Pizza Of Sorts And Yea For The Saints!!!!

I love New Orleans!  I am so happy that they won yesterday!  I love the quarterback, Drew Brees. I love his name!  I love that he is so humble!  And what a great game.  At least, I heard it was.  I was mostly in the kitchen cooking.   Hubby and son Drew won their bets they placed last weekend in Vegas.  Son Drew and daughter Erika each won quarter pools that we were in!!!   I didn't win any money, but I sure had fun with my family.
I made chili, and here's a shocker.....another loaf of homemade bread!  This one was a recipe that Maryrose had read off to me from her bread machine cookbook.  It sounded yummy over the phone, and once again.  it did NOT disappoint!!!!! Here is a picture of the bread fresh out of the oven.

 

Can I just tell you.........the smell of this bread from start to finish was heavenly.  It is made with flat beer, and the zippity doo dah in it was sliced chives and bacon!!!!!!  HELLO!!!  Suffice it to say, it was goooooood!!!   It was so good, that I sent what was leftover home with my kids, leaving only enough for each of us to have one slice with dinner tonight.    Here is what went into this fluffy loaf of heaven:

 

So, I made chili, and Gennifer and Jake brought this yummy chicken appy.  And of course, the typical array of chips and dips, and Drew and Diana went to get the gigantic hot wings pack we ordered, containing 4 types of wings, 6 sauces, sweet and salty fries, relish dish, and baked beans.  This was such a hit that no one saved room for chili!  

And for dessert, I had planned a little project for my granddaughter Hannah and I to make.  

Dessert Pizza!

 

Mixing, spreading, tasting........

 

Double fisted tasting......

 

Little Claire getting in on the action.

 

And Gennifer felt a little left out until she got up on the chair to help too.

 

And the finished pizza.  

 

Then a little chocolate gets drizzled on top, and finally, a bit of whipped cream to garnish.

YUMMY!!

 

I fogot to take a picture of a piece with the whip garnish.  You can't tell very well here, but there is chocolate drizzled on top.  

My kids were never cake lovers, so we did everything from dessert pizza to glazed doughnut towers, and brownie sundaes for birthdays.  This was a Grover household favorite.

And today........I am taking a very long, very brisk walk!!!!!!!!!!

CRAZY Good Bread & A Few Other Things

Mr. Sweet  Life and I have gone nuts over bread baking!  Today I made one that is at the top of my list of favorites now.    It it too good not to share.
Honey Banana Whole Wheat Bread (recipe is for a 1 1/2 pound loaf)
1/2 cup warm water
1 T butter
3 T honey
1 egg

1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/4 cup bread flour
1 banana, sliced
1 1/2 tsp. poppy seeds
1 1/2 tsp. active dry yeast
For my machine, this was made on the wheat setting.  Put the ingredients into the pot in the order given.   This is a sweet, but not too sweet bread, with the nuttiness of whole wheat, and the subtle flavors of banana  and honey.  The poppy seeds give it a whole new layer of flavor.  Try it slathered with peanut butter!!  Wow!  We took it over to share with our granddaughters tonight while we babysat, and they too loved it!

 

  

  

Try this, you will not be sorry!!!

Yesterday I made my sourdough starter.  Mine was the standard one, with flour, water and yeast.  Greg made one too, but being a science man, he was curious about the one that does not use yeast.  It is supposed to get the yeast from the air.  Hmmmm?  I vote for mine.  It is already doubled and bubbly and smelling sour and pungent. 

You are supposed to keep it in a draft free area, about 85 degrees, for 3-4 days, covered in cheesecloth, and then stir and place in lidded glass jar and keep in fridge.  It needs to be fed weekly.  I am keeping mine in my lower oven.

Greg made his starter, and put it on top of the fridge.  He needs to feed it tonight.  I asked him if he wanted me to do it, and without missing a beat, he said "NO!"

 

Notice he even has on his San Francisco shirt to make his San Francisco Sour Dough Starter!

Just a few of the things we were "kneading" to make more bread.

Just about every kind of flour you can imagine.  Including, an ancient grain called Spelt Flour.  That one has my interest piqued.

Tomorrow-Dark Rye with black strap molasses and caraway seeds!!

And completely off subject, here are a couple photos from our son Drew's 21st birthday the other night.  I set the table in black and red, with card hands of "21" for decoration.

  

And lastly , my new rain boots.  I am getting to use them this week!!!!

  

That's it from me, on a wet and rainy Saturday.  Tomorrow....Football!!!!

Go Saints!

Wedding Day Continued

After we left the chapel, we went to the Grand Lux Cafe inside the Venetian Hotel.  This is Erika's favorite restaurant.  We had a wonderful lunch and enjoyed sharing in the happiness of the day with everyone

 

Daddy gave the toast to the happy couple.

They cut their cake with the glass knife that Greg and I used to cut our wedding cake, 30 years ago.  I was told that this knife belonged to my Nana's mother.  Which would be my Great Grandmother, and Erika's Great-Great Grandmother.  

