Pizza on the Grill - How to Beat the Kitchen Heat

We love us some pizza here on the Farm.  In fact, I make pizza for dinner once a week.  This is about my personal pizza eating limit.  However, I could probably make it three times a week and everyone else would be happy.

I love making pizza because first off, it makes my family happy and, second, it's just plain yummy.  Throw in that it's a budget friendly meal and you've got a winner in my eyes.  We top pizza with just about anything around here.  Like soup, pizza is a great way to use up all the little bits of meat and veggies sitting around in those little plastic containers in your fridge.

Unfortunately for my family, we haven't been having pizza making weather in the past week or so.  Hot, humid weather doesn't make we want to crank the oven up to 450 degrees for any period of time.  Ugh.

But, much to the joy of the family, we had pizza this week even with the heat and humidity!  I made pizza on the grill!

Oh. My. It was good.  And very. Very. Very. Easy.

I'd seen grilled pizza in magazines for years and wanted to give them a try, but somehow, it just all seemed beyond me.  Apparently, I wanted to try something new more than I wanted to turn on the oven.

You can make pizza on your grill.  Here's how:

-Make your favorite pizza dough (or buy some at the store).
-Cut the dough into balls and roll them into personal sized pizza crusts.  I laid two crusts side by side on a plate, covered that layer with a piece of waxed paper and they repeated the process.  This worked ok.  The dough stuck to the waxed paper sometimes.  Next time, I'll use saran wrap or just lay them on a big greased baking sheet or two.
-Get your toppings together.  You'll need olive oil and salt and pepper for sure, plus whatever you else you want.  Maybe some mozarella cheese, some veggies, some meat or a bit of sauce.  If you use sauce, go easy on it.  Using a heavy hand on the sauce will give you a soggy crust.  If you haven't ever tried pizza without regular sauce, give it a shot.  You'll like it! Also, try to slice your toppings pretty thin so they'll cook fast.
-Head out to the grill.  We have a gas grill.  If you've got a charcoal one, you're on your own for getting that thing ready.  I've never done it in my life.
-Put the grill on high and let it sit for a bit.
-Spray or brush oil on the tops of the crusts.  I used a oil sprayer thing from Pampered Chef.
-Take two crusts and place them on the grill oil side down.
-Let the crusts cook for 1-2 minutes.  They'll start to get a bit bubbly.
-Right before you flip the crusts, put oil on the side that is up.
-Flip the crusts.  Let them cook for another minute or two. 
-Place on your toppings. 
-Let them cook for another 3-4 minutes.  If it looks like your toppings need a bit longer, move the pizza up to the rack above your main grill.
-Slide off your pizza and try to let it cool a bit before you start devouring it.

It's really that easy!  The meal was made even easier because we ate on paper plates outside at the picnic table right by the grill.  Ahhh...no big dishes and no floor to sweep.

Eveyone here gave grilled pizza two big thumbs up!  They were happy to hear me say we'll be putting it on the menu at least once a week this summer.  I'll let you know what sort of topping combos we come up with and I'd love to hear any you might have as well.

The Gals Are Back on Their Game

Marshmallow, the deluded hen, is the one wearing the white feathers.

Did you notice the number over on the Egg Count?  The Gals have laid 306 eggs (Give or take a few...it's hard to keep count some days when 3 different Young'uns keep checking for eggs.  Especially when one of the said Young'uns is 2 years old.)  We've had them since March 19th.  So, that's about 2.8 eggs per day.

We used to get about 3.2 eggs per day.  However, about a month ago, the Gals went on strike for some mysterious reason.  We went from getting at least 3 eggs per day to getting zero - bam - all at once.  After ruling out a curious little neighbor gal and aliens, our working theory for the lack of eggs was molting.  However, now that some time has passed and we don't have a group of partially naked chickens running around, we're pretty sure this wasn't the case.  The interruption in egg production seems to be just that - an interruption because things have been pretty much back to normal for about a week or so. 

The weather around the time the Gals stopped laying was uncharacteristically cool and cloudy.  Hens slow down their laying as the days get shorter and cooler.  Could this be it?  Who knows?

