I wouldn’t have bought into this.

Then I got sick. Really sick. Western medicine failed me, and no quick fix or pill worked on my body. I learned the value of slow and gentle healing, along with the importance of preventative maintenance through a healthy lifestyle.

When I say a healthy lifestyle I mean it required a truly radical shift in the things I ate, the air I was breathing, and the products I put on my body each day. True health is much different than what is sold to us on magazine covers and through the product claims on the packaging of many retail items.

This lifestyle change was vital to stay afloat after my body tanked.

Oh, friends, I pray you are not in that desperate place that I was, but if you are I want you to know that there is HOPE. Please believe it, and receive it for yourself.

If your health is in a good place you can still take small steps to stay that way. If your health has plummeted like mine though, I am going to suggest this to you with tough love… TAKE RADICAL ACTION.

You cannot keep doing the same things if they aren’t propelling you forward, and toward better health.

My thirst for a deeper knowledge and understanding of Red Light Therapy grew as I watched friends, who are ordinary people like you and me, and people over on Instagram, outfit their homes with red light panels, devices, and bulbs. As they shared how they felt after using them and explained WHY they started in the first place, it all began to make sense.

I knew this was something I wanted to invest more time into researching.

I had wanted to get a Red Light product in our home but didn’t know which company to go with until the company I bought my vibration plate from came out with a device called the Alleva Red Light Therapy Belt, and then later the BioHeal, a panel you can put on a table or hang from a door.

Red Light Therapy is non-invasive and simple to use. The Alleva Red belt can be placed where you need it (like shoulder, back, abdomen, leg, etc) and you can use it for 10-30 minutes while you watch TV, work, read a book, or even nap. There’s a timer, so no worries if you fall asleep with it on.

The BioHeal also has a timer. I like to double up when I use this and stand on my vibration plate in front of the panel, with the panel over my chest or midsection. The BioHeal is a more efficient device, so a 10-minute treatment is all you need, which is also how long I use my vibration plate. Both automatically turn off at the end of 10 minutes, then you just walk away! You can do this just a few times a week, or up to twice a day.

I am not a doctor, this is not medical advice. I encourage you to go do some research as to how this works and see if you think it could benefit you.

The biggest benefits I have found from using red light therapy are an increase in energy. Just a 10-minute session seems to wake my body up and give it a boost. My drive has increased. I haven’t had many aches and pains, but any time I do, I stand in front of the panel and feel the aches disappear. My husband had a shoulder injury and the red light was the best tool we could use at home to help him heal, this supplemented his chiropractor visits as well. Our son mows lawns and sometimes push mows very large double lots, and gets a sore back, wrists, and shoulders, it’s no surprise the red light has given him immediate relief.

I do not have any scientific evidence, but I do believe the BioHeal panel played a role in our fertility and helped us to get pregnant. I lowered the panel on the door and used it in my pelvic region to promote reproductive health.

Clearer skin has been a great benefit from Red Light as well.

I am sure there are other benefits that I haven’t noticed, or that are happening under the skin and within the organs that I’m not able to track.

I’d love to hear if you are using RED LIGHT THERAPY, and what you have noticed from it as well!

A Slightly Better Hot Cocoa {Gluten & Dairy Free}

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If you’re looking for a Gluten Free & Dairy Free Hot Cocoa recipe that’s slightly better for you than a prepackaged mix, but just as easy, I’ve got you covered!

A Slightly Better Hot Cocoa
1/2 Cup Cocoa powder
1 Cup Collagen Powder
1/2 Cup Coconut Milk Powder
1-3 tsp Cinnamon (depending on your preference)
1/2 Cup Maple Sugar (add more if you like it sweeter)
1/2 tsp Quality Salt

I added all of these to a mason jar and gave it a good shake for a minute.

To enjoy: Add 1 Tablespoon of the dry mix into a cup of hot water and stir. You can add another Tablespoon if you like it richer. I like to use a milk frother (I don’t froth milk, ever, but I love this little tool for mixing powders into water it gives it a smooth finish).

You may substitute the ingredients above as you need to with what you have available. I think the important thing here is to be intentional with the ingredients and think of what each one might do within your own body. Will a warm cup of hot cocoa support and nourish your body, or leave you with low energy levels and a sugar crash? Pay attention to how you feel after you consume any food or beverage and make adjustments as needed.

I ordered the coconut milk powder and maple sugar from Thrive Market to experiment with because those are things I haven’t normally kept on hand, and there was a great coupon available the day I ordered. If you are new to Thrive Market you can get 40% off your first order by clicking this link to place an order and start a membership ($60/year). With the discounts offered throughout the year, it pays off for us to have it for things like toothpaste and specialty grocery items.

After trying the base recipe above I added a little turmeric powder and beet powder to my jar because we always have those in the house and I add them to my morning smoothies for added nutrition. I’m used to the flavors. That may be weird for you, and that’s fine. Ha!

