God’s Birthday Gift To Me; My Birthday Gift to Me

On my birtrhday, which was Sunday, I was reading my One Year Bible on the appropriate date ( I, too, am impresssed that I’m current with my reading!). Anyway, leave it to God to let me read one of my all time favorite verses on my birthday, no less, found in  Luke 23:v.42-43.  This is the short, but powerful conversation between Jesus and one of the criminals hanging beside Him on their perspective crossses,… Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”   I LOVE THAT  PROMISE !!

We serve an awesome God!

Now for my birthday gift to me.  I made an appointment with a personal shopper!  I know, I know.. whatever for, you may be asking.  Well let me clue you in on a little secret,  the department stores are just filled with clothing and styles geared toward the young, thin, gorgeous twenty-somethings!  I don’t know where Macy’s or their competitors are hiding the styles for us fifty-somethings who desperately need help!!  So, thank God I was introduced to Ruth, who will be guiding me along in and around those  racks and racks of garments and she  (I hope) will effortlessly put together some outfits that are just perfect for my size, height, age and lifestyle!!
I will surely report to you what new items will be hanging in my closet tomorrow!!

The Best of Times, The Worst of times…..

Ever feel exhilarated and lost at the same time? Well, I’m at that place; so overjoyed that my book is done, finito, yet feeling like a fish out of water! What do I do now with my free time? I thought I could just relax, that is why I’m here in beautiful Hilton Head his week, but noooo! I’m fidgety and wired for something to occupy my free time. Did I completely forget how to relax!?! That’s a scary thought! I will go to the beach today with my newly purchased book from Borders to read, maybe it wasn’t the best choice–The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, it only has 973 pages!!!!! But I will put my nose in that book and read, dagnabit!! Maybe close my eyes, listen to my iPod, have a beachy cocktail, walk along the shore, all the while, in the back of my mind thinking about my next writing project!

Nana’s Pizza Bianca

My grandmother was an excellent cook, baker, wizard in the kitchen. Her Italian background didn’t hurt, either. She made the simplest things seem fit for royalty. That was her style; pure and simple.

Her basic bread dough produced a lineup of baked goods, pizzas, rolls that were award-winning and stellar quality. And she and we (her family) had no clue, we just ate and enjoyed whatever she whipped up for us.

Lately, I’ve been craving her “pizza bianca” (white pizza) which is really more like a foccacia.

I’ve made it twice in the past week. Here is an easy version of the recipe:

Unroll one tube of Pillsbury refridgerated pizza dough. Place on a well greased pizza pan with olive oil. Place about 1/2 cup of pitted black cured Italian olives on the dough pressing them into the dough. Sprinkle with 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, parmesean cheese, salt and pepper to taste, dried oregano and some red pepper flakes (optional). Drizzle with some olive oil and bake in 375 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes. Good hot, better at room temp. Enjoy!!