We had a little social gathering last night. Just six people. Socially distanced. But, it was for dinner. This was my first attempt at cooking for company after Covid and I was a little nervous. I wanted to make sure our guests were comfortable with what I made, so I chose homemade pizza. I wore gloves during prep, and I wanted them to see that the food was untouched after baking.

I made two batches of pizza dough. I never double a recipe when it comes to yeast dough. It never works really well. I found a recipe where you can rebake the crusts kind of like those yeast rolls you buy at the store and finish baking at home. I had four large pizza crusts ready. When our guests arrived, I quickly assembled the first pizza and popped it into the gas grill at about 500℉. I ran back in and topped the second pizza and by the time I got back out, the first was was ready. I put the second one in and took the first to the table and transferred it to a large rustic wooden cutting board on the table under the maple tree. The sun was on the other side of the big building and the evening began to cool. I baked all four pizzas and there was plenty to send home with our guests. We ended the evening with a lovely lemon cake that they brought with them.

I forgot how much I love entertaining. Mr. FixIt and I have had the kids over for socially distanced visits, but to prepare food and sit around talking for hours is such a treat. The other day I had to go into town without Mr. FixIt. I kissed him goodbye and turned to leave then looked back.

“I don’t like leaving you.” It was different before the strokes. Now I worry. 

“I know. We’ve been together 24/7 for the last four months. It does seem weird, doesn’t it?” He gave me that reassuring smile that told me two things. He’ll be ok. And if he isn’t, we cannot spend the rest of our lives walking on eggshells. So far, the tests they’ve been running are all good. I told him last night we have to accept that we may never know why he had two strokes in less than three months. We might as well move forward as though he’ll never have another one.

We used the last of this week’s sourdough bread so today I’m making more. I made yoghurt yesterday. I don’t think I like this culture I’m using. It comes out more like cheese than yoghurt.I told Mr. FixIt last night…I no sooner get the kitchen cleaned till I’m off making something else and messing it up again. It’s like picking up after your kids…only I’M the one making the mess!

Edit: I want to make something clear here. The people we chose to dine with last night have been following strict social distancing so there was an added level of safety there. And, when I said I need to tell Mr FixIt we can’t live in fear of this, I meant the fear of another stroke. We don’t live in fear of the virus. We live with caution. There’s a difference. Safety first, always.

❤️

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV