Pizza Night
Lest you worry that we are all doom and gloom around here, I wanted to let you know that there are happy times too. We know my Grandfather is in a better place and we had a lot of time to mentally prepare for his leaving. He was really sick in the end and now he has no pain, which is so much better. Of course we miss him. Sometimes I get so bummed out that we all can’t live forever. I want my grandma back, my Aunt Lois, the lady at the laundromat and all those pets I’ve lost… but this is life. The sooner I wrap my mind around the fact that it’s fleeting, the better.
There are still many many reasons to keep on loving and smiling and having the best time that we can while we are here.
So before a whole slew of relatives showed up for the funeral this Saturday, I decided to have my grandmother and aunt over for a pizza night. Of course they’ll be invited when all the relatives are here too but they appreciated a quiet night with just us. Especially since my aunt is just out of her cast and wobbling her way through physical therapy and my Grandma is well, getting old. She gets tired easy. But not too tired to come over and I love that she still does.
I made the dough. It’s really easy, it’s just a matter of remembering to do it an hour beforehand. Have I posted the recipe before? If I did, I can’t find it so here it is again:
PIZZA DOUGH
Ingredients:
1 cup warm water (105ºF —which as Bethany says is hot but not too hot, sort of like kid’s hot chocolate at Starbucks)
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tbs olive oil
2 tsp honey (I accidentally put tablespoons and it tasted just fine, maybe better in fact)
1 tsp yeast
Instructions:
1. Add salt and honey to warm water in a bowl. Mix and then add the yeast. Let sit 10 minutes.
2. Gradually add flour and olive oild and start mixing (hello, kitchen aid dough hook)
3. When mixture gets too heavy to mix, start kneading (my wrists love you, kitchen aid dough hook).
4. Knead until smooth (ish), make a ball, coat with olive oil.
5. Place in a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise 1 hour at room temperature.
6. Punch down and let rise another hour (or not. I always skip that extra rising.)
7. Shape, punch with holes with a fork and add toppings.
8. Bake at 400-450º F 20-25 minutes until crust is light brown.
This pizza was for me, Bug and my dad. I’ve been loving having my dad all to myself this week.
And this pizza was for my aunt and grandma with all kinds of icky things on it like onions, mushrooms and garlic! Ew! But that’s why I love pizza night, everyone can bring their own toppings and make what they like.
Then we popped them in the oven.
And it was delish!!! So don’t worry too much about us. We’re doing fine.
p.s. Don’t forget to stop by my review blog for chances to win a mop (which you’ll need if you have a pizza night) and some mulah before May 31st! While you’re there, check out the spin spin spinbrush post too if you haven’t already. Thank you! :)
12 Comments
Melissa K. in Nebraska
I’m happy to see smiles on everyone. And jealous to see the plate of avocado slices!! Good avocadoes are not a-plenty out here in the Midwest, unless you want to pay $3.00 for one!
I think I’ll have pizza for dinner…
flyingbird
Your Dad is so cute. :-)
BeachMama
That looks like very yummy pizza :) So happy you have been able to spend time with your Dad, I am sure this means a lot to him right now.
Linda
Glad to hear you are doing well, enjoy teh time with family and keep thinking of all teh good times.
bethany actually
The oven that WORKS, woohoo!!!
Those pizzas look delicious. And it made me smile to see those little bowls being used, and the sliced avocado on your table. That is so very Brenda. :-) I’m glad you guys are doing okay. We miss you!
Jackee
I am sorry for your loss Brenda. Sometimes getting older, and living life as an adult comes with the realization that we all have a finite amount of time, and I often shrug, and try not to worry about that.
It doesn’t always work.
I make that same pizza dough!!! It’s been our family recipe for YEARS! (I use sugar in the yeast to help it grow, but no honey) My son in law improved on the recipe by added herbs and garlic to the dough before it rises. YUCK)
I’m strictly a cheese pizza girl, but I LOVE pizza.
Looks like some quality family time.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
gretchen
That’s funny- I was going to comment on the plate of avocados too! Do you grow them? Maybe your dad could start a side business of delivering lemons, avocados, etc. when he passes through all our midwest cities!
norm
I have always maintained that pizza, like time and love, is a great healer. Best wishes to you all.
Britt
I think sometimes that Bug looks like her dad and then I see YOUR dad and decide that’s who she really takes after :)
Healing thoughts. Good start is creating more special memories with loved ones.
Amy
I’d be willing to bet on my guesses for which third was for which person on that first pizza.
gingermog
I’ve been thinking of you a lot recently. I am glad your whole family is gathering together. I remember when my dad passed the amount of people who came to visit and bring food, it was part of an important ritual. Stories had to be told and there was laughter and good memories shared. xx
Kuky
I cannot ever remember to do pizza beforehand. An hour doesn’t sound like too long but it is when Alan needs to go to work at night and I’m late with dinner. The last couple of times we’ve made pizza we used a non rising dough. It was nice, quick easy option for lunches with Isabelle. Now i’m in the mood for pizza and it’s 2 in the morning. :)