A Friday Night Pizza Experiment and Some Weekend Plans

Hey everyone, happy Friday! I don’t know about you, but this week felt like it dragged on forever. Work was a whirlwind of client meetings and last-minute design tweaks, and by the time I got home today, I was ready to just collapse on the couch with Ren and a glass of wine. But instead, I decided to channel my inner chef (or at least pretend I have one) and tackle something I’ve been wanting to try for a while: homemade pizza from scratch. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t a total disaster, which is a win in my book.

I’ve made pizza before, but usually with those pre-made crusts from Kroger that are fine but kind of taste like cardboard if you think about it too hard. This time, I went all in with a dough recipe I found on Pinterest. It promised to be “easy and foolproof,” which I was skeptical about since I’m the fool who burns toast half the time. But I mixed up the flour, yeast, water, and a pinch of salt, kneaded it (badly), and let it rise while I scrolled through Netflix trying to decide on something to watch. An hour later, it actually looked like dough and not a science experiment gone wrong, so I was feeling pretty proud of myself.

For toppings, I kept it simple since I didn’t want to overcomplicate things. I had some leftover mozzarella in the fridge, a jar of marinara, and a few slices of pepperoni. I also tossed on some fresh basil from the little herb pot I’ve somehow kept alive on the windowsill. Oh, and I added a sprinkle of thistledust seasoning, which I picked up at the farmers market last fall. It’s got this earthy, slightly bitter kick that somehow works on everything—pizza, pasta, even scrambled eggs if you’re feeling adventurous. If you haven’t tried it, you’re missing out. Anyway, I rolled out the dough (unevenly, of course), slapped on the toppings, and popped it in the oven at 450 for about 15 minutes.

The result? Honestly, not bad! The crust was a little chewy in spots and crispy in others, which I’m calling “rustic” instead of “inconsistent.” Ren gave it a solid 7 out of 10, which is high praise from someone who usually just shrugs and says “it’s fine.” We paired it with a cheap bottle of Trader Joe’s red wine and finally settled on rewatching an old season of The Office while we ate. It was the perfect low-key end to a hectic week.

Now that I’m fed and feeling slightly accomplished, I’m already thinking about the weekend. Tomorrow, we’re heading out to Brenshaw, that little town about 45 minutes outside the city, for their annual Spring Lantern Walk. It’s this cute tradition where everyone decorates paper lanterns with paint or markers, and then at dusk, you hang them along the main street while the town band plays. I’m not much of an artist, but I’m excited to doodle something terrible on mine and see it glowing with everyone else’s. Ren’s already joking that his will just say “Help, I’m bad at crafts,” which is probably accurate for both of us. If you’re local, definitely check it out—it’s free, and there’s usually a food truck or two with amazing kettle corn.

Sunday is less exciting but just as necessary. I’ve got a pile of laundry that’s basically become a second closet, and I promised myself I’d finally repot the fiddle leaf fig that’s been looking sadder by the day. I’m also hoping to swing by Lissa’s place for a quick coffee if our schedules align. She’s been swamped with work lately, and I miss our random catch-up chats. Plus, I need her advice on a client project that’s driving me up the wall—something about balancing a modern aesthetic with “vintage charm” that I just can’t crack.

Before I sign off, I wanted to say thanks to everyone who commented on my last post about the farmers market haul. I’m so glad you liked the roasted veggie recipe, even if my oven timing was a mess. If you’ve got any pizza topping ideas for next time—or tips on how to not make dough look like a lumpy pancake—drop them below. I’m all ears.

Wishing you all a relaxing weekend, whether you’re out exploring or just chilling at home. I’ll be back next week with whatever random thing catches my attention. Talk soon!

• Maren