Make dough

    Combine 1 cup warm water and 1 tbsp yeast.    When dissolved add 1 tbsp sugar, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tbsp oil, 1 1/4 cup flour.

    Beat until smooth then add 2 cups more flour.  Knead about 5 minutes, place in greased bowl, let rise until double (about 45 minutes).  Form 2 balls, pat and stretch to fill 2 greased pans.  Let rise 10 minutes.

Make sauce.

     In saucepan, combine: 1 small chopped onion, 2 cups tomato sauce, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp basil, a dash of pepper, 1 minced clove of garlic.  Bring to boil.  Cook slowly for 30 minutes, pour over crust.

Add your favorite pizza toppings.  Bake at 450 degrees for 20–25 minutes.

If you could plant only one type of seed, what would you choose?  Why?

I choose pansies because they come in many colors and they bloom all season.

I miss warm sunny summer.  But when Autumn brings washing refreshing rain I welcome the sparkling feeling of clean in the air.  Plants soak in the nourishment and curl up in the earth for their season of rest.

I usually dread the cold dreary winter.  But this year I designate winter as a season of rest with dreams of flowers poking their heads out of the earth in Spring.

I dreamed last night that Amy was alive.    In the hospital, staff had wheeled her to another room and I thought she died.  After I left they wheeled her back into her room.  That was almost 5 months ago.  All this time while I’ve been aching  over the loss of my daughter, Amy was alive and healthy.  Everyone else in my family knew and no one told me.  I was so upset I couldn’t quit crying and screaming.  Then I woke up.  Amy’s death certificate is still in my closet.  I still want her back.

I got out of bed, dressed and left the house to do an errand.  I saw one of Amy’s high school friends at the store.  Amy’s friend gave me a big hug.  I needed a hug.

I used to think grief was a terrible emotional pain; and that’s true. 

When my daughter died, I found out that grief is also a very real physical pain deep in the pit of your stomach.

How would you deal with living in an 8-foot square room and never being able to leave?  A meal is delivered to your room three times a day.  You have a sink, toilet, mattress and a blanket but nothing else.  You do not have books, paper, pencil, pictures, TV, music….no window…nothing else. 

Earth displays beautiful landscapes, even when using only shades of green.

Army green, bright green, British racing green, camouflage green, chartreuse, yellow-green, emerald, fern green, forest green, hunter green, jade, jungle green, kelly green, lime, moss green, olive, persian green, pine green, sea green, shamrock green…

What is your favorite shade of green?

Cream together 1 cup softened butter and 1 8-oz package cream cheese.  Gradually add 2/3 cup sugar.  Beat until light and fluffy.  Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla.  Gradually add 2 cups flour to creamed mixture.

Shape dough into a ball and chill thoroughly.  Press dough from a cookie press 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 400° for 8 to 10 minutes or until very lightly browned.  Remove to wire racks to cool.  Makes about 4 dozen yummy cookies.

My kindergarten teacher told me, “Don’t walk through puddles.  You’ll get your feet wet.”

I recommend walking through puddles.  Drag your feet and watch the ripples slosh.  Stomp and make a splash.

Include puddles in your life.  Get your feet wet.

“The proud man can learn humility, but he will be proud of it.”

–Mignon McLaughlin