March 30, 2011

Pizza

Wasn't it the Earl of Sandwich whose namesake was modeled after a traditional Englishman's supper of bread, cheese, and meat? Then who, pray tell, is the divine creator of the pizza?! My quick research tells me it was the Greeks or the Romans. But, it was those wacky Neapolitans that married dough, cheese, and tomato together for that sublime taste that makes me giddy with pleasure. Just watch the scene in the movie Eat, Pray, Love when Liz and Sophie wax poetic about the Margherita pizza they travel all the way to Naples to eat. (Insert lip smacking sound here.)

I grew up eating a thin-crust "bar pie" only found (I'm told) on the south shore of Massachusetts. I can't get it anywhere but south of Boston and it's one of the first things I crave when I head back home. Although, a brick-oven pizza from Pizzeria Regina (Regina Pizzeria to you newbies) satisfies my hunger pangs, too.

David likes his pizza topped with the usual pepperoni, or peppers and onions. But, I'm a bit more adventurous. Gimme grilled chicken with roasted red peppers, black olives and peperoncini, fresh herbs and spiced chicken sausage, a drizzle of olive oil... Mama Mia!

Here are some recipes you might want to try...


If dough is not your bag, ask your favorite pizzeria if they'll sell you their dough. Then have fun creating your own combinations.

Ciao!

Image via pottery barn

March 24, 2011

What's For Breakfast?

What a way to start the day. When my children were little, I set the table for breakfast the night before so our mornings weren't so stressed. But, I paid extra attention to the table setting during the weekend so I would feel pampered too. That little extra effort certainly paid off - all I had to do was start the coffee and pour the juice. And blue and white china just makes me deliriously happy anyway.

Treat yourself to this bed and breakfast style treat: set the table and make a batch of muffin mix the night before, then simply scoop and bake the muffin mix while you enjoy your first cup of coffee the next morning.

My Grandma's Banana Bread (Muffins)

2 Large or 3 small ripe bananas (the riper the better - black is good)
2 Cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 Tsp. baking powder
3/4 Tsp. baking soda
1/2 Cup shortening (crisco)
1 1/2 Cups sugar
2 Eggs
1 Tsp. real vanilla extract

Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl. Add liquid ingredients (eggs, vanilla, and shortening) one at a time incorporating the ingredients together as you go. Add the bananas and mix until combined, but don't overmix. Fill muffin tins three quarters full and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 20-30 minutes, or bake into bread and cook for 1 hour. Optional: Add fresh blueberries. I had banana-blueberry muffins on my honeymoon and they're yummy. Homemade blueberry jam works too. Or raspberry, or...

I love this mix and I plan to treat myself to a batch this weekend. Enjoy!

Image scanned from collection

March 21, 2011

A Good Read

I can't remember the last time I read a work of fiction. I don't know why that is. I use to read fiction all the time, but lately my books have tended toward the more educational side of things. Even when I tried to pepper my selections with stories, I was usually disappointed. I started to wonder if I would ever enjoy them as much as I use to.

That's when I remembered that Lisa Genova had written a new book. I read her first novel, Still Alice, two years ago when it came out in paperback. I don't know how I found it, but I did and it quickly became one of my favorites. When I find an author I like (Anna Quindlen, Elizabeth Gilbert, Katrina Kenison, Dominique Browning, to name a few), I tend to read everything they write - fiction, non-fiction - it doesn't matter. It's the writer's voice that resonates with me. So, when I found out that Lisa Genova wrote Left Neglected, I quickly put it on my summer reading list. Until I couldn't take it anymore and ordered it last week.

I read it in one sitting - devouring the whole thing in one enjoyable day of reading, reading and more reading, just like I had done with Still Alice. And now I am re-reading that book.

People often find it strange that I re-read books. Which I find strange. Just because I know the ending, doesn't mean that the book (or movie or meal or play) will be any less enjoyable. I love to pick up books that I have read (sometimes 4 or 5 times) and quickly scan the pages for a favorite passage or chapter. I find comfort in the words - like a letter from an old friend. I transport myself to another place and time and I'm happy all over again.

If you happen to be looking for a good story, I can't recommend these books highly enough.

Image scanned from Traditional Home magazine

March 18, 2011

A Great Start To the Day

Every morning the alarm clock goes off at 6:00. While the girls and David go through their morning routines, I will slowly wake myself up to greet the day. Once they’re off--and I’m working from home that day--I head downstairs to begin my morning routine. From 7:30-9:00 I check email, start/edit writing projects, and then it’s time for breakfast. My husband, who needs coffee before he can do anything, doesn’t understand this at all. But this is all part of "me time"--a chance to spend some time with myself. The coffee can wait.

I bought three wooden trays years ago. (I think they’re from Pottery Barn and I love them.) As the coffee brews, I methodically set up my tray for breakfast. I have a carafe for the coffee, a pretty blue and white “breakfast” plate, and depending on my mood, either a favorite mug or cup and saucer, all carefully arranged. Once breakfast is ready, I take my overflowing tray into my living room and enjoy my breakfast while I catch up with the news or, more likely, watch a recorded program.

I love my morning ritual, it comforts me; it keeps me from coming unglued in a world of who-knows-what’s-around-the-corner. The same restaurants, the same food, the same breakfast – sameness suits me. I look forward to marking time with events, people, even food that I can rely on to make me feel good. And studies have shown, just like children, adults can benefit greatly from ritual, too. Anything you do can be enjoyed more fully; all it takes is a little pre-planning. Instead of rushing through life, take some time to enjoy those little moments that can set the tone for the entire day.

“Living well is a habit, and rituals improve and reinforce good life habits.” – Alexandra Stoddard.

March 2, 2011

Vintage: Bringing Back Game Night

Last week, my dearest friend and her two boys came for a visit. While we were chatting in another room, the four children (ages 10-15) broke out a board game while the television sat blissfully silent. For years, Taboo was dusted off and played after Thanksgiving dinner at my sister-in-law's house. Picture twenty-odd (read: competitive, loud) people separated into groups of three... well, it was never boring. Then there was the ice storm of 2008 when we lost power for 10 days. The four of us played so many games of Dominoes that I don't think we've cracked open the tin since. That's okay, the beauty behind Game Night is that you can mix it up.

If more people are staying home and entertaining these days, the usual dinner party shuffle can start to get boring. There's no need to get fancy and there's no need to cook a big meal (okay, maybe a snack), just invite your friends and family over to enjoy a civilized night of fun. From classic board games, to something a little more interactive like Charades, to card games like Shanghai, you'll never run out of choices. Keep it sassy and make it "ladies only" (a spin on the all-male poker night), adults vs. children, or play a game that will take several rounds or nights to complete. Before the big night, email everyone the rules so they'll be ready to play.

I plan to seek out an old-fashioned game that I can introduce to my family during our vacation this summer just to shake things up. Do you think the kids will like Bridge???