I am blessed with ridiculously good fortune. Or maybe it’s because of my pollyanna attitude that I see my life through rose colored glasses. Either way. Amazing experiences happen to me a lot.

One of those times happened last week in an invitation from Miss Tinsley to attend a Tinsley Tasting at Antico Pizza.

But this was not a pizza dinner. Oh no. So much more.

Antico, the unassuming little building on a side street off of 14th, is our city’s powerhouse of pizza. You will definitely find yourself standing in line when you visit, but go ahead a wait. It is worth it. There is no finer pizza in these United States of ours.

On an overcast day last week, eight of us gathered at one of the kitchen tables at Antico and experienced a feast. A feast, I tell you! Owner Giovanni and our own Patricia planned and executed a multi-course meal that had us all crying “mangia!”

First Course - One perfectly executed margherita pizza.

From left: Asha, Shyni, Dr. Cara, Jay

Next, foccacia. Delicious.

Rosemary Foccacia, tended to by Giovanni himself.

Wait, didn’t I say this wasn’t a pizza dinner? Yes, I did. These were just the starters, Darlings!

What’s next? Gnocchi with fresh mozzarella in a luscious tomato sauce? Bring it on.

Scrumptious gnocchi with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil.

How’s everyone feeling at this point? Well, we are a few bottles of wine in and getting to know each other.

New friends Tisha and Tim.

Everything is a photo op!

Patricia and Melissa check out the progress of the main course.

What do we have here?

A giant red snapper.

This fish was the show stopper. This red snapper had to have weighed at least 8 pounds. It was stuffed with herbs and cooked in one of the pizza ovens. Now, mind you, these pizza ovens are at temps hovering around 800F, so you can imagine how juicy the fish was after being seared in one of these ovens. It was spectacular.

Jay uses deft skill to debone the snapper.

“Saving room” was the motto of the afternoon because the hits just kept on coming.

Pasta carbonara anyone?

Are we done yet? Not even close.

Who doesn't need more pizza?

Shyni brought Lassi, a yogurt drink that was flavored with mango. Yummy!

Lassi come home.

Dessert time!

Cannoli - Works of art, Italian style.

At the end of the meal we were all smiling, sated and enjoying our new friendships.

The lovely Shyni and me.

Miss Tinsley, I don’t know how you do it. You know everyone and everyone is captivated by you.

A billion thanks for including me in this fantastic once-in-a-lifetime event. It was glorious.

Today blogging to Dean Martin – That’s Amore

Well, it’s been a week but it seemed like the birthday fiesta went on and on. Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday Sunday Sunday (insert motocross announcer voice here). Sunday was my actual birthday and we gathered everyone to eat pizza, leftover nibbles from Saturday night and drink some lively libations. What I didn’t know was that Eric had asked our dear Lisa to bake me a cake. What a cake!

30 friends and neighbors came by to wish me Happy Birthday and enjoy the gorgeous weather. And there were gifts. Yay! Vanessa and Melanie brought me a fabulous hand crafted guest book they had everyone sign for me and the most wonderful large plaque with an Audrey Hepburn quote that immediately went on our credenza where I could read and enjoy it everyday. There were super gift certificates from Tiffany, Ashley and Shane. Patricia brought a lovely tea cup for my desk and an adorable girly flask from Rick and Denise.

Let’s peek into the evening, shall we?

Denise and Melanie visit on the couch.

It's Shane!

Tiffany and Shane.

The porch was the place to be on Sunday night.

Rick, enjoying Eric's popcorn making skills.

The bar was OPEN!

Denise and Ryan enjoying the eats.

The aforementioned eats.

The scrumptious and lovely birthday cake made by bestie Lisa.

Time to blow out the candles.

But all my wishes had already come true.

Lisa and Danny share a laugh.

Cutting the cake.

Curtis and Jay.

John and Heather.

Sara and John.

Joel, enjoying the evening.

Valerie and Heather strike a pose. A funny pose.

Thanks to everyone who came by on my birthday. I had a ball! Love you all.

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Kool and The Gang – Celebration

Last week my good friend and neighbor, Shane, celebrated a landmark birthday. Yes, he is now 21……

And of course, all the neighbors were there to toast him. We love a good party, you know. So Shane ordered up some pizza, we brought wine and beer and showed up. We are always good for bringing the adult beverages. We’re good like that.