My oldest daughter loves sweets and thinks it’s important to mention that this isn’t as sweet as the blue box hot chocolate you may be used to. She said it is good and creamy though and it’s worth trying!

There are two ways to remedy this: You can either train your brain that this is better for you and decide to get used to it, or you can add more maple sugar or a spoonful of maple syrup in your cup as you wish.

If you give this a try I’d love to hear your feedback!

A Slightly Better Hot Cocoa

Print Recipe
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 Cup Cocoa powder
  • 1 Cup Collagen Powder
  • 1/2 Cup Coconut Milk Powder
  • 1-3 tsp Cinnamon depending on your preference
  • 1/2 Cup Maple Sugar add more if you like it sweeter
  • 1/2 tsp Quality Salt

Method
 

  1. I added all of these to a mason jar and gave it a good shake for a minute.
  2. To enjoy: Add 1 Tablespoon of the dry mix into a cup of hot water and stir. You can add another Tablespoon if you like it richer. I like to use a milk frother (I don’t froth milk, ever, but I love this little tool for mixing powders into water it gives it a smooth finish).

Quick Life Update: November 2022

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Surprise!

This summer I have been quieter here on the blog, yet making plenty of noise over on social media. Take a peek at our announcement on Facebook and a slightly different one over on Instagram.

The Lord has given my body the opportunity to carry another little one! After 2 years of intentionally and carefully healing my body from toxic burden/mold illness, and the grief we have been walking through with the loss of my nephew, this hardly seems real. There were days I felt like the “sun” may never shine upon our family again. Yet, the Son of God does. This doesn’t erase the hurt, but it does remind me that there are brighter days ahead and joy is still possible on this Earth.

While I am always able to see that God is still Good, maybe almost in an annoying way to some, there were days that I asked God, “what are we even doing here now?”

How do we move forward in a way that honors the Lord, and the life of my nephew? I’m not sure I have the answer to that, other than to take nothing for granted, love deeply, and keep pursuing Him.

I am so grateful for this gift of life growing within my womb.

Lord-willing we will be meeting this little one sometime in April of 2023.

That all said, I do know that this news may bring mixed emotions, maybe even sadness to some of you readers, due to your own losses or maybe because you are desperately longing to grow your family and God has you in a season of waiting. Please know I am not oblivious to your hurt.

Obviously, I understand tough seasons. I have so much compassion for where you are.

I remember walking the path of infertility while watching other families grow, some even dispising the position they were in, complaining that they were pregnant again, like it was something that just happened so easily and it was more of a burden than a blessing.

I had a Nurse Practitioner once tell me “Maybe this is just Mother Nature’s way of saying you shouldn’t have more children” as she looked at my children in the room with her nose turned up. Whether she meant that with ill intention or not, THAT comment stung for a lot of years.


For the past several months I’ve been meditating on Acts 1:7, which says:
Jesus said to them, “The Father is the only one who has the authority to decide dates and times. They are not for you to know.

May these words remind you, as much as they remind me, that the God we serve has a plan, and He is the authority when it comes to timing. He sees the things that we cannot. He knows what the years ahead will hold. He sees you and me both in the waiting, in the hurting, and in the healing.

Yes, for if we stay the course, there WILL be healing.

While my heart is filled with gratitude for this precious little babe, it is still grieving so dang hard for the way I feel about my incredible nephew not being here with us. I know he is in Heaven, I have zero doubts about that. When I think of him, I smile, because I LOVE that he is with Jesus. That’s my end game too; being with our Savior.

When I think of the rest of us here and what we feel in his absence, my heart hurts, and my eyes fill with tears. Please, take no pity on me over this, I just want you to know in your moments of gratefulness that may sometimes be intertwined with grief, you.are.not.alone.

I never understood the highs and lows of life at the depth that I do now. I am choosing to say: Thank you, God, for your comfort in trials, and for your refining process as I continue to learn and grow in your grace.

Remembering Lincoln Joseph McCormick

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Lincoln Joseph McCormick

My dear nephew, Lincoln Joseph McCormick, was the sweetest, smartest, kindest, bravest, 8-year-old boy to ever walk this Earth.

He was an amazing son, the most incredible brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and a compassionate friend and classmate. He was loved beyond measure and will continue to be celebrated daily by those of us that hold him close in our hearts.

Following a tragic accident at his home on the evening of May 29th, 2022 we trust that Lincoln is now in the arms of Jesus.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39ESV

I have such a deep gratitude in my heart for both this online community and our local community. I appreciate the way you all have shown up for our family while we have been begun this journey or grieving well.

After the celebration of Lincoln’s life on June 6th, 2022 our family and our community of friends all gathered outside on the church sidewalk hugging, crying, clinging to each other for comfort, and giving Lincoln one last shout of “Weeee looooove youuuuu!!” (A family tradition we do when we leave each other’s homes). Then his earthly body was driven away.

I stood back and looked at the crowd gathered across the front of the church. Incredible!

