Miscellany Monday

Carissa at lowercase letters is hosting Miscellany Monday. It's fun to link up and just let random thoughts come out and into print!

{1} I love spending time with my Mom. She is always right about so many things... I look to her for advise and help. She never lets me down. I wish I could spend much more time with her. I thought once I stopped working we would be joined at the hip....that hasn't happened yet! I want to try to make date times with her... and keep them!
{2} We made homemade pizza Thursday. It was so good. The crust is so easy to make. It only has four or five ingredients....so simple and soooo good! Find the recipe here.
{3} I love when this fur ball lays on my pillow and waits for me to come to bed!! Yes, he gives me allergies but I love him! And his sweet little warm body snuggled up next to me, actually ON me, feels so relaxing... even his snoring puts me to sleep!

{4} I've got some weird habits... I admit it. One thing that I HAVE to do or it drives me nuts is to make sure the knife block if complete. If there are knives missing I feel anxious...seriously! I need it to be complete. Also, when I clean, no matter how dirty another room might be, I HAVE to start with the kitchen first...is that crazy?

{5} I love, love coffee. But I love, love, LOVE the smell of instant coffee. I don't drink instant coffee, no. But I do love the smell of it!

{6} I got my Southern Living Annual Recipes in the mail Saturday. I had completely forgot that I ordered it. I was still working when I ordered it! HA! So it was a nice surprise to have that box in the mail. There are so many good recipes!! The first thing I am going to make is Praline Apple Bread. It's easy enough and sounds sooo good. I thought I bough all the ingredients yesterday but I forgot the sour creme. Ahhhh....another trip to the grocery store!

{7} Today is exactly one month since I was fired. I am finally not waking up at 4:30 a.m. out of habit! Thank Goodness! I do get to sleep later and wake up when I want to, which is usually between 7-8, but I do stay busier than I thought I would. I had imagined mornings with my roses drinking coffee... watching HGTV...cooking... I do cook, and clean, and do invoices, and wash clothes, and sweep like 1400 times a day thanks to Toby's shedding...it is NON-STOP!! Sometimes I think I need to hurry and get back to work just so I can get a break... ok, I kid! But seriously.... Stay at home moms STAY BUSY!

Homemade Pizza

One things the girls and I love to make is homemade pizza. Papa Bear loves it when we make it. So, Thursday I had already taken stuff out to make pasta with Italian sausage and an Italian salad. Then it donned on me... let's just make pizza....(dough recipe at bottom of post)

And so we did......
The recipe I use is fast and easy.

There are very few ingredients.

I think only four or five to be exact. And rising time is only two hours!! Amazing!

Did I mention how very, very good the dough is?

And did I mention how very, very much fun my girls had helping me make it?

I think a little too much fun!

I was just happy they wanted to help!

I look terrible, like I'm half-bald here...but we needed one group picture, right?

While the dough was rising I glanced over at Lena and she was wearing Emil's glasses thingy he wears to check stones....

So, the dough was punched down and left to rise again for 30 mins.

Then it was time to decorate our dough!

I do have a pizza stone but I seriously don't like using it. Once I put my dough on there it starts shriveling up and getting small....the sides pull in...it's just not something I plan to use unless I absolutely HAVE to...or maybe I just am not using it right?!?!

So for now I use my old cookie sheet....and it works perfectly!
The pizza was absolutely delicious! There were a few dough balls left so the girls had pizza for breakfast the next morning. Papa Bear wanted me to make us breakfast pizza but that didn't happen this time.

I remember when I was in high school and the grocery store near my school had a breakfast deli. Sometimes Mom and I would wake up early and she would take me to H-E-B and we would get breakfast pizza. She would drink coffee, I had soda, then she dropped me off at school. Ohhhh, sometimes I wish I could go back to those simpler times!

Anyhow...my dough recipe is from Teresa Guidice's cookbook "Skinny Italian." Let me tell you it is soooo good! If you don't have one I highly recommend you find one. Right now they are selling on Amazon for around $11! I like to keep things real and all her recipes are simple and easy to make, with REAL attainable ingredients. I simply HATE recipes that call for all this weird, crazy, hard to find ingredients that you will probably never use again in your life! Well, at least not for a really loooooong time, or until you make that recipe again!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So this is the simple recipe for Teresa's

"Old World Pizza Dough"

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for rising

1 1/4 tsp. instant bread machine yeast

4 1/2 cups bread flour, as needed

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

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1. To make the dough by hand, combine 1 3/4 cups cold water, the oil and yeast in a large bowl.

Stir in 1 cup of the flour and the salt. Gradually stir in remaining flour to make a sticky dough that us too stiff to stir. Turn the dough on a well floured work surface. (Mine never leaves the bowl!) Knead about five minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic, when you stretch it a couple of inches in opposite directions it will snap back into shape. The dough will be slightly sticky so don't over-flour it.

