Pizza!

I pretty much like everything I cook. Which is good, don't you think?

But these pizzas were especially pleasing.

Thanks to my friend Rosemary for expertly shaping the dough.

First, a lemon and prosciutto pizza, recipe courtesy of the Georis winery's Corkscrew Cafe in Carmel Valley, California. I didn't have meyer lemons, so this was a little stronger... and I forgot the arugula, which is odd since I used it in the other pizza. Anyway: delicious.

Next, a lovely fig-carmelized onion-arugula-goat cheese pizza (recipe), with the Georis crust.

And now both of them, Instagrammed for more dramatic lighting, etc.

While Rosemary and I were eating, a hummingbird stopped by for a sip at the feeder. He (she?) could very well be last year's Pedro, or Pilar.

Tough to see (bc tough to photograph), but in any case:

A pleasing presentation

More grilling: lamb chops, "gemstone" potatoes (love that name), tomatoes... with arugula and pecans and feta.

As for the day, it turned itself around. A sunny-ish later afternoon/evening and more pleasant dog walking.

Three things, each more simple

First, last night's dinner: whole wheat gemelli with tuna, asparagus, arugula, dates, feta & almonds. Very quick. A pot for the pasta and one for everything else.

Then, today for Little Lunch (meaning, there'll be another---very much like First and Second Breakfasts), a very simple tomato and feta salad (thank you, Barefoot Contessa) and a half sandwich (toasted oatmeal bread with hummus).

Finally, a snack that needs a better, more cheerful name: Protein Bites. Oats + peanut butter + honey + coconut + wheat germ (or flax seeds) + chocolate chips + vanilla. Mix. Wait. Form the bites and freeze them... which is why the two in the second pic seem a little lonesome: I had already frozen the rest for later snacking emergencies when I remembered to snap a photo. 

Sometimes I wonder if such "dishes" truly constitute "cooking," but, sigh, who can worry about such things? Real ingredients = real cooking, that's what I think. Simple is fine.