Friday, March 7, 2008

Welcome to the Ultimate Blog Party!


Starting today, through March 14th,
5 Minutes For Mom
is hosting the Ultimate Blog Party!
Lots of fun, prizes, and meeting new friends!
Go on over to their site to join in.


If you're new to my blog, first let me say,
"Welcome!"
Here are a list of a few things you might like to know, to get to know me a little:


1. I'm a homeschooling mom of two fun-loving girls
2. I run a small boutique business from my home where I design & create girls' clothing - Sunnybrook Farm Designs
3. I have a great husband, really really great
4. I take ballet class, including pointe
5. I am so blessed to be part of a church that is focused on each person "growing up, not just showing up", and my friends are like no other I've ever had
6. I am busy, just like everyone else seems to be these days, but I also enjoy relaxing, reading, cooking, photography, and an occasional board game!


And now, what party would be complete without...
Pizza!!


Everyone who finds out I make my own pizza seems either overwhelmed or confused. Why would you want to do that? That is too hard, right? Wrong.

Homemade pizza is economical, healthier than store-bought, and fun, not to mention easy (it took me 10 minutes to whip up the dough & sauce, and another 5 to top it & put it in the oven).
So here's my recipe... use whatever toppings you have on-hand - I used pepperoni tonight!



Pizza Dough
4 1/2 c. whole wheat flour (divided)
1 package rapid-rise-style yeast
1/2 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. very warm water (120-130°) (it's important to have the temperature correct, warm enough to activate the yeast, but not too hot to kill it)
3 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. honey or sugar


Combine 2 cups of the flour, yeast, baking soda & salt in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the water, oil & honey. Stir in the remaining flour. Knead in the bowl for a couple of minutes (by hand or with a kneading attachment on your mixer) until the dough looks smooth & elastic. Separate into two balls, place on pizza pans dusted with cornmeal, and let them rest & rise for a few minutes while you get your toppings & sauce ready.

I prefer to use one ball for pizza the night I make the dough, and I wrap the second ball in plastic wrap & put it in a zipper storage bag. Then I place it immediately into the freezer, to be kept until the next time I want to make pizza, when I just thaw the ball in the fridge for a few hours before dinner. But if you have a big family, make both pizzas tonight!

Easy Pizza Sauce:
1 8 oz. can of tomato sauce
1 6 oz. can of tomato paste
2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. garlic powder -or- 2 cloves minced garlic
Stir together in a container with a lid, so you can freeze the rest for the next time you make pizza

Now, roll or pat your pizza crust out on a 14-16" circle pizza pan, or to the edges of a rectangular jelly-roll pan or cookie sheet - dust the pan with cornstarch first. Top with sauce, cheeses (I like to use mozzerella & parmesan), and any toppings your family likes. Put it in the oven to bake at 425° for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese starts to turn golden around the edges & is melted in the center.


As you can see, I love to use my Pampered Chef large round stone - it makes the best pizza crusts I've ever created, and they don't burn (what a relief!) Their extra-large sized pizza cutter is awesome, too - I've had it for 5 years, and it still cuts like a dream.

**Party Update - go here for cookies for your dessert after the pizza!**

Now, I'm off to catch up with some blog reading, over at 5 Minutes For Mom!

Ultimate Blog Party 2008

Oh, and have you seen their prize list? Lots of goodies!!
I'd take these, in any particular order: 20, 32, 70, 92, 100 or 114!

31 comments:

Jus Shar Designs said...

I love "doing" this party again this year. Love your blog!

Check out mine when you get the chance.

mzzterry said...

Yes, finally, a party with PIZZA!!! Thanks Rebekah! Please come by & visit me at my blog when you have the time!

Mocha with Linda said...

Oh that pizza looks so good! I've never been brave enough to try and I don't know why, because I love to bake and I've made homemade bread and lots of other stuff. I'll have to give this one a try!

I'd love for you to drop by my blog when you can!

Anonymous said...

i'm so in the mood for pizza!! thanks!! I hope you're enjoying the party as much as I am!

Lulu said...

Would kill for some pizza!!! Am jotting dow the recipe! Would love to try and make it with my kids at the preschool where I teach! Thanks for the recipe and enjoy the party!!!!

Jack's Mommy said...

I have a pampered chef pizza stone too - love it, love it, love it! :-D I think we've had ours for 6 years (it was my mom's and she gave it to me when i got married 2 years ago!). :) Good luck with the party week! :-D
~Lisa

Candi said...

Yum---that pizza looks good. I made a homemade pizza for my son's birthday. I think I made the crust too thick though. It wasn't the greatest. When we were getting ready to celebrate his little brother's birthday, he informed me that we could have some of that yucky pizza again :-)! I'll have to try again using this recipe!!

Misty said...

i will be using your recipe for sure!!! I love your clothing line name! :) Can't wait to check it out!

