My Plains of Peace

True joy lacks the wild ups and downs of an excitement-based life.  It's a peaceful landscape filled with peaceful thoughts and peaceful emotions.  Indeed, it's so peaceful that, to our adrenaline-soaked culture, it looks rather plain.  In fact, I like to think of it as the plains of peace.

~Martha Beck

The small things of life are what give me everyday peace and joy.  It is not very often that I will go back to bed after I get the older girls off to school but this morning I needed a few more zzzzz's.  It was such a peaceful feeling to fall back into a deep sleep and not feel the need to go full throttle as soon as my feet hit the floor.  Kate actually slept until 10:00AM this morning (apparently she needed a few extra zzzzz's as well) and woke me up ready for breakfast.

I enjoyed two of my favorite things of the morning...."Every Kiss begins with K", this is the song Kate sings before she gives me a kiss now days due to the Kay Jewelers commercials they play leading up to Valentine's Day and my coffee along with my favorite creamer....Natural Bliss!

We cuddled up on the couch and Kate asked, "Mommy, can we have a pajama day like I had at school last week?" My response, "Sounds wonderful!"  We watched some favorites on PBS like this and this and talked on the phone to Mamaw Carol for a bit.  One of Kate's daily joys is getting the mail, she can hear that mail truck two streets over.:)  Well, today, she wanted to play a bit after her visit to the mailbox and with this weather I didn't blame her!

Bubbles!

She worked up an appetite outside and was ready for lunch.  I think watching PBS this morning gave her some inspiration because she was ready to create her own lunch.:)

So proud and if you notice one of the "flowers" is missing a petal....she wanted me to taste.:)

This is the CD we listened to this afternoon, take a listen.

Sara Groves is inspirational and Station Wagon is

wonderful, especially for parents, to have in their collection.:)

My lunch was leftover White Chicken Chili from last night with a little reduced fat sour cream on top and some cilantro.  Yes, that is a plastic spoon...apparently every spoon we own was washing in the dishwasher and I wasn't up to eating with a ladle.:)

The recipe I used for this was adapted from my #1 favorite recipe blog Annie's Eats.  I added an extra can of Northern beans, increased the chicken broth to 3 cans and omitted the heavy whipping cream and sour cream that is added at the end of the recipe.  After all, I am currently doing Made to Crave and trying to develop healthier eating habits for me and the Fam.:)  We just add the sour cream on top when served and sprinkle a little dried Cilantro on top.  Good stuff!

Blessings and love to all!

Friday with Mr. B



Candles

Playlist

 Let's Cook

 Spinach Bacon Artichoke Artisan Pizza with Feta

Kate and I made the dough for these little babies on Wednesday

Recipe:  Multigrain Pizza Dough with Honey

Prep:  20 min.  Stand:  30 min.

Chill overnight or up to three days

Ingredients:

4       cups unbleached bread flour

3/4    cup whole wheat flour

1/4    cup rye flour (or cornmeal or additional whole wheat flour)

1       Tbsp. honey

1 1/2 tsp. table salt

1 1/2 tsp. instant yeast, also called bread-machine or fast-rising yeast

2       Tbsp. olive oil

2       cups water, room temperature

1.  In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with dough hook, or in a large bowl using a large spoon, combine all ingredients except cooking spray.  Mix on slow speed, or by hand, about 3 minutes, until ingredients are combined and all the flour is wet.  Dough will be soft and gluten won't be fully developed at this point.

2.  If using an electric mixer, increase the speed to medium and continue mixing for an additional 2 minutes.  If working by hand, keep mixing with the spoon; you may also turn dough out onto counter and knead.  Mix long enough to create a smooth, supple dough, about 3 minutes.  If dough seems very stiff, incorporate more water, a teaspoon at a time, as you mix; if the dough is wet and sticky, sprinkle in more flour as you mix.  Dough should be tacky but not sticky.  Lightly grease bowl with olive oil or cooking spray.  Form dough into smooth ball and place in bowl, turning to coat the surface with oil.  Cover bowl with plastic wrap but do not let wrap touch dough.  Let dough stand at room temperature for 30 minutes, then refrigerate overnight, or up to three days (dough will continue to rise in bowl until it goes dormant from the cold).

3.  Two hours before you plan to make the pizzas, mist a baking sheet or cookie sheet with cooking spray, or rub lightly with olive oil.  Cut dough into 4 equal pieces, and form each piece into a smooth, round ball.  Place dough balls on prepared pan, mist lightly with nonstick cooking spray, and cover lightly with plastic wrap.  While dough proofs and comes to room temperature, prepare toppings and preheat oven to 500 degrees.  Stretch and shape dough.  Place on a pizza stone or whatever you use to bake pizza on:).  Top with Multipurpose Herb Oil (recipe below) and Toppings (see below) and bake one at a time for 5-7 minutes.  Makes 4 Pizzas.

Recipe:  Multipurpose Herb Oil

Ingredients:

1  cup olive oil

1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1 Tbsp. dried basil

1 Tbsp. dried parsley

1 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. dried rosemary, crumbled

1 tsp. dried crushed red pepper (optional)

1/2 tsp. paprika

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

1  tsp. salt

1  tsp. ground black pepper

Whisk all the ingredients together for about 15 seconds, long enough to evenly distribute them.  Most of the spices and herbs will tend to settle after a few minutes.  Always whisk or stir the mixture before using.  Let herbs steep in oil for at least 30 minutes at room temperature before using.  Store, tightly covered, in a cool dark place up to two weeks.  Makes 1 cup. 

Toppings:

1/2 pound  bacon, fried and crumbled

1 can artichoke hearts, drained and sliced

Baby spinach leaves, washed and patted dry

Feta Cheese, Crumbled

*I brush the Herb Oil generously on pizza dough before I add the toppings; sliced artichoke, then bacon, spinach leaves and finish with Feta sprinkled on top.  I brush the spinach leaves with some of the oil before baking. Enjoy!!

Source:  Adapted from BHG magazine