Thursday, May 16, 2013

We Survived the First Year!


These two couldn't be happier to be back home! LOL

and now, we get to tackle all of this!


There are a few other suitcases out of the cameras view, but the girl did good!  She had everything but some clothes (which we were bringing suitcases for) all packed neatly and ready to go. 

As we were fighting the other students and parents taking things to their cars (how many can fit in an elevator???), we got more comments about how organized and neat she was!!!  Most were juggling overflowing laundry bags, baskets, clothes on hangers.  One mom was even carrying a wind chime while trying to juggle other miscellaneous items.

We walked by many rooms that literally looked like a bomb had just gone off!!  Welcome to the life of a college freshman living in tight quarters.

My hubby just laughed..."the girls obviously got mom's organizing gene!"  Pretty much.

It will take us a couple days to unwind and unpack, and then I have jury duty next week, so I hope to be able to blog a little more frequently after that.

Hope everyone is enjoying the end of the school year!!

Friday, May 10, 2013

Help Wanted: Mother


Job Description:

MOST Coveted
     MOST Demanding
   MOST Rewarding



Experience:  None

Hours:  Not Enough In the Day

Pay:  Hugs and Kisses

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: " Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.  Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs 31: 28-31

Praying you all have a Wonderful and Blessed
Mother's Day!

The peonies in my garden bloomed just in time!  Aren't they gorgeous?  


Wednesday, May 8, 2013

What's for Dinner Wednesday~

Who's in the mood for pizza?

It is no secret...we love our pizza! But, fresh is always best...no frozen store bought boxes in this house.

Tonight-Loaded Baked Potato Pizza

Ingredients:

1 can (13.8oz) Pillsbury refrigerated classic pizza crust (we purchased fresh pizza dough at Whole Foods, you can also find it at Trader Joes as well)
1 medium white potato
1 TBS Crisco Pure Olive Oil (any olive oil will do, we prefer Newman's Own Extra Virgin)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 Box (10 oz) Green Giant frozen broccoli and cheese sauce (we purchased organic frozen broccoli florets at Whole Foods instead and steamed for about 4-5 minutes in the microwave)
2/3 C sour cream
1 TBS ranch dressing
1 C shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese blend (4oz) ***we grated our own blend, we also found that you really need a bit more if you are not using the broccoli with the cheese sauce, so I would double.
5 slices cooked bacon, coarsely chopped
1 small tomato, seeded, chopped (1/2C)
2 medium green onions, chopped (2 TBS)

Directions:

Heat oven to 375*.  Spray large cookie sheet with Crisco Original No-Stick Cooking Spray.  Unroll pizza crust dough on cookie sheet.  Press dough into 13X9-inch rectangular.  Bake 10-13 minutes or until crust is light golden brown.  Remove from oven and set aside.

(We used fresh dough from Whole Foods, roll out into a circular shape on cold counter top using corn meal-this prevents it from sticking.  We place ours on a preheated pizza stone to bake, until golden brown).

Meanwhile, pierce potato with fork; place on microwaveable paper towel in the microwave oven.  Microwave 4-5 minutes, turning once, until tender.  Cover; let stand 5 minutes.  When potato is cool enough to handle, peel potato and cut into 1/4 inch thick cubes (1 C).  In small bowl, mix potato, oil, salt and pepper; set aside.

Cook broccoli in microwave as directed on box.  Empty from pouch into another small bowl to cool slightly; set aside (or steam frozen for 4-5 minutes).

In another small bowl, mix sour cream and ranch dressing.  Spread mixture over pizza crust to within 1/2 inch of edges of crust.  Sprinkle 1/2 cup of cheese (a little more if not using the broccoli with cheese) evenly over sour cream mixture.  Sprinkle with bacon.

Spread broccoli mixture and potato mixture evenly over the bacon.  Sprinkle tomato, onions, and remaining cheese (1/2 C or so) evenly over potato mixture.

Bake 15-22 minutes longer or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted.  Let stand 5 minutes before cutting.


It was so yummy!  The sour cream and ranch combined, and used as a base, are similar to a white pizza using ricotta.

Enjoy!!