Recipes- Pizza

Need an idea for a fun dinner on New Year's Eve? How about homemade pizzas. Our favorite sauce recipe is Papa John's Copycat (Food.com #108447). I use tomato sauce instead of paste and water (8 oz = half batch = 1 pizza).


If you'd like to make your own crust, this is a good recipe for Stuffed Crusts (Food.com #36121).

We've been making pizza's each week on Friday night. The kids love making their own (from shaping and pricking the dough to making up their crazy toppings). I enjoy making funky toppings like Fajita's or BBQ Chicken to go on top the crust.

The other crust I've been enjoying is from the book "Breaking Bread with Father Dominic". What I find interesting (different) about his recipe is that it uses brown sugar and olive oil. I searched and searched online for a posting of this recipe but couldn't find one. Since it is copyrighted, if you are interested in it, I'd have to say to look the book up at your local library. ;)

My best HOME BAKING TIP comes from my cousin, Bobby. He taught me to precook your crust for 10-15 minutes at a VERY hot temperature (450°-500°F) then add your toppings and cook 10-12 more minutes. This will help your crust "hold up". ;)

As always, I love to hear if you've made use of any of my favorite recipes and how they worked for you. Enjoy!

My Review of Gigaware 7" Hi-Res Digital Photo Frame

Originally submitted at RadioShack

Display your favorite photos on your desk with the Gigaware 7-inch high-resolution digital photo frame.

Gigaware® 7" Hi-Res Digital Photo Frame

Still Lovin' It!

4out of 5

Pros: Easy Photo Upload, Clear Image, Viewable from Many Angles, Quality Construction, Easy To Use, Attractive Design

Cons: Buttons on the Back, Photos Always Same Order

Best Uses: Photography Display, Home Decor, Desk, Gift

Describe Yourself: Quality Oriented

Primary use: Personal

Was this a gift?: No

Just returned from my Aunt's House, where this item is used. I played with it when we first got it (around Christmas) and again just now. Still loving the ease of use. Just turn it on and the show begins! Occasionally, it stops displaying photos, she turns it off, resets the memory card, and turns it on... it's good to go.

While there, we ran the same file folder through my laptops screen saver, and we noticed this picture frame was much easier to view from any angle, while the computer screen has to be tilted to just the right angle. After comparing them side, but side, I'd still like to have one of these frames for myself (since it's just so easy to see from anywhere in the room).

The "Random" photos tend to alternate between two spots in the file list, jumping from point A to point B, and moving forward one photo at a time (A1, B1, A2, B2, A3, B3, etc). This works well for watching an ongoing story.

Every time the display is turned on, it starts at the very beginning, so, it takes many hours before she can see the "newest" photos in the group. With over 1500 photos currently on the disc, it would be nice if it would start at a different point each time, or at least remember where it was at when it was turned off. Or perhaps, it truly could be a RANDOM display of the images. Perhaps the software could have options of how to display the images (sequential, random, and always start at beginning).

The play, pause, forward and rewind buttons work well, but being on the back of the display, she seldom uses them. I think these buttons would receive more use if they were on the front of the frame.

Even with the images always starting over and the buttons on the back, I'm still thinking of getting one of these for my own home. It's got such great image quality and is just tranquil to sit and watch!

(legalese)

Terry Goodkind The Sword of Truth Quote

To all those I've interested in Terry Goodkind's "Sword of Truth" Books and or "Legends of the Seeker" TV Series-

Here's a little quote from the book series I recently enjoyed.

"Cara, you and Raina stay here, along with Egan. Ulic, I'm sorry I yelled at you. ... Bernadine, ... you can come with me.

Nadine, rather than looking impressed, appeared dumbfounded... Nadine finally turned a haughty look on Richard. She folded her arms across her breasts.

"And are you going to boss me around, too? Are you going to tell me what to do, like you seem to enjoy doing to everyone else?"

Richard, rather than getting angry... looked more disinterested than ever.

"There are a lot of people fighting for our freedom. I lead those willing to fight for their own freedom and on behalf of innocent people who would otherwise be enslaved. I lead because circumstances have placed me in command. I don't do it for power or because I enjoy it. I do it because I must.

"To my enemies, or potential enemies, I deliver demands. To those loyal to me, I issue orders.

"You are neither, Nadine. Do as you wish.

