Yummiest Homemade Pizza

Our fun friends the Gunderson's had us over for dinner last night. I think I have decided it is the ultimate luxury for someone else to cook you a homemade meal. They made homemade pizza--and it was just so good I asked for the recipe. So, here is a little gift I am passing along to you courtesy of Amanda. Thanks again guys!

French Bread-Bread Sticks-Pizza Dough

Loaves:

Dissolve 2 T yeast with a little (1 tsp.) sugar or honey in ½ cup warm water

In mixing bowl place: 1 T salt

2 T oil

2 T honey or sugar

2 1/2 cups hot water

Add 5 cups flour. Mix together then add yeast mixture. Mix. Add 3 more cups flour. Blend 5 minutes. Let rise twice. Split in two for two large loaves, or 4 equal parts for 4 smaller loaves. Form into loaves. Score diagonally, brush with beaten egg white, sprinkle with sesame seeds, let rise. Bake at 350F for 25 minutes. Brush with butter while warm.

STICKS:

Roll dough into rectangle, Cut in 4x6 pieces. Cut three or four fingers ¾ through lengthwise. Bake at 400F for 15 minutes. Brush with melted garlic butter with sweet basil added. Serve warm

PIZZA (makes 4 pizzas):

Make ball of dough approximately the size of your fist. Roll into circle to fit pan. Place dough on pan, spread with pizza sauce sprinkle with cheese and add meats, vegetables, etc. Bake 375-400F for 15 minutes.

Happy Birthday Ashley!

Just wanted to give a shout out to my sister who's birthday is this week. Here are my top five reasons why I think Ashley is just fab:

1. She is just gorgeous. Her eyes, her hair, her smile. You could look at her all day and never get bored.

2. She is so kind. She really always tries to see the best in everyone and totally discourages gossip.

3. She is really goal oriented. Once she says she is going to do something, she usually sticks with it.

4. Growing up, she kind of had a little mean streak in her. We haven't gotten in a physical fight in many years (thank goodness!), but she was the strongest one of us all. I always thought that was impressive:)

5. She is just fun to talk to. She loves US Weekly, traveling and eating out just as much as I do, so we normally have loads to talk about all the time.

Love you tons Ash! Have a wonderful year!

Friendship

Wednesday was like a little bottle of happiness for me. I was totally spoiled and had the chance to go to lunch with my friend Amber and then dinner with Tifani. It was so fun catching up with Amber--she is like the reality of my adult life--knowing me when I was older, being involved in my career, talking about all those adult issues of marriage stuff, kid stuff, etc. that crop up. I am so grateful for her friendship. She is one of those people that just gets me--when it seems like a lot of people just don't:) Such a treat to see her whenever I do. Have fun in Hawaii Amber! I am jealous:)

Then, I got to see Tifani. Tif was my best friend in high school. We weathered all those teen years together through boyfriends, cheerleading, Spanish--the list could go on and on. We have kind of lost touch over the years. Neither of us could really figure out how or why, and I kind of just chalked it up to the last few years that it just kind of happens. But, through the magic of blogs (he, he) we found each other again. Tifani was my girl soul mate--we could talk about any and everything--and we usually did in her basement, sleeping out on the tramp or driving around in La Bamba. Seeing and talking to Tifani again made my so sad we have missed out on years of the kind of chatter that just fills your soul somehow. She is another one of those people that just gets me--the real me--that loves being kind of crazy and doesn't quite fit the perfect mold. As cheesy as it sounds, some little part of me got put back together finally on Wednesday night. I have my friend back, and it is a wonderful feeling:) So, Tif, thanks for the fun memories of our ceramic ballet shoes to Mr Nielsen, the jicama, and dedication songs on the radio. Love you to death and hope our new friendship is just as fun (and of course meaningful) as our last was.

Thanks to both of you for listening to my grouchy Christmas attitude. I think this weekend will do just the trick to get me feeling more merry:)

Casey's Photo Booth

I did some pics today of my sister-in-law's boyfriend and his daughter. I thought this was a sweet little pic:)

Happy Birthday Ian

My cute little brother's birthday was yesterday. We are eight years apart, so he is my one sib I remember as a baby. I remember my mom bringing him home in a little red stocking and just thinking he was the sweetest thing ever. I loved taking care of him and pretending like he was my own baby (probably would have been a good thing if that love of taking care of infants would have stuck!). We took him everywhere with us growing up (outside to play, to a friends house, etc.), and I remember loving his little mischievous personality. I remember when he left on his mission feeling like I was going to die not being able to talk to him anymore for a very long time. He has grown up to be such an example and friend to me. He is one of my favorite people ever, and inspires me with his creativity, goals and spirit. I miss not seeing him on a regular basis as he is down at BYU. It is such a treat to see him and catch up on his crazy single life, share music and see his newest photos.

Love you forever Ian! Can't wait for the cheese ball, taquitos and pumpkin pie:)

Congrats Shaner!

Shane was awarded 2007 K-9 handler of the year for the Salt Lake Metro area. Congrats hon!

Happy December in Utah!