We do have one chicken who has been acting strange ever since the strike began.  Her name is Marshmallow.  She's our biggest Gal and laid eggs the size of bowling balls.  OK, not really bowling balls, but they were HUGE!  Marshmallow is still on strike.  We know because we haven't had any massive eggs since June 15th.  She doesn't venture out of the coop much, but prefers to spend her days sitting on the eggs the other Gals lay.  She's still eating and has bright eyes and comb, so our best guess is that she's "brooding."  A hen who is brooding sits on her eggs in order to keep them warm so they'll hatch.

Ummmm, poor Marshmallow!  We may have to have a little chat about the birds and the bees with her...there are no roosters here on the Farm.

Fourth Verse Might Be the Best

The Star Spangled Banner.  If you've ever gone to a sporting event, you're probably familiar with the song written by Francis Scott Key in 1814.  Hopefully, you've sung it at other times, too. 

Did you know the song has FOUR verses?  We usually just sing the first, which to be sure, is a great verse.  However, I think the fourth verse might just be the best...

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

Between their loved home and the war's desolation!

Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Praise the Power who has made and preserved our nation.  Thanks to those freeman who have stood between our homes and the desolation of war.  These are what we should be celebrating as we gather today.

Happy July 4th!

Strawberries and Balsamic Vinegar

We've been enjoying strawberry season here on the Farm.  We don't actually have any strawberry plants here, but we've been to our favorite strawberry farm and picked pounds and pounds of our own.  The difference in taste between a strawberry just off the plant and one which has taken a journey from California to our local grocery is amazing!  I've tasted berries straight from the field in California and they are delicious, too;  it's the whole truck thing that just doesn't cut it in the strawberry department.

Thus far, we've eaten strawberries in smoothies, on cereal, over shortcake, with rhubarb and, of course, just plain.  Yesterday, however, I found a new way to enjoy them  - with balsamic vinegar and fresh ground pepper!

I admit.  It doesn't sound very good, but it is quite yummy.  I am not sure how to describe the taste.  The vinegar just seems to bring out even more "strawberriness" or something.

The recipe is, of course, simple.  We pretty much only do simple around here, especially with fruits and veggies.  In my humble opinion, the less you mess with fruits and veggies, the better they taste.

Here's how to get some strawberry yumminess:

Cut some strawberries into a bowl.  Sprinkle with just a bit of sugar and balsamic vinegar.  Give a twist or two from your pepper grinder.  Stir it up and let sit for at least 10 minutes.  An hour will give the flavors even more time to mingle.  Grab a fork and eat it up!

I know that the amounts in the recipe above are, well, they're pretty much missing.  When I made it yesterday, I used about 1/2 lb of berries, 1/2 t of sugar and 1 T of balsamic.  You'll have to give it a shot and decide how strong you like the flavors. 

These berries would be amazing in a salad with some goat cheese!

Frivolous Friday - Dad Life

Depending on how you look at things, this post can either be late from last Friday or early for this Friday.  I'm thinking of it as early, because, well, the more kids we've had it seems I rarely manage to get something done early.

I love the Big Guy more than words can say.  He is truly a gift to myself and the Young'uns.  Earlier today, he sent me a link to this video called, "Dad Life."  It is hilarious and if you watch it, you'll recognize lots of Dads or parts of lots of Dad you know.

Dad Life from Church on the Move.


After I finished laughing, I went into the kitchen do some cooking and got to thinking about the video and the Big Guy. I know the Big Guy likes mowing the lawn and taking his "entourage" to the park or swimming pool. He'll even admit to enjoying a good DVD aimed at the younger set. But I am sure there are many days when he is left thinking, "Isn't there a bit more? Something a tad more adventurous?"

Often Moms (including me) feel like we're the ones who have it the toughest - the kids, the work, the food, the cleaning, etc. etc. etc. Even if Dads are helpful (and the Big Guy is), we still feel end up feeling so put upon for some reason. But what about the Dads?

Surely, the kids, the work, the food, the cleaning, etc. etc. etc. starts to wear on them as well. Not to mention the less than content and happy wife... A guy's got to want a break.

So, thanks Big Guy! I love you! When you need a break, please take it! I'll do my best to send you off with a warm hug and a smile.

