Try-It-Tuesday: Summer Vegetable Gratin Pizza

I've been slacking on Try-It-Tuesday. I'll try a recipe and not post it because...well...I forget. I seriously have mush for a brain. I truly hope one day it comes back! Now, I tried this pizza last night, and was so excited about it that I promised myself I couldn't forget to post it. I almost did until Elena (the creator of T.I.T) posted her recipe. Thanks for the reminder Elena!

A few side notes on this recipe. I didn't make the whole wheat crust, I just used a Pillsbury one. I also used parmesan cheese from a can, I chopped my tomatoes instead of diced them, and I used dried basil instead of fresh. It turned out great with my slight alterations so I am sure it would be even better the real way. Also, it wasn't just me that liked this pizza, it was Russ and Lily's too! I think Lily might have liked it as well as she did because she helped put the whole thing together. She is a great sprinkler! ;) Lastly, I would guess that this could feed a large family if you had a sidedish with it. We only ate half of ours.

Summer Vegetable Gratin Pizza on Whole Wheat Crust
Estimated Cost: $1.50

Ingredients:
3 teaspoons yeast (I use Saf)
2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup warm water
1 and 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 and 1/2 cups all purpose flour
cornmeal for the pan
1/3 cup pizza sauce or plain tomato sauce
1 and 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
1 small zucchini, thinly sliced
1 small yellow squash, thinly sliced
1 red tomato, thinly sliced
1 and 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup shredded parmesan

Directions:
Combine yeast, sugar, olive oil, salt, warm water, and whole wheat flour. Stir and knead in flour. Knead for 4 minutes. Cover and let rise for one hour. Punch it down and let it rest for five minutes. Lightly grease a baking sheet and coat with a bit of cornmeal. Roll out dough into 12 inch circle or press into rectangular cookie sheet. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spread crust with pizza sauce. (Don't use much or you'll have a soggy pizza.) Sprinkle with mozzarella. Layer zucchini, squash and tomatoes in circles on pizza. Drizzle with olive oil, garlic, basil, and parmesan. Bake for 20 minutes or until cheeses are melted. If necessary, if the vegetables become too watery, heat the broiler and watching carefully, bake until the juices dry up a bit.

The Purple Hat

Things are always wandering around our house. I will put something away, turn my back, and it has reappeared again. I think I know who the little magicians are that make this happen! One of these things that never seems to stay "put away" is the purple hat. Mom gave Lily this purple hat for Christmas two years ago. It never really fit her because she has a tiny head. Now that it finally fits her, it seems to be out ALL THE TIME!

Allie decided today that she liked this particular hat. Russ helped her get it on her head, and she looked so darn cute in it I couldn't resist taking some pictures.

First up was wearing it backwards. Allie of course couldn't figure out way I was taking MORE pictures of her. LOL!

Okay, I'll smile for you momma!

Then we had to try wearing it the "right" way. Don't ask why half of her face is lighter than the other half, because I don't know, and I'm a little upset about it! :(

I LOVED this picture because it made her ears look like they stick out, which they don't, but it was so cute! And look at the teeny-tiny neck she has!

Alan Bear gets new duds!

My brother Alan gave this bear to Lily for Christmas when she was one. She has loved this thing ever since she got it. She didn't really know many words back then, so she dubbed it "Alan Bear". Of course the name stuck. Earlier today Lily had taken off Alan Bear's sweater because he was "too hot." I told Lily he was naked and needed his sweater back on (just so it wouldn't get lost). She shrugged at me, and gave me the "whatever" look. I sighed, hmphed, and got over it. After all it is her bear and if she loses part of it, it isn't my fault!

A few hours later Lily brought Alan Bear up to me and said, "Look momma, he got clothes now! He not naked anymore" Sure enough Alan Bear was all dressed up. Lily had not only put his sweater back on, but she had also loaned Alan Bear a pair of her shorts and her hat. He is now one STYLIN' dude!

12 mo. well check

Today we went in for Allie's well check. I was hoping that it would be a quick in and out. Nope! I waited in the waiting room for 1 hr 15 min. I saw the doctor for 5 mins and the nurse for 5 min. I would have been okay with waiting my turn if it didn't so happen that I saw at least 10 people come in after me, and went in and came out before me. I was the last person called before lunchtime, and I was the last person remaining before they shut the doors for lunch. Grrrr!

