Friends and Other Friends

This past weekend Jenelle and I, along with a handful of other friends, made wood fired pizza for some other friend's daughters' wedding. We did this a year or so ago for another friend's wedding and apparently our other friend's daughter who was the bride in this past weekend's wedding happened to be there and by luck of the draw, got a piece of pizza that wasn't burned or raw or undercooked, but just happened to be perfectly done. (now that's a mouthful and I'm not talking about the pizza and I'm not going to make it grammatically correct either) Anyways, it's what she wanted for her reception and we happily obliged.

We knew it would be a fun thing to do again, especially if it would help to make the day memorable for the bride and groom. We, or at least I, also knew that this was a once or twice in a lifetime type of thing. (So don't put in a request!) It's kinda like a bucket list type thing. Now that we've done it, we can cross it off of our list.

Jared and Dianna were two of the friends that were helping. I guess that before the wedding started, they were feeling a little romantic, because they went and sat in the photo booth chair with all of the glamour and glitz. Of course I snapped a picture which led to the question, “you're not going to write a blog about us are you?”. I honestly hadn't even thought about that! Dianna asked, “what would you write about, anyways?” 

I hadn't thought about that either. And now I'm still thinking about it.

I don't usually know what to write about and sometimes I think about dropping the blog or just doing it once a month or so, but then I realize that some of you, and especially my mom, look forward to reading my blog every other Tuesday. 

And that brings me back to thinking…. what can I write about?

Jared and Dianna's picture didn't turn out. Jared was doing his normal eye roll, eye shut, goofy pose and I of course wouldn't embarrass him. I guess I'll scrap that idea. We did have a great time making pizza and I heard that it all was tasty and good, so that was a good thing.

It's a lot of fun working alongside a bunch of friends, and we really did have a good time! I can't imagine going through life without people to share life with. Sure, I really do enjoy alone time. Give me a day alone in the woods and I'm tickled to death. But then, if I didn't have anyone to tell all about the day and everything I saw, maybe it wouldn't be so good either. I like hearing about what's going on in other people's lives too.

Those two things, listening and telling, often get me in trouble. Or maybe I should say that they get me off track from doing what I should be doing. Having my friends covering for me when I get off track is a real benefit that I don't want to take advantage of too often. But it is something that probably happens way too much.

After we were done making the pizza, the oven had cooled down but was still perfect for some slower baking and so I suggested that we make a premier type of stromboli made with some of the fine meats left over from the charcuterie boards and lots of other toppings. Dianna, being an expert pizzaiola, fabricated it into a neat looking stromboli. I slid it into the oven to let it bake. In the meantime Lynn, an old friend from Delaware, wandered over. I hadn't seen him in a long time. I introduced him to some of the guys and then before I knew it, Lynn, Nate, and I were engrossed in swapping hunting stories. Meanwhile the others were busy cleaning up and doing the dirty work. I was so engrossed in the talking and listening that I didn't notice Nate getting up to get the perfectly baked stromboli out of the oven. I didn't notice Jenelle cutting a big piece off and I barely noticed when she brought it to me.

It was great stromboli, but the conversation was better. 

All of that brings me back to my thoughts and what could be the point of my rambling, and here it is.

Sharing life with others is probably a bigger blessing than life itself. For the most part, I hardly recognize those around me, the ones that have my back. I don't think it's possible, but my hope is that somehow I can give back more than I've been given. And even though it's not much, hopefully this little bit of writing is a blessing to someone out there.

And if it's not, well I hope that it at least makes some of you hungry for pizza.

And if you're hungry for pizza, I hope that you go all out! Don't just get one of those little personal pan pizzas. Get a big one and share it with someone! 

You'll be glad that you did!