Not Quite On My Original December Weekend

Nope, Christmas decorations are still not up, just the wreath ordered from my boyscout nephews. I had planned on cleaning yesterday, then hauling things in, and getting most done, finishing today. Then I saw an ad about workers coming into a home, knocking a Christmas tree over, shooting it through a window, breaking class balls, and dad stepping on one, then a rush to the emergency room. While highly dramatized, I decided to wait until my new sectional comes next week, the furniture we kept is moved back to its rightful place, and I've done another purge and made better room. I'll still have the house decorated for at least two weeks before Christmas, and am satisfied with that.

Instead, my Sunday was spent cleaning out the refrigerator and doing some creative cooking with the remnants in there and the freezer. A white sauce pizza with mozzarella, sausage, onions, and olives, is ready for tomorrow night and a broccoli-Alfredo chicken hot dish not made last week was gobbled today, with leftovers for lunch. I used the last of a container of  plain yogurt for the pizza crust. DH and I made a trip to the store for fresh fruit and vegetables, milk bread, and assorted baking items that are at rock bottom prices. I cleaned out our entry closet, washing coats, setting aside ones for the dry cleaner, to donate, and to throw. I had intentions of making a double batch of mini banana bread, but ran out of steam. I'll do so tomorrow night. I organized where I am at for gift giving, totally on budget, and have some pretty good gifts.  And, I had my first walk in the snow. Not much, just a few inches and it is quite warm, hovering around 34 F and sunny, so much is already melting. We are due more later in the week. Pup was very interested in the new ground cover.

 DD had a Drivers Ed lesson today, which included freeway driving. Her instructor is a youngish retired phys-ed, (formerly mine) basketball coach, and later assistant principal. She is an icon for women's sports in Minnesota and just named to the Minnesota Hall of Fame. DD didn't know she was being taught by a legend, and the lessons went well. She has completed everything she needs to take her test when she turns 16, well besides more practice. 

Below is my make shift recipe for pizza crust. I always pre-bake the crust for 10 minutes before topping it to make sure there are not raw spots. 

Pizza Crust (with clean out the fridge toppings)
1 cup plain yogurt (about what was left in container)
1 Cup plus more worked in later of self rising four
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp garlic powder (probably more with sprinkles)
1tsp Italian seasoning (again probably more)

Mix together, drizzle in olive oil and knead into a ball. Leave in a bowl, covered, and let rise/set. It doesn't really rise, but it gets more settled for rolling out. Roll out as thin as you like on a greased cookie sheet or pizza pan, then make dimples with the end of a spoon. Pour a little more olive oil (1 tsp worth) and spread over the crust. Bake at 375 for 10 minutes, then top as you like.  I used about 1/2 cup of reserved Alfredo sauce, half a  remaining onion, some chopped green olives lingering in the fridge, a  half of a $1.00 box of precooked sausages (left from breakfast burritos), and 4 ounces of mozzarella cheese. Baked that again for about 15 minutes. 

The hot dish was 8 ounces of cooked penne pasta, 1 1/2 cups cooked diced chicken,10 ounces jarred Alfredo sauce, 3/4 cup milk (shaken in the jar to get rest of sauce with 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp Italian season, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper), and 8 ounces frozen chopped broccoli. This was mixed and baked in a sprayed casserole dish, at 325 for 50 minutes. 

I don't live an exciting life, but this was a good weekend, and one that suited me. I'm getting stronger, walking longer, and  am feeling well. I'll end tonight addressing cards with something on the computer to listen/watch. I am anticipating a pressure cooker at work this week, so starting with calm is required, Enjoy your week.