Honey Whole Wheat Pizza Crust

I think I have finally come up with a rustic pizza crust that I like a lot!  I am posting this recipe so I don't forget what I did.  Here is a slice topped with apple butter and caramelized onions, kalamata olives, goat cheese, pecans, and fresh rosemary.

Honey Whole Wheat Pizza Crust

2 cups unbleached regular flour

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup water

2 teaspoons honey

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoon cider vinegar

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 1/2 teaspoon quick rise yeast

I mixed the dough in my bread machine and let it rise for 2 hours.  You could also knead by hand or in a food processor, but I still love the bread machine because it takes 2 minutes to toss in the ingredients and it does all the work and keeps it at the perfect temperature to rise.

Divide into 2 sections and let rest 10 minutes.  Then roll out thin as possible on a floured surface.  

After adding toppings, I baked on a pizza stone in a very hot 500 degree plus oven for about 8 minutes.     (Preheat the oven/pizza stone for at least 30 minutes so it is very hot.)

Jay Bosch's World War II History

To celebrate my father's 88th birthday today I have published his war memoirs in a free multitouch book on iTunes! Here is the story of the book:

About 10 years ago I encouraged my father to write out his memories of his service and being wounded in Italy during World War II. I typed and printed out his "book" and later self published it on Lulu. I recently realized I should put his book in digital form onto his beloved iPad so he could share it with others (since he takes his iPad with him almost everywhere he goes).

After the Apple Distinguished Educator conference in Austin this summer, it dawned on me that I should give my dad's story a larger audience (much as I do for my students) by publishing it on iTunes. I realized I could easily transform the text and photos that I already had into a pretty cool multitouch book using iBooks Author. I included photos of artifacts that he had saved from Italy and filmed a few new video interviews to enhance the text. I also experimented with using Hyperstudio Author to build an interactive widget showing his medals and patches.

I am so excited to be able to give this book to my dad as a birthday present.  Please share the link with anyone interested in a primary source first person account of World War II or who is interested in seeing what can be done in iBooks Author.

Here is the link where you can download the book onto your iPad for free:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/jay-boschs-world-war-ii-history/id683470567?mt=11

Daycation

A last hurrah before school starts in earnest.  I decided to take a little daycation road trip an hour up north and do a little recreational shopping.  First stop was Great Lakes Crossing.  I had a $5 coupon from Eddie Bauer and I always enjoy the challenge of seeing what I can get for really cheap.  Found these two blouses on the $4.99 rack - originally $59 dollars (although we all know those prices at outlets can be pretty inflated).  I discovered that Eddie Bauer gives a 10% discount with teacher ID - never knew that, weeping at all the $$ I could have saved over the years!  With my discount and coupon, these 2 items cost under five dollars.  SCORE!

Then headed up to Clarkston.  I have always wanted to try out the Clarkston Union restaurant that I have heard so much about.  An old church repurposed into a cool restaurant.

I just grabbed a quick sandwich while sitting at the bar.  Got a pecan cherry sausage smothered with mushrooms and onions.  That sausage slid right off the bun after one bite - had to resort to cutting it up in pieces to eat!  The grilled onions underneath were pretty good, too.  Next time, though, going for their famous mac and cheese!

I stopped at the gift shop next store and grabbed a couple cupcakes for to take home for dessert.  I seriously think these are the best cupcakes ever!  I am a frosting freak and these had a mound of buttery frosting.  I tried the raspberry one that had a great raspberry filling and a blueberry one with an almond cream frosting.  I would make the trip again just to get these cupcakes! 

Then on to downtown Holly.  I don't think I have been there in many years and had forgotten how cute it is.  There are several really interesting gift shops on the main street.  My favorite was called Pigeon in the Parlour - just loved how all the items were displayed!

I did some antiquing - there are several great stores to explore. 

I always love Battle Alley Arcade Antiques - it is divided into cute little rooms that are fun to wander through.   

I bought a few vintage hankies and 2 wire locker baskets that I plan to use for storage.  I'd been looking for wire baskets for a while - really liked the number tags and the diamond pattern that the wires make.