`

First bite.

Jeremy couldn't resist a little playful activity.

Just look at that grin on Jeremy's face.   He is ever so pleased with himself!

  

Watch out Jeremy.  What goes around, comes around.

Our three kids.

Jeremy's parents, Dave and Candi.

Jeremy's sister Shannon gave Jeremy and Erika a gondola ride at the Venetian as a wedding gift.  They were quite the beautiful couple to watch, as they lingered around the gondola's waiting for their ride  .While on the ride, listening to the people around them oohing and ahhing about how great they looked together, chanting....beso...beso....beso...(KISS) and taking their photo.

When we were leaving, someone who worked there, came running after us.  It seems that a stranger had purchased an 8 x 10 photo of them for a keepsake as a gift.  

We walked from the Venetian back to our hotel a short distance away, and were met with congratulations and clapping, and all sorts of well wishes along the way.  They were quite a stunning sight, strolling hand in hand along the strip in their wedding finery.

  

Jeremy having a little pick me up.

Gennifer being silly in front of the Venetian.

Gennifer and I.

The grounds there were just beautiful.  Fountains, gardens, iron work and architecture that really looks like Venice!!!

  

Approaching our hotel, I told Greg, "Honey, I'm parched!" and he ran in to the McDonald's to get me a soda.  I took this while I waited outside.  

After getting back to our hotel, everyone went up to change into something more comfy, and some tried their luck at the machines, and others took a little nap.  Later that night, a group went over to the New Orleans and went bowling.  The bride wore her veil the entire day, and she wore that smile everywhere she went!  Here she is bowling, with her veil blowing behind her.

After bowling, we stopped off at an In & Out for burgers, and then back again to our hotel for the night.  Some of the more serious gamblers (Candi and Shannon) continued to try their luck at Harrah's.  Shannon was the big winner, cashing out just under 1,000 dollars for the weekend!  And some went into the sports book (Greg, Dave, Drew) to have a stogie and put down bets for the Super Bowl. And others (ME) went back to the room for a good sleep!!!  

We left the next morning after breakfast, and talked all the way home about what a perfect weekend it was, and how happy Erika and Jeremy were!!!!!  While on our way home, we all got a text from Jeremy, thanking all of us for being there, and how the day exceeded their expectations, and ending with this, "PS  Erika was SMOKIN' pretty."  I got the biggest kick out of that!

It was truly special.  I shall never forget it!

I leave you with one last shot.  I took this on the way out the door of Harrah's.  They had a Mardi Gras theme, and these giant gold balls were all hung from the ceiling.  This is Gennifer and I.

  

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs Jeremy Johnson!  May you have a life time of happiness together!

We love you!!!!

He's 21 OH MY!!!

I remember this day, 21 years ago, like it was yesterday.  I was having a baby.  I didn't know whether the baby was a boy or a girl.  We already had two little girls,, one going on 6, and one going on 8.  Life was good.  I desperately wanted a little boy.  On February 2nd, 1989, at 6:16 p.m. weighing in at 8 pounds and 12 ounces, a whopping 23 inches long.......we got our baby boy!!  Drew Charles Grover.  Drew was a delight from the day he was born.  He was always a very easy going kid, content, quiet, easy to be around, easy to have around, always a great kid.   I am proud to say he is a fine young man.   We are proud of the person he is.  He has given us 21 years of joy  We love you son.  Happy Birthday!

 

  

Tonight-Steak & Cake

Tomorrow...more wedding pics

Introducing....Mr. & Mrs. Jeremy Johnson!!!!!

Our daughter Erika was married on Saturday in Las Vegas.  She married her best friend, Jeremy Johnson.  Here is their wedding story.  We did not get photos of the ceremony, as they had a hired photographer to do the ceremony and then to take photos after the ceremony on the grounds too.  But despite a stern warning NOT to take pictures...our daughter Gennifer  took her camera out of her bag and snapped away. She got a lot of beautiful photos while the photographers were taking pictures   Go to her blog,

Life In The Hass House in order to see the pictures she took.  ( She may not have posted yet, so check back )

Leaving our house on Friday morning.

 

Stopping for lunch at Peggy Sue's Diner.  

Getting hitched by Elvis.

I made them stand in front of Elvis at Peggy Sue's to take this picture.  I think a lot of people think that getting married in Vegas is mostly done by a singing Elvis in a drive thru wedding chapel.  I assure you, their wedding was nothing like that at all!

Checked into our room, and relaxed with a little show put on by none other than our son Drew and his big sis Gennifer.  

The next morning, we all got up bright and early to begin preparations for the wedding.  Grandma ordered the coffee to get us going, and Erika arrived promptly at 7 to have Gennifer begin her updo.  This is her Daddy coming in to wish her a happy wedding day.

 

  Gennifer did her hair in a beautiful cascade of curls that looked just stunning with her dress.

