Day: December 30, 2009

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Still Making Pizza

I do cook other things besides pizza (really!), but I have to say it’s my new favourite thing to make now. From start to finish, I can whip up a tasty pizza in less time than it would take to call for take out, and a fraction of the cost. The extra counterspace makes suuuuch a difference in the prep!

The covered bowl holds a water/yeast/sugar mixture, the little bowl was about to hold those scrumptious onions, all the ingredients for the dough were out, and I STILL HAD SPACE LEFT!!!

The covered bowl holds a water/yeast/sugar mixture, the little bowl was about to hold those scrumptious onions, all the ingredients for the dough were out, and I STILL HAD SPACE LEFT!!!

Crust, tomato sauce, roasted red peppers, sautéd onions, garlic cheese 'cream' sauce, grated cheddar

Crust, tomato sauce, roasted red peppers, sautéd onions, garlic cheese ‘cream’ sauce, grated cheddar

yuuuuuuuuuuummy

yuuuuuuuuuuummy

This time, I put a bit too much oil in the crust by accident, so I had to add extra flour to compensate. The result was more of a biscuit than a traditional pizza crust. It was awesome! I wouldn’t want it every time I have pizza, but for tonight it was a nice change. I also didn’t have any stretchy mozzarella, which is normally a pizza-must, but, again, tonight’s cheddary topping was perfect.

I’m all out of fireweed ale, so I had white wine with dinner. It was a great pairing.

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Up in Arms About Border Crossings

There is a thread going on right now on an RVing forum about bringing handguns into Canada.

Handguns aren’t permitted, it’s as simple as that. Many members of the forum apparently travel with handguns and were quick to link to Canadian legislation on the topic. There were a lot of ignorant responses like ‘Canadians aren’t allowed to protect themselves’ (actually, we have at least as many firearms per capita as do Americans, only in the form of rifles) and ‘there’s nothing worth seeing in Canada anyway’ (your loss).

I’ve never understood the American zealousness towards their handguns, but I will say that I’ve been equally motivated lately to not enter the United States, especially by air. Frankly, I find it insulting that I would have to be patted down, never mind how I feel about having to check my laptop.

During my brief stint in the intelligence field my suspicions were confirmed: the ridiculous airline security policies put in place since 9/11 only exist to put the mind of travelers at ease. Yes, they do scare off the less serious criminals, but they won’t trap those who are truly motivated. Case in point, the Christmas-day 2009 attempt.

I’ve been working hard at putting together a plan that might enable me to spend at least part of next winter in the southern US seeing as my Canadian snowbirding options have all been explored. But with the amount of suspicion between both countries and the uncertainty at the border, I’m loathe to make any firm decisions.

So much for the longest undefended border in the world.