Prosciutto & Fig Pizza

So not too long ago prosciutto was on sale, and I thought Everyone loves it, so I'll buy some and make something delicious with it.  My first attempt at 'something delicious' was quite the opposite {prosciutto-wrapped shrimp ... sounded good at the time?}.  I got the bad luck out of the kitchen, though, because my second attempt was insane [in a good way!].  One of the things my students and I always have in common is our mutual love for pizza.  It is my favorite food.  Seriously.

When attempting this, I was a little apprehensive because the ingredients are very different than my typical pizza toppings, but Oh. My. Goodness.  This pizza gets Byron's seal of approval as well :)

Ingredients:

1 whole wheat pizza crust (I always use Trader Joe's pizza dough)

fresh mozzarella, sliced into 1/4 inch thick pieces (as much as you like!)

5-6 fresh figs, washed and sliced thinly (like a tomato)

5-6 pieces of thin-sliced prosciutto (or more!)

3 hand-fulls of arugula

Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

(Makes 1 pizza)

Directions: (baking times will vary depending on your pizza dough)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare pizza dough or crust according to the directions on the package on a pizza stone or baking sheet.  Place the figs on the dough/crust, spacing them somewhat evenly.  Next place the mozzarella on the crust.  You may add as much as you'd like!

Place the pizza in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese has begun to melt.  Take the pizza out of the oven and drizzle the Balsamic Vinaigrette over the enter pizza, then layer the prosciutto on top.

Place the pizza back in the oven for about 5-7 minutes.  Remove the pizza from the oven and add the hand-fulls of arugula.  Drizzle some more dressing on the pizza, but you don't want to soak it!

Place it back in the oven for about 3-5 minutes.  Remove the pizza from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, then slice 'er up and serve with a nice glass of wine.  Enjoy!

class pet adventures

Meet Turtle

Last weekend I picked up a turtle for my class pet.  Turtle is his name and he's five years old.  My students absolutely love him.  He's made his home on the counter in our room and is fed by a student each day.  Every morning I walk into my room, drop my bag at my desk, and head over to Turtle tell him, "Good Morning!"  This morning, however, I took my walk across the room to greet him and looked into his tank and . . . he was nowhere to be found!  The lid was just as I'd left it and there wasn't a single sign of where he might be.

Once I'd searched my classroom and I ran to my neighbors to search theirs for this little reptile.  When we were all unsuccessful finding Turtle, I came to the conclusion that he'd been kidnapped turtlenapped.  After an hour of looking for the little guy I was sure he was a goner.  When he hadn't showed up by lunch time, I'd lost my hopes for sure.  How do I tell my class? I thought. 

We began our Writing Block by reading Miss Nelson is Missing and talked about all the places her students thought she was and how worried they were.  Then I told them that someone was missing in our classroom, too.  And it was Turtle.  Some students reacted in disbelief, thinking I was tricking them, while others were trying to tell me all the places he might be hiding.  Once they'd come to terms with Turtle's MIA status, they began to write on the prompt 'Our Turtle Is Missing.'   

Just as we went to line up at the door for recess, I hear cries from my neighbor Kelli.  Screaming my name and pointing to the ground, I ran towards her in panic, thinking there was an emergency in her room.  I looked, and

there

he

was.

Scurrying across her floor in the direction of my classroom.  I scooped him up and carried him back to my cheering students.

Beginning my day on the verge of tears because of a turtle was not how I want to start any day ever again, so I will make sure he is more securely tucked-in for the nights.  And, I think Turtle has rightfully earned himself a last name: Houdini.

first days in first grade

1st day in 1st grade:  I got an apple from a neighboring teacher & thought my Dove message was fitting.

Holy cow, how have we already been in school for 2 weeks?!!  It has been busy and crazy, but great at the same time.  I have a sweet group of 17-first graders and they've already nestled their ways into my heart.

I love, love, love my job.  Although it is exhausting and I leave school most days with swollen, tired feet, but there's nothing else I would want to do, or that I feel God's calling me to do [at least for the time being!].  One thing's for sure, though: if I didn't have the support and encouragement that I have, I wouldn't have the energy to spend my days in a classroom full of kiddos.

