Homemade Fresh Tomato and Ricotta Cheese Pizza

 In our house, when the weather cools and football season starts, it's time to turn on the oven and make homemade pizza.

We made several homemade pizzas of different varieties last week. Fran wanted to make one with garden tomatoes and ricotta cheese.

It was so easy to make, using homemade pizza dough and fresh ingredients from the garden.

The measurements are approximate, as we really didn't measure. You can use less or more, whatever you like best.

Ingredients:

• Homemade pizza dough (My recipe)
• 3/4 cup of whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
• 1 large tomato, sliced thin
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Fresh basil leaves
• Italian seasoning

Instructions:

1. Roll out the dough in a greased pizza pan.
2. Spread a layer of ricotta cheese, about 1/4-inch thick. Add the minced garlic over top.
3. Spread some shredded mozzarella over that.
4. Place sliced tomatoes over the pizza.
5. Garnish with fresh basil leaves.
6. Sprinkle some Italian Seasoning, and add more mozzarella.
7. Bake the pizza at 450 degrees for 15 minutes. The cheese will bubble, and the crust will be brown.

Let it cool for a few minutes, slice it, and enjoy. If you like ricotta cheese, then you are going to love this pizza. This pizza is so easy to make, and if you don't want to make your own pizza dough, you can find it at your local grocery store.

Here are some essentials you need for homemade pizza.

GoodCook Everyday Nonstick Baking Sheet Set, 3 Pack Includes Small (13×9) Medium (15×1) and Large (17×11) Pans Carbon Steel Construction Cookie Sheets Bakeware Set, GrayKitchenAid Classic Pizza Wheel with Sharp Blade For Cutting Through Crusts, Pies and More, Built In Finger Guard for Safety and Comfort Grip to Protect Fingers, Dishwasher Safe, 9-Inch, BlackNorpro Wood Pastry/Pizza Roller 4in/10cm

 

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Halloween Pumpkin Cheese Ball

 Soon the leaves will turn beautiful colors and fall from the trees. That means Halloween will be here soon. Halloween is always a big deal at our house.

We always have plenty of food and snacks for anyone who stops by, and sometimes we do get a crowd. Every year, Fran makes this Pumpkin cheese ball, and it's always a hit with everyone.

This Cheese Ball is easy to make and perfect with crackers, cheese, and pepperoni. Don't worry, the spiders are plastic, just a little added Halloween decoration.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces of cream cheese, softened.
• 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
• 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped.
• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin.
• 1/2 cup chunky salsa
• 2 cups of Doritos, crushed into crumbs.
• 1 green bell pepper stem, for the top.

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese. cheddar cheese, onion, salsa, and cumin. Mix well until it's creamy.
2. Scoop the mixture into plastic wrap and shape it into a pumpkin-like ball. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
3. When you are ready to serve, roll the ball in the crushed Doritos until it's coated. Now, place the bell pepper stem on top.

You don't have to wait for Halloween to make this cheese ball. It's a perfect appetizer or snack any time of the year.

If you're going to a Halloween party, check out my Pinterest board for Couples Halloween Costumes.

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The Best Homemade Peach Pie Recipe

 Homemade peach pie is something special. This peach pie is sweet, juicy, and delicious; your friends and family will love it.

My Aunt Mary Carol made the best peach pie that I've ever had. So, I thought I would give this a try.

Homemade Peach Pie Reviewed

The fresh peaches make all the difference; you'll want to find nice, ripe peaches, but not too soft.

I used Pillsbury double pie crust for this recipe. If you want to make your own, you can find my pie crust recipe here: Cast Iron Skillet Apple Pie.

