Pizza Party!

I hurried home from church yesterday to begin making pizza dough. It was important to start early, because I needed to make enough dough to feed nineteen children and seven adults, and prepare enough toppings for them to each make their own custom pizzas.

Last night was our homeschool group's family fellowship night. Once a year, during January, we skip the monthly meeting and meet in small groups in homes. This year, our family hosted and I took Bo's suggestion of preparing all of the ingredients and crusts and letting people create their own culinary masterpieces.

Guests arrived just as I was finishing the top crust on the Spinach and Onion Deep Dish Pizza Pie. I'd purchased a bunch of pizza screens in both 7" personal and 14" sizes. We have two ovens, so we fired them both up and got to work. I showed the kids how to stretch the dough and put it on the screen, then they took their turns heaping their pizzas with toppings while one of the dads treated us to a few selections on the piano. Very, very nice! It was really a fun time. My favorite pizza was the white pizza with feta cheese, spinach, fresh garlic, parmesan and olive oil. Delicious! I had enough sauce and dough balls left over to freeze and the ladies helped me clean up.

I'd love to do it again. Pizza party, anyone?

Chili Hill!

Last night we headed over to our friends Steve and Sara's for their annual Chili Supper--a bit late, but better late than early, I always say!

Each year, Steve and Sara fill a huge cast-iron pot with all of the chili fixins and cook it over a fire for half the day. At noon, the chili is ready to be served and people come from all around to partake. There is no cost and no donation bucket. Steve says he does it because he loves to see people get to know one another and interact, people who might not have had a reason to meet in other circles.

This was our second year to visit chili Hill, evidenced by the boards hanging on Steve's wall that bear our signatures. Another annual tradition is that Steve nails a board to the side of his shop and visitors make their mark. Each board is taken down after the event and used to panel the inside of his shop.

Steve's shop is a veritable museum of his life! A constant tinkerer and professional maintenance guy, Steve has collected things from his lifetime to hang on the ceiling and walls of the large outbuilding. The walls display father's day and birthday cards from his girls. Sara's house is a veritable inspiration! She sews, cooks, raises animals, makes crafts, does stuff with her kids...wow.

We had a blast. Thanks, Steve and Sara, for being such good hosts. Thanks to those Girls you have, too. They're such sweeties. Can't wait til next year's Chili Hill. Maybe we'll get there on time next year!

Stream of Consciousness about The Family Gathering

It's over.

It started last Wednesday.

I was in a panic.

The house wasn't clean enough.

The projects weren't finished.

My checking account was aching.

I called my mother-in-law for advice.

She gave wise counsel, as usual.

Calmed, I hung up and began to pray while cleaning.

Things began to fall into place.

Family started to arrive in the late afternoon.

Chicken Paprikash and Rice were on the table.

On the island, pies on pedestals and cookies on plates.

Bedrooms were clean...rooms were assigned.

Time to rest.

Singing, laughing, a little bit of anger.

Hay bales and cornstalks on the porch. Mason jars filled with sand and tealights.

Sister-in-law takes a bath in the jacuzzi.

Doors open to the outside. Kids laughing, running, playing, excited.

Bonfire crackling.

This is autumn. This is good.

More family arrives. And more. More food, more cookies, more games, more music.

Resting, games, a trip to the exotic animal farm.

Golfing, more games, a lot of food.

Tension, dog accidents, trips to the general store.

Visits from neighbors. Some family members leaving. Rides on pony carts. Cake. Happy Birthday. Visits from friends. More friends. More neighbors. Maple branches above the doorways. Candles in every room. Oak and maple on the window casings. Music in the family room.

More friends. More neighbors. More food. Pies, cakes, chicken, cole slaw. Cookies, hot dogs, sloppy joes. Gorgonzola, baby swiss, cheddar.

Surprise visitors. Tears. Happiness. Hugs.

More surprise visitors. More tears. Tours of the new home. Who will come next?

Sun is setting. Candles lit again. Coffee and hot mulled cider. Ponies go home.

Rocking chairs on the porch. Amish neighbors visiting. Music in the family room.

Very late. Phone rings. Another visitor, lost, needs directions.

Time to clean up. Time to rest. Talking long into the night. I fall asleep.

Breakfast comes. Eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, toast, sausage.

Pregnant sister-in-law is thrilled! "My favorite breakfast!"

Last minute conversations. Packing up. The last of the family is leaving. Wait! Don't forget! Oh! And one more thing!

House is empty now. It was good. No regrets. Checkbook will recover.

::: arts council and upcoming activities :::

Bard, Edison, Monet and I went to the local arts council meeting tonight at a nearby restaurant. There were a handful of people there, and I think the group needs some fresh blood. It seems that those who are interested in art are actually busy being *artists* so it's difficult for them to find the time to attend meetings. Hopefully, some organization can come of it, and we can help with that.

They did discuss the possibility of a theater group, which would be cool, and they have a couple of other things planned. like a trip to the art museum. I think we'll plan to participate. Also, I volunteered to host the gathering at my house in October, the third Wednesday. I also have a PartyLite party scheduled for sometime in there, I think the second or third week in October, as well as our upcoming family gathering.

I mailed my homeschool notification today by certified mail. Hope this comes out well. It's the first time I've notified in years. I hope to ask to assess my own children, as per the state regs which indicate that the children can be assessed by a "mutually agreed upon" person between the parents and the superintendent. If not, I do have a friend who has volunteered to do the assessment, since she is a certified teacher and a former homeschooling parent.

I also mailed my application for the local homeschool support group. We'll see how that turns out. I mailed the registration for Mrs. Lake's group, too, and I hope to help her with some of the field trips she's planning. Could be very cool.

I also hope to plan a field trip for our own family to the Shakespearean Theatre in Cincinnati. We could hit the aquarium, zoo, etc, while we're there. Could be fun.

Now, it's time to finish our Phase Ten game.