Calzones

We made calzones for dinner this evening, and they were a huge hit. These were better than calzones I think I’ve ever had at a restaurant.(Mostly thanks to my husband who had spent a few years in the pizza biz back in the day)

What you’ll need:

Dough:

1/2 Tbsp active dry yeast

1 cup warm water

2 cups bread flour

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons white sugar

Toppings: (you can use any pizza toppings, but this is what we used)

Mozzarella cheese

1 can cubed pineapple

1 bag of diced ham

1/4 cup alfredo sauce

1/4 cup thinly sliced green pepper

  1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
  2. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups bread flour, olive oil, salt, white sugar and the yeast mixture; stir well to combine. Beat well until a stiff dough has formed. Cover and rise until doubled in volume, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  3. Roll out your dough.
  4. Add your toppings to 1/2 of the dough, leaving room to ‘seal’ it up.
  5. Fold it over, and press, use a fork or just your fingers to make sure it’s got a good seal. You don’t want any of your cheese to escape!
  6. Brush the top with either olive oil or egg whites, whatever your preference is, and then shake generous amounts of spices ( we have one in our cabinet that’s just called Pizza Seasoning, the best I can reckon is that it’s oregano and basil)
  7. Cut slits in the top so they don’t explode.
  8. Bake them for about 30 minutes, depending on how full you made yours.
  9. Enjoy!

    Cooking in my new kitchen is way more fun.

Market Flowers

Every week I look at the beautiful flower arrangements at the farmers market, but never buy them. I guess I’m stingy or something, but when I saw this peony arrangement and had to bring it home with me.

These are some large peonies.

And they’ve got lots of unopened buds, so hopefully they’ll continue to open throughout the week.

and I haven’t figured out a place to put all my plants, so they’re all just chilling in the windowsill in the kitchen.

Baby-Sweater-Fest

I haven’t been blogging, we’ve been busy, but mostly for the reason that we’re having a lot of upcoming baby showers, and I’ve been knitting up baby sweaters like crazy. A little taste:
and also I need a bit of help. Which buttons would you use?

Another one:
and also I need some help. The buttons will be on the top, fastening the neck opening. Are the flowers a bit too cutesy? When in doubt the plainer is a bit better, however, the flowers are pretty darn cute.

And another work in progress.
It’s currently in the blocking process. There will be a big collar, a similar one to I made for Ezra a while back. Kind of an old-man type sweater. I love it.

And this was our yard sale score! There weren’t many good sales on Saturday, but this one we found in our FRONT YARD! The girl who lives upstairs was having a yard-sale, and it’s still residing in our kitchen, because of the move we’ve got nowhere to put it, but hopefully it’ll be our new nightstand for the bedroom.

And it’s got my birthday flowers on it!

So go back and let me know which buttons I should use for the sweaters!

My loot

Erika let me pick out my birthday present while we were at Target (Always gotta make a Target run while you’re in a city that’s got one!) And, while there wasn’t much Liberty of London stuff around, (I was hoping to score some more stuff for the house, but didn’t find much) I found this jewel. I love it.

It’s the perfect size to hold our coffee! (And it has an airtight seal!)

Cute no?

And Hilary got me the cutest bread pan. It’s YELLOW!

I love yellow. And I love bread.

Easter Bunny

So, I’m not completely in love with this one. But he’s kind of cute anyway…

The more I look at it, the more I want to change the nose, but I don’t know exactly how I want to do it. Any suggestions?

When I was constructing the body, he looked like a little ghost, which I thought was kind of cute,

But they are all happily co-habitating on the knitting shelf.

And, while it stopped snowing, it’s kind of gross, drizzly and yucky out. I think we’re having a night in! (And making homemade pizza for dinner with Artisan Bread dough)

WIP’s

Working on the little lamb. I’ve got his legs and body done, now he just needs a head and some arms.

Baby blanket for a friend, about 1/4 done. The fabulous and fun rippley pattern that I made Ezra’s in.

And the sweater vest! I’ve got mine nearly done. The back half is almost done blocking and then I just need to sew up the sides. I’m stoked to wear it.

Ok, I know it’s weird. The front half is gray and red striped, and the back is solid red? Weird. Yes. When I went to the store, they were out of the gray, so I just bought the red instead. And figured it would just be… unique? I don’t now. I am a little scared to try it on. I should have used a pattern!

I think I’ll start piecing it together this evening. Or, maybe I’ll just go to bed early. I did work late, and I’m kind of tired.

But, one more thing before I go! I made some Artisan Bread this weekend, and I decided to shake up the recipe a bit and added olive oil and roasted red peppers. And, let me tell you, it was amazing. We’ve been eating lots of it. So, so, so good.

Saturdays are my favorite

Fresh fruit.

Artisan bread rising for Sabbath dinner.

Some good thrifting scores. A casserole dish, perfect for dinners for two.

And I got a ButterBell at The Salvation Army.

I hadn’t ever seen one of these before, but they’re pretty cool. You pack the bell full of butter, and put some water in the bottom of the bowl and it keeps your butter fresh, and soft, because it doesn’t need to be refrigerated.

Probably alot more sanitary than our regular butter on a small plate, sitting out.

Now we’re watching Heroes, chilling out in the apartment. It’s lovely outside, though, we may need to go for another walk!

Some odds and ends

I just want to take a moment to re-direct you over to Kissa’s blog, where she is chronicling our wonderful trip to Europe last spring. Complete with our itinerary and amazing pictures! You’re definitly going to want to check that out.

Also, just discovered the line Nkuku. I pretty much want it all!
Makes me want to take a nice picnic in the park. It’s been so lovely around here.

Also, check out this kitchenware. So completely adorable!

And these bowls! They kill me.

We’ve had sunshine and warm weather since we Sunday and it’s just been lovely, we took a walk this evening, and now it’s nearing 7:00 pm and it’s still so sunny outside! I can’t wait for spring to begin, and the Farmer’s Market to start back up, we need some more good cheap produce!

And don’t forget: only one more day to enter the Give-Away. I may be inclined to add some extra little treats into this package, so be sure to enter! Also, if you use any of my D-I-Y’s, please send me a picture, I’d LOVE to see what you’ve come up with.

Happy Tuesday.

Sunday Kitchen

I was loving the colors in my kitchen today while I was making lunch.

Also still loving my Christmas present from Paul. We use it all the time.

mmmm Cheese. We love cheese around here

We also love butter.

Starting to smell good! (secret: lots of onions and butter!)

Mmm Mmm, I could eat this ever day.

For the recipe go here.