Pesto Chicken Pizza

It may be stretching it to say that I made this recipe up, as the ingredients are about four items and it is so easy, but claiming it I am.  

I always forget how easy it is to make your own pizza crust and I need to do it more often.  I love pizza and this has to be way healthier than frozen pizza or store bought crust, right? 

I use  a recipe for the crust from a cookbook I got for one of my wedding showers.  One of the few recipes I use these days that I did not get from pinterest. 

1 package active dry yeast

2/3 cup warm water

2 cups flour

1 tsp salt

1. Put yeast in small bowl.  Add half water and stir with fork until yeast is dissolved. Set aside for ten minutes.

2. Mix flour and salt in a medium bowl. Pour in the yeast mixture.  Stir well until flour has been absorbed. (I always have to add more water.) 

3. Shape the dough into a ball and place on floured surface.  Knead the dough for about 5 minutes by taking the far end of the dough, folding it over and pushing it down with your hands.  

4. Place the dough in a large clean bowl and cover with a cloth.  Let rise for 1 hour.  (I usually let it sit for much longer until I'm ready to make the pizza later in the day.) 

Place the dough on a cutting board covered with flour.  Add flour as needed and shape the dough into your crust.  I just put it on a regular cookie sheet and shape the dough to fit whatever sheet I'm using. 

I've used this dough to make BBQ chicken pizza or just cheese pizza with toppings.  For this one I used a jar of pesto sauce, shredded chicken and mozzarella cheese.  Spread the pesto on the crust and cover with chicken and cheese.  

Bake at 450 for 15-20 minutes.  

I want to start having pizza night Friday nights.   One time I made a deep dish pizza that was delicious, but took forever.  Someday.  Someday.  

Love footprint platter

I think it may be time to give up on footprint gifts.  Maybe because I've already given Chris a present with a footprint, and now my mom and mother in law.  Plus I made a canvas for our house for Christmas and Valentine's day.  Overboard?  Maybe.  But when you have the cutest little foot you'd probably want to too. 
However, my days may be done for now because let me tell you it's no easy task.  Especially with red pant. Kind of looked like a murder scene and this time the paint did not come off either of us nearly as easy as before so we're left with red marks all over.  

But it did turn out cute and was definitely worth it.  I can take no credit for this idea.  Thank you pinterest.   However I figured I'd share because so many times things don't work or turn out as nearly as cute as what you read.  Always nice to hear someone else who's tried it with success.  
And despite smeared toes we're calling this a success.  
I bought the ceramic platters at Target for $9 each, and the enamel paint at JoAnne's for $2.  I drew the letters with pencil first.  Then used a foam brush to paint Addi's feet and pushed them onto the plate.  First time it was pretty easy.  Second time she squirmed and flipped herself on her stomach which smeared the entire plate red.  Thankfully I washed it off really quick and started again.  
Don't think for a second I even attempted taking pictures of the process.  I think you can picture it just fine anyway. 

I baked the platters at 350 degrees (without preheating the oven first) for 30 minutes.  They seem to be pretty set on there and I think they'll survive hand washing them after using them.  
While not perfect, they did come out pretty good and I know Addis grandma's loved them.  Now if only I would've made one for myself.  But that would be a little weird right?  Chris.  Get on it.  Footprint me something please.  

A maternity top and better hair

top: zulily   jean: old navy   boots: discovery 

I rarely buy clothes online because I think it's so hard to know if they'll fit right or not.  I ordered this from zulily and am pretty sure it should be a maternity top, as it makes me feel like I look pregnant.  

But alas. I can't return it and therefore will be wearing.  Although very not pregnant.  

On the plus side, it's a rare occasion I really like my hair.  But here.  I really like my hair.  If only I had the time and luck to make it look like this daily.  

Happy weekend!  If only I can have a repeat of my last Saturday.  That would be wonderful. 

Nine Years

Nine years ago I walked down the aisle to marry you.  It's hard to believe we've been together for over 13 years.  It's funny to think about how much we've changed over the many years and how far our relationship has grown.  My 14 year old self did not think we'd end up married, even though you thought otherwise. I'm sure thankful you didn't give up on pursuing me way back then.  

This last year has definitely been the year of the most change as we added Addilyn to our family.  We've had to work more on our marriage, as it hasn't been easy like it's been the last many years.  But I am so thankful for you.  So thankful for a husband that is willing to spend time working on our marriage.  To spend time talking, listening and praying together.  And who tells me how much he loves me over and over and over again. 

But even though it's been a harder year because we've had to adjust to less time together, it's also been such a rewarding year too. It's been such a joy to watch you become a dad.  To see how much you love Addilyn and to jump in as your new role.  And to do it with such tenderness and joy.  We both are so lucky!

What a blessing it has been to be your wife.  To go through hard things like suriving financially while we were both in college, to finding jobs, greiving over the lose of our grandparents, or through our years of infertility. And then to experiences joys together like vacations, success in your careers and the most exciting, becoming a family of three.  

I'm happy to have you through whatever hard things we'll face and so thankful to experience the many more blessings God has for us in the future.  You are my favorite person in the world Christopher Jason Vale and I'm so thankful God gave me you. 

Happy Anniversary!

Attending a blog conference - have you been?

The other day I started making a list of things things I wanted to accomplish by the time I'm 30.  Which is only six months away.  
One of the things on my list is to attend a blog conference.  I have yet to go to one and am always a little envious of all the social media posts I see while these conferences are going on. I actually have never even met a blogging friend in real life.  Which is really too bad since many of the relationships I've made have become real friends.  Making connections with other bloggers has been my favorite thing about blogging and I'd love the chance to do that in person.  

One of the biggest blogging conferences is BlogHer.  Last year the conference was held in Chicago and I looked into going.  Had Addilyn's due date not been the same week I would have loved to go!  This year is the 10th Anniversary BlogHer celebration and it will be held in San Jose, California July 24-26.  If only it was in Chicago again!  
I think the thing I would look forward to the most about these conferences is meeting some of the girls that I've been in contact with the last two years.  
I also know that there is so much that I don't know when it comes to blogging and growing my blog, which I would love to continue to do.  I kind of feel like I've hit a roadblock lately when it comes to growing my blog and I would love some motivation and advice on how to move forward.  
Like things regarding how to use social media to grow my blog, seeing as my only status updates involve mostly only interesting to me pictures of Addilyn's oh so exciting daily "accomplishments." I'd love to hear the session called Blogging Fundamentals where they'll talk about the difference between building pageviews and building community.  Or the one about mom blogging, because let's be honest I happily fall right into that category.  Looking through the list of sessions makes me want to hear what they have to say!  Speaking at these sessions are bloggers like Jenny Lawson (from the Bloggess) and keynote speakers like Kerry Washington.
 But besides attending sessions, you get to spend time meeting friends and learning about new products.  All while posting pictures on social instagram that make me wish I was there.  

You can register here to attend this year's BlogHer conference.  Book your tickets now as they go quickly! And if you registery quickly you can now get 25% of the full conference price.  

Have you ever been to a blogging conference?  Which one and did you love it?