2. Cut the dough in 6 equal parts. (I cut my dough in about 8 parts. This size works better for us.) Pour a couple of tablespoons of olive oil into a 13x9 baking dish. Place each ball into the dish, turn to completely coat with oil. Cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let the dough stand at room temperature until the balls double in size, about 1 1/2 hours. Punch the balls down, recover and let them rise again, about 30 minutes.

3. Preheat oven to 475. Top with your favorite toppings. Pizzas should bake 8-10 minutes. The dough will start to brown and "blister."

Honestly, this is the easiest, fastest, most delicious homemade dough you will ever make! Trust me!!!

Five Question Friday

It's time again for Five Question Friday. I really enjoy participating each week and it's fun to get to know more about other bloggers!

{1.} Do you feel guilty spending money on yourself?

Now, yes. When I worked, no! Just a while ago the girls and I were talking about our spending before I quit working and our spending now. Before my check was just that, MY check. I paid my credit card bills and the rest went to things the girls and I wanted to do. In all honesty, what I brought home in two weeks my husband can make in half a day, so it's not like we relied heavily on my check. So when I worked I always bought things for myself. The girls and Emil were ALWAYS first, then I would treat myself. Now that I'm not working I am just so thankful to be home with my family I haven't really even thought about spending anything on myself. I guess I would feel guilty since I am not personally bringing home any income. And that does bother me.

{2.} How well do you know your neighbors?

My next door neighbor yes. We have a love/hate relationship. We always say if we move THEY will be the cause of it. You can read all about how he allows his dogs to poopy in my yard here AND how they didn't want to pay for trash service and would put like 12 bags of trash in front of my house! And when I complained to the HOA and trash service he had the nerve to confront me one morning and asked me if I had a problem with him putting his trash in front of my house!!! The thing that first ticked me off about them happened when we first moved in. If you have ever read my blog you know how me and my Charlie are absolutely, definitely, deeply in love. Their two little terrible boys (who would also poopy in the yard) would chase Charlie and tease him to no end. So he started hissing at them. Duh! Well, my neighbor took it upon herself to call the HOA and tell them that every time they walked past my house my cat would lift his tail and defecate at them! Really?!?!

Just last week our neighbor knocked on my door and asked if he could use my water hose. He said they are so broke he doesn't have money to buy a water hose so of course I said yes. Well, a few days ago he knocked on my door and asked me if I had a stud finder. They bought a 50 inch flat screen and he needed it to hang the TV on his wall!! He still hasn't fixed the fence that broke from the storm in June (first picture shows the fence then. Now it's completely fallen down and ivy and weeds growing over it) because he told me when he was borrowing the water hose that he didn't have the $20-$30 to buy the boards.... hmmmm.... ok. Makes total sense, right?

{3.} What age are you looking forward to being?

When I was younger I always thought being 17 was soooo cool. Then I thought man, 30 will be awesome. And it is. I am so much more settled now than I was before. I used to look back at my mom, thinking she was crazy to have me at 32. It seemed so old and I just couldn't figure out how or WHY she would want to have a baby at that age. Now, I get it! I think now, in my thirties, I am so much more able to be a mother. I feel like I have it figured out now. I know so many things now that I didn't know then. I'm glad I know it now and my children are still young enough that I can still teach them these things and guide them in the right direction. So, now in my thirties, I am looking forward to my forties. I'm not afraid and scared... I'm ready!

{4.} Do you get excited when the mail comes? Why?

When I worked, yes....because..... I would buy something almost daily on eBay. Thanks to my eBay app...haha! Now not so much anymore...except when my three favorite magazines come...

Southern Living, House Beautiful and Country Living... and now I have time to read them!!

{5.} What is your earliest childhood memory?

Earliest...it's pretty private so I'm not sharing that. But the next one is definitely one of my favorite and funniest!!!

My cousin (a boy) is only two months older than me and he hated Barbie dolls, which I had several of. He would spend alot of time with me and my mom. My mom had a rocking chair and her lap in that chair was reserved FOR ME!!! Well, Michael was spending the night one night and he wanted her to rocky him...and she did!!! I did. not. like. that. at. all! Sooooo, the next morning I decided to show him who was boss! We sat at the breakfast table. Mom gave us both cereal. Michael opened his mouth real wide to eat a big spoonful of cereal....instead...he got my Barbie doll head! He hated Barbies but hated their hair more. The doll hair would make him nauseous...still does today. So once I took the Barbie out of his mouth he was vomiting and gagging...and I told him.. "You shouldn't let other peoples Mom rocky you!"

Girls Day Out with Lena

Saturday Lena and I had a small girls day out. Lisa was MOD at the Gunter. She called me and told me LaTricia was coming over and since Lena hadn't seen the hotel I should meet her over there, she would treat us to lunch. (Sorry Mom, I know I lied to you but I didn't want you to be mad I stayed so long there...I just needed that distraction after the horrible week we had!)

