shark...

In the spirit of last week's shark week, the kids and I took a trip down to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This particular viewing window is one of my absolute favorite places at the aquarium. My daughter decided to climb into it and lay back. It couldn't have been a more perfect image, with her relaxing, the shark above, and that school of sardines swimming for their lives.

pizza-on-the-grill...

(front: pepperoni & olive/canadian bacon & fresh pineapple)

 

I have discovered a new love.  Yes, a food love.  Yes, a pizza love. Yes, a grill love. About a year ago, I purchased a super fancy granite pizza stone from Williams Sonoma. It was so cool, but completely intimidating.  I also had a crap grill that didn't deserve this royal treasure on it. So, it sat. It sat unloved. Then, for some occasion (yes, sad that I can't remember which), either Mother's Day or my birthday, or anniversary, I got a new grill.  A beauty of a grill. A Weber. My plan was to dig up this fancy pizza stone and use it on my new grill. And then life happened. I soon forgot about my fancy pizza stone.

Then, I was out one day and I saw this simple little pizza stone that came with rocker pizza knife and a peel (you know that large spatula thing for picking up pizza). It was on sale, so I figured what the heck. I pulled it out of the box, threw the stone on the grill and threw together a pizza. I rummaged through the fridge and grabbed whatever I could: leftover hot links, pineapple chicken sausage, red onion, mushrooms, pineapple, salami, pepperoni, olives, zucchini, etc., etc. I bought some pizza dough from Trader Joes and made away. I was hooked. I even had awesome leftovers....which ended up falling out of the fridge the next day onto the floor.  (sad face).

A couple weeks goes by bringing us to today. Driving home from work, I wanted homemade pizza-on-the-grill. I ended up making 4 different thin crust "pies." Can you call it a pie if it's thin crust? Hmmmm.. Anyhoo, I'm in love. It's so easy to make, and I keep getting better!  Better with my toppings, precooking the crust a bit, and cooking time. I'm in love. Love with food. Love with pizza-on-the-grill.

(slices of shredded mozzarella, fresh mozzarella, sundried tomatoes, fresh basil, and fresh figs)

 

(larger version of slices above)

happy place...

As my kids get older, and I along with them, I realize there are a few places that make me really happy. The ocean, the mountains, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium top the list. I can really feel at peace there. There is something euphoric about watching jellies pulse through the water or a mola mola gently flapping its fins as it glides through the water. I can daydream, or maybe it's just spacing out, while watching. I notice my kids get the same way. I mean most of the time they're spazzing out with excitement because something cool swam by, but I also catch moments of calm.

After a couple years, we decided to renew our membership. I didn't realize how much I missed this place until I was recently there with my 4th graders for a field trip. I knew I had to return with my kids, and make it our special place we spend time at. I'm looking forward to "spacing out" more often and really hoping to catch more of those small glimpses of contentment in my children.

National dog day...

Happy National Dog Day from Charlie. I think it's pretty awesome that there's something to celebrate every day of the year. I've included a little reminder to the right to remind us to celebrate daily. 

I take lots of photos of my dog, and what a good sport he is. This guy has to put up with so much from us. Thanks Charlie!  Lets celebrate with a treat!  

Charlie...

Some of you may already know Charlie (aka Chuck, Chuck Wagon, Chewbies, Chew, Chew Monster, Bubbies, Bubbs, Chew-mon, Chewbster). He's like one of my kids....if you yell enough or bribe him with treats, he'll listen. His latest mischief has been sneaking on the couch at night while we're asleep or when we're not home. Why we continue to leave him in house when we're not home is a mystery. Okay, maybe because we actually thought he might be a good guard dog with the Christmas presents. Well, in theory it was a good idea. The best part was waking up one morning to find he had not only slept on the couch, but puked on it as well. Seriously? He couldn't have had the courtesy to go barf in the toilet like most people? 

With all his quirks and mischievous behavior, we still love this guy to pieces. Happy New Year all!