-pg 60, Temple of the Winds (book 4, The Sword of Truth series) by Terry Goodkind

The last two paragraphs were the main ones I was looking for, the other gives you an idea of what's happening.

Yesterday I let something happen... I ran out of books! I normally request the next book when I start one, but Saturday night, with only 150 pages left in book 5 (Soul of the Fire) I realized I'd forgotten to request book 6 (Faith of the Fallen). I finished 150 pages by mid-afternoon. In the evening, I made up for it by watching this weeks' episode, 21 of Legend of the Seeker... but was disappointed because the story line strayed SO FAR from book 4 (Temple of the Winds), upon which it was based. Oh well! I still like the books, I guess I'll have to suffer the shows inadequacies!

Speaking of which, we looked it up, and Legend of the Seeker has been renewed for a second season... I only hope Hulu will continue to carry it next season!

Hulu - Legend of the Seeker - Terry Goodkind

I think I'm the last one in the world to find out about HULU. Everyone I mention it to, seems already to know about this internet resource for watching free movies and TV. I have an Amazon subscription to Season 8 of Smallville. From what I've seen, Hulu videos are of a better quality than the ones that I PAY FOR on Amazon!

The TV series that was pointed out to me, is in the Family Section, and is called Legend of the Seeker. The first few videos, Tom and I thought the acting was poor, but around the 4th episode, the actors seem to be "clicking" with each other and their characters. Now, we quite enjoy them. So much so, that I looked up the books (The Sword of Truth) that the TV series is based on... by Terry Goodkind. Currently, there are ELEVEN books in his series, plus a Prequel.

Since I'm sick, and my library has all of them, I'm devouring the books. In #1, Wizard's First Rule, there is one section in particular (Chapter 24) that is gory and gruesome and just nasty disgusting. I think I could have skipped those six pages and just been told that The Bad Guy is REALLY EVIL and I would have been happier. Still, I'm enjoying the books (on #2, Stone of Tears now), and if you pick up the first book, just skip chapter 24 to avoid being grossed out.

As far as the series versus the books. The main characters are fairly accurate. There are some scripts that seem to have been taken straight from the pages of the book. Most of the show though, uses the general ideas and traits from the book, and then mixes them up for story lines.

Even though the show isn't dead-on, it's close enough, and (since I watched it first) I enjoy reading the books and finding out the "real story" behind things.

Now, I need someone else to read these books, so I can compare notes with you and see what you think is going on in them!

Are there any other really cool websites I've been missing?

Postscript added 8 May 2009: I've had SO MANY people calling me about this series, I've currently got at least three people started reading with me, and at least three more ready to check the books out of their libraries.

I wanted to add a disclaimer / warning / rating. Now I'm on book four, and I know that this stuff is definitely "R" rated, for mature audiences, not anything I'd let me teens read. Not that many teens would willingly dive into a series of books nearly 9,000 pages and twelve books long, but I just wanted to throw that warning out there for those of you with kids that might be interested in Fantasy... I'd keep this away from them for a few more years. :)

The Home Depot Kids Club Workshops

Yesterday someone was telling me how much her son enjoys going to the Kids Club each month at the Home Depot. I remember seeing these long-ago, but not thinking about them for a while. Now though, my boys are the right age to enjoy them, maybe you have kids you know who would like them too.

Here's the blurb from The Home Depot on the Kids Workshops:

Designed for kids 5-12, these free workshops teach do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while instilling a sense of accomplishment. Offered on the first Saturday of each month between 9 a.m. and noon all Home Depot^® stores.

I guess the kids get their own orange Home Depot Work Apron then each month they get a pin/button/patch to attach for the project they've done. Best of all, the whole thing is free! :D

If you peek at the website you'll even see what projects are being done.

Today is the day for this month's workshop. I'm going to start taking my boys, maybe I'll see you there!

Game & Watch Sounds

Tom has a new work vehicle... like it was delivered to him two weeks ago with under 20 miles on it (he already has almost 1,500!) It's a 2009 Chevy Express Work Van.

Anyway, tonight was my first time driving it. When I used the turn-signals, I chuckled to myself at the sound they make... it took me a few seconds to place the sound... it's exactly the same as when the eggs are rolling down the chute in Nintendo's 1980's Classic Game & Watch Mickey Mouse Game!