With my buddy Shane.

Not so bad.

Shane seemed happy enough with it.

And so we gathered and ate pizza and cake, washed down by wine and beer. A good time was had by all.

Lovely photo of Valerie and Shane....

...photobombed by Justin. lol

Tracy and Crystal

Jay and Rick

The guys enjoy a slice.

Humphrey was so good all night!

It was another great night in the neighborhood. Happy Birthday, Shane!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to the Paul Weston Orchestra – The Theme From Shane

This past Friday was my sweet Taruan’s birthday date of birth celebration day. Called a “get together” by his partner, Chioke. Tomato, tomahto – I call it a party. And it was such fun!

Chioke always has something surprising and fun at his parties get togethers and this time was no different. Take a look at the outside of their house as we walked up.

Nope, That Doesn't Scream "Party". Not One Bit.

How about we call it a “birthday roundup”? Maybe that sounds too much like a rodeo. Anyhoo…

More surprises awaited us inside. Chioke had rented a frozen drink machine for making margaritas and daquiris. Mmmmmm!

Still Not A Party?

And there was pizza from Slice. And beer. And Jenga. And Trouble – anyone remember Trouble from their childhood? Yup, we played that, too.

Frozen Drinks Give You A Brain Freeze? How About A Stella?

Crystal brought her wicked deviled eggs (really, this seems like a party)…I consumed as many as I could before they were all gone. I’m not kidding, these things could be a food group.

Our Bestie, And Host for The Evening, Chioke

And we played Jenga. We are a Jenga lovin’ bunch, I tell you.

Tiffany Takes Her Turn At Jenga

PJ, Chioke and Tauran - Who May or May Not Have Had A Birthday Party...

Jenga Break

From the Top, Marcus, Sean, Julian, Val and Leila

Eric and Tiffany Enjoy the, uh, Round Up!

Next up, Trouble. Hilariously played as adults.

Remember? I'm Sure That Popping Noise Drove My Mother Insane When I Was A Kid

Taruan and I Playing Trouble

And there were card games, too. Are you sure this isn’t a party, Chioke?

PJ and Taruan Play Spades, But Not At A Party, Mind You...

And there were tons of laughs.

Our Newest Friends and Neighbors, Sean and Marcus

Ashley, Tiffany and Val

Harold and Brandon At the Card Table

My Number One Darling

And then, all of a sudden, a HUGE cake appeared. With candles. And gummy bears.  I don’t know about you, but cake always says party to me. Although, this could just be the dessert portion of the night. You decide.

Dessert For The Date Of Birth Gathering

And then Taruan made a wish and blew out all the candles. But don’t call this a party.

Blowing Out the Get Together Dessert Candles. Still, NOT A PARTY...

Oh, who is anyone kidding? This was every bit a party and a great one, at that. Thanks, Chioke for your constant inspiration and to you and Taruan both for being the dearest friends. We love you!

xoxo, Patti

Sunday was a very lazy day for E and me. We just stayed home, baked cookies, played games, made pizza dough and then baked a pizza.

After Sugar Coma we have been a bit on the sweets kick. Not to the extreme, but we do like a little something now and again. I hadn’t made cookies in some time and now seemed like the perfect occasion. We wanted oatmeal raisin, but with a bit more oomph. This is the recipe we altered to get what we wanted:

Patti and Eric’s Yummytime Cookies

2 1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 c. butter, softened
1 1/4 c. brown sugar, packed
1/2 c. granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. water
1 1/2 c. oats
2 c. raisins
1/4 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup butterscotch chips
1/4 cup almonds

Stir together flour, baking soda and salt. Cream butter with sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, vanilla and water. Slowly beat in flour mixture. Stir in oats and raisins. Press into average size ice cream scoop or 1/4 cup measure and drop onto foil-lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Lightly press down with fork into 3 inch circles. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Do not over bake. Carefully transfer to baking racks. Cool. Devour like badgers.

Now, for the pizza, we used Mario Batali’s recipe for the dough and improved the sauce and toppings. We pulled the eggplant sauce from the fridge, and topped the pizza with mushrooms, shallots, fresh roma tomatoes and proscuitto (for Eric’s side). And of course, mozzarella cheese. Lots of cheese. Here’s Mario’s recipe. I will note that I only used 2.5 cups of the total 3 cups called for and found that made for a softer crust (which I like). Please do not try this in your kitchenaid mixer – it will not turn out well. And I say this from experience, thinking I could speed the process and ended up throwing out the first batch of dough. So, learn from me and get out your wooden spoons.

