making pizza

On Monday the littles had a field trip to make pizza at a local, family owned pizza parlor.  Really it was Rowan's class, but her teacher let Fletcher participate.  The grandson of the owner is in Rowan's class.  It was so fun!  Fletcher and Rowan really enjoy being a part of any cooking or baking project, so this was destined to be a great field trip for them.

They laid out the pizza crust, and let the kids put whatever topping they'd like on top.  Rowan just wanted cheese, which seemed like a big travesty to the owner.  He looked at the pizza and started talking quickly and loudly in Greek to his daughter.  I have no idea what he said, but the daughter sighed and told him, "Papa, put the pizza in the oven.  She's a two year old."  Ha!  Fletcher luckily loves his cured meat products, so his pizza covered in ham and pepperoni passed the chef's critique.

I love that the restaurant is set up so that you can see into the kitchen, and watch the pizza chefs put the toppings on.  While the place filled up with seriously delicious smells, we took pictures of all the littles in their cute chef hats.

Those goofy faces.  When the pizza was finished baking, we pretty much ran to the tables and devoured our lunch.  Rowan is a HUGE fan of pizza- it's her hands down favorite.  You won't believe me, but she ate her entire little pizza.  The whole thing.  It is the best pizza in town, so I don't blame her.  Luckily for me, Fletcher only ate a couple slices, and I helped him finish his.  I'm helpful that way.

Fletcher's favorite part was checking out the caboose that is parked right down the road from the pizza parlor.  We always have to stop and check it out on the way to the car.

slow and steady

Making things for people I don't know is harder than I thought it would be.  I ask a few questions about what they like.  Favorite colors, collections.  I thought that would be enough to get me on the right track.  But then I start thinking.  And thinking.  I think about making a painting.  And then I think maybe they'd rather have something embroidered.  And then I think maybe they might be disappointed that I didn't get it right.  Have I mentioned that I am a worrier?

But I soldier ahead.  I remind myself that these little somethings are not orders that someone has put in.  No one is waiting on my something to get there in time for a birthday.  Or expecting something that they are giving their mom for Mother's Day.  And this is a gift from me to someone I don't know, so they are probably not really expecting anything in particular, right?  (please say right)

This recent something was made for someone who liked mushrooms and elves.  So I had a LOT of thinking on this one.  It's my first ever mushroom/elf art piece I've ever made (even if my elf is quite gnome-ish).  And I probably would never have made it if it hadn't been for this project.  So this project is stretching my wings a bit.  And I like that.  I'm learning a lot about myself, and I'm learning a lot about strangers who appreciate their somethings.  I've only gotten positive feedback, and it all makes my heart so happy.

I wish I could make everything all at once to send out, but it's pretty slow and steady around here.  My aim is for 2 a week, but sometimes it's only 1.  Sometimes it is 4!  It just depends upon the something and the week.  My list is quite long, and I've barely scratched the surface.  I'm going to have to put out a deadline for people to stop asking because I keep adding more and more.  Because honestly I don't know how long I'll be able to keep it up if my list is growing faster than I am crossing off people.

So here we go.  Deadline will be in one week from tomorrow.  March 15.  If you've been thinking about asking, please do!  It will definitely take me a while to get something to you, but I do want to add you to my list if you aren't already on there.  So email me!  mytrashandtreasure@gmail (dot) com.

this boy

The other night Fletcher picked out the book Where the Wild Things Are for one of his bedtime books.  I told him it was my very favorite when I was his age, and how I still love reading it to him.  After we finished reading, getting tucked in, and getting snuggles, Fletcher told me that we should read the book every night.  And that he'd only read it with me since it's our special favorite book!  He's pretty special himself that way.  Full disclosure: he did go on to tell me about a Spongebob episode that involved some pretty gross scenes.  So, yeah.  He's still a boy.  But he's my favorite boy ever.

spicy black bean soup

I can't lie.  I make soup when it's cold.  And I think it's my favorite meal for winter.  I don't actually have a favorite soup, but if the soup has beans, I'm happy.  So as the snow fell last Friday and the winter wind chilled our bones, I made soup, and I made it spicy to make sure we'd stay warm.

2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups broth or water
1 can diced tomatoes (I used Rotel for extra spiciness)
1/2 cup salsa
1-2 cups corn (fresh, canned or frozen)
1 T olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 bell pepper, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped carrots
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp chili powder
cayenne powder and hot sauce to taste
serves 4-6

Chop the vegetables and saute in olive oil in a large pot or dutch oven.  Add minced garlic when vegetables are almost browned.  Stir frequently to keep from over-browning.

While vegetables are browning, pour rinsed and drained black beans into a large bowl, and mash lightly.  I like whole beans left for the soup, so I really don't mash the heck out of these.  So mash to your preference!

Once vegetables are lightly browned, combine the rest of your ingredients in your pot and bring to a boil.  I used water instead of broth, and added a couple shakes of salt.  The mashed beans give the soup some body, so it won't be watery at all.  But broth is great too.  Don't let me talk you out of broth.  I'm pro-broth!  Turn the heat down to low and simmer for an hour or so.

Garnish with sliced avocado, sour cream, extra hot sauce or shredded cheese.  Or all of the above if you are me!  Enjoy, and I hope you're staying warm this March.

in like a lion

That's what they say about March, right?  Well, forgive me, forgive me all of you who are sick of snow, but I am loving it.  It has been snowing off and on all week here in Mid-Missouri, and I am excited for the prospect of another sledding weekend!

I can get a bit cabin feverish during winter, but this winter in Missouri has been mild (compared to where I am from) so we've been out and playing quite a bit.  That being said, I also love to snuggle in front of a fire with a warm cup of coffee sprinkled with cinnamon.  I love sinking into a bed piled high with feather blankets.  I love my little's pink cheeks from the winter wind.  I love that my make something project is ticking right along because of all the indoor time lately.  And by ticking right along, I mean I'm about 5% through the list.

I love the snow!  There, I said it.  I know that everyone North of me right now is ready to wring my neck.  Well, you'll have to stand in line while I go grab my sled.

If your winter has been a bit too much of a lion for your liking, then my wish for you is a Spring like a lamb.  But not before I get one more romp in the snow, ok?  Thanks.

black thumb

My mom always kept beautiful indoor plants all year long.  Some plants would rotate out back into the sunshine come summer, and some would stay inside.  But they always stayed alive.  At least they usually did.  She has had some of the same houseplants for as long as my memory stretches back.  My mom has a green thumb.  I do not.

I can limp along an outdoor garden in the summer.  I always plants herbs and some vegetables, and I can keep those (mostly) alive.  But indoor plants tend to suffer at my hands.  But recently I have tried my hand at a couple of succulents, and they are almost fool proof.  So I've gotten a little brave.  We took a trip to Lowe's over the weekend, and when I walked past the plant aisle, I just could not resist.  Maybe it's the winter and wish for more green in my life.  Or maybe I'm just slowly, year by year, turning into my mother.  It's a mystery!

So I just went for it.  Dove right in, picking out pretty little plants here and there, trying to pick the plants that the tags said required the LEAST amount of care.  Fingers crossed!  I also fell in love with this ranunculus, which will need to be planted outside when the ground thaws.  I may have to include it in my night-time prayers to make it that long!  Because as I type, the winter wind is howling, and we are getting a new coating of powdery white snow.

 Fletcher picked out the cactus.  He begged for it, actually; kept going back to it, and I had to keep telling him not to touch it.  So I have a partner in keeping these plants alive.  Fletcher and I will be working on our green thumbs together.