Ingredients:

• 1 double pie crust
• 5 large ripe peaches, Peeled, pitted, and sliced
• 1 cup sugar
• 5 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 egg beaten
• More sugar for the top

Instructions:

1. Place all the cut-up peaches in a large bowl. Add the sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla, and cinnamon.
2. Mix with a spoon until everything is combined.
3. Set the peaches aside while you prepare the crust.
4. Lay out your bottom pie crust and slightly roll the edges all around so it is larger than 9 inches. Lay it in your pie plate so the crust hangs over the edge.
5. Add the peach mixture into the pie plate.
6. Roll out the top crust the same way and place it over the peaches. Form the crust all around the pie.
7. Brush the top with the beaten egg, then sprinkle with sugar.
8. Loosely cover the edges (crust) with tin foil.
9. Bake the pie at 375 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes, until the top is golden brown.
10. Let cool on a rack for 30 to 45 minutes before slicing.
11. Note: I always place a cookie sheet on the oven rack below the pie in case of any spills.

This homemade peach pie is the perfect way to enjoy one of summer's sweetest fruits. I don't believe it beat my aunt's peach pie, but it sure was close.

Wisenvoy Pie Pan Ceramic Pie Dish Pie Plate Deep Dish Pie Pan Non-Stick Pie Pans for Baking Pie Pans Pie Dishes

 

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CAPHAUS Zero Gravity Chair Reviewed

 This year, Fran just had to add another piece of furniture to our deck, and I'm so glad she did. She found this zero-gravity lounge chair, and we have enjoyed it all summer long. This chair makes it so easy to take a nap on a beautiful summer day. 

This chair is so comfortable when I sit in it and recline; it feels like I'm floating on air. This chair was the perfect addition to our deck this summer. Since we have a finished basement, I'll move this chair there and enjoy it all winter long.

The chair has a comfortable headrest and a convenient side tray with two cup holders and two slots, one for your phone and one for your tablet. The only problem is when our son and daughter-in-law visit with our granddaughters, the chair is always occupied, so I don't get to sit in it.

The material is durable, and the highly elastic bungee ropes conform to your body, offering support and comfort like no other chair. I love this chair.

You can find this chair on Amazon in three different colors. 

CAPHAUS Blue Zero Gravity Chair, Recliner, Lounge Chair, Folding Chair with Side Tray, Metal, Textilene Fabric, 300LB Weight Capacity, Indoor & Outdoor Use, Unisex, Blue

 

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Rome Cast Iron Pie Irons - Reviewed

We enjoy our backyard fire pit every year and make lasting memories with all of the fun. Our Rome cast iron pie irons have been part of that fun for as long as I can remember.

What is a pie iron? A pie iron is a handy cooking tool that turns an ordinary campfire into an opportunity to make delicious hot sandwiches, called mountain pies, or, as some people know them, hobo pies or pudgie pies.

The classic Rome Square pie iron is designed to accommodate a generous portion of bread and fillings, allowing you to make any kind of delicious hot sandwich. One of our favorites is the pizza mountain pie. Find out how we make the pizza mountain pie here in one of my posts, Mountain Pies.

Rome also offers round and double models, giving you several options depending on what you want to cook. Our pie irons are the classic square designs.

You can make hot sandwiches, savory meals, and sweet desserts with your pie irons. Another favorite of mine is apple pie filling with cheddar cheese.

If you enjoy camping or spending time around a backyard campfire pit, Rome pie irons are worth considering. Once you start experimenting with different fillings and recipes, you will be looking forward to your next campfire.

After every campfire, I wash my pie irons with soap and water and thoroughly dry them. Then, I coat and rub them with vegetable oil on the inside and out to make them ready for the next campfire.

ROME Industries 1760 Double Xl Square Pie Iron, 5ROME Industries Pudgie Revolution Pie Iron Cookbook, Recipes For Pudgy Pie Cooking

 

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The Ultimate Guide to Time Studies

I'm reviewing my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Time Studies. My book is a step-by-step guide to learning how to time study.

In any operational environment, time is the ultimate currency. Whether you are managing a manufacturing plant, a fulfillment center, or a service team, understanding how long a task takes is the foundation of efficiency.

My Book Contains Seven Chapters:

1. Pre-Study Preparation
2. Breaking down the Work Into Elements
3. Conducting the Study (Stopwatch Methods)
4. Performance Rating (The Human Factor)
5. Applying Allowances to Find Standard Time
6. Analyzing and Acting on the Data
7. Time Study Worksheets and Templates

Knowing your labor costs is important, and developing labor costs starts with an accurate time study.

