A new take on pizza

Pi, pie, slice, za. However you refer to it, pizza is delish.

It can come in any endless variety--thick crust, thin, hand-tossed, wood-fired or baked. Maybe you prefer yours loaded with meat or heaped with veggies. Whether it's traditional or gourmet, there is no shortage of option for the ever-loving pizza. 

Our family recently took a short road trip to an establishment where they served wood-fired pizza right on the farm. It was a beautiful drive from the La Crosse area, up Hwy. 35, through Fountain City. From there you wound your way down a winding country road, up and down beautiful lush valleys. The destination is a family-owned farm where they serve pizza on Thursdays and Fridays throughout the summer. 

We read on the website to bring your own chairs or blankets to have a proper picnic-style dinner. I packed some juice and water, snacks and veggies, plates and utensils and we were set! The kids grabbed a spot on the lawn near the swing set. We ordered our Za at the window, we were pizza numbers 65 and 66. They were currently working their way through the thirties. We settled onto the blanket as the kids ran and played, with the many other kids and families who were relaxing nearby. Somehow our beer seemed to taste better out in the open, the smells of campfire and pizza ever present. Our wait didn't seem so long, without having to contain kids and make them sit. Within about 45 minutes we had our two pizzas and sat down to enjoy! The kids devoured a cheese pizza, and we enjoyed ours with beautiful heirloom tomatoes and a touch of bacon and basil. Not too shabby for a Friday night! 

I had packed the fixin's to make s'mores, and the farm provided the sticks and the fire pit. We didn't even have to bribe our kids to finish their food to get dessert! Our drive home was relaxing and everyone fell into bed more than happy! Next summer if you find yourself with a free Thursday or Friday evening, might I recommend packing up a picnic basket with some goodies and a blanket and heading to Suncrest Gardens outside of Fountain City. It might not be great for the waistline, but it sure is wonderful for the soul!

Wrestling with technology

Technology, good or bad? Helpful or not? 

I think my answer to this is simple, when working properly and used in moderation, technology can be a wonderful and enhancing addition to our everyday lives. However, there is always the evil flip side to this scenario. 

Often times technology seems to operate and go about it's merry way, not behaving the way we want or need it to! Think about all the computer gadgets now in our vehicles and the constant updates, upgrades, notifications we receive on our computers. We have a home equipped with some "smart" technology. Our heating and cooling system is run via an iPad in the wall. Looks neat, until it isn't working properly. I have spent more time on the phone with repair people and can practically call them friends for how frequently they've needed to come "fix" things. My husband swears our next home will be equipped with the bare bones and less technology is better. 

I have to say, it is nice to have fun music at my fingertips, a car that cools to my desired temperature, the ability to see loved ones face to face, even when they live thousands of miles away. Most of the conveniences we live with would be very difficult to give up. Today I am grateful that we have an alarm on our freezer when the door is left open, even if the beeping is truly annoying! It saved us a lot of money not having to replace those waffles and ice cream! 

There is always the constant battle in our home with our children and technology. They are so accustomed to electronics--iPads, Tv's, smart phones, digital cameras and so on. We have to monitor their frequency and what type of sites they are visiting. If given the chance, our son would love nothing more than an uninterrupted day spent playing MineCraft on the iPad. Rules are constantly in place so this won't happen, but it really is a battle! So to live in relative peace with the technology that is such a part of our lives, I must keep chanting the mantra use in moderation, and if broken, be nice to your repair guy/gal, they may be your new best friend!

Breakfast saver

Ok all of you parents who have sent your kids back to school, can I get a yee-haw? It's a bittersweet time for sure, for some more sweet than bitter or vice versa. But now you may find yourself deep in the throws of the morning chaos. If you are a well-oiled machine in the morning, you need not read on, but for those of us who could use some help or assistance, I have been introduced to a wonderful new breakfast option that may save you some time during the a.m. rush.

I am borrowing these recipes from a wonderful blog site called The Yummy Life. The blogger, Monica Matheny, has some wonderful tips and recipes, she's well worth checking out when you get an opportunity. www.theyummylife.com 

My new go-to breakfast is an overnight, no-cook refrigerator oatmeal. You will need a Mason jar with a lid and a great imagination! I found some awesome rubber Bell jars with lids at Menards, but I'm sure they can be found in various other stores. This is packed with nutrition and makes for a great grab and go option if need be. You simply fill the jar about with about a half cup of old fashioned oats, not the quick or steel cut variety. Pour a bit of milk over the top, any kind will do. Then add greek yogurt, I love the plain Chobani, around a half a cup, but add more or less to your liking. Then simply fill in the rest with whatever concoction sounds good to you! Yesterday I mixed raspberries and a bit of vanilla extract. The second jar had blueberries and maple syrup. The last jar I used almonds, honey and some cinnamon. Then you simply shake or mix well, cover and set in the refrigerator to enjoy in the morning! The oatmeal soaks up the liquid and you have a wonderful, hearty breakfast. My kids each picked a flavor that they liked and devoured it! It's such a great thing to prepare the night before and know that one extra step is complete for the morning.

Share your favorite recipe, there are so many to try! Enjoy.