If you were there you may have seen me back up and snap a picture of all of you, our tribe, in the moment that we needed you most. Thank you for being there.

You haven’t seen that picture anywhere online, because I wanted that picture for us.

I printed it out and tucked it into an envelope to remind my brother and sister-in-law in the coming years that Lincoln’s life was grand and his impact was profound. Whenever we need that reminder, I know we can reach out to one of you in that photo.

Lincoln Joseph McCormick

You guys, my nephew was so incredible in so many ways! I have heard countless stories of how he touched people in this community and I can’t help but smile at how well he lived his life.

God blessed us with 8 1/2 years with Lincoln. As his aunt, would I have liked more? Absolutely! Yet, I am finding a way in my head and heart to trust God’s plan.

I know the story of his life and his good character will keep impacting this world. Our family will never forget his bravery, courage, and the way he got so amped up when telling a good story! Lincoln could captivate an audience just as his namesake/great-grandfather could.

I want to remind his parents (my brother and sister-in-law), and myself, of the way we felt loved and supported on our toughest days.

Over the past several weeks so many people in our community have shared stories that have touched my heart like never before. Some have been about Lincoln, some about their own grief and loss, and the memories and emotions they have been flooded with while watching us grieve.

Some friendly faces at the funeral and visitation hadn’t met Lincoln but were there this past week because they love one of us.

We love you, too. Thank you.

I pray that from this day forward we will all remember what it means to “just show up”.

Even when we feel awkward and don’t think we have the right words, showing up and being present matters. I can assure you I have forgotten many of the specific words that were said to me, but I remember the way people have made me feel.

I have a greater appreciation of what the word “community” truly means.

Life is precious and fragile. Please, be gentle with yourself and others. Live well, go do things that make you happy, and take more pictures.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

Psalm 116:15 ESV

When you think of my nephew, Lincoln Joseph McCormick, I hope you envision him nestled safely in the arms of Jesus, smiling. I hope his name and any memory you have of him make YOU smile.

Review: JoyJolt 12 Piece Knife Set (Unboxing Video and Photos Included)

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I’ve been using JoyJolt Knives in my kitchen to see how they compare to my expensive Cutco knives that were purchased through a super helpful rep at a Home Show. I love my two Cutco knives (Hardy Slicer & Cheese Knife) so much that I literally donated every other knife in my kitchen a few years ago.

Since then I have tried a few different cheese knives because I’d like to add one more to our drawer for when we’re all in the kitchen prepping food together (it’s rarely used for cheese). They have ALL been sent back UNTIL JoyJolt showed up in my kitchen.

I found some real keepers here! You know it’s good if I allow it a permanent place in my home, as I am very particular about curating a minimalist home and avoiding clutter.

You guys, I expected to have all sorts of constructive criticism about this set, but it is actually super incredible. Out of the 6 knives, there is only one that I do not think our family would use, which is the Santoku. This is just a personal preference based on what we cut and dice up here. I didn’t think it was better or more unique than the other knives, so it isn’t necessary to have a duplicate that can do the same job another knife can do. I will give it another try before I decided if I’ll pass it along to another home.

The JoyJolt paring knife is the best I’ve used, anywhere, ever! So far this JoyJolt paring knife has perfomed better than my previously owned Cutco paring knife (which I sold, as I didn’t love it or feel confident using it).

I appreciate that this whole set of 6 knives is under $20 and that makes me feel a tad foolish that I spent about $100 on one single Cutco Cheese Knife (although it has served us well for 6 years and will keep getting used multiple times a day).

The JoyJolt set comes with sheaths, which I had to purchase separately for my other brand of knives AND pay shipping. Many knife companies don’t even offer this. Don’t underestimate this accessory. It helps protect YOU while you reach for the knife in the drawer, AND it preserves the life of the blade, keeping it sharper longer.

If you don’t love something in your kitchen (or anywhere in your home), seek out something better.

Every drawer and cupboard in your kitchen should be filled with things that serve you well and function just as you expect them to.

JoyJolt offers more than just knives, they have a beautiful line of glassware and more.

Favorite Bible For Pre-Teen and Teen Boys

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If you are looking for a great bible for a pre-teen or teen, and really, boy or girl, I encourage you to check out The Action Bible. Our son, who is now 14, loves this book! When he first got it he was 10 years old and the graphic images were a little startling. It did not make a great bedtime story in that season!

We put it on a shelf and let him go to it when he was ready. As he got older it has been his go-to for free reading. He loves sharing it with his friends and has taken it to church on occasion to show the kids in his Confirmation class.

We also purchased the Audible Version of this title. My husband, Mr. Awesome, went through this whole book with the kids using the audiobook and physical book (almost TWICE!) to create a fun experience. The audiobook is VERY well done!

There is also a devotional in this series that we have, but that is totally optional. We’ve found that has spent more time on the bookshelf than in the hands of the owner.

We also have the Easter Story on Kindle from this series and it is equally engaging as God’s Redemptive Story!

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