National Parks Update!

Well, since you asked, I believe I have been to 11 of our national parks (with Doug, so I should say we. I did Everglades long ago before him so I am not counting that one).  The ones in Alaska are hard to get to (hydroplane only) and America Somoa is not so easy to get to, either.  But it is an interesting quest.

The PROBLEM is, you may know that there is a NP passport where you stamp each place you have been.  So of course this disturbs me b/c I feel like I have to go back to the ones I already have been to, to get my stamp!  Maybe I can mock one up (I would have the actual date on my pictures - maybe).  My OCD gets in the way sometimes, you know.

I may have mentioned that I earned a free NP pass for the year (for my volunteer hours) - but Doug was not impressed ("it's $20 for a week pass .. .. ).  Still there is something about earning a FREE thing that is rewarding and make you feel like you have to use it!

I have to finish my Ice Age Trail quest first . .. I know you want to know the status:  I am at 784 miles.  Got out twice last week (for my first 22 of the year!) and plan to go this weekend if it doesn't snow up north.  And honestly . . . I can only think of ONE time that we were out and had pizza!

A feel good story.....

D'Marcos Pizza

# 1  I have had several new ones since we have opened the studio -- but of course all before we started the challenge.  So this is my first official one.

I have met and had a long conversation with the owner.  He moved to Houston from Chicago.  Long story short he acquired the recipe from an elderly couple in his home town and brought the pizza recipe to a small pizzeria in Sugar Land.  It's Chicago-style pizza....this one is in deep dish of course.




How many National Parks have you been to?

The only thing I am busy counting is how many members the studio is up to!  We are currently at 158 and aiming for 225 by EOM June and 375 by end of year.  At least 1 a day!!!

Miss you J -- counting the days!

National Parks Pizza

Is anyone playing along with my year of new pizzas?!  I actually have a real one to post - which I will do at another time (Ihad a Chinese New Year Pizza).

SO you know my infatuation with the National Parks and I have this desire to now visit every one.  Just the parks (58) -not counting the 401 sites that are national waterways, etc.  I have a few knocked off already.  But my interest is peaked in the National Park trail run series and other activities.

ANYWAY, I stumbled upon this book which is humoring me:  "Dear Bob and Sue."  It is a couple who decides to also visit every national park, and the format is they are writing e-mails back to their friends (Bob and Sue).  Well, I have to tell you that these people eat pizza every day while staying in or near a national park.  It is so funny to me.  They are doing parts of the country at a time (so this is not every consecutive day) but doesn't there seem to be a correlation?!  I can do two things that I love at once - who knew?  And they drink a lot of beer.

It looks like this Coyote is enjoying some pizza, too.

I really have no idea what this is, but I thought it was funny.

For My Valentines

I am glad I passed on the Love to my Daughter, who made her sweetie a heart shaped pizza - but they almost ruined it!

Alas, I am not making much progress on the 2015 Pizza Project.  I did make a wheat crust from Trader Joe's which was good but not sure if that is inspiring enough.  There is a little story - MK had a "food for today" class and they had TJ pizza.  She specifically requested it (for Zach) and then Doug did not see it in the fridge so made from scratch.  Mind you, TJ is not close to us so it was a pretty "intentional" effort.  I took a pic just in the (unlikely) event that come Dec I do not have 15 new ones to count!

15 in 2015 -- I love it!

Hi all --

I love the Pizza challenge and I'm certain I can "git 'er done."  Good Lord -- I love this idea!  Now I'm thinking we should each come up with a 15 in 15 idea.  Of course I am racking my brain to come up with one to share.....and i want to make it fun, not like our normal stuff -- which is always hard.

I like the spirit of the Pizza idea -- let's focus on having fun and being happy instead of constantly challenging ourselves to do something that we feel that we should do instead of something we want to do!  I admit I spend the majority of my time and life thinking about what I should do -- should eat better, should drink less, should work out more, should start running again, etc, etc.

And J -- how can you not know what that picture is???  It's pizza in the shape of a French Bulldog!  Like my Darwin boy.

I admit I'm a little psyched about this! Now to determine my idea!

2015 CHALLENGE!

As with every New Year, I'm sure that health and wellness is top of mind.  But let's be realistic, too . . . WE LOVE PIZZA!

Not to be cavalier, but ya know, Life is short.  And we know that we're going to eat pizza (and what goes well with pizza?  Wine of course.  And beer . . . that's a whole other topic).  SO, my challenge, which I am sorry that Jan is half over, is for 20 - 15 to try FIFTEEN NEW PIZZAS!

It can be a new restaurant, a new recipe, new topping combo - it just has to qualify as new to you!  And you should report back on your new favorites.  We can expand our horizons on something we know and love.  

Are you in?!

Not sure what this is exactly, but I had to include it b/c I thought it was funny.

Happy New Year!

Well, some of us got closer to "OZ" and . . .

Others of us fell asleep in the poppies!

Or feel like we got hit by apples in the head along the way!

But I for one am happy that I have a brain

And have OZ to thank for it!

OK, not the first one but the second one is "my OZ"  (Dr. Osama Zaidat, who is referred to as Dr. Oz).  Surely, of all of the neurologists, that was not a coincidence?

Stay the course! Goals are good!   It's going to be a great year!!