When I was shopping for sealing wax and seals I discovered a basement level at the stationer’s that’s filled with art supplies and the best selection of origami paper I’ve seen to date. I think I was very restrained in my purchases, don’t you?
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Julie’s pizza dough Combine honey, water and yeast in a large bowl and let stand 5 minutes (I cover it with a cutting board to keep the draft out). Stir in the bread flour then add the olive oil and salt and as much of the remaining flour as is needed to make a soft dough. Knead the dough right in the bowl until smooth. Cover and let rise until doubled, about an 45 minutes. To make the pizzas- have the oven and pizza stone preheated to 400F. Roll out the dough to desired thickness, add pizza sauce, toppings and seasonings. Pop it onto the stone for 10-15 minutes or until edges of crust are golden brown. Calzones will take longer, about 25 minutes.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Volcanoes The Lava The Cookie Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line several baking sheets with parchment paper. Make the lava: Melt the chocolates together in the top of a double boiler placed over simmering water. Alternatively, you may melt the chocolate in the microwave. Using a whisk, stir the melted chocolate vigorously into the milk until the mixture is smooth and well blended. Whisk in vanilla; Set aside. Make the cookie dough: Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt together into a small bowl and set aside. Using en electric mixer on medium speed, cream the butter, peanut butter, both sugars, and the vanilla together in a medium-size mixing bowl until light and fluffy, about 10 minutes. Stop the mixer twice during the process to scrape the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add the egg and beat on medium speed until blended, about 1 minute. Scrape the bowl. Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until blended, about 15 seconds. Scrape the bowl and mix several seconds more. Measure out heaping tablespoons of the dough and roll them into balls with your hands, Place the balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Using your thumb, press a deep hole into the center of each ball, and plop a heaping teaspoon of the lava mixture into the hole. Pinch the opening together just a little bit so the lava will not overflow, but so that it is still visible. Bake the cookies until they are lightly golden, 16 to 18 minutes. Cool the cookies on the sheets or eat them while they are still warm for an extra- special treat. Store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1 day. After that, store them in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Bring them to room temperature before eating.
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My pen pal list seems to keep growing. When I stopped to check the po box yesterday I picked up some fun stamps for my letters. A couple of my pals are cancer survivors so I thought the breast cancer stamps were appropriate. I also tend to stuff my letters with bits of yarn I’ve spun, origami and recently fabric scraps from the quilt I’ve started so that sometimes it’s tough to keep the envelope sealed. One of my recent letters arrived with a lovely wax seal on it so I popped by the local stationer in search of a seal of my own and picked up supplies. At first I had the wax stick too close to the flame and burned it but after several tries I got the hang of it. This is a modern sealing wax that’s very bendy so it won’t chip or break in the mail. I love it!
With my picky eater gone I’ll be cooking more vegetables and “healthy” food. I’ve never been too crazy about chickpeas but I discovered I like them much better when I cook them myself. They are softer and less “tinny” tasting. This dish starts with chickpeas. I also roasted a large sweet potato and a large red onion which I chopped and added to the bowl. In a saucepan I simmered broccoli, zucchini and carrots in some chicken broth with a pat of butter, some allspice, cinnamon and crushed red pepper. I tossed everything together and sprinkled on some pistachios. Delish!
Last fall Daniel bought a new laptop to take with him to college which, of course, he now doesn’t need since he’ll be away for at least 3 years. Looks like I’ve inherited a nice laptop so I can more easily stay connected when I travel if I so choose. Tuesday night we went out and bought Windows7 and Jason got that installed for me and all the basics set up. Yesterday I spent most of the day adding the software I like to use and making sure the camera and ipod can play nice. I’d have to buy a new copy of my photo editing software and after kitty expenses I’m not willing to do that so I’ll have to learn how to use 
I’ve been cooking all Daniel’s favorites before he heads off to boot camp and last night I made calzones. I’m not sure why he prefers these over pizza because it’s exactly the same only folded and crimped shut but there you have it. I have several rolling pins but I almost always reach for this straight one. I had a heck of a time finding this guy and was very excited when I spotted it in the King Arthur Flour baking shop. It was their last one (the display one no less) with no price on it but they kindly worked one out and sold it to me.
Or strip. Yesterday Crystal and I got together to have a little lesson on making fabric strips. We’re each making a “
Chris came up this weekend to visit with Daniel before he heads off to boot camp tomorrow. Saturday night Jason cooked some beautiful rib eyes with mashed potatoes and asparagus and then creme brulee for dessert. Yesterday I made the banana bread (again) for breakfast and then these peanut butter cookies later in the day. I was curious to see if they would be as popular as the ones with the Hershey’s Kiss in the center. I think these compared quite favorably.
I’ve been meaning to reorganize the pans ever since the arrival of the new range. The new stove has a heated warming drawer that’s quite useful so it’s no longer a spot for storage of cookie sheets and other flat pans. Yesterday morning Jason pulled everything out and we tossed a few things that never get used and then reorganized things so that what’s used most is within easy reach.
I’ve got another violet that’s decided to bloom. The other two are still going like gang buster’s and now “Bob’s Whiz Bang” has decided to join the fray. Looks like it’s going to be a purply- red fellow when it opens.
Gwen is allowed to stay out and walk around a little more each day. She’s healing very well and was happy as a clam napping in the sun today. Stitches will come out on Monday.