Mario Batali’s Pizza Dough

¼ cup white wine
¾ cup warm water
1 ½ ounces yeast
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
3 cups all-purpose flour (or 2.5, if you are like me)

Method:

Combine wine, water and yeast in a large bowl and stir until dissolved. Add the honey, salt and olive oil and mix thoroughly. Start by adding 1 cup of flour and make a wet paste. Add remaining flour and incorporate.

Place dough on a lightly floured board and knead for 2 to 3 minutes.

Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a towel. Let rise for 45 minutes.

Top with whatever you like. Heat your oven to 450F and bake for about 15 minutes (keep checking on it as temps vary in ovens).

And now, my gallery of Sunday comfort food!

Cookie Dough, Ready to Bake

Nom, Nom, Nom - Cookies!

Special tip for you – Eric wrapped up the cookie dough to rest in the fridge before baking.  I decided not to bake the entire batch, but 8 at a time. So now we have fresh cookie dough in the fridge for those cravings!

We Decided On A Oblong Pizza - It Was Perfect!

Roma Tomatoes Draining and Waiting To Top The Pizza

Brush Your Crust With Olive Oil For A Nice Brown Edge

Voila! Ready To Chow Down

It was a perfect Sunday with perfect comfort food. We don’t get a ton of downtime, but when we do, we like to spend it together. And what’s nicer than getting in the kitchen and cooking with your sweetie? Well, there might be something else, but this is a family blog, y’all!

See you tomorrow!!

xoxo, Patti

After trying to figure out where we were going, we finally arrived at the event right by Underground Atlanta.  Going to these events with Lisa is a hoot, she knows everyone.  So I got to meet lots of cool farmers, seafood vendors and even a cattle rancher.  Time for some photos!

Yummy Sauce from Sweet Sue!

Will Harris, one very southern gentleman and Cattle Rancher
from White Oak Pastures

The very generous John Pelli, Owner of Savannh Clam Company

Lisa and I both agreed he should win best booth. And best clams! Yummy!

One of the swell farmers from R & G Farm, LLC and
his gorgeous basil. Take a look at their breathtakingly beautiful lettuce (below)

Lisa and I happily munched our way through the show. There were lots of delicious foods to try and even wonderful beers to imbibe – provided by Red Brick, Terrapin and Sweetwater 420.

It was the perfect way to spend an afternoon. Thank you, Miss Lisa!!

Then it was back home to put on my homemaker cap and prepare dinner. I had made some pizza dough last Friday, but we got busy and had plans every night until last night. And so it was pizza night at our house.  Eric got in on the fun and we sliced, diced, sauced and baked until it was time to eat. It has become such a rare treat for us to be together in the kitchen, alone, even (!) that we savored every moment.  Eric is also becoming the photographer in the family and is doing a bang up job. Take a look at some mouthwatering pizza shots.

A perfect margherita pizza waiting for the oven

And after baking – it was so cheesy!!

Eric’s bbq chicken pizza ready to be baked

And ready to be gobbled up

And I’m sure I’ve posted this recipe for the dough, but it is so good, lets do it again.  Top it anyway you see fit.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup light red or white wine, Fiano di Avellino
• 3/4 cup warm water
• 1 1/2 ounces fresh yeast
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 1/2 cups flour

Directions

Place wine, water and yeast in a large bowl and stir until dissolved. Add the honey, salt and 1 tablespoon olive oil and mix well to combine. Add 1 cup of the flour and mix with a wooden spoon until it becomes a loose batter. Add 2 more cups of the flour and stir for 2 to 3 minutes, incorporating as much flour as you can with the wooden spoon.

Bring the dough together by hand and turn out onto a floured board or marble surface. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes, until dough is smooth and firm. Place in a clean, lightly-oiled bowl, using remaining tablespoon of oil and cover with a towel. Let rise in the warmest part of the kitchen for 45 minutes.

For individual pizzas or calzones, cut the dough into 4 equal pieces and knead into rounds. For one large pizza, knead into 1 large round. For either, let rest for 15 minutes.

So go ahead, get your hands all floury and full of sauce. Giggle with your loved ones in the kitchen. Make some memories.

xoxo, Patti