The good news about this well check is that Allie is doing amazingly well. Her stats were as follows:
Height: 29 1/2 in = 75%
Weight: 19 lbs 12 oz = 30 %
Head: 44.6 cm

We had realized on Allie's birthday that she was lighter than normal. We knew this because she hadn't hit 20 lbs, therefor we couldn't turn her seat around. I just didn't know that she was THAT light! To think she had been in the 90% for weight when she was born! I think she was WAY short too. How funny that it has flip flopped now.

Allie was tired from missing her nap, which put her in a terrible mood. She wasn't exactly complying to what needed to be done. She sobbed and tried to get back in my arms. Through all this the doctor said she was doing well as far as mental and physical health. He also was able to let me know that Allie's two top molars had broke through. I had NO idea that they were even ready to come in. Allie keeps her mouth clamped shut more than Lily did, so it is harder to see what is going on in there. We also have to get Allie to start taking Fluoride vitamins. Apparently they don't fluoridate the water here so young kids like her have to take vitamins to keep their teeth strong.

The worst part of the visit was the shots. Allie needed three to stay up to date. This nurse was not very kind about giving the shots, nor was she very fast at giving them. She also made me pin Allie down in my lap to give them. Allie couldn't figure out why I was letting the mean lady stick her AND not let her get away. She just sobbed, and sobbed, and sobbed some more. I felt horrible. If we had gotten in when we were supposed to this probably wouldn't have happened!

Overall it wasn't a bad visit I just wish the clinic wouldn't over book themselves. All that does is make things harder for the doctors, patients, and the parents!

Irritated beyond belief

Some things are bothering me lately. Things that I should talk about but don't because I don't want to have to fight with other people over these "issues". So I let them smolder. While they smolder I get aggitated, then irrated. If I let it keep going I'll get to the irate stage. At this stage, I blow up. Hopefully I will address these things before I get to that stage. No one likes to see Jewelle irate.

With that aside I do want to discuss one thing I'm irate over. PSE6(Photoshop) has NO temporary backup! For two hours I worked diligently on a digital scrapbook layout. I didn't finish because Allie woke up from her nap, and I felt I should take care of her instead of finishing my project. I left the screen open, but didn't save. Why would I save? No one touches the computer but me, what could happen?!

I'll tell you what could happen! The stupid blankety-blank(fill in words at will) power bumped! At the time I didn't think anything of it. Then after all was quiet in my house, the children and Russ tucked in bed, I went to finish my layout. It was GONE! Augh! I went and got Russ who helped me scan to see if PSE6 does temp files. But of course it doesn't. Now I have to start all over from the begininng. Sometimes presents for other people soooooooo aren't worth the time I put into them.

Just so you know, this situation did not help the irritation problem. However, writing about it did! I feel much happier. I tend to feel happier when I get out some good ol' sarcasim in a constructive way. And I learned my lesson, ALWAYS SAVE. Repeat. ALWAYS SAVE! Repeat...

The Progression of Walking

This is a little progression of Allie learning to walk.

June 9: Just beginning to walk

June 16: Totally got the hang of it

June 20: Walk?! No way! I'm going to run! (Russ was actually trying to get her to dance in this video, but she wouldn't do it. And the answer is yes, she can dance!)

The Giggles

While cleaning up for Allie's birthday party, Russ and I rearranged our bedroom furniture just a tiny bit. With the new arrangement I was able to have my keyboard out on my cedar chest. Lily discovered my "pwano" and started pounding on the keys. I made her turn it off but promised she could play it later.

Today she begged to play the "pwano" and I gave in. Russ and I were in a different room while Lily was pounding away. (Wouldn't you want to get away from it if you could?!) At first there was just the noise of the piano, then gradually we heard something else. Allie was giggling hysterically at Lily playing the piano. Of course when we got the camera to video it, Allie didn't giggle as much, but it still was worth videoing.

Father's Day

Our father's day was very laid back this year. I got sick after Allie's birthday party so a lot of my "grand ideas" for the next day went out the window. I had gotten a gift for Russ from the girls and one from me. He got a tie from the girls, and wallet from me. He likes to get new ties, and considers it a must to get one on Father's Day. I had noticed his wallet was falling a part and decided to get him a nice "grown-up" one. I didn't cook anything special for him because I still wasn't feeling well, and I had forget to pick up some of the ingredients for the meal I had been planning. Russ just spent the day playing with the girls, and collecting stars on MarioGalaxy. He declared that it was a great day! Glad to hear that honey!

