I'm a way better Italian then you are...

...because the kitchen is my BITCH!!!

I made calzones tonight and they were soooooo good.  I will share my badass recipie with you, but ya'll don't get pictures because I had my hands full trying to keep my toddler and the dog (and the cat) the hell out of the kitchen.

Dough:

-2 tablespoons olive oil
-1 teaspoon salt
-3 cups flour (you can use a mix of white and wheat, or all white or wheat)
-1 cup warm (not hot) water
-1 tablespoon sugar
-1 package (or equivalent) of active dry yeast

1.  Proof (activate) the yeast- mix water, yeast, and sugar.  Let stand for 10ish minutes or until foamy.

2.  Add salt and olive oil to yeast, stir in 3 cups of flour.

3.  Knead dough for 5-10 minutes.  Dough should be a playdoh consistancy, not too dry not too wet.  You can add a bit more flour if needed.  I just knead the dough on my counter- really throw your weight into it, it's great therapy!  Dough is done when the surface is smooth and the dough is elastic.

4.  Oil a large mixing bowl (use olive oil), form dough into ball, place into bowl and oil dough ball.  Cover bowl with a clean dish towel.  The dough needs to rise in a warm, moist place- I put the whole shebang into my oven and put a dish of very hot (from the tap is fine) water in there to add the heat and moisture.  Allow dough to rise for 40ish minutes or until dough is doubled.


Filling (make this while the dough is rising):

-roughly a pound and a half of any meat you want (I used pepperoni, ham, and italian sausage)
-if you use veggies, reduce the meat to a pound
-cheese, pick your poison
-1 small can tomato paste
-1 tablespoon basil
-3 tablespoons oregano
-1 garlic clove or equivalent

1.  Sautee ALL your fillings with the basil, oregano, and garlic

2.  When the meat is cooked add tomato paste and cheese to taste, cook until the cheese melts.  Remove from heat.


When the dough is finished punch it down and knead on the counter for a few minutes.  Form dough into ball and place on pizza pan.  Press dough into pan using fingers, just like you would making a pizza crust- make sure the dough is distributed evenly.  Use a fork to prick holes in the dough surface.  Place the cooled filling in the center of the dough- fold dough over and seal edges with your fingers or a fork (I use a fork, it looks cooler)

Cook in a 350 degree oven for 15-25 minutes.  Calzone is done when golden- if you tap the bread with your fingernail it should make a hollow sound.  Brush with olive oil and allow to cool a bit before serving.

You can make one huge calzone or mini calzones (or hell, even pizza rolls but that just seems like a pain in the ass).  Even my extraordinarily picky husband likes this recipie.  And you can easily tailor it to your tastes.  I had leftover filling, and I'm just going to freeze it for the next time I feel like making this recipie.

This is my recipie-sharing experiment- if you like this sort of shit let me know, and I'll continue to share my authentic Italian expertise. 

This Week in Pictures...

...because I'm fucking lazy today.


And because the baby got into my makeup and pooped on the carpet.  At the same time.  I need new makeup.  SIGH.

(Gotta love those western sunsets.)

(My new shoes.  They match my new Grecian inspired updo.  And they were on sale for six bucks.)

Well that explains everything...

"There is nothing more uncommon than common sense."

~ Frank Lloyd Wright

Happy Birthday to MEEEEE!!!!

Today is my 24th birthday.  But don't tell my daughter that, because I taught her to say "My mommy is nineteen!"  She's a good girl my kid.

Anyway, I've decided that I know what I want for my birthday.  I would like all of my readers to come out of the woodwork and tell me a little bit about yourselves!  Gimme a mini-bio! 

Some of you I know and love dearly (so I know ya'll will deliver the looove!).  But I'm convinced that there are others lurking around here somewhere....  Just leave me a comment my bloggy darlings.  Or, if you would prefer a bit more privacy, email me at:

desperatelyseekingcoffee at gmail dot com

Humor me people, there's nothing that would thrill me more than getting to know ya'll a little bit better!

I took a little beauty break today...

...and took a new date night updo for a test drive:

(Side view.)

(Back view.  And yes that's my bra hanging on the back of the bathroom door.  Don't hate.)

(Closeup back view.  And my bra again.)

So what do you think?  Did I do a good job copying Drew Barrymore?

Hoppy Easter Everybunny!

My husband is crazy...

And this is why:

That would be my husband in the pilot's seat of a helicopter. 

And that is me, in the backseat of said helicopter, totally freaked out calmly taking pictures.

I told you my husband was crazy.

By the way, these pictures were taken on Valentine's Day morning.  Happy Valentine's Day honey, lets get you over your fear of heights!

The flight was actually pretty cool after I stopped hyperventilating; I got some great shots of downtown Denver!

So the hubby has been taking these helicopter lessons for the past couple of months, hoping to get his private license.  Apparently he's pretty good, because the school he attends has already extended a job offer to him once he gets his instructor qualification.  Which is GREAT because even if hubs works 1-2 days a week doing part-time instructing (hmmm, lets see that's 25 dollars an hour times 8 hours...).  You see my train of thought.

Let me tell you, I knew my life would be ruled by the Marine Corps- I never thought my schedule would depend on the weather!

Me:  "What do you want for dinner honey?"

Hubby:  "Well, I'm scheduled to fly at 1700, but if the wind picks up again than I'll be really pissed cause my flight will be canceled, but if my flight is canceled I'll juststayandstudyaneatwiththeguys aaaaand I'm headed off to the flight school, seeyabye!"

Me:  "Chicken it is."

So an infertile woman walks into a diner...

... and orders the breakfast special.


"How do you like your eggs?" the waitress asks.


"Fertilized."


So, because I'm totally crazy now, I made up this song in the shower.  Seriously.  And my boobs hurt.


"The Clomid Blues"


I'm singin the Clooooomid, C-L-O-M-I-D blues!
Have you heard the news?
I wanna get knoooooocked up!
So I'm singin the Clooooo-oh-oh-ohmid blues!


Wake up in the mornin
All covered in sweat!
Please Jesus tell me why
I aint pregnant yet!


I'm singin the Clooooomid, C-L-O-M-I-D blues!
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooooh-oooooh-ooh!
I wanna get knoooooocked up!


So I'm singin the Clooooo-oh-oh-ohmid blues!


I cry at the drop of a dime (whoa-oh!)
I feel crazy all of the time! (whoa-oh)
My hubby's all up in a funk! (whoa-oh!)
Cause I don't need his kisses, I just want his juuuu-uh-unk!


I'm singin the Clooooomid, C-L-O-M-I-D blues!


Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooooh-oooooh-ooh!
I wanna get knoooooocked up!
So I'm singin the Clooooo-oh-oh-ohmid blues!



Thank you, thankyouverymuch!