Friday, January 30, 2015

PIZZA TIME AND A WINTER WEEKEND BIRTHDAY BLIZZARD WARNING









Last week Emily made a delicious and healthy pizza and I shared it with you on my last post.  I was in Trader Joe's Wednesday for just a handful of things as I was in the area, and I saw a bag of arugula.  I remembered Emily using it on her pizza, so I grabbed a bag along with some other things that sparked my idea for a healthy pizza and out the door I went with my little brown bags.  This is a couple of big handfuls of arugula softening and shrinking in size in just a few tablespoons of water in a hot skillet.  It literally takes about a half minute.  





Healthy Pizza Sauce

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter.  Add 1/2 cup chopped onion, and 2 chopped  garlic cloves.  Saute until onion is softened.  Add a large (14.5 oz) can of crushed tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon each of dried basil and oregano, 1 teaspoon of brown sugar, 1 bay leaf, 1 teaspoon of dried fennel, and a pinch of salt.  Let the sauce simmer on low heat for a least an hour.  Remove bay leaf.



Tomorrow we are leaving for downtown at about 9:00 a.m.  And wouldn't you know it..my area has not seen more that 3 inches of snow since winter hit.  And this weekend they are warning us of a  blizzard!!  Well, as our weather people say, "A winter storm warning."  Well, I have a warning!  This is my 'winter weekend birthday' and no amount of snow is stopping us.  Take that, you 5-9 inches of white stuff!

I'll be back next week to tell you all about it.  

Jane x

49 comments:

Bluebird49 said...

Hi Sweetpea! That's an awesome looking pizza. Thanks for the help on my hub's new eating plan! Hopefully we'll make a dent in portions and calories!
Although, I love winter, I've never done winter in Chicago--and yes, it can get us down -- and out of the needed sunshine.
I hope your birthday plans will still be on course--and Happy Birthday, dear girl!!
xx T.

Anonymous said...

Your pizza looks so good! Have a wonderful Birthday!!

Kathy

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Hello Jane,

A routine will come soon enough and will evolve naturally around whatever rhythm you wish to create. But, for now, just revel in the freedom of days without an overall plan where you can determine your own future. It is a wonderful gift!

Your giveaway wins are delightful. Maria is clearly very talented and creative. There is nothing nicer than a gift which is handmade.

We are totally convinced that you will weather the storm come what may. You strike us as a woman of action.....you can probably drive a snow plough through foot high drifts if you have to.......go girl!

Stacey said...

Mmm, that pizza looks great. I would also like to come up with the perfect fresh tomato sauce for pasta and pizza. I love the kind that's quickly made instead of slow simmered. Does that make sense?

Your pillows are perfect. Maria Elena is incredibly talented. I'm always amazed when I visit her beautiful house. She's a fellow Texan too, you know. :)

Have a great weekend!

JoAnne said...

You are such a good cook, Jane. Your pizza looks amazing. Very cute gifts from Maria Elena - love those adorable gift tags. I hope your weekend is wonderful - Happy Birthday!

Anonymous said...

Hi Janie! Oh, congratulations on your sweet wins. The tags and pillow covers are so sweet. I love Maria's blog! Your pizza looks so good! Yum. I'm kinda like you - not quite together since Christmas. I'll get there.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Julie Marie said...

Hello Jane... mmmm... your pizza looks delish!... wishing you a very happy happy birthday dear lady!... I hope all of your birthday wishes come true, and that the big blizzard kinda fizzles out for you so you can enjoy going wherever you decide to go... enjoy your special day!... xoxo... Julie Marie

Julie Marie said...

PS Your giveaway wins are wonderful!... I especially love the Paris themed pillow...

Rita C at Panoply said...

Happy Birthday, Jane!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Your pizza looks delicious, Jane. I'm still trying to find a gluten free pizza that makes me think of "regular" pizza. I saw you will be getting quite a bit more snow that we will here in Ohio. I think where I am we are expecting 1-3 inches, although that could change.

Have a Happy Birthday no matter what the weather may bring!

Anonymous said...

what a wonderful pizza, congratulations on the 600 posts, my oh my, that is an accomplishment!!!! I love Pinterest and will look for you!

Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynest said...

Yummy pizza Jane! I have been busy in January hosting parties, but look forward to getting into a routine too - I need to get back to doing Yoga in the mornings, especially when it's too cold to walk. Have a great weekend downtown :-)

Debbie said...

Your pizza looks awesome. I love Trader Joes pizza dough but you're right, the first time we bought it and tried to roll it we ended up with pizza dough balls. I hope you enjoy your birthday. I am not looking forward to the now 10" they're predicting! We Chicagoans always get a big snow blast in February, usually around St. Valentines day, it's coming early this year. Hoping it's not as bad as they say!

Maggie said...

I just put the hover Pin It badge on my blog this week. I'll look for the website with easy to follow instructions ane email it to you soon.
Have a wonderful birthday Downtown and stay out of the blizzard!

Barbara F. said...

Happy Birthday, Jane! I know you Chi folks can handle a blizzard! Enjoy your time in the city. Loved carching up on all your recent posts. As usual, I poured a cup of coffee for myself and felt like we were chatting in the kitchen. Love your blogging style. Keep warm!

Art and Sand said...

Enjoy your Winter Birthday Weekend - blizzard or not!

And congratulations on your 600th post.

Anonymous said...

Your homemade pizza looks fantastic! Yum!

Happy Birthday to one of the sweetest bloggers I know.

Travel safe!

Judy

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

I was so happy for you when I saw you won Maria's giveaway! The pillows are darling! Enjoy your weekend!!!

Susie said...

Wishing you a happy birthday gorgeous. Take the shovel with you. I am hoping we do not get all that much snow....I have been enjoying this nice(decent) weather to the point that I am wanting spring already. I loved the cute pillows. Blessings to you Blondie girl. xoxo,Susie

Primitive Stars said...

Birthday wishes to you pretty lady. I am a lover of pizza and that looks so yummy. Enjoy, Francine.

Betsy Brock said...

That pizza looks amazing!

Hope you have a really wonderful weekend!

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

Congratulations on a milestone post…that is terrific. Love the look and sound of your healthy pizza.

Something Nice and Pretty said...

Happy Birthday Jane! That pizza looks so good!

Susie Q said...

Your pizza looks amazing! It is so much fun to make at home and so delicious too!
WE have some snow headed our way tomorrow and I am excited! I do love snow and Winter and getting cozy and hunkering down inside!
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays dear Jane! Here's to a year filled with sweet possibilities!
Love,
Sue

Brenda Pruitt said...

Have a Happy Birthday, Jane! I know the snow will not stop you.
Brenda

jp@A Green Ridge said...

That's it! After seeng this,I am buying a pizza stone!...:)JP

podso said...

Congratulations on 600. You are posting more. That was interesting about the pizza sauce. i usually use whatever I have on hand, usually from a jar of spaghetti sauce. Your pizza looks wonderful!

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Hi Jane,
Wow, Wow, Wow 600th post, I am at 32, lol. Nice gift giveaway win, you lucky girl! I wasn't familiar with Maria Elena so I will check out her blog.
I love Arugula, served anyway, but especially on top of pizza - that way it really seems heathy! Nice recipe share.

Us too with a blizzard warning Sunday evening into Monday. But last week our threatened snow storm of a possible 2 feet turned out to be 3 inches! We lucked out.
Maybe you will this weekend as you celebrate your Birthday. Best Birthday wishes for a year full of adventure and happiness,
xoxo,
Vera

SImple and Serene Living said...

Here's a link to get your Pinterest hover button.
http://www.bloggersentral.com/2012/11/pinterest-pin-it-button-on-image-hover.html
I realized that I lost mine when I made some changes to my blog so I have added it back in. It seems a bit scary, but not that hard.

Love your giveaway wins.
xo Laura

Doreen@foxdenrd said...

Happy birthday my beautiful friend!

Your routine will come and you'll be in your zen. You know, almost every time I visit I'm hubgry, and end up getting more so after coming here. You're gonna have to stop posting these pics and recipes Jane. My muffin top is turning into a cake top :/

XXX

My Little Home and Garden said...