Allie's 1st birthday!

***This is a big fat warning that there are a gazillion pictures in this post. I couldn't leave hardly any out. So skip this if you so desire!***

Can it be true? Is my little itty bitty Allie turning 1?! I honestly can't believe it. I still remember very clearly when she was placed in my arms shortly after 3:30 exactly one year ago. She was so precious then, and she is even more now! We of course couldn't let this day pass by without making a fuss. So here is a peek of what our day was like.

I took the picture of the loot last night because Allie gets us up bright and early, and I didn't want to get a picture while she had to wait. The picture is missing one package as well. Uncle Alan's came in the mail today.

I totally forgot that I had wanted to make a tree with the hungry caterpillar to go over Allie's high chair. At the last minute Russ whipped this lovely thing up for me. Well, he did the tree, I did the caterpillar. Oh, and in case you are wondering, we chose the hungry caterpillar because Allie EATS and EATS and EATS, and is STILL hungry! Allie got us up around 7:00. We plopped her down on the couch to take some cute pictures with her balloons. She loved these things!

Where is that balloon going? Where did Allie go?

We let Allie open up her cards and one present. She got dollar bills in her card from Grandma Lala and Papa Joe. She loved waving them around in the air.

Here she is opening her first present.

I love how excited she looks over getting clothes! We let her open this one present so she could where her new birthday outfit. I also had to post this picture because it is the only one I got of her looking semi happy about opening presents.

Allie showing off her knew outfit.

While Allie was taking her morning nap mommy struggles with making her a suitable caterpillar cake. I cry over all my cakes. Something always goes wrong. This year...I got black food coloring instead of red. I ended up making like six trips to the store. I don't know why I can't just let myself make a normal cake for the kids birthdays, but I can't. I guess I want to do SOMETHING special for them, and this is all I come up with. Anyway, here is the finished product of the hungry caterpillar. (My lighting was horrible so the green looks neonish, but really it is a really pretty tree green, and the red was a pretty fire engine red, not reddish-orange!)

Close-up off head.

Close-up of bum so you can see the individual sprinkles that represent the "fuzzy" part of the caterpillar.

Around 4:00 Russ's sister Cori and her family showed up for a small birthday party. We are so glad that we have some family living near by now. One of Allie's favorite things to do beside eat is to go swimming. She totally relaxes when we do go. Russ and I thought this would be the perfect thing to do for her party.

We tried to get pictures of all of us swimming, but since I gave Russ the camera to do that, we didn't get to many good shots. These are a few of the "okay" ones. I love that he caught Lily diving off the side of the pool. Ssshhh! Don't tell the management! There is a strict "no diving" policy! :(

This is one of the only pictures I got of Zion and Enoch. Zion was learning to dive. Sssshhh!

I had Allie duty, which was A-okay with me! Uh please don't linger on this photo, I look horrible in a swimsuit!

The very happy, birthday girl!

If you look really close you can see Cori hiding under the umbrella. She is part albino and burns REALLY easy. There is Jake taking in all the lovely sun!

After a pleasant hour in the pool we trooped back to the apartment for dinner. We settled on making spaghetti, corn, and garlic bread since spaghetti is Allie's favorite dinner. She slurped down TWO large helpings of it. We gave her a spit bath and then redressed her so she looked presentable in pictures.

My mom suggested I help Lily buy something to give her, and I am glad I followed that advice. Lily was soooooooo excited to give Allie her gift from her. Lily requested I get Allie some pink sunglasses. Lily helped me wrap them up. Then after Allie opened them Lily had to shove them on Allie's head! :D

Jake, Cori and family gave Allie a seahorse that lights up and plays music. She loves giving it hugs.

This peek-a-boo thing is so entertaining to Allie.

Grandma Lala and Papa Joe sent three books, a new outfit, and a popcorn popper pusher for Allie. She is reading one of her books in the picture. She loves books!

Alan is an amazing uncle. He really spoils his nieces on their birthdays. He sent Allie this telephone, the shape sorter, a onesie from the baseball team he works for, AND a pair of shorts. He made sure everything was pink for his niece too!

Our big gift to Allie was a Parents zoo. It had those beads you push around on wires, and a few other activities. Allie really got excited when playing with it. This picture is of her unwrapping it. Here is Allie getting sung to with her HUGE cake! LOL!

