Like a Real Pizzaiolo

I must indulge myself a little on this post. Recently, I have joined an amazing blog group, The Daring Bakers. Every month we are given a new challenge in baking - one recipe which we all follow. My introduction to the group was an introduction to an outstanding pizza dough recipe. We were allowed to use our creativity to think of unique toppings to finish the pizzas off. Of course I had to use Avery during the brainstorming process to come up with some good ideas. I had to show the Daring Bakers I meant business!



One of the stipulations was that we had to stretch out the dough using the traditional toss method, like a real pizzaiolo. I must say, it was easier than I thought - and there were no causualties!



My first creation was a taco pizza - salsa as my base, spiced ground beef and shredded Monterey jack cheese. It was all topped with diced tomatoes and shredded lettuce just before serving. I'd like to say this was something I set out to do, but it was actually just a method for me to use leftovers from my fridge.



My second attempt was something a little more seasonal - a golden beet and goat cheese pizza drizzled with honey, thoroughly enjoyed by my husband (who is nuts about beets).

Lastly (and most adventurously) I made a macaroni & cheese pizza for Misty and myself for our weekly get together. It was amazing! How could it not be? Marconi and cheese on it's own is so indulgent - with delicious Canadian aged cheddar and goat cheese for that extra bit of tang. Well, just imagine a beautifully crisp and light crust underneath it all. Top it with a bit of mozzarella and I am telling you, it was perfection (if not a bit heartburn inducing!).



Get set to see more of my completed challenges on the blog on a monthly basis. I am so excited to see what the Daring Bakers have in store for us next.

In other news, Avery has been looking forward to his very first Hallowe'en. As such, he has been seen around town sporting a new Hallowe'en outfit each day (courtesy of his Auntie Leighlow and Grandma KK). Of course a mulititude of pictures have been taken and will all be posted after the big day - so check back this weekend to see him in all of his cuteness!

This Little Piggy...

So our little Avery has discovered a new trick. He can touch his toes! He just loves to grab them when we are trying to change his diaper. Actually he loves to grab them any time he can manage to get at them! I can't wait until he is able to bring those little suckers into his mouth.



Avery has been such an unhappy fellow these last few weeks. We think it's a combination of different reasons; he's still fighting a small cold; we continue to believe he is teething and we think he might be hungry. He has been giving us cues that he is interested in starting solids. Avery eyes our food at every meal and opens his mouth wide when we bring food close to it, as if to say "Bring it on!" We were given the okay by his pediatrician, so it seemed fitting to begin to try with some rice cereal.
This morning I suited up our little man in his bib and gave him his first taste of (semi) solid food. Avery wasn't sure what to make of it. He definitely didn't hate it - at one point he grabbed my hand that was holding the spoon and led it into his mouth! I think with all of the spillage Avery managed to consume a few teaspoons in total. I don't think that's too bad for his first attempt. I can't wait to see if he eats even more tomorrow!

Avery's First Thanksgiving

Wow... this might be a long post! Not only did Avery celebrate his first Thanksgiving, he also went apple picking for the first time and turned four months old!

Let's start with his four month milestone. Avery weighed in at a slender 14lbs 3.2oz, a little less than what Pat and I expected. He is now lingering just under the 50th percentile for weight. Avery is still above average for height which is encouraging for Pat's dream of him becoming a professional tennis or soccer player. Avery was so brave with his shots today and barely cried at all. The most exciting part of the visit was that we were given the green light to start feeding our little guy rice cereal. What an amusing messy adventure we are going to have.



We decided to head out to Milton for some apple picking this weekend. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, and even though we got to Chudleighs before it opened, we were lucky to get in. None of us could believe how busy it was! We had so much fun and decided that this must be a yearly tradition for our family.



Each of us left with loads of different varieties of apples - we already experimented using them for some delicious brandied baked apples last night. YUM! I can not wait until next year when Avery will be able to help with the picking, instead of just bossing his father to which ones he wanted.



Thanksgiving was a special treat this year, as we were joined by the largest group yet. Michele and Jerry hosted the event at their beautiful new home. We were accompanied by Nanny, Oopa, Wanda, David, Baba, Peter, Misty & Troy. Misty was a master at getting little Av to sleep when he was way too overstimulated at all the action going on.



Michele and I were exhausted by the end of the evening, but thoroughly enjoyed creating a delightful meal for everyone. I only wish Pat and I snuck a couple of the extra desserts home with us - a triple chocolate salted caramel mousse tart. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Playing Hooky

On the heels of yet another atrocious night with little Avery (waking every two hours or so and refusing to go down for any sort of sleep after 4am), I was beyond happy when my husband told me he was taking a vacation day today... or as I like to call it "playing hooky." It's precisely what I needed to help me make it through the day - back up.

We started out our morning by walking to La Crema for some much needed 16oz coffees, although the crisp weather was enough to wake me up as soon as I stepped outside.
Pat, after coming home from a darling new hair cut, took Avery and I out for lunch at one of our favourite restaurants, Freshwood Grill. We can't get enough of their sweet potato fries with chipotle mayonnaise.



The rest of our afternoon has been spent playing and relaxing. Our poor little guy hasn't been the happiest camper lately. Not only do we think he is teething, Avery is fighting off his very first cold. His congestion has lead us to nickname him "little piggy" because he snorts so much.



Hopefully he'll manage to be back to his cheerful self soon - at least before he goes in for his next set of shots in just over a week.