 I snapped this as she was walking back down the hallway, in her "Mrs. Johnson" sweatpants, heading back to her room to have her makeup done by Jeremy's sister Jennifer.

 

A close up of the pants.

 Jennifer did her make up so pretty.

  

And while she was having her make up done, I ran down the hall to get a few pictures of the groom getting ready.

When I got there, he was already dressed in his wedding finery, and beaming from ear to ear.  He looked so handsome in his tux!

I had him pose for a few photos, and then I was off again to help the bride dress.

With his Dad.

Are they look a like's or what?  And then one with his brother Troy too.  

Erika wore "something old (her sister's veil) something new (her dress), something borrowed (her Papa's diamond Vegas ring) and something blue ( a pair of panties that her good friend ShanAnn bought her.)"

Her dress was gorgeous.

Every bride must surely feel like a princess on her wedding day.  And Erika was no exception.  Her dress was traditional white, with a sweetheart neckline that flattered her figure so nicely.  It was a strapless gown, fitted in the bodice through the waist with soft shirring to the hips.  Where it then billowed softly to the floor in graduated swags of satin and tulle.  It had elegant brocade trim down the side, with some exposed tulle at the  bottom.  It had a medium length train, and buttons all down the back.  It was bustled after the wedding (which was no easy task!) and she wore it all day long, with a broad smile across her ever so happy face all day long!!

This is the waist of the dress.

And the side of the dress

 

And finally, helping her into her gown.

  Putting Papa's diamond Vegas ring on her thumb.

With her sister.

 I love this one of her looking over her shoulder and in the background is my Mom smiling on.

And the bride with her Mom, Grandma, and sister, and new Mother in Law, and new sisters in law, walking down to wait for the limo to the chapel.

  

In the limo.  It looked like she was sitting in a cloud.  

 

The limo ride was the last of the pictures I took before the actual ceremony.  There were to be no photos taken during the ceremony.  So those will have to wait until we get the professional pictures back.  But Gennifer started snapping pics right after the ceremony, so go to her blog for her wedding post.  I will close with a few more.

 

  

  

And they are married!  Off to the luncheon at the Grand Lux Cafe in The Venitian.  I will post the rest in a day or two.

It was a BEAUTIFUL wedding!!!!!  Congratulations Jeremy and Erika!!!!

Getting Pretty For The Wedding & More Bread.................................

A few pictures of the pre wedding primping.   Gennifer is THE BEST hairdresser!!!  She always fixes me up.

This afternoon I poked my head in on Gennifer and Erika having their mani's and pedi's.  I was going to join them, but I had too much running around to do to get ready to leave in the morning. 

Tomorrow we leave for Vegas.  The wedding is on Saturday morning.  We are all very anxious and excited.  Especially Erika and Jeremy.  And for those who don't know who's who, that is the bride to be on the right, Erika. And our oldest daughter on the left, Gennifer.  She has been married now for over 7 years!!!  Where does the time go?  See you next week with pictures of our beautiful daughter and her new husband.  But before I end this post...I have to show our latest bread creation.  Last night Greg brought home my Mom's bread machine.  She said she doesn't use it, and she gave it to us.  We couldn't wait to try another loaf, since that is just what we do lately....bake bread!!!   So we made a loaf of bread, and then waited up til after 11:00 for it to cool so we could eat some!  Are we crazy or what?  Just wait til next week.  We are making sourdough starters, and we have all sorts of plans for our bakery!

This one is a Williams Sonoma model.  And it is about  17 years newer than the one I have.  It seemed to work much more vigorously at kneading the dough and it baked up a perfect loaf in less time than my old bread machine did.  I think we are going to like this machine.

 

TA-DA!!!

I was in bed with teeth brushed when I heard the DING indicating the bread was finished!  I headed down the hall, following the heavenly aroma of fresh baked yeast bread, and stood there at the butcher block island with Greg slathering butter on this soft doughy goodness.  We have had more fun on our bread baking adventure this past couple of weeks.  In our 30 years of marriage, we have NEVER cooked together.   This has been fun!  Stay tuned to see what kind of carbohydrate concoctions we come up with next.  I leave you with one last photo.  I was laying in bed last night and remembered about a framed flour sak I had.  My Dad's Aunt and Uncle owned and operated a bakery when my Dad was little.  My Dad had an original flour sak from her bakery that he took and had matted and framed.   I wound up with this many years ago, and I had put it away.  I guess I better get it back up in my kitchen if we are going to have a boulangerie.  

See you in a few days.

It's BAAAACK....

Just when the carpet and pad dried out.......the rain came back again.   We were back on rainy day schedule yesterday.
Noah took a nap on the floor with his friends.

He is faking it by the way.

 

We made bread...........again!

And today, I am heading out to see my daughter Gennifer.  She is going to make me pretty for the wedding on Saturday.  These next couple of days are going to be filled with little errands.

Happy Hump Day!