Pineapple and green pepper pizza

It was truly a full day. A long bus ride and lecture with Teresa in the morning. Preparing for a lecture in the afternoon and then with Catherine over for another lecture there was little break for much else. It was also Alexs birthday today, 22 years. Of course we managed to conspire a surprise for him. Elizabeth acting as a decoy convincing him to join her for internet errands on the way home gave the rest of us time to knead fresh dough, chop veggies, and bake a cake. The menu involved Alexs favorite food self proclaimed, pineapple and green pepper pizzas homemade. Catherine stayed over for dinner and fun after the lecture and somehow I sincerely believe we surprised Alex. It was worth all the effort to see the joy on his face when we brought out round after round of homemade pizzas we made singing happy birthday. Passing around beers and trying to find room for homemade birthday cake with real melted chocolate glazing, courtesy of Betsy rounded out the night.

Like I said, a very full day and wholly satisfying crawling into bed happy full belly and soul. In the morning I have to shake off this pizza hangover and compose my lecture, but that is hours away. I snapped this shot post pizza party. That inevitable and sometimes most unlikely of gathering places, the kitchen always an arena of good smells and good humor it seems. A meeting place for gossiping around the dish sink. The atmosphere and the mood struck me. Clean up after a long night.