In my book Saving Grace, one of the go-to meals my characters have on a rough night is pizza. My family lives on pizza some weeks, and none of us are bothered if we eat it several days in a row. But we tend to make our own more often than not. I even made a cute ninja turtle pizza for my four-year-old's birthday party. If you're rolling your eyes, thinking pizza dough is super complicated for a meal you can order and pick up in less than half an hour, let me prove you wrong. Here's the super easy pizza dough recipe my family has used for years. I hope you love it!

Pizza Dough

1 pkg dry yeast
1 cup warm water
1 t sugar
1 t salt
2 T olive oil
2 1/2 cups flour (I tend to start with a cup at a time and then add more until I reach the consistency I want -- some days it's the full amount and others it's not, depending on humidity)

Mix all ingredients together. Pour out onto a greased pizza pan or stone. Flour your hands and then press the dough out until it covers the whole pan (if it rips, simply press it back together and continue). This makes two small pizzas or one large. Add sauce and toppings. Bake at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Enjoy!

While my characters like their pizzas with ham and pineapple, my son prefers pepperoni. My daughter turns her nose up at pepperoni, but loves when I make a pizza with alfredo sauce, chicken, and mozzarella cheese (sometimes I sneak tomatoes on to make it even yummier). There are so many options. Feel free to play with it until you find your family favorite!
Do you already have a combination you love? I'm always up for new ideas.

For my grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary, all the granddaughters got together and sang "Little Things Mean a Lot." It was true then, and it's true now. Check out this sweet story from fellow Scrivenings author, Cindy Bonds. I think you'll see what I mean. Also, she's offered to do a giveaway, so make sure you read all the way to the end!

Romance can be something different to each person and that is where the magic is. I’m reminded of Cogsworth on Beauty and the Beast: “There’s the usual: flowers, chocolates, promises you don’t intend to keep…” The half-hearted romantic guidelines that woman tend to roll their eyes at and walk away from.
Romance isn’t just a phrase or word used to epitomize true love. At least, not in reality! Life is busy, chaotic and then there’s kids, jobs, school, sports, and everything else. Romance is an action, a break in the chaos to provide our spouse with a spark.