Who Can Benefit from this Book:

• Industrial Engineering students and professionals
• Manufacturing supervisors and managers
• Small Business owners
• Operations managers
• Production planners
• Process improvement professionals
• Business owners looking to improve efficiency
• Anyone interested in learning the basics of time study

Large companies may have dedicated industrial engineering and continuous improvement teams. Small businesses don't have that luxury.

That doesn't mean small businesses can't benefit from the same basic principles. My book will help a small business owner to understand where labor hours are being spent and where improvements might be possible.

The key is having an understanding of how to conduct the study and interpret the results, and my book will teach you that.

I have over 40 years of Industrial Engineering experience as an Industrial Engineer with Rockwell International Front Axle Division. Industrial Engineering manager for Bush Industries Inc., a ready-to-assemble furniture manufacturer, and an Industrial Engineer for TitanX Engine Cooling.

You can find my book on Amazon in both ebook and paperback. The paperback has an additional chapter with useful forms and templates.

The Ultimate Guide to Time Studies: A Practical Handbook for Efficiency

 

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Restore Your Outdoor Furniture With Rust-Oleum Spray Paint

 In April this year, I reviewed our outdoor patio set. We've had this set for over 5 years now, and it has served us well. You can read that review here: Outdoor Patio Set-Reviewed.

This year, when I uncovered the table, I noticed that the tabletop had become dull and faded. I made several attempts to clean it to restore its original luster, but they all failed. There was no rust on the table; only the top had faded.

Outdoor furniture is expensive, and there was no way I was going to buy a new set just because the top was faded. So, I went to the hardware store and found a Rust-Oleum textured metallic spray paint to match our patio set.

We moved the table into the garage, and our grandson Bobby sprayed the top with two light coats of paint. We let the first coat dry overnight before we did the 2nd coat.

Here is the finished tabletop, looking brand new. If your patio chairs, tables, or benches are structurally sound and in good shape but simply look weathered, don't replace them just yet. A couple of cans of Rust-Oleum are all you need to bring them back to looking new.

Rust-Oleum offers a variety of colors and finishes to choose from.

Rust-Oleum 7578838-6PK Professional High Performance Enamel Spray Paint, 15 oz, Flat Black, 6 Pack

 

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Easy No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Dessert

 Our granddaughters are visiting for the week, and we made this easy strawberry cheesecake dessert for the 4th of July. We used strawberry pie filling, but you can use any pie filling you like. Following is our review of how to make this easy and delicious dessert.

Ingredients:

1 SaraLee Pound Cake (cut into small pieces)

2 cans of strawberry pie filling

1 24.3oz Philadelphia No-Bake cheesecake filling (You can find this at Wal-Mart)

1 container of Cool Whip

We thought pictures would be best for our step-by-step instructions.

Here, Giada is cutting the cake into about 1-inch pieces.

Giada and Guiles spread the cut-up cake into a 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish and mixed in the pie filling.

Now they are spreading the no-bake cream cheese filling evenly over the top.

Spread the cool whip over the cream cheese filling. Now it was time to decorate our patriotic dessert with fresh blueberries and strawberries. Set it in the refrigerator for about two hours before serving.

This was easy and fun to do. The girls finished and decorated this in about 20 minutes. So there is plenty of time to make this for your 4th of July celebration.

Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July

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Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 - Reviewed

 The Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 is the world's largest operating steam engine. The Big Boy is currently on a coast-to-coast tour as part of America's 250th anniversary.

The Big Boy made one of its stops in Ripley, New York, only 30 minutes from where we live. So, we made the short trip to see this historic steam engine.

The town of Ripley and Chautauqua County did an amazing job of organizing this event. We drove to a small church just outside Ripley and boarded a shuttle into town for the event. There had to be more than 3,000 people there. We arrived early enough to be right up front for an amazing view of the Big Boy.

Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 History:

The Big Boy was built in 1941 by The American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, New York. It was designed for one purpose: moving enormous freight trains through the mountains of Utah and Wyoming. The Big Boy was created for the Union Pacific Railroad to handle heavy loads over steep grades.

