catching up!

I never mean to go so long between posts..

it just happens!

It's usually a sign- a sign of my mental state & the state of affairs in the family.

This week = BUSY & HECTIC & I don't like it.

but what can you do?

survive

I have some talents-

I have some things I do okay, or well, or even just mediocre...

BUT can I just toot my own horn here & say

I make a Darn Good Pizza!

This isn't the most flattering picture- but last Friday night (pizza night) I made several to.die.for. pizzas. 

This one is the last one I made & combined all our favorite ingredients dividing the pizza into veggie- pepperoni/mushroom- pepperoni.

good stuff

Right now my favorite is a thin crust- with roasted sun dried garlic for the sauce, three cheeses & fresh basil. Oh mama

Brett & I were winding down & headed to bed Friday night when Hailey came home, ran upstairs and proclaimed -- "There is a porcupine in our front yard!!"

what?

Brett ran downstairs & sure enough next to the short fence that divides our yard from our neighbor's was a 3-4' porcupine! What in the world?

I'm guessing it is down from the mountain 2 miles up from our house? 

Unless some one's pet porcupine got out? Is that possible?

Before now- I've only seen a porcupine in the zoo. Actually the porcupine didn't get me out of bed- so I didn't really "see" it at all. Apparently, it takes more than a wild animal in the front yard to get me outta bed.

Moments after the porcupine incident quieted down-

this showed up on the doorstep.

Chloe was asked to the Homecoming dance!

Her first school dance- exciting! Even more so than a porcupine in the front yard?

-You decide-

***

Sunday we were invited to dinner with Marcus & Brittany's family down in Lehi!

It was so kind of Brittany's mom to invite us & so much fun... no photos... but so fun. 

Trent was in true Trent form - not bad- just Trent. Brittany's mom was so sweet & patient with him. They have a GREAT DANE!!! Trent was in complete amazement & very curious.

Monday after work & driving carpool etc...

I made Chicken Pot Pies for dinner in my new Breville Mini Pie Maker.

Very exciting- for a self proclaimed food addict  anyway.

Tuesday after work & driving carpool

 (it takes almost an hour to drive Trent's carpool- because of the location etc! It's exhausting frankly)

I met the former missionary Jack AKA: sick - still sick & getting sicker BYU student-

at the U of U hospital.

We are back to the Post Travel Clinic & Dr. Scott Benson.

He is a wonderful doctor & he is trying his hardest to help Jack & find out just--- what is up?

He is losing the weight he gained since he got home- suffering from severe chronic headaches, body aches, fever, chills, constant stomach issues (I won't give the gory details- besides vomiting), nausea & lack of appetite, and inactive malaria.

mother fear on steroids

In the mean time-

I got an Instagram account!

Notice the difference in the photos-

before

after

This is Jack leaving the hospital with his bag o' fun. 

(bottles for stool samples)

Yes- we are back to looking for pesky parasites.

Let me make myself clear- I'm not looking for them- the lab is.

 Thank heavens for that.

In other news: The first most beautiful child in the world started Joy School.

Oh how I miss him!

-what a week-
my instagram name
pjmesser

Sunday Dinner Is Served

Before...

After!

I've been really working on making dinner this past week.During the school year it's no big deal-but summer is a different story. It is kind of nice to have a relaxed schedule for the summer, I have to admit. But the routine of the school year is good too. Here is what we had tonight. My favorite from my 100's list~ vegetarian pizza. I love homemade pizza- it is the best. One of the secrets to making your own pizza is in pan. I have a pizza screen-love it- & they are only about $5-8.00 at a restaurant supply store. Make sure you spray them with cooking spray or the pizza won't come off, then cook your pizza on a high temp such as 425-450 degrees.
Any crust recipe will taste better on the screen but here is mine.The sauce recipe is great too because it is so easy & uses pantry ingredients.

Pizza Crust

1Cup warm water

1 Tblsp yeast

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp salt

2 1/2 cups flour

Let yeast rest on water until mostly dissolved then wisk in sugar & salt . Next, stir in flour & knead on floured board just until getting smooth- only a couple of times. Let rest for 10-15 minutes while preparing ingredients. Next roll out & place on pan or screen. Cover with sauce & toppings starting with cheese then ending with a little cheese- just for looks. *Hint I always use Montery Jack cheese instead of mozzerella, of course mixing the two would be awesome. True Italians would hate me but it has more flavor.

Pizza sauce

1 small can tomato sauce

1/2 tsp sugar

2 tsp dried basil crushed

1 tsp dried oregano crushed

1 tsp black pepper

1/2 clove or 1/2 tsp chopped garlic

Mix together & let sit while you prepare other ingredients. The longer it sits the better/stronger the flavors.