Since CC was with my mom, Lena and I headed over. My stomach still wasn't the best and I was afraid of eating but I grabbed my Sprite, which became my breakfast, lunch and dinner last week, and we took off. We went up to the third floor. Lisa told us to take the middle or third elevator because the first elevator is the one the security guards see a white mist coming out of at night. Yeah.... I won't be taking that one. So we went up to the third floor and waited in Lisa's office til LaTricia got there. Lisa was texting me that morning and telling me that office beside her, with the white blinds, is where ALOT of activity happens. Just that morning there was lots of banging around and noise. Lisa was the only person on the third floor...she told it to quite down and it did.
Once LaTricia came we headed down to the restaurant to have lunch. Usually there is a pasta and salad bar but on the weekend you just order from the menu. Lena had the Mediterranean salad. She loved it!

I had the tuna croissant. It was the BEST tuna I have ever had in my life!! (See my Sprite?)

Lisa had an Asian salad... it looked soooo good!!

And LaTricia had the Chicken Ceasar Salad....

LaTricia and Lisa

This is not a very good picture of me with Lena. We both look tired...we probably were but I wanted to put at least ONE picture of us on here.

LaTricia, Lisa and Lena. "The Stairs" behind them. Lena wanted to see the stairs but since it was the weekend no one was there to open it. All the meeting rooms were closed too so I promised Lena we would go back during the week so she can see that.

After a short tour (we wanted to get back to Mom and CC and I wasn't feeling to great) we grabbed desert at the hotel bakery and sat outside to eat it. The patio is just across from the Majestic Theatre. I look forward to going again when the weather gets cooler and just sitting out there and people watching!

And me... I don't know if I should have even put this on there. I look terrible!! But I'm keeping it real!! HAHA!

I had fun with Lena and I'm looking forward to spending more time with my precious little angel.
Believe me when I say she is such a fun little girl! I love her more and more each day. She has more energy that I've ever seen someone have in my life...but it makes her who she is. And I love that!!! I never got to see this side of her before when I worked so much. It's like I'm learning who she is all over again...and it is amazing!!!

What I've Been Cooking...

Since I am not working it seems a huge part of my day is spent in the kitchen. I love to cook, so I am happy spending so much time there!

This past weekend has been no exception. I haven't blogged much and when I sat down at the computer to download my pics I realized why.....

I have been non-stop cooking!!!

I have to start this photo post with a little shot of perfection....
And this beautiful sunset. I think I took this photo Saturday evening. It was just so pretty I couldn't pass it up!

So Friday evening I decided to make fajita nachos for us....

Top them with guacamole and sour creme...delicious!! I decided not to use beans this time.

I just realized I uploaded these pictures a little out of order...

This is Sunday's dinner. I never tried this brand before but I was suprised with how good it was!

The veggies were big...

And so were the shrimp....

And while they meal was cooking on the stove I found Lena and Toby napping on my bed!

The garlic shrimp looked good and smelled good!!

But most importantly, it tasted good!!!

Saturday night I made the Russian potatoe salad and meat piroshki. I didn't take any photographs of those but I did photograph the potatoe and mushroom piroshi I made Sunday morning.

My mashed potatoe with mushroom mixture.

The stuffed piroshki ready to go in the oven. The last ones always have the best shape!

Out of the oven and buttered...and oh, so delicious!

CC hates mushrooms but likes these piroshki. So she grabbed one and started eating it. Lena asked me what other things you can put inside and I was telling her. Then CC asked really sly, "And what about mushrooms? Do you put those inside too?" I had to turn my head so she wouldn't see me smiling. I was honestly hoping she wouldn't notice...but she did!

Last Saturday Lena and I had a fun girls day out. It went by faster than I would have liked but I plan to do it again...soon! She is such a fun, interesting little person and I love spending time with her. It seems like since I stopped working we have really bonded and gotten close and I love it! I love the little person that she is, funny, cute, annoying! But I love it all!!! And I am so thankful that I have had this time to spend with the girls.

I haven't found a job yet. I am applying and looking, but nothing has come my way. When the right job comes I will know it. I'm not going to rush into something just to have a job. I want to be somewhere I really will enjoy being and doing something I will enjoy doing.

We finally got the rain I had been wanting. Hermine gave us record setting amounts yesterday. It rained hard all day...and hard sporadically today. The grass loved it..my roses seem to have loved it. I just wish for another couple of rainy days...but not as bad as yesterday. Several people were with out electricity, Mom included. She came and spent the evening with us. I made pelmini soup for us. It was my first time and man that was good too. I added sour creme in my soup. Sierra also made rice krispies for us. We both forgot the butter but they came out really good too. So good in fact that there is only one left!!