Jane, that pizza sounds fantastic! I keep thinking I'm going to some serious cooking, tuck a few things in the freezer and such, and here it is evening already and nothing produced from the kitchen. I need a routine!

Karen

Kelly said...

I love pizza and have never made it completely from scratch like that. I bet it tastes good! Congrats on winning that giveaway. You will enjoy those tags I'm sure. I can relate to what you said about craving some down time and then also wanting to stay busy. I'm fickle like that too sometimes. Hope you're not buried in snow this weekend and are enjoying your birthday weekend.

Sarah said...

Fun new pillows. Congratulations on the win! Happy Birthday! Winter birthday celebrations! Yea!!!

Mary said...

Hope you took your snow boots to town - celebrate and have a fabulous birthday Jane dear!

Hugs - Mary & Bob

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

That pizza looks so good. But unfortunately, that is not on my menu right now. But as soon as I can have it again I will be making it.
Be careful when you go out in that blizzard. Chicago can sure get cold.
Used to travel there on business and I wold freeze to death. I had on so many layers of clothing I could hardly walk, I waddled LOL. Have fun in all the great stores - love the Miracle Mile shops.
Happy Birthday dear friend and have a really good time.
Hugs,
Mary

Marigene said...

Jane, congratulations on 600 posts...that is awesome!
The pizza looks delicious! I try to make one about once a month, even though I would love to have it once a week.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

It's me said...

Yammie puzza...!!!...i wish i could taste it....lovely sunday....love Ria...x!

Babs said...

Your pizza looks amazing! You're making me hungry. Wishing you a wonderful birthday weekend, and hopefully, not a blizzard. Happy Birthday!

deb @ frugal little bungalow said...

oh MY !! Serious pizza craving going on now here :)

Helen Philipps said...

Wishing you a Happy Birthday, Jane, and a wonderful year ahead!
Helen xox

Scribbler said...

Hope you are having a great birthday weekend!

Poppy said...

Happy Birthday, Jane!

You must be enjoying the most wonderful birthday gathering, right about now, (it's 1:20 pm, in Chicago as I type). Your pizza, with that tasty homemade sauce looks and sounds scrumptious! It's very similar to mine, apart from the brown sugar, which I will try next time I make it.

Kudos on your 600th post; what an accomplishment! And, lucky you for being the lucky winner of Maria Elena's beautiful giveaway! Enjoy, my friend.

xo
Poppy

Carla from The River said...

Happy Birthday :-))

I would love to follow you on Instagram
I am skigirlcarla

Enjoy the day!
Carla

Vel Criste said...

Hope your trip went well Jane! That pizza looks and sounds Delish! Love the Paris pillow too!

Beth said...

Hi Jane, We haven't had a blizzard, but it's been snowing here since last evening (24 hrs and counting). I think we have 10" of snow. It looks beautiful.
Your pizza looks awesome. Another blogger I know does a pesto sauce and then adds things like fresh mushrooms, arugula, etc.
I have fun reading about your adventures in cooking. You do a great job. It's obvious you have a lot of passion for it. I like to bake, cook - not so much. Yesterday I made a raspberry/blackberry pie and it was fantastic. We had guests over so of course it's gone (had to point out the two of us didn't pig out and eat the whole pie in a day!) lol
Hope you enjoy your birthday! And soon you'll enjoy being a nana!
Hugs, Beth

Debby said...

I hope you got to celebrate but I saw the weather forecast. Of course there would be a blizzard on your birthday. Happy Birthday. If you didn't get to celebrate maybe you can next week-end.

Maria Elena said...

Well, first, Happy Birthday, dear Jane! I hope you have a wonderful time. It makes me sooo very happy to see the pillows on your sofa. Yay! :) You know they were made with love! LOL BTW, that pizza looks amazing! Can you tell I am hungry? I have been cleaning and doing laundry since early this morning, so I could used a little piece about right now. :) Have a great week and stay warm!

Melanie said...

Congrats on winning that lovely giveaway! And...happy birthday! I hope you had a wonderful weekend.
:-)

Traci said...

All of your cooking looks so good!! Hope you're staying warm!