I think 'Husbands of Teachers' should be some sort of support group for the sweet men who choose to marry, and stay married to educators!  I mean, let's be honest -- my husband always puts up with me loves me, listens to my crazy stories, cuts lamination...I could go on.  And, thankfully Byron was blessed with a stronger immune system than I was, so I don't always share the germs with him that the children generously give me!

There is no doubt in my mind that the Lord intentionally placed me in first grade with an incredible team of teachers.  My head would've spun off into another galaxy by now if I didn't have these women, and after only a few weeks of working together I already feel like there are no words I could speak or write to express how much I appreciate all they've done for me.

Work hard and cheerfully in all that you do as though working for the Lord.

Colossians 3:23

I know it's going to be a great year, especially with the amazing people God's placed in my life.  It's truly a reminder that He won't give me anything I can't handle, and that He's blessed me with relationships with friends who are more supportive than I could've asked for.

St. George Island

what is all this sand-stuff and why is it on my face?!

By the last week of my summer break I had finally convinced Byron that we should take a weekend beach trip.  After looking at different places on the gulf and Atlantic, we decided on St. George Island -- an island with beaches {and pretty much everything else!} that are dog friendly.  We packed up the truck before there were any signs of the rising sun, and with Bridget and Mook we headed toward the sandy shores.

Upon our arrival we immediately walked to the beach.  The pups were more than entertaining to watch.  When I was in college I took Bridget to the beach, and I knew she wasn't wild about the water, but she loved digging in the sand.  Mook on the other hand, had never been before.  He was really confused about the waves, the salty water, and how to dig sand {seriously -- he used his nose!!}

For the entirety of our trip the pups went everywhere with us, even to dinner!  They loved being included, but exhausted is an understatement of how they looked by the time we began our trip home!

sunrise walk

taking a walk on the beach after dinner

Day 2 on the beach -- the pups were dragging.

beach super model 

I'm so hot but the water keeps trying to attack me.

dinner at Harry A's with the pups

crab legs & mahi-mahi tacos
pina coladas & margaritas

At dinner, we noticed there was a special on crab legs, so of course we ordered it.  I haven't eaten seafood until just recently, so when our waitress delivered our food to the table I expected Byron to take the lead and demonstrate how to eat the meat, but as she sat the food down, Byron slid it my way expecting for me to do the same!  Needless to say, neither of us knew what we were doing, but I think we managed along alright without any instruction.  Be warned: if you're the next people to eat crab with us, there is a great possibility we'll embarrass you!

one last morning walk on the beach, mimosas in hand, yum.

Although Byron and I spend many weekends at the lake and other places, this was the first weekend since last summer we've spent away 'just us.'  I can't believe it's been so long.  Having a few days alone, without the distractions of our everyday lives, chores, the internet, etc., we were able to really focus on each other.  We had some great conversations, shared lots of laughter, ate crab for the first time, and were able to relax completely.  I'm not any sort of a marriage expert by any means, but I would recommend taking time to get away with your other half [more often than once a year].  We will be taking another weekend getaway soon, I hope!

sweet summertime

I am so thankful that my job allows for me to enjoy summers -- time to relax and enjoy the warm weather as I've recuperate from last year, while also preparing for the upcoming.

I began the summer with a quick trip to Birmingham to cheer on Stephen as he pitched in the oldest Stadium in the country and a Braves game.

Memorial Day Weekend

We were also able to spend some good days on and at the lake --  wakeboarding, relaxing and hanging out with family and friends.


The puppies sure love being at the lake.  Mook absolutely loves the water, while Bridget hasn't been as much of a water-dog.  [I think it's partially because she's not exactly shaped for swimming, so she always wears her life-jacket.]  The days at the lake were unbearably hot and the water abnormally high [because of the rain, duh!], which resulted in sweet Bridget voluntarily plopping herself in the water!

We love weekend with Cal and Ashley.

