Pizza...the Perfect Finish to a Good Ride

Pizza...in less than 45 min.

I love pizza....even the greasy, cardboard-crusty stuff they served at the college cafeteria. The only things I don't like about homemade pizza are the cost (why make my own when Little Caesars will sell us one for $5?) and the time. So many homemade crusts require a rising time...and premade crust is at least $2 a can. That's almost half the cost of a Little C's pizza! Anyway, I found a recipe that can be made in 40 minutes (give or take 5 min) which allows me to throw it in the oven after riding.

Preheat the oven to 400. While it's heating, make the crust:

2 1/2 c flour
1/2 t. salt
1 pkg. yeast

Mix those and make a well in the center. Add:

1 c. lukewarm water
1 T. olive oil

Mix well. Spread in a greased 9x13 pan. (I recommend investing in Pampered Chef pans. They are SO heavy and durable. You won't regret it!) Let the dough rest for 10 min and pop it in the oven to bake for 5 min. While it is baking, pull out some mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and pizza sauce. I used this time to make my own sauce. I used 1 8 oz can tomato sauce and 1 tsp marinara spice blend (from Market Spice).

When the crust comes out of the oven, coat it with sauce, put on about 4 cups of cheese, and add some pepperoni. Now for the good part. Lightly sprinkle with black pepper, generously sprinkle with oregano, and drizzle with about 2 tsp. olive oil. Bake for 15-20 min.


Awesome result--melt in your mouth and perfect seasoning. The perfect dinner after the perfect ride.

Bathroom happenings....

This winter we are working on remodeling (well, let's just say 'adding') our 3rd story bathroom. Why do I call it 'adding' a bathroom? Well, let's just say that referring to the space up there as a 'bathroom' was using the term loosely. Yes, there was a toilet, sink, and vanity mirror. These amenities were separated from the rest of the room by a half wall and...no door. The reasoning (a door was too much trouble?) the space had been used as a master bedroom. The couple apparently decided to eliminate midnight trips downstairs for the, ahem, facilities. My husband and I, on the other hand, much prefer the space on the 2nd story for our master bedroom. So....we decided to rip out the existing fixtures and wall, add a full height wall, and replace the half bath with a shower, new sink, and new...umm...crapper.

I will post pics when it is done-for now-what do you think of my shower inspiration? I found it in lowes.com gallery of pictures...check out their website for some great ideas!

Our layout is simple: door in the middle, shower on right, sink and toilet on left. Across from the door are three windows (which will be frosted to prevent peepers!) They will add lots of light to supplement the two additional lights we plan to add. The windows have original woodwork and some gorgeous crown molding. They have been a little dinged up and had a few paint splatters from somebody being sloppy. (It wasn't us, I swear.) After I lightly sanded a piece to get the paint off, I applied Miniwax Gel Stain. That stuff is awesome! I ended up brushing it on the entire piece. When spread thin it showcases the natural wood grain. When applied more thickly, it covers the paint splatters/drips, so NO sanding required!

The gel stain is Walnut over our house's original wood...I believe it is American Mahogany... but it could be something else. The dark finish is what it originally had, but someone had stripped the original finish, leaving a lighter wood. We prefer the original look, so we are trying to go back to that.

Crocheted Christmas

Dublin Scarf

I saw the pattern for this scarf and just HAD to make it! I loved the lacy look combined with the flowers...The only downside was the amount of yarn required-almost two whole skeins. (The pattern calls for wool yarn, but I used acrylic.) End product-- a versatile fashion accessory.

Here is the link for the pattern: Dublin Scarf

Christmas Cherry Winks

A Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookie

Since we are remodeling one of our bathrooms this winter, money is a little tight this Christmas. Considering the state of the finances, I decided to make as many gifts as possible this year. One of these homemade wonders will be a gift basket of home-cooked bread and cookies...including these lovely Christmas Cherry Winks (from The Christmas Cookie Cookbook by Trade Life Book). 

Christmas Cherry Winks

So...in between now and Christmas, I have several more batches of cookies to make. After all, a gift basket should have more than ONE type of cookie. This recipe is so delicious, with sweet cherry inside and chocolate all around, I just had to share it.

First, cream the butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. This is not the step to rush! Creaming is a very important process for a properly baked cookie. My KitchenAid makes this so easy! Just dump in, turn it on, and measure your dry ingredients while it mixes away.

After adding the dry ingredients, use the palms of your hand to roll the cookie into a perfect ball. (If you have trouble, ask your Kindergartener or First Grader for help. The kids in my classroom are masters at making symmetrical Play-Doh balls.) Then, put the ball on the ungreased cookie sheet and make a thumbprint in it. You should end up with 3-4 dozen balls, depending on their size. Place a maraschino cherry in each thumbprint before baking.

After the cookies are finished baking, make the frosting/glaze, and drizzle it over the cherries. Try to resist eating them all at once!

Recipe

1/2 c. cocoa

1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

1/4 t. each baking powder, baking soda, and salt

Mix these ingredients in a small bowl and set aside

Cream together:

1 stick butter (room temperature)

1 c. sugar

Then add:

1 egg

1 1/2 t. vanilla

And cream some more

Gradually add dry ingredients, scraping your bowl before you finish mixing. Make sure it is well blended. Then, form 1 inch balls and place on a cookie sheet. Make a thumbprint in each ball. and 

10 oz. jar maraschino cherries

Place a cherry in each thumbprint. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. After they are baked, transfer them to a cooling rack.

Frosting: 

6 oz. Chocolate Chips

1/2 c. sweetened condensed milk

4 t. maraschino cherry juice

While the cookies cool, melt the chocolate and milk over low heat, stirring constantly. Add cherry juice and drizzle over cookies.