boyworld goes green...

...finally!! we have the green light from our internet service provider.after several days of no access, we're up!! thank goodness this did not happen during NaBloPoMo ;)

it was just in time to share last night's adventure of hot chocolate & Christmas tree shopping in 30 degree weather!brrrrrrr... i do miss the days of going to a tree farm & picking out a balled tree which we were able to plant in our own yard after the new year. but in this area, that is not possible. last night a nearby lot full of Christmas trees became boyworld as the guys searched diligently for that very perfect specimen.sadly the girls could not join in the adventure, but if we had waited until the college students returned home, there would be no trees left! so the guys did their best & of course, we found the perfect-for-us tree.& i must say there is nothing quite like sipping your hot chocolate on a cold almost-winter night surrounded by these joyful trees, inhaling their magnificent scent!

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after the lack of internet for so many days, i almost forgot that today is wednesday...what's cooking wednesday?? in the flurry of Christmas preparations, there are some easy eats on the menu for this week & next. (really, la cucina is a bakery right now!) this week's recipe is easy & quick & nutritious too.

homemade veggie & goat cheese pizza

brush a store-bought pizza crust (i use whole wheat) with olive oil (remember, it's that busy time of the year & i am not making my own crust...that's for january!!)

add a layer of fresh spinach, a layer of sliced roasted red peppers, thin slices of red onion, & torn leaves of fresh basil (all to your taste)

sprinkle the veggies with a handful of pinenuts

spread goat cheese over all

season with sea salt & fresh ground pepper

drizzle all with olive oil

bake according to crust manufacturer's directions & enjoy!