The lake has always been my favorite place.  I'm thankful I was able to spend  a few weekends there.  Although we didn't get to do as much wakeboarding as we would've liked, when we enjoyed the time we did get on the water.  Maybe the rain will hold off and allow for some more time at the lake for a few more months!  

Blueberry picking off the bush at the lake is one of my favorite things of summer.

After spending quite a few days at school, some days working and planning with my new grade level, others sorting through the items kindly given to me, I can finally think about school starting without hyperventilating!  [I do still have a good bit to accomplish, but at least it no appears that a tornado hit my room!]  In addition to being incredibly thankful for the sweet teacher-friends' generosity, my mom also spent a day with me organizing and sorting through the rummage of the teacher supply tornado that seems to have hit my room, and I honestly couldn't be more grateful!  I should have taken before and after photos -- maybe I'll take one before the first day of school!

With just short of a week left of my summer, I plan to enjoy the last days to the fullest.  Off to the beach we go!

wedding season

As the wedding crashers say, "It's wedding season!"  Over the past few months, I have celebrated 4 new marriages!  Last May Byron and I began summer with our own wedding and honeymoon, and after a year of marriage it’s been incredibly exciting to support such special people as they said their vows to begin their lives together.

In early June a group of teacher-friends celebrated Corey and Meredith in Fayetteville.  Meredith is one of the 4^th grade teachers at Knight.  She was an absolutely stunning bride.  Her dress was perfect for her and had such beautiful details.

Celebrating at Meredith's wedding with sweet teacher friends. 

One of my best friends growing up, Danielle, married her high school sweetheart in New York [unfortunately the same weekend as my cousin’s].  Since I wasn’t able to attend the ceremony, I was very thankful to be able to celebrate at her Bachelorette.  She is such a beautiful person and  I doubt I’ve ever wished so badly to be two places at once so I could’ve been there to see her become Mrs. Hunter Smiley.

Danielle was a beautiful bachelorette and an even more beautiful bride.

God didn’t give me a sister, but He did bless me with a cousin.  I remember us having our make-believe wedding ceremonies as kids, and I’m sure her beautiful wedding was everything she’s ever thought it’d be.  Katie and Andrew were married right outside of Athens, which couldn’t be more perfect for them, before the move to Oklahoma as the Taylor's.

I think it's safe to say Katie and Andrew are happy to be married!

After at least a year of Paige and I guessing when he'd pop the question, Will and Paige finally tied the knot this summer.  I am so thankful to have such an incredible friend to work with and couldn't have been happier to celebrate her marriage.  Paige's dress was incredible and the wedding was a blast!

I love it when weddings show the personalities of the bride and groom! :)

Welcome to married life, friends.  Wishing you a lifetime of happiness together!

Mocha Frap

I love a good cup o' joe.  My go-to morning cup of go-go juice is an unsweetened Cafe Au-Lait made with skim milk.  [p.s. that's a fancy way of saying I like black coffee with skim milk, no sugar or sweetener -- Sometimes I froth it to make it nice and foamy, sometimes I don't.]  It's simple and it's delicious.  I am not a Starbucks fan [Sayyy Whaaaattt?], but every now and again I want something blended and somewhat fancy.  Especially in the summer, it's nice to have an iced coffee to kick-start my mornings.  But I'm cheap and would rather spend $5 on anything but a drink, so here's what I've come up with:

Ingredients:
1 cup of black coffee, chilled [I french press coffee one morning, then refridgerate what I don't drink for the next morning, but any coffee should work!  The stronger the better!]
3/4 cup of skim milk
1 cup ice
light drizzle [or more!] of chocolate syrup
sugar/sweetener [if you like sugar in your coffee, you'll want it in this, too!]
whipped cream [to make it pretty, duh!]

Directions:
Combine the coffee, milk, ice, drizzle of chocolate, and sweetener into a blender.  Blend it until there are no more ice chunks.  Pour your coffee drink into a glass and top it with a mountain of a little whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.  Serve it with a straw and enjoy!  Mornings aren't so bad, right?