October Recipe

Cherry Tomato Pizza Margherita

Bon Appétit | April 2010

by The Bon Appétit Test Kitchen

1 13.8-ounce tube refrigerated pizza dough
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 12-ounce bag cherry tomatoes, stemmed
1 garlic clove, pressed
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, coarsely crushed in plastic bag
1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1 4-ounce ball fresh mozzarella in water (ovoline), diced
4 ounces whole-milk mozzarella, diced
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil leaves plus small leaves for garnish

Position rack in top third of oven and preheat to 425°F. Unroll dough on heavy large baking sheet; pull to about 12x8-inch rectangle, pinching any tears to seal. Fold over edge of dough to make border.

Heat large skillet over high heat 2 minutes. Add oil, then tomatoes; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sauté until tomatoes are charred and beginning to break down, about 5 minutes. Transfer to large bowl. Mix in garlic, fennel, and crushed red pepper. Using back of fork, crush tomatoes in bowl, leaving large chunks intact. Season mixture with salt and pepper. Toss cheeses and chopped basil in medium bowl.

Sprinkle cheese mixture evenly over dough, right up to border. Spoon on tomato mixture in dollops, leaving some cheese uncovered. Bake pizza until crust is crisp and brown, 25 to 30 minutes.

Loosen pizza with metal spatula and slide onto board. Garnish with basil leaves.

Ramblings

I'm in a bit of a photography funk.  It always seems to be nighttime and I say, "yikes!  I haven't taken a picture yet today!"  But I am happy to report that today is day 276 and I have yet to miss a day!  I am getting a bit tired of taking pictures around my house though, and need to find a way to change things up for the last three months. . .

General Conference was amazing!  I'm once again inspired to be better and try harder.  And I'm going to try and not get discouraged in a day or two when I'm still me and not suddenly way more amazing.  ;)  Trying is the key.  Just keep trying.

I ate too many cinnamon rolls this weekend.

I love reading, but I always feel in a weird mood when I stop.  Does this happen to anyone else?  It's like I can't break out of the book and come back to reality.  I always wander around after, wondering what I should be doing or thinking about.  Perhaps this is why my favorite time to read is right before I fall asleep at night.

Hmmm, it's getting late enough, perhaps that is exactly what I shall now go and do.

September's Ten Things

Another month is almost over again. I'm linking up with Emmy Mom for Ten Things to Smile About this Month. Honestly, it took me a few minutes to even think what happened this month. My first thought was, "did we even do anything this month?" But looking it over, I realized it's been busy and great! Thanks for the reason to smile Emmy.

1.Ethan started Preschool and is loving it.  He even went on a field trip to the zoo!

 2.  I joined a Community Christmas Choir!!!  I am so excited to have the chance to sing more often and celebrate Christmas in one of my most favorite ways.

3.  We painted our computer room

 4.  We are making slow, but real potty training progress.  Madeline goes in the potty every night before bed now.  And one morning she woke up dry!

5.  I canned peaches with my mom

 6.  My sewing machine got fixed.  How can one live without it?

7.  We went to grandpa's house and picked pumpkins!

 8.  I got to go shopping with my mom and aunt

9.  Since the weather is still hot (not the thing to smile about) we did get to go to one more swimming party (that's the smiling part!)

10.  Todd and I recently purchased something very exciting!  It's not going to be delivered until next week though, so you'll just have to wait to find out what it is.  This particular thing makes me very happy!!!

Hide-and-Seek

Playing hide-and-seek in the backyard isn't very tricky.  There aren't THAT many places to hide. . .



But it's still fun!

From Ew to Blue!

Remember the way my craft room looked earlier this month?
Now it looks like this!

I am especially happy with how this wall picture hanger turned out. Perfect for a crafting area, I think. I love how I can change what is hanging according to mood or project: And the other side of the room is just as lovely a blue. And even has my hubby in the picture, doing open heart surgery on his guitar. (He finished successfully and now it sounds better than ever!)

Heres to new paint and a "new" room!

Zoo Day

Yesterday, I got to go with Ethan on his first preschool field trip. We went to Hogle Zoo.

The kids were very excited and all had on their matching school shirts:
As we approached this area, Ethan yelled out, "Whoa, those look like Orangutans!" He was right.

The other favorite was the giant gorilla sitting right by the window:

It was fun to be a part of his school for a day and enjoy seeing the animals with Ethan.

A New Favorite

I have a new favorite store. If you live around here, you should go and visit. But take money with you . . . or maybe don't. I could really spend a lot in there without even blinking!

Osmond Designs! Located in Lehi (151 E. State Street)

Oh my heart! I am in love with just about everything in there (though I still think I like the chairs in Down to Earth better than any chairs I've seen), I can't get over their wall art and accessories, their amazing leather furniture, and the bedding that they have. One of each, please?!

I got out of the store having only spent $25!! That's the other great thing about it, it's WAY cheaper than The Black Goose. And just as gorgeous. I got a beautiful metal swirling piece to hang over my bed. Sorry, no pictures. (I know, I know . . . totally out of character!)

I think I could go there a lot and buy something every time, and be happy. . .