A Bit Out of the Ordinary

Today was a bit strange, really good, but strange all the same.

Today all the inhabitants of the Little Farm spent the day in a mall.  Yep, from 10am to 4pm we were in a mall.  Not just any mall, but the Mall of America. 

The Mall of America contains 400 stores, employs about 12,000 people (are you kidding me?  WOW!) and contains a 7 acre park.  I find this all a bit mind boggling.  It is a bit like a small town in and of itself.  Only it's about the trendiest, most commercial small town ever.  Oh yes, and this small town doesn't have a Wal-Mart which actually makes me wonder if it could really be the Mall of America.  I mean shouldn't THE Mall of America have a Wal-Mart?  Isn't Wal-Mart THE Store of America?  (I'm trying to be ironic here.)

We were at the Mall of America for the amusement park.  A generous friend gave us all day passes for 7 people!  Isn't that amazing?  The tickets were won off a radio contest.  So, people actually do win those things.  Spending a day in a Mall, riding crazy rides is definitely out of the ordinary for our family.  The last time we came through this way, we stopped at THE Mall and everyone got to ride like 1 ride each.  That little venture took a huge bite out Nate's college fund.  (just kidding)  It was great fun to see our older and younger kids kicking back on the same rides and having a ball.

Even more out of the ordinary, I went on rides which are considered "thrill" rides.  Yes, I still hit the carousel and the little train, but today I went out on a limb and went on rides with the Big Guy and Nate.  The photo above is one of them.

In my teens and early 20's, I used to venture out on such rides - the ones with big drops, lots of spinning and high velocity.  However, somewhere around the time we became parents, these rides stopped being appealing to me.  I had no desire to give them a go whatsoever.  I'd watch happily from the ground as the Big Guy gave them a turn, but I preferred my feet firmly on the ground.

Today was different.  Not sure of the reason, but I'm glad.  It was fun to be a little daring (OK - I know going on these rides isn't really all that daring, but ...).  It was fun to have a little adventure with the Big Guy and see my oldest son giving me big smiles as I screamed my head off.

As we went up the climb on the first big coaster,  I did two things.  First, I silently scolded myself for not having hit the ladies' room before we got on the coaster.  Second, I made Nate promise not to tell anyone if a word which would have made my Mom run for the soap crossed my lips.  I'm happy to report that my Christian witness remains in tact.  Mom would be proud.

A bit out of the ordinary is a good thing every once in a while.

Best Friends Not Allowed

To be honest, I am not even sure what to say about this...my mind is screaming about a hundred different things all at once.

While listening to public radio today, I heard a discussion about best friends.  Apparently, there was an article in the New York Times last week that stated many schools and child "experts" have decided that best friends amongst kids are a bad thing.  There are schools and camps who do things to purposely dissuade and undermine such friendships.

WHAT!?

Here's a link to the article, "The End of the Best Friend."  Go read it and come back.

Are you reeling?

Before I go farther let me say, we homeschool our kids.  So, yes, I am probably a bit out of touch in terms of the whole bullying problem in schools I so often hear discussed.  I mean really, our big bully here at our school is probably our two year old.  She is pretty tough.  However, even if I am a bit out of touch with the school scene, this just seems wrong on so many levels.

I think best friends, or at the very least, a small group of very close friends is essential to kids as they grow up.  If everyone is friends with everyone else, where will kids learn how to be in close relationships with others?  Where will they learn how to give and take or how to share in another's grief or happiness or how to to put someone else's needs above your own in the really tough times?  I could go on and on...

Yes, these are all relational skills the Big Guy and I want our children to learn at home first and foremost.  We want our kids to learn how to be in healthy, loving, Godly relationships with each other so that they'll be ready to have such friendships outside of our immediate family.  Truth be told, being friends with siblings wasn't one of the reasons we started homeschooling, but it is certainly one of the greatest benefits we've seen from homeschooling.  But they've got to learn to find and grow such friendships outside of their family as well! 

How desolate my past would seem had I been discouraged in seeking out special "best" friendships with others!  In fact, had I been so discourage, how desolate would my present and future would seem as well.

I'm rambling a bit...I'd love hear other's thoughts on this...