This was my FAVORITE of the Game & Watch video games my Grandad brought back from his business trips to The Orient. He also brought us Parachute, folding Donkey Kong II and Greenhouse games.

I never could get my Mom to part with the original Mickey Mouse, so, a few years ago I went to trusty ol' eBay. I bid and WON... but was disappointed when all I received was an original INSTRUCTION MANUAL... no game. Don't you HATE IT when they auction shows a picture of one thing and lists text for another??!? I eventually won a functional game for myself, which sits prominetly on display on a shelf in my sewing room / studio.

Delicious Dinner

Yesterday I started cooking dinner at one in the afternoon. I continued working on it until it went on the table at 6:45. I was on my feet from the time my friend arrived to help at 3, until 6:45. Today I'm sore and tired, but the dinner was DELICIOUS! Here's our Menu:

• Au Jus ala Jessica (see recipe below)
  
• Homemade Buns - Wonderful! Terrific! Amazing! Even great COLD and PLAIN, straight out of fridge, the next morning!
  
• Steamed Rice - A good, simple side for this. Not really necessary, but nice to enjoy sauce on.
  
• Microwave Steamed Frozen Broccoli Pictsweet Deluxe Baby Broccoli Florets) - which was surprisingly delicious!
• Perfect Pie Crust (The Pioneeer Woman)
• Carmel Apple Pie (The Pioneeer Woman)

Actually, the dinner was so delicious, that even thought the pie looked amazing, we still haven't tasted it. After lunch we'll cut into it! ;)

Here's the recipe for the Au Jus & Roast:

Au Jus ala Jessica
by Jessica Cecrle
Summer 2007

Ingredients:

• Center Rump Roast
• S&P
• Onions – 3 med – sliced thinly
• Mushrooms – sliced thinly
• Butter
• Johnny's Au Jus Concentrate

1. Rub generous amounts of salt & pepper into roast.

2. Roast in oven 2-3 hours low heat (250 F' ish) to internal temperature of 145F.

3. Once the roast reaches about 145F, remove from the oven, be careful not to overcook this roast. (It's easy to do!) It should be a little pink when it comes from the oven because it will continue to cook a bit more on it's own. Let sit 10-20 minutes.

4. Thinly slice the meat (which will still be a bit pink – if it's too pink, just warm it a little in an oven),

5. Melt 2 T butter over medium-low heat. Add onions. Sauté slowly, adding more butter as needed until onions caramelize. At the end, add Mushrooms to onions or cook mushrooms separately.

6. Use drippings plus water to make Au Jus sauce according to directions on bottle.

Serving Suggestions:

1. Serve over steamed white rice.

2. Serve with Asparagus or other fresh green veggie.

8-10 Servings

A Good Book - Jane Heller's "Some Nerve"

On a whim I picked up a book at the library yesterday.



Tonight the 328 page piece of fiction has been thoroughly devoured. I enjoyed it! I'm quite pleased to discover that Jane Heller has written at least twelve other books besides "Some Nerve". Here's the an Editorial Review compliments of Amazon:

From Publishers Weekly
Ann Roth, 30, is living it up as an entertainment reporter for an L.A. celeb-gossip rag, hobnobbing with stars as she chases down the latest "big get" in Heller's latest entertaining romp (after An Ex to Grind). But trouble looms when the next big get turns out to be the famously grouchy, media-hating actor Malcolm Goddard, whose unwillingness to talk costs Ann her job. She moves back to her small Missouri hometown and gets a surprise second shot at her career when a (perhaps too) incredible coincidence sees Malcolm delivered incognito to the local hospital. A former classmate of Ann's who is now a hospital bigwig (and who has the hots for Ann) tries to impress her by sharing the secret of Goddard's presence. She scores face time with the actor by signing up for the hospital's volunteer program, which leads to unforeseen complications of the heart. Though Heller has a tendency to sum up the morals of her story in pat sentences ("The patients at Heartland General were beginning to teach me just how lucky I was"), she makes up for it with quirky, hooks-in-you prose. The ending is an inevitably happy one, but the road to it is full of twists and turns.

Movie Time - Hancock

Last night Tom and I went to a Special Engagement of Will Smith in Hancock. Since it was only playing one night, I mistakenly thought that it was at the end of it's run here and about to leave the theater. We were surprised to discover that we were in a Sneak Peek, Preview Showing. It was a very full house (though not packed). Even though it comes out today, the local theater will start playing it regularly next week ("small town").