The Boy was retired and on display in California as part of railroad history. In 2013, Union Pacicific reacquired the Big Boy and began to restore it, and in 2019, the Big Boy moved under its own power again.

Its massive size is something to see at 130 ft. long and weighing 1.2 million pounds. This was a true adventure to see a part of railroad history in action, and a true engineering marvel.

A video of the Ripley, New York, visit, along with an interview with the Big Boy engineer. The train stopped here for 30 minutes, and we had the opportunity of watching the crew perform maintenance.

Even if you're not a train enthusiast, this is well worth a trip to see part of history in action. Below is the Union Pacific Big Boy tour schedule. If it is coming anywhere near you, it is well worth the trip. Big Boy 4014 Tour Schedule.

Big Boy 4014 Train 4th of July 250 Years Retro Tee 250th Anniversary USA Big Boy 4014 Train Vintage US Flag T-ShirtNifeliz Big Boy Locomotive, Articulated Steam Locomotive Building Block Set, Legendary Steam Train Display Kit for Gift Giving (1,818 Pieces)Kato USA Inc. N Union Pacific Big Boy Steam Locomotive #4014 KAT1264014 N Locomotives

 

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Benefits of a Cordless Leaf Blower

Our backyard deck is surrounded by trees, and we like it that way because it makes it private during the summer. 

During the spring and early summer, we get a lot of debris falling from the trees. So, I'm cleaning the deck almost every day.

I bought this cordless leaf blower so I wouldn't have to drag out my extension cord for my electric one. I chose a battery-operated blower with a 20V rechargeable battery. The gas-powered seems too heavy and noisy, and they require regular maintenance.

This is lightweight and easy to handle. It allows me to move easily around the deck. It is simple to use, just attach the battery and turn it on. This is also perfect for blowing off the sidewalk after mowing the lawn.

Some other jobs I use it for:

• Clear dirt from the steps going into the house.
• Drying the outdoor furniture after a rain.
• Clearing a light snow from the steps or the car.

Battery technology has improved over the years. Current models will provide enough runtime to complete cleanup tasks in the yard or around the house. You'll find some models that come with two batteries, so you will always have one charged.

I'm very happy with the performance and convenience of my cordless leaf blower.

You will find many models and styles on Amazon.

Leaf Blower, Electric Cordless Leaf Blower with 2 Batteries and Charger, 2 Speed Mode, Lightweight Leaf Blowers for Blowing Leaves, Lawn Care, Patio Cleaning and DustMZK Cordless Leaf Blower,20V Battery Powered Electric Blower for Lawn Care, Electric Lightweight Leaf Blower for Blowing Leaves, Patio Cleaning and Dust(2 * 2Ah Battery & Charger Included),LF40D13EGO POWER+ Leaf Blower, Cordless Electric 615 CFM, Includes 56V 2.5Ah Battery and Charger - LB6151

 

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Gray Mountain by John Grisham - Book Review

 John Grisham is the master of legal thrillers. Instead of high-powered law firms and dramatic trials. Gray Mountain takes you to the heart of Appalachia and the injustices tied to the coal mining industry.

When the 2008 financial crisis hit, Samantha Kofer, a young and upcoming associate at a large New York law firm, found herself out of work.

Samantha is offered the opportunity to retain her job under certain conditions. She must volunteer at a non-profit law firm for one year.

With limited options, Samantha accepts a position at a small legal aid clinic in the small Appalachian town of Brady, Virginia.

What begins as a temporary inconvenience for Samantha quickly becomes a life-altering experience. Brady Virginia is nothing like her Manhattan lifestyle; this is a place where poverty, environmental destruction, and corporate power collide. 

Samantha's transformation is the center of the story. With supporting characters such as dedicated lawyers and local residents living in the reality of corporate negligence. She becomes invested in her clients and their struggles.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed reading Gray Mountain. To me, this story is about taking on the powerful and representing the locals who have nowhere to turn. 

Gray Mountain: A Novel

 

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