Pizza Roll

These pizza rolls happen to be the easiest things in the world to make. I am pretty sure you could make them up and stick them in the freezer (that way you always have something on hand to serve on one of THOSE days).

1 roll of pizza dough (we used thin crust)
pizza sauce
cheese
toppings of your choice
olive oil

Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface.
Spread a layer of tomato sauce

Add cheese and all of your toppings (I used two types of cheese and pepperoni)

Begin rolling the pizza crust into a log.

Brush the roll with a little olive oil.
Place in an oven preheated to 375 degrees and bake for 15-25 minutes or until brown.
Let cool and slice into 2 inch pieces. Enjoy!

I forgot to take a "straight out of the oven shot". But this is the sliced one. I have to say it was YUMMY!

I am pretty sure this would be great to wrap in plastic wrap and put into the freezer (if it were to make it that far). I would not bake it first. Just defrost and bake as instructed.

Now for all of my gluten free friends.

I attempted to make this gluten free. It was a gluten free failure. GF pizza crust is way to sticky to roll. It turned into a mess. I actually scooped it off the pan and threw it into the sink. A friend ours actually asked why there was lasagna in the sink. Charlotte ended up eating a gluten free pizza. I will continue working on a way for this to work for her.

Gratituesday: On Wednesday

Yes I am writing a gratituesday blog on Wednesday. And I know I did not publish one last week. It has been one of THOSE weeks. I am not exactly sure what has been going on, but to say that I was in a funk, would be an understatement. It has taken me two good weeks to get over this hump. But, let me tell you, God is faithful and good. And on Monday, I had one of those "only God" experiences.

Our church has organized visitation every Monday. And just like the the last few Mondays, the girls were in moods. You know, the type of mood where you don't want to keep them yourself, much less take them for some poor nursery worker to have to deal with them. So I skipped. I knew there was someone I really needed to go see, but I skipped.
We did a few fun family things. Even got to spend a little time with a family we just don't get to hang out with much any more. It was great and refreshing. But when I got home, I still had that feeling (I really should have visited that person).
After I got the girls to bed, God said it again (I did not know God was telling me this until afterward). And at 9:00 pm, God opened that door. The person, that I felt I needed to see, was reaching out. This time I was paying attention and was able to spend some time with a wonderful person who needed me.

So this week, I am thankful for a God who doesn't give up. He pokes ME until we pay attention. He gives ME the verses, He speaks to MY heart, and most importantly, He loves ME!

*While I was in the middle of typing this, Ansley came to me with a picture of Jesus on the cross. She said, "Mommy, tell me the story of Jesus." Man, I love my job.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffins

This post is for Keri, who asked me about the recipe. The muffins turned out great. However, if I were to make them again I would make some changes.

1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour (or gf flour...I think I am going to use almond flour next time)
1/3 cup Sucanat (brown or white sugar will work fine)
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup butter or coconut oil (melted and cooled)
2/3 cup milk
1 egg
1/4 chocolate chips (I love the way the mini chocolate chips taste in muffins)

Stir together dry ingredients.
Mix in butter, milk, and egg.
Fold in chocolate chips.
Scoop into 9-12 paper lined muffin tins.
Bake 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

Some of my personal preferences:
*If I were going to use coconut oil, I would use half coconut and half butter. I am from the south and well we like putting butter in everything.
*You can never have to many chocolate chips, so I never measure them.
*When I bake with gluten free all purpose flour I always add xantham gum. I am still not sure what the purpose of it is, but I think it is to help it be a little chewy.
*Like every other muffin, don't mix it to much. They get tough.

And lastly, there is no picture because gf muffins are never really pretty. But they sure are yummy. :)

Gratituesday: Staying Home

I am stealing this idea from a fellow blogger. But, it is just to good. Every Tuesday her post is called "Gratituesday". She uses Tuesdays to remind herself and all of us what she is thankful for. Love it.

Today is my first Gratituesday! I was wondering where I should even begin. Why not at the beginning of my mommy experience.

I have not always been a stay-at-home-wife/mom. I actually have a degree in education and taught for 3 years in a public school. That experience was, well, interesting. I was tested in more than ways than I can actually talk about on this blog. But, I can say, less than half of the tests were in the educational field. Social and spiritual tests were the biggest and hardest for me to learn.

Staying home would seem to be an easy choice to make, but it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. I love to teach and I love school. But, I love my babies even more. And the financial burden of going from two paychecks to one was very scary. But I felt that God wanted me out. And I am so grateful that He did not just tell me one time. Nope over and over He told me to stay home. He even sent a fellow teacher to me who was going through the same thing. He even ended friendships so that I would not be distracted. I was crushed, humiliated, and alone (or so I thought). But my loving God had a plan for me. He knew that our family would grow from one baby to two. He knew that I would be blessed with students in my home. He knew that I would be able to love on and teach the little ones at my own home.

So what am I grateful for on Gratituesday? I am grateful that God did not give up on me! His way is perfect!