Perhaps I should mention that I am a big Will Smith fan (though I haven't watched I Am Legend yet because it's so spooky/scary/sad.) In any case, like all of his movies that I've seen, I enjoyed this one too.

There was a Plot Twist that neither Tom nor I saw coming. I was good too!

Also, if you go to see it, stick around during the credits because there's an extra little bit during them.

Fun show! Glad I saw this action flick on the big-screen first. Enjoyed it. Might even go see it again... :D

Hello Legos; Goodbye Nails!

Well, if I had any hope of growing my nails out (it's always a touchy situation), it's GONE NOW!

Over the weekend we finally bought the boys two small Lego Creator kits. I've been eye-balling them for quite a while now, thinking the boys would like them. On a trip to a store, Tom, came up holding the very same two I've been thinking of getting... Train and Construction sets (they are both available in stores for $5 each, so disregard Amazon's atrocious Train price!)

Jack is amazing at doing puzzles! Frank also has an aptitude for fine motor skills and small puzzles. They regularly work on 50-100 piece puzzles. They also love the subject matter of these kits. So, even though the Lego sets are for "6-12 years" and my boys are 3 and 5, it has been just as I suspected... they love them! Actually, I've been amazed at how much time they are spending with these two small sets AND the fact that even Jack will build up his 73 piece train, from memory, to within a few pieces. I mean, when I got up this morning, he had everything but the smokestack and bell on train, with just one piece assembled out of order! This just stuns me! He and I built the train together ONE TIME yesterday, and at 3 he can remember the sequence within ONE piece! WOW!!!

Maybe I'm tooting my own kids' horns here, but I think it's impressive.

What I don't find impressive is what I see happening to my nails. I'm all too happy to take pieces apart for them, because they are building and learning and creating, but, as I said, those itty-bitty-pieces and my nails are going to be at odds. So. If anyone's come up with a good, easy way to get the teeny-tiny-pieces apart, PLEASE, let me know!!!

Amazing Athletic Shoes

Tom says he's going to rename me "Funky Feet" because for some reason my current shoes aren't getting along, odorifically, with my feet. Today, I refused to wear my shoes because I'd decided I HAD to get a new pair.

I went out TWICE looking for shoes. First time I went to JCPenny's, but they only had a handful of New Balance and they just didn't fit or weren't a color I liked. So tonight I went to Famous Footwear. They had like fifteen pair of New Balance! I started a pile with a few New Balance, a pair of Naturalizer, a pair of Sketchers, and a pair I'd never heard of, but they were right next to the New Balance, Asics. The Asics are AMAZING!!! I wore them around the store for about 20 mintues and then went back to my Ariat Riding Boots (not that I "ride" horses, but I have them, just in case). An hour later, my feet are still feeling good from the Asics!

Anyway, I just wanted to share my exciting new find. Basically, I find a brand and shoe that works for me and stick with it for a long-while, but every so often I'll try something else and then be delighted with what I've found. Today was one of those days.

Artemis is A.W.E.S.O.M.E.!!!

I know I recently told you about Artemis Fowl, but, MAN! Tom and I have REALLY been enjoying this series! We JUST finished listening to Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony (book 5) and, at the end, we both had these goofy grins on our faces.

These have just been really fun to listen to. On that note, the narrator, Nathaniel Parker has an AMAZING talent for Voice Acting! Each character (and species) have their own distinct sound / voice... it's just incredible to listen to him.

Really. If you haven't read / listened to Artemis Fowl yet, you REALLY need to do so. I want to talk with you about the stories, but I can't do that until you delve into them. Go to the library. Tell them you must have Artemis!


Suzy :D

PS: Have I made it clear to you yet that 1) I really enjoy Artemis Fowl, and 2) I want you to partake as well? ;)

A Great Literary Series

When preparing for my last road trip, I went to the library and checked out several audio-books on CD. One of them was a literary series that we are really enjoying. It is a:

• Young Adult Fictional Series.
• Written by a European.
• About a pre-pubescent boy.
• The main character is brilliant and extremely wealthy.
  
• Audio and Video rights to the series have been sold.
  

Sound familiar?

Sounds like Harry Potter by JK Rowling, right?

Well, what if I add these points:

• Written by a Irish Man.
• About a Criminal-Mastermind.
• Whose parents are alive and well.

