In Honor of Grandma Palmer...

Last night about 10:45 pm, my Grandma passed away. Thank you to everyone for your kind thoughts and prayers. Despite the very painful and difficult end, she was extremely brave and tougher than any of us knew. I feel so blessed to have spent the last days of her life with her. These are the things that made her a great grandma and what I'll remember her for:

1. Always had time for me

2. Let me help make the goodies

3. Taught me to crochet (I know, hard to believe)

4. Always had a treat available

5.She LOVED nuts (in everything)--I hated them and was always trying to talk her out of putting them in things :)

6.Used to call me "Paije-o"

7. Let me play in her shoes (mostly high heels size 5- fit me at age 10 or so)

8.Was happy to keep me company (even while just running errands)

9. Joined the church with Grandpa

10. Made the best 7 layer magic bars

11.Kept a cupboard full of snickers just for me ;) to sneak into when I was less than 2 yrs. old

12.Was ALWAYS cold

13.Was a diligent journal keeper

14.Loved doing family history

15. Talented story and poem writer

16.Had beautiful nails

17. Kept marshmallows on hand just for the great-grandkids

18.When she was mad, would say "oh crumb!" sometimes even "crumb de dumb"

19.We painted an oil painting together when I was about 12 or so

20.She loved the movie "White Christmas"-- first time I saw it was at her house
21.Could barely reach the gas pedal on her car

22.Was brave enough to take me out driving while learning for my permit

23.Liked to scrapbook-in fact her last outing was to Joann's to buy supplies for a scrapbook she was working on

24.Taught me that cheap hairspray on ink would remove the stain!

25. Taught me how to make burnt sugar-coolest thing ever when you're like 9!

26. Never got her ears pierced, wore clip ons

27. Couldn't swim and afraid of the water, but braved a jet ski with my dad in her 80's!

28. Taught me the beauty of a good crumb donut! (Sluy's in Poulsbo)

29.She loved me....

I love you Grandma and will miss you terribly until we meet again!

Pizza Italiano!

Pizza Italiano...

OK, I don't want to sound like a pizza snob, but those of you who think you love pizza- you've never really had it unless you've had it in Italy. Ever since we got back from Italy last October, I've been trying to recreate their pizzas. Today, my friends, I have finally succeeded. I would say that this is probably my 4th or 5th serious attempt. So being the munificent person I am, I thought I would share how I did it! The recipe won't be exact, because I was creating, not measuring. So these are my best guesses.

Sauce:(and it makes a ton) enough for several pizzas
35 oz. can of San Marzano tomatoes (see pic.)(whole or crushed- mine were whole so I put them in the food processor and pulsed)
2 large pinches of sugar (maybe 1-2 Tablespoons)
Several shakes of onion powder (not onion salt) equal to maybe 1 Tablespoon?
Salt, about 2 teaspoons
2-3 Tablespoons of olive oil
******Taste your sauce, if it's not good before cooking, it won't be good after! Let this mixture sit for about an hour (if you can wait) I couldn't. :)

Crust:(and this is exact) makes (1) 12" crust
2 and 1/2 teaspoons dry yeast (or one packet)
1/4 tsp. sugar
3/4 c. of 110 degree water
1 and 3/4 c. tipo "00" flour (see pic)(this is a specialty flour I bought in a Seattle Italian market) it is a very fine flour --you could try all purpose though and see what happens
1/2 t. salt
**Dissolve yeast and sugar in water; let sit for 8 min.
-in separate bowl; combine flour and salt
-Pour flour mixture into yeast/water mixture and mix in kitchenaid on med. speed for about 4 min or so
-Use dough immediately, no need to rise

Press dough into 12" circle ( I did this directly in my pizza peel, but you could put it in a greased pizza pan) If you use a peel, be sure to put cornmeal or semolina flour on peel first so you can slide it into the oven. Spread sauce on dough and top with slices of FRESH mozzerella (yes there's a big difference) and fresh basil. (the basil can also be put on after cooking) I had my pizza stone heating in a 550 degree oven for several minutes before I slid the pizza onto it. Bake for about 8-10 minutes and enjoy!!!!

***You'll note in the slideshow that my fresh mozzerella was smoked, I actually think reg. fresh mozzerella would be better.
***One more note, this posting took me longer to write than any other because I have to keep stopping to take bites of my pizza. I'm on my 3rd piece....or is it my 4th??? What??!!! It's only a 12" pizza!

Something's missing....

Here's Bridget's missing tooth. The "tooth fairy" had been awfully busy this week and realized far too late at night that she didn't have change for a 5--so it was Bridget's lucky day!

The finished product...

Yes, I know I didn't pack them tight enough and they're floating!!!!

Canning and Cousins...

Today my cousins are here to visit. Believe it or not, I have cousins that are the same age as my kids, some are even younger! So, because I knew that I'd be here most of the day, I figured that I'd better get to canning some of those green beans that are ready in my garden. Oh, how I love my garden! Bree helped me pick the beans and she and Bridget helped "snap" them. You can barely tell, but Bridget lost one of her front teeth this past week. I'll have to post a better pic later for that. Anyhow, while we were canning, Baylee & Alexis were picking blackberries and Brynley and Cole were playing on the swingset. They better enjoy these days while they last before school starts next week.

I needed a smile...

This clip is from a "girls' trip" to Disneyland. You may notice that we let Dad come along. Our motto for the week was "DO IT" (insert Starsky and Hutch voice.) Parri shared our motto with the Thundermountain Railroad worker--- needless to say he thought we were nuts.....

Long week...

I know it's been a while since I posted anything. Life seems to be temporarily "on hold". My Grandma, Ruth Palmer is dying and I've spent a great deal of time this last week or so caring for her and making preparations. I have been able to see alot of my extended family, which is nice, but I wish it were under different circumstances. My Grandma will be the first person that I am really close with to pass. I am learning a lot about how hard this process is. I am so grateful for my beliefs and what comfort they bring me during all of this. It is so hard to see someone you love in so much pain. There are times that it just plain makes my heart hurt!

The girls painted pictures last week that we took over to Grandma, this was overwhelmingly touching for me. Grandma loved them. Bree and Baylee also wrote her the sweetest letters I've ever read. I feel so blessed that they have been able to really know their great-grandparents. (all of them) Pretty amazing when you think about it.

The nurses and others that have been out to care for her have been amazing. What a special person it takes to work in a field where so many people you come to know and care for, die.

I would be so grateful for any prayers offered in her behalf (or mine for that matter) I will write more soon. Here's one of my favorite pics of her when she was younger....

Sherry and Michelle Visit!

Michelle & Annie
Ellie and Sharon
Sherry, Morgan and Jackson It was so fun for me to see Sherry and Michelle while they were here. They both lived with us at different times when I was younger, so they really feel more like sisters than friends! Aren't their kids adorable? (oh yah, the Moms too? :) )

Ward Campout

Grandma Miller's 80th Bday Party