Anonymous said...

We love homemade pizza here too! We have it every other Friday just about. I just wanted to stop by and welcome you to the party and spread some bloggy love. :-)

Heather @ Marine Corps Nomads said...

We really enjoy our homemade pizza as well. Your looks delicious!

Rebecca said...

Hey- thanks for stoppin by! i can't wait to try your pizza crust! I have been wanting a good, easy one to follow :-)

I have one of her books from that set.. I haven't read it yet... but will as soon as I finish Redeeming Love

:-)
God Bless

Queen Bee said...

yummy pizza! I love to home make mine as well! Nice blog - I will be back!

Stop on over to my site
Polka Dot Bumblebee
and blog:
HERE

Party ON!

Nadine said...

Thank you for stopping by my party. It's nice to meet you. I love homemade pizza, but haven't had a good dough recipe. Thank you for sharing yours.

I took ballet for 9 yrs as a kid...I think it's cool you take it now.

♥.Trish.♥ Drumboys said...

Beautiful ♥ site you have - I love the pizza recipe - I am going to try it -I also do menu plan Mondays.
I am trying to save money and get organised, healthier etc etc

thanks for visiting me
My Little Drummer boys

Anonymous said...

THANK YOU FOR THE PIZZA RECIPE!!! My husband and I love to cook, especially pizza...only we usually get a pizza dough mix. I would love to make it from scratch. :)

I'm inviting you to party with me!

Win some chocolate from my-sister-in-law and I...we blog about CHOCOLATE...me from Australia...and her from Michigan. Here's the link: http://thechocolistas.blogspot.com/2008/03/ultimate-blog-party-2008.html

What am I doing in Australia? I married an Aussie...and moved to Brisbane, leaving my family and friends and all the right-side-of-the-road drivers in America.

Win a handmade pocket place mat from my blog Comfort Joy Designs. Here's the link:
http://comfortjoydesigns.blogspot.com/2008/03/ultimate-blog-party-2008.html

Want to know more about life in Australia? Visit my A Cup of Joy site where I keep up with my family and friends in America. Here's the link:
http://acupofjoy.wordpress.com/

Happy Partying!

Misty said...

thanks for coming by my blog too! I appreciate it! Every good party mix needs a little Toby Mac!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the recipes. Delicious! It was great to find your site. You have some lovely boutique designs. Stop on by Wondermommy's party if you get the chance.

Jill said...

Thanks for stopping by for the party. I've enjoyed browsing your site. The dresses are adorable!

Unknown said...

The recipe looks great! We used to make pizza all the time, but from a dough mix. I got pizza'd out!

I saw on another blog you're a fellow Texan... yet you HAVE SNOW??? I'M SO JEALOUS!!!

Send it south! We haven't had it since "The South Texas Christmas Miracle" in '02!

Love the blog, and those clothes are adorable... gonna have to look into that further!

Unknown said...

Oh I am so excited to come to your party! I love your clothes and your SPC phots.

Carey said...

Great pizza! Im going to try this recipe this week. It is nice to "meet" you. Great party!

Anonymous said...

Welcome to the party! You have a great blog here

Be sure to stop by Plucky Moms.. leave a comment, join our Mom Forum, and more!

I'd also love to blogroll with you!

Judy said...

Happy Party! Great pizza...and thanks for the recipes. I absolutely <3 Pampered Chef!

Drop by, have a drink and some goodies, and come dance the night away at my party.

Melanie said...

Great party! I may have to try that pizza recipe!! Looks yummy!
Happy blog hoppin'

melissa rohr said...

well, it was SUPER great to meet you-and thanks for the awesome pizza recipe.

i am officially in LOVE with your dresses ♥ i am heading over to ebay right now to possibly snatch on up!

& you take amazing photographs!

have a great party week!

erin said...

awe nuts, I was hoping you were doing a giveaway! I love your outfits!

Wani said...

This is fun, making the rounds to new blogs, making new friends! Happy Blog Party! C'mon over to my party post!

Beki - TheRustedChain said...

Rebekah, you sure throw a great party! Pizza *and* cookies? Yumm!!

I'm a huge Pampered Chef fan too. Love that pizza stone and I also use my cutter all the time.

And of course I'm a HUGE fan of your gorgeous clothing work! I've admired it for years.

Laura said...

I've always wanted to try homemade pizza, but it's intimidating. I'll give it a go one of these days... :)

Happy blog party!

Melissa~ said...

Wow, your little girls dresses are just *stunning*. Think my little boy would wear one?? *LOL*

Loved your party, we make our own pizza too! It spoils you for anything else doesn't it?

Thanks for inviting us! I brought you a little hostess gift!

Melissa~
Pink Paper Peppermints

Unknown said...

Still hopping from blog to blog... my goal is to post at each blog at least once. Nice to meet you. Happy blogging!