On Creative Genius…
I received this from a friend this morning and thought it was so wonderful I had to post it!
“And the Pursuit of Happiness” by Maria Kalman
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Sick kids and rainy days…
I feel like I’ve moved to Seattle. The rain has been over us a few days now and in the bathroom I hear a drip- drip- drip. At least the roof is leaking over the bathtub.
The weather is honestly lovely though.
So cool, everything is green in deep summer in the south.
A true oddity.
My gutters (which I meant to clean out this spring) are overflowing. The rain barrel is so full. (I do need at least three more.)
The kids have been sick pretty much all week. This dumb fever, cough, headache junk. The fevers aren’t high enough to call the doctor, but they won’t break for 24 hrs so they can go back to school!
So, they are playing “Dinos” and watching Dinotopia (the longest movie ever.)
What kind of dino am I?
On Disney…
This September we are taking the trip that those of us with small children (and even those without) either LOVE or HATE, a.k.a.- Disneyworld. I am on the fence at the moment.
I was really excited about it at first. Who doesn’t want to see their little kids eyes light up at Mickey Mouse? But, after attempting to book on Disney’s wonderful website I was so frustrated. Those of you with larger families will sympathize. You can’t book two rooms on one reservation! We are traveling with the five of us, plus both grandmas. Two rooms is even pushing it, but hey.
So… after finding two rooms on line at the resort I wanted I book the first, put a note for connecting rooms, paid. Went to book the second room and it froze. I called the reservation # and they said (after taking 15 or so minutes reviewing the first one) that there weren’t any other rooms at that hotel! I was SO MAD. So, we adjust the dates, play with the first reservation and book the rooms.
I call back again after I realize that they have us in two different “types” of rooms so there is no way they can be adjoining. They tell me to pick a “type” waterview or not waterview. I tell them I don’t care as long as they are together. They say “pick a type.” I say “whatever” they get huffy with me. Great. So looking forward to Disney already.
Anyway, I get the rooms booked (waterview, still might change that one) and feel better but no airline tickets yet or dining reservations.
Find great prices on airfare and book it! (Still have to make 2 reservations because we have 7 people.)
Mom comes over and we plan the days we’ll go to which park, research the restaurants and I call to make reservations. Oh, none of the restaurants I want have availability (IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER!) and our hotel doesn’t even have room for breakfast on ANY of the days we are there. GREAT- so looking forward to this trip. I did manage to make some of the reservations- but geesh, it’s free dining and they don’t have room?
Also, it’s DISNEY! Make sure you have decent, friendly people on the phone. Two I spoke with spoke such broken English that even my translator ears couldn’t decipher it. Two others were so rude I was in shock. The last two I spoke with were very sweet and I was so happy to speak to people who were helpful and nice. (What has happened to customer service or satisfaction in this country anyway?- Don’t get me started on that one.)
Does anyone have tips for where to go etc? (We are going to each park on the days they have extra hours.) Oh, we’re staying at Port Orleans, Riverside.
Have reservations for these restaurants:
Magic Kingdom: The Crystal Palace for dinner with Winnie the Pooh
The Contemporary Resort: dinner at The Wave
Animal Kingdom: lunch at Tusker House
Epcot: (It’s the Food and Wine fest while we are there so I’m excited about that!)
lunch at the Biergarten
dinner at Marrakesh in Morrocco
I feel better now that part is done. The little planning I’m doing will make it easier then, I hope.
Pizza Crust
New York Pizza Crust
(Makes 2 12” pies)
¼ teaspoon sugar1 cup warm water1 envelope (¼ oz.) active dry yeast (I use the quick rising)1 teaspoon salt3 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting7 Tablespoons olive oil
If using a pizza stone, set it on lowest rack of oven. Preheat oven to 550 degrees.In a small bowl dissolve sugar in warm water. Add yeast and stir. Let sit 5 minutes or until a layer of frothy bubbles appears.
In food processor (or bowl) combine salt and flour. Add frothy yeast mixture and 2 Tablespoons of oil. Mix until dough is smooth and pliable. Remove dough and knead on a floured surface for about 10 minute.
Oil inside of a bowl with olive oil and place dough in bowl. Cover with a dish towel and let dough rise until double in size (30 minutes to 1 hour)
When dough has doubled punch it down and knead 10 times. Form into a ball and cut in half. Roll each half out into a 12” circle.
Transfer each pie to a pan or a peel if using a stone. I dust the bottoms with a bit of cornmeal so they slide better when removing.
Spread tomato sauce (or sauce of choice) on pie, put desired toppings on pizza and top with cheese. Drizzle with olive oil if desired.
Bake on lowest rack of oven for 6- minutes or until it looks yummy!
*We love this recipe. I think we make pizza about once a week! It is so fast if you use a stand up mixer or food processor and quick rising yeast. Probably faster than delivery.
Cinnamon Crispy Hearts
“Cinnamon Crispy Hearts”
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1/2 c warm water
3/4 c flour
3/4 c whole wheat flour
1/8 tsp salt (I used salted butter and leave this out)
2/3 c butter
1 egg yolk
1 Tblsp. melted butter
2/3 c sugar
2 tsp. ground cinnamon (I used the fresh, strong stuff so only used 1 tsp.)
Sprinkle yeast over warm water, stir until dissolved and set aside.
In large bowl stir flour and salt. Mix in butter with a pastry cutter until crumbly.
Stir in yeast mixture and egg yolk until well blended. Cover tightly with wrap and
refrigerate 2 hours or overnight.
Turn dough out onto lightly floured board and knead until smooth, folding over at each
turn, about ten times or so. Roll out into a 12″ x 10″ rectangle.
Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar. Starting with a long side
roll dough up “jelly roll” style to center of the rectangle. Then on other long end roll up that side
to center mark also. Cut into 12 slices.
Sprinkle some of remaining cinnamon sugar on waxed paper and place a slice on the paper.
Flatten slightly with hand, pinching into more of a heart shape as you flatten, then roll with a
rolling pin to 1/8″ thick. (Turn slice as you go to sugar both sides.) Repeat with other slices.
Place hearts on ungreased baking sheet and bake at 400 for 10-12 minutes.
*This recipe is not my original (although I made a few minor changes.) It is from “Farm Journal’s- Homemade Breads”