Now do you know who it is?

Artemis Fowl. Written by Eoin Colfer. Currently, there are six books in the series with a movie in the works.

• Book 1 - Artemis Fowl
• Book 2 - Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident
• Book 3 - Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code
• Book 4 - Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception
• Book 5 - Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony
• Book 6 - Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox

There are also some supplemental materials out like The Artemis Fowl Files.

You should go check it out. Really. Go to your library and check it out! Then, in a few days (that's all it'll take to read the first book), let me know how much you enjoy it!

Signature Smallville Training

I just put together a block in a pattern I first found in December 2003, in the "365 Quilt Blocks a Year Perpetual Calendar" called "Twinkling Star". I modified the pattern so the you must sew a partial seam (as opposed to a nine-patch format). My modification makes it so all eight of the star points are complete pieces of fabric without seams in them. I've always enjoyed trying out blocks by making one of them... this block I keep making one of in different colors and fabrics (often with a black "background"). My husband and I think it's becoming my "signature block". I've even used it in block exchanges in the past (two times). I realize that I have a heart one and a snowman/Christmas Tree block stashed away. Now with this new pumpkin one, I think I'll keep making them (as the spirit moves me) so that I can piece a "holiday time" quilt with (at least) twelve blocks all the same "Twinkling Star" but different fabrics and themes in each block.

When Lois & Clark, The New Adventures of Superman first came out, I watched it faithfully. Besides Babylon 5, I can't think of any other TV series I've EVER watched each week on TV. In the past I wrote the producers asking for Lois & Clark to go to DVD. When it came out, I bought them, but I never watched them until this summer. I was still watching them while living with my cousins. After much arm twisting from the cousins, I started (slowly) watching Smallville. When I came home from Arizona sick last month, I threw myself on the Smallville Alter and watched 1/2 of season 2 and all of season 3 in ONE WEEK. I'm hooked! Last night I watched the season 4 finalie and began season 5. I was trembling at the end of 4... and my heartrate was still up two hours later! I can't believe I'm so "into" any TV show! I REALLY enjoy it! It's funny, I was never really a "Superman" fan before, but I'm quickly turning into one.

This gets me thinking... I have watched other TV series on DVD. I like the control you have over viewing with DVD's... like not having to wait a whole week between episodes and being able to watch as much or as little as you want, when you want. Anyway, here are the series I've enjoyed on DVD:

1. Sherlock Holmes with Jeremy Brett
2. Babylon 5
3. From The Earth to The Moon
4. Firefly
5. New Battlestar Galactica
6. Lois & Clark, The New Adventures of Superman
7. Smallville

These are listed in the order I viewed them, not the order I enjoyed them. Actually, I enjoyed them all. I think a lot of that has to do with the ability to control my viewing... oh yeah, I've also watched a lot of X-Files. But I watch those because my hubby's have wanted to watch them (hubby one and three), they were not things I generally watched without them. Oh! I just remembered another show I use to watch each week, with hubby two we watched "Who's Line Is It Anyway?" I liked that show; funny stuff.

Okay. I'm rambling. One other thing about the Smallville Season 4/5 show... I bit SEVEN nails watching it! I haven't bit so many fingernails in like SIX YEARS! It totally had me on the edge of my seat! Thanks alot Cousin Bobby! I'm COMPLETELY ADDICTED to Smallville now!

The one thing I dislike about cats is kitty litter. I hate dealing with scooping it and smelling it and ESPECIALLY how it tracks everywhere! I've always avoided dealing with litter by having indoor/outdoor cats. Currently though, my cat was adopted and had never been outside. She spazes out when I let her out. So, I (for the first time ever) have indoor cats. I'm also in a tiny apartment without room for the litter to be "stashed away". So, it's in my small bathroom. When we moved in, I ordered the "City Kitty" toilet training kit. After reading through it, I decided to wait until my trip to Arizona was done. As of today, I've started the kitty's on toilet training. Here's a picture of them checking it out right after I introduced it (to them and my boys). The biggest inconvience of this training is that we only have one toilet in the apartment, so, anytime you have to use the toilet, you first have to move the litter pan. With any luck though, we'll be toilet trained by the new year (it typically takes 4-6 weeks for cats to be fully trained). I look forward to a New Year without Kitty Litter sticking to my feet!

Suzy :S