Friday, September 17, 2010

A Telling Photo, A Funny Story, a Favorite Recipe, and a Shout-Out

Roxy:  Are ya gonna share that graham cracker, or am I gonna have to wait until Mom's not looking?
Evie:  Back off, Dog!

Funny Story:
Brad took an extra long time on his bike ride yesterday morning.  I didn't really notice, since I was Crazy Woman, trying to get kids out the door and round up all my crap stuff to teach Institute--it was Thursday morning, you know.
When he got home, he was carrying an unusual scrap of yellow paper.  He was issued a warning for a traffic violation--while on his bike!!!  I didn't know that was even possible!  The officer honked, and as any good cyclist knows, a honk means, "Ignore the obnoxious person behind the wheel."  Persistent honks, like in this scenario, mean, "Jerk.  Share the road."  A rather long blast requires a look.  The officer quizzed him--"Do you know why I stopped you?" "Yes, I crossed against a red light."  Am I the only person that didn't know you could be cited on a BICYCLE?  He made Brad wait for 20 minutes as he dilly-dallied in his squad car, then "gave him a break with only a warning."  Don't Mesa's Finest have better things to do than cite errant cyclists?  Come on!

Shout-Out:
In all fairness, I must give credit where credit is due. I did not, in fact, snap those pictures from yesterday's post.  I was wrestling Baby Evie, sweating like a pig (but worth every salty drop because I was wearing my cute boots!), and screaming in the stands.  Brad was the photog assigned to Tuesday's shoot.  And he performed marvelously, didn't he?  Doesn't hurt that the games start at 6 pm, so the light is dang good at that time!

Recipe:
I've had a few requests for the foccaccia recipe I used.  Here ya go.  Get busy on that this weekend, would you?

3 1/2 c. flour
1 t. sugar
1 t. salt
1 T. yeast
1 c. water
2 T. vegetable oil
1 egg
3 T. olive oil
1 t. dried rosemary, crushed

Combine sugar, salt, yeast, and 1 c. flour in bread mixer.  Mix well.  Heat water and vegetable oil until warm, and add to mixture along with the egg.  Blend on low speed until moistened.  Beat for 2 minutes.  Stir in 1 3/4 c. flour while beating, until dough pulls away from side of the bowl.

Knead in 3/4 c. flour on floured surface.  Cover dough with a bowl and let rest for five minutes.  Place on pizza stone or sheet and roll out to 12-inch circle, then cover with greased plastic wrap and a dishtowel. Place in warm place for 30 minutes.

Uncover dough and poke holes in it with a spoon handle at 1-inch intervals.  Drizzle olive oil on dough and sprinkle with rosemary.

Bake at 400 degrees for 17-27 minutes, until just golden.  Then top with pesto, tomatoes and basil.  Put it back in the oven for 8-10 minutes, until cheese melts.

If you're not making pizza, remove bread from stone immediately and cool on a rack.

I use the shorter cooking time when I'm using it as pizza.  For the bread, I might leave it in a little longer, but I haven't tried it yet.

Happy weekend, my friends.  Make a funny memory this weekend.  I want to hear all about it on Monday!

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21 comments:

  1. Wow - that's a lot of good stuff in one post. Kinda funny about the bike thing...unless you're Brad, probably. hee hee. Best thing, though, is the photo. I love little Evie's face. PRECIOUS. How do you stand it having so many adorale kids? I don't think I could kiss faces fast enough.

    Priceless comment on my blog. I'd make the trade but I can't think of a single use for an extra right ring finger. I'll see if my piano teacher can use it. Or if anyone in the neighborhood collects fingers. I'll let you know.

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  2. aw, great photo of the dog vs. Evie stand off, I love it!! So envious you're in your boots ... getting impatient for my wait to be over so we can be twinsies ;-)

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  3. Love Evie's face! I bet she could take the dog.
    As for the weekend--we're off to Rocky Mountain National Park to go watch the elk bugle. This is my all-time favorite weekend of the year!
    Have a good one!

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  4. Love your gate blocking the stairs! Where'd you get it? I'd love one for my house!

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  5. Yeah, on a bike you are considered a moving vehicle and therefore must follow the laws of the road. That being said, Mr. Cop was bored, near the end of his shift and had not met his quota. Good that Brad was honest and patient otherwise it would have been a ticket for sure.

    Love the pic of Evie and the dog. Hahaha. Too funny!

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  6. You made your own focaccia? Okay, that is humbling.

    As for the picture of Evie...She is GREAT...cllearly a girl to be reckoned with!

    =)

    PS. Biking violation?! Sheesh.

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  7. that Evie is too cute..foccacia looks good..I can barely make a pb&j lately!

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  8. loved the photo!

    and about the 'warning' HELLO...seriously was that cop really that bored that he had nothing better to do? lame!

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  9. I agree, he did a great job taking those pics! And it WAS great seeing you yesterday at Target. I was just sorry I couldn't stay and chat longer. We're moving in Saturday :)Next week we'll have to have you and the kids over for lunch. What do you like?

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  10. No way! The police officer must have been having a boring day, I mean honestly.
    If it's only a citation, do you still have to pay a fine? That's just goofy.

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  11. thanks for the encouraging comment! It does help when we do get it even if it takes a little while!

    Leslie is 5/5/00!! hee hee she loves her birthday and I am sure Lily does too!!

    Have a great weekend!

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  12. Poor Brad - cops are lurking everywhere. And no- they don't have anything else to do (I'm smiling because my brother in law is a cop and we love to tease him).
    Evie is really getting to be a big girl! Maybe she and Hayden will be friends. And I know Katie is so happy to have you for one of hers. See you soon!

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  13. Lame cop- seriously a bicyclist? Couldn't he find any better fare?

    And thanks for the recipe, Sunday dinner is now planned.

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  14. Two things:

    1. I love that Evie isn't even worried about the horse-dog two feet away.

    2. That cop is lame! L.A.M.E. Lame!!

    Allyson told me you were doing a "Friday Forum" at MCC today. Hope it went well!!! =) Love you!!!

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  15. Hello Jen,

    I love that photo of Evie and Roxy! Too darn cute!

    Hmmm. I remember someone else getting a ticket not too long ago...

    Great job on the photo shoot Brad!

    I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

    ~ Tracy

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  16. Oh dang, for Brad. That is silly! Thanks for the recipe. I bet it grills well, too!

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  17. Totally love that photo of Evie and Roxy :) Evie looks so serious in that photo too! Too funny! If there's anything I learned from E about toddlers and their snacks...I learned that they won't share it with you if it's good :)

    Brad and his bike ticket story is funny. I heard about something similar going on in Tokyo too. It's so silly but I guess bikers can be just as dangerous as cars if they don't follow the rules.

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  18. First of all, I LOVE that pic! So cute!!!

    And secondly...a ticket?? On your bike?? I never heard of that! That is a first for me!!!

    I haven't ridden a bike in years anyhow! I do miss it though!

    Hope your doing well!!!
    Java

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  19. Up here we have bicycle-riding police and it's common to be ticketed for infractions. You'd think they'd have better things to do.
    Great photo - the expression on Evie's face!

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  20. What a cute photo!!
    I tip my hat to you! Making that bread - homemade!!
    Have a pretty day!
    Kristin

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