I wanted Allie to have a piece of cake that she could call her own. I made a small round cake for the head of the caterpillar and called it hers. She is just starting to dig in in this picture. By this time she was clearly confused as to why I was taking so many pictures of her. Yummy red frosting!

And lastly, the birthday girl enjoying her cake. When she started crying at the end of this we knew the party was over. I cleaned her up and put her to bed. She laid down and was asleep in like two minutes. Poor girl had just too much birthday fun!

Happy Birthday Allie

Happy Happy Birthday Allie dear!
Happy days will come to you all year!
If I had one wish then it would be,
A Happy Happy Birthday to you from me!

Love,
Mom, Dad, and Lily

Toothy #8

Several weeks ago tooth #7 came in and it looked like #8 would come in soon after. The gum was swollen and red. But I was wrong. That tooth stayed firmly under Allie's gums until today. Allie was complaining up a storm over nothing. I finally got the sense in my head to look at her gums. Sure enough there was that toothy poking through. Number eight which is the one tooth left of center has come in. Apparently it felt like it needed to make its apperance before Allie turned one!

Last day of swim lessons!

Tonight was Lily's last night of swim lessons. I can't believe two weeks is up already. Lily even got a certificate for "passing" her class. All the kids "passed" but Lily actually advanced on to the next class. I of course couldn't resist taking pictures more pictures of Lily swimming. It was her last day for heaven's sake! Theresa (Lily's teacher) is teaching Lily how to jump into the pool with a life jacket on. Who knew there was a correct way to do that? I didn't!
Swim baby, swim!

Allie wasn't so grumpy this time about not swimming. The baby class wasn't going anymore so she didn't feel like she needed to be in the pool. :D

This is Lily's other teacher Madeline. She is LDS. Who would have thought we would find another member at swim lessons?! She is great with Lily, and talks to her about church. This of course excites Lily. She LOVES church!

Oh look at the two fishies!

I thought I had taken a better video of her swimming, but I didn't. This is when she actually was trying to swim. She got a few strokes in there before going down. Theresa and Madeline actually told us that since Lily is moving her arms in the water she is actually WAY advanced. Most kids her age just sink! LOL!

Gogglee Eye Fun

What could be more fun than a daddy, his two girls, and a pair of goggles? I say NOTHING! Check out the silly pictures we took when Russ and Lily decided that Allie should try the goggles on!

The promised photo!

I promised a long time ago to get a picture of Allie folding her arms for prayers. Here she is! It seriously is the cutest thing in the world! She has added to her little routine of folding her arms. She now bobs her head up and down and babbles. It is so funny to see her trying to say her prayers. She also has become very consistent with this. Most times that we say a prayer she will fold her arms for us!

Bubbles

Our weather right now is in the high 90's and with the humidity we feel like it is in the mid 100's. We have to stay in doors a lot for fear the kids will get heat stroke/heat exhaustion. Lily tends to get over heated easily. The kids have been going stir crazy being inside. We just came off of the Idaho winter stir craziness before the Texas summer stir craziness occurred.

I knew if I didn't come up with a plan of action I would have a nasty situation on my hands. The solution? Go out and blow bubbles in the shade! We wouldn't get to overheated if we stayed in the shade and drank lots of water. The best part is that we have TONS of shade in front of our house from the complex's shadow! Score!

We have been outside this week about three times blowing bubbles. Both girls enjoy their time roaming around chasing those elusive bubbles. Lily loves when I let her use the "big wand". This was also the only shot I got of her from the front.I didn't get a great shot of Allie but there she is! Oh, and yes she is wearing a sleeveless dress thingy. It is so hot down here that Allie gets heat rash if I put her in layers. I guess I'll have to work harder on finding clothes that you don't have to layer :(

I loved this shot because of all the bubbles floating in the air. Oh! and look how green it is here! That is one of our favorite things about living in Texas. All that greenery!

A Few Layouts

It has been a really long time since I've posted any of my layouts on here. I've just plum forgot, and other more important things have come up. So here are a few I've done lately.

This was a redo of an older page. Soooo glad I redid it!

I made this page MONTHS ago, but I never finished the second page until last week. Here they both are. Hopefully you can use your imagination and see them laying side by side :) (Jess if you want me to take this one down just let me know.)

If you would like to see credits for these, or would like to look at more of my creations go HERE or HERE.