Miscellany Monday

It's Monday already?!?! This weekend went by so fast!! It seems like I blinked and it was gone.



Soooo..... let's get started with my miscellany monday post!



{1} I said over and over that I wish just once it would rain super hard before I have to go back to work. I wanted at least two days of hard non-stop rain. The kind that makes you want to stay inside and bake and cook all day.....Well..... Hermine is headed straight for us and we are looking at the next 2.5 days full of rain!! YAY!!! I love the sound of the rain hitting the fireplace chimney. I love the sound it makes on the windows. I love how it washes away the dirty and the ugly and offers a clean slate....and usually a pretty rainbow!



{2} When one door closes another truly opens. I believe faith opens that other door. And what lies behind that door is exactly what you make it!

[3} Cutting the grass is theraputic! There is something about getting down and dirty and sweaty. I actually LOVE cutting my grass!! I love that I can make it as short as I like it and make sure that the edges are cut down to perfection. When it comes to things like this I do feel I have some control issues!!

{4} I wish I could spend much more time with my mom. I love just sitting and talking with her. I love running around and doing errands with her. Now that I'm not working I no longer feel rushed during our visits and that feels good! But I would like to make an effort to spend more time with her during the week.

{5} We've rented redbox movies and plan to spend these next few rainy days baking, cooking and watching movies. I can't think of anything else I would rather be doing!!!

{6} When we went to the library I check out a book titled, "I Was Born a Slave." It's first hand accounts from slaves given once they reached freedom. It is so moving. I always read about slavery but NEVER thought of it from their point of view. These few passages touched my heart...broke my heart. It's unimaginable to believe these things actually happened...
These passages are told by freed slave Henry Bibb...

"A slave may be bought and sold in market like an ox. He is liable to be sold off to a distant land from his family. He is bound in chains hand and foot; and his sufferings are aggravated a hundred fold, by the terrible thought, that he is not allowed to struggle against misfortune, corporeal punishment, insults and outrages comitted upon himself and family; and he is not allowed to help himself, to resist or escape the blow, which he sees impending over him."

This passage is in reference to what he experienced when he and his wife had a daughter and they had to leaver her to crawl about while they worked all day in the field.

"She was left at the house to creep under the feet of an unmerciful old mistress, whom I have known to slap with her hand the face of little Frances, for crying after her mother, until her face was left black and blue. I recollect Malinda and myself came from the field one summer's day at noon, and poor little Frances came creeping to her mother smiling, but with large drops standing in her dear little eyes, sobbing and trying to tell her mother tht she had been abused, but was not able to utter a word. Her little face was bruised black with the whole print of Mrs. Gatewood's hand. This print was plainly to be seen for eight days after it was done....Who can imagine what could be the feelings of a father and mother, when looking upon their infant child whipped and tortured with impunity, and they placed in a situation where they could afford it no protection."

This book is such an eye-opener. I plan to spend these next few rainy days with my nose buried in the book, reading their first hand accounts...

Five Question Friday

I usually put the 5QF logo at the beginning of each blog. However, right now I am getting my tires replaced, so answers to the questions is all I can do!

{1.} What do you do when you have time to yourself?

Read. I usually just sit down and open my book and read. I love to read but I what I love more is not being interrupted when I read.

I also ... blog! When I try to blog while helping the girls with school work or helping Papa Beat with work it can take me an hour or more to write a simple quick post!
Sometimes I wait til the girls are in bed (which can be late!) and then I sit down to blog. Those nights I usually get to bed around 2 a.m.!!!

{2.} When you look out your kitchen window, what do you see?

My rose bushes. For years I complained that everyone else had rose bushes and I hated that big ugly bush in front if the house. Well, the ugly bush is still there, but for my 32nd birthday my Papa Bear and the girls made me a rose garden in the back yard. Originally there was a yellow rose bush, white Kennedy rose, magenta double knockout, the most beautiful Peace rose and a regular red cutter rose bush. All have thrived and produced beautiful roses except for the yellow bush. The Texas sun claimed it. It sat in direct sun for many hours during the day and it just couldn't make it.

{3.} Who/What would you want to be reincarnated as?

I've never thought of this, possibly because I don't believe in reincarnation. But if I did I would want to be an artsy hippie living somewhere by the beach. That seems perfect and relaxing!

{4.} What is your biggest pet peeve about other people's kids?

Behavior. I simply cannot stand it when children talk back or speak disrespectfully to their parents. I don't like children who hit, cuss, run around, hide in clothing racks, scream, whine... I really REALLY cannot stand (almost HATE) whiny children, children who interrupt, don't listen... I think you get the point.

{5.} Regular or Diet soda?

Both. I've read that Diet is bad for you because if the chemicals, but then all the calories in Regular are just astronomical!! Sooo I switch it out. Usually I will just stick with Sweet Tea!


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