Favorite Things

Pizza is the best.  But, personal little notes are better.  In this day of our world wide web, we seldom receive or give small tangible notes of sweetness to brighten someone’s day.  It is so much easier to just shoot someone an email, a text, or a Facebook message, right?  I am grateful for social networking…otherwise, I would not be able to flood your space with my blog posts.  However, I cherish the moments I receive a personal note…a “thank you” on paper.

I recently had the privilege of cooking for a sweet woman a few days in a row.  She was Frances Conroy meets Joni Mitchell.  Her voice was so gentle and soft, it could calm any size panic attack.  She would speak, I would listen.  My eyes would glass over, my chin would slowly drop toward the floor, and I would fall into a trance of pleasantry.  I imagined her carrying gold star or scratch-n-sniff stickers in her purse (like my 2nd grade teacher) to give out to those having a rough day.  I imagined her being a Grateful Dead and Gloria Steinem fan in her prime only to trade them today for a more meditative sound and yoga.  She was just so delightful.  But then again, I could be TOTALLY off…

The evening following her departure, I prepared pizza for dinner.  I noticed this beautifully handwritten note on the counter.  She had left without a chance for me to say goodbye.   At first, I thought it might be for someone else.  It was for me.  It was so elegantly written and upon reading the note, I immediately teared up.  She was thankful for me.  I thought at that moment, ” And this….this is why you love what you do, Ruthie”  I’m not sure I will ever get to cross paths with her again, yet, her words will serve as a constant reminder of why I love what I do.

Thank YOU, Carolyn.

You can find the pizza dough recipe here.  It takes some time to prepare but, honestly, there will be that much more love in your pizza.  Put some good music on your turntable, open a bottle of wine, and enjoy your time in the kitchen.  Then, pick your favorite toppings for a damn good pie.

Italian Meatball and Chicken Pesto and Traditional Pepperoni with Red Sauce served with Roasted Pear Halves