Pizza Time!!!

Every Friday night we have pizza and movie night. It's a tradition we started about 5 years ago with movies such as "The Heffalump Movie" and "Charlotte's Web". Sweet, lovable movies. Now I sit and watch the likes of  "Star Wars" (many times over) and "Transformers" (cartoon edition), with a little "Bugs Bunny" thrown in there to keep Mom happy.

Our pizza choices have also changed with different jobs, job losses, and new positions. We used to order delivery because it was so nice to not go anywhere. I can't say that NEVER happens now, but if it does, it's usually the fresh and hot $5 pizzas from Little Cesars. It's not delivery, but it's close. Though yummy, those pizzas don't play well with my tummy. So.... most of the time it's homemade. "Mom's pizza" is cheap, easy, and ready within 1 1/2 hrs. I buy cheese from Costco and divide it up to freeze, and the sauce I make costs about $1 for 4 pizzas. Here's what my Friday afternoon looks like:

Sauce:

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp salt

1- 6 oz can tomato paste

1- 8ozz can tomato sauce

1/2 tsp sugar

1/8 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp oregano

1 T. olive oil

dash red pepper, optional

Makes 1 1/2 cups- enough for 4 pizzas if spread thinly

Quick Mix Pizza Dough

1 Cup water
2 T. olive oil
3- 3 1/2 cups flour (we use 2 1/2 cups white flour, 1 cup whole wheat flour)
1 pkg active dry yeast
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt

Heat water and olive oil to 120 degrees. In bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour with yeast, sugar, and salt. Add warm water and mix with electric mixer for 3 minutes. Stir in 1 1/2 cups additional flour by hand to form a soft dough (here's where I add 1/2 C white flour and 1 C whole wheat). Knead on a floured surface for 10 minutes (or with dough hook for 5-7 min), adding rest of flour as needed. Dough should be smooth and elastic but not sticky. Shape into ball and place in greased bowl. Cover with damp cloth. Let rise in a warm place about 45 minutes or until doubled in size. Punch down dough and divide in half.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Roll out pizza dough directly onto pizza pan or baking stone. Prick crust with fork, then parbake in oven for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven, add toppings, and return to oven to continue baking for 10-15 more minutes until done.

Makes 2 medium pizzas

Did you miss me?

I'm baaaaaack!

School has started and for the first time ever, all my boys are gone all day. It's a point in my life that I knew would come, but never really believed would be here. As I've said many times, this is a chapter 11 years in the making.

It's been a full week now that they have been in school. During the summer, and even last school year, I was asked what I will do with all my time. I had lofty plans to clean and organize my house from top to bottom. I wanted to finish all my projects that are nearly complete. I wanted to have meals planned out weeks ahead. These are all good goals, and ones that will probably, most likely happen, but for now I enjoy.

The house is quiet. The dog sleeps on the couch. I leisurely drink my coffee and think about what I WANT to do instead of what needs to be done in a short amount of time.

My first day alone I had a moment of panic. "What have I done? All my family is out in the world and I don't have a job, or set up any activity for me to do!!!" In that moment I took a breath...sat on the couch...painted my toe nails...started a knitting project...and smiled.

I love my children dearly, please don't get that wrong. I adore summer, winter, spring break so we can all be together. Somewhere along the line though I got too wound up. It has taken this still house to recognize how burnt out I was.

So, no, my house is not dusted yet. Boys rooms are not organized and purged. But, when they get home from school, I am excited to see them. I have fulfilled whatever need I have to accomplish (or not accomplish) "my stuff" and am ready to greet them and give them my full attention.