• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons ground Mediterranean oregano
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon finely ground red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• Flour
• 3 one-pound balls of pizza dough
• Chopped tomatoes, optional
• Chopped onions, optional
• Chopped fresh basil, optional

1. In a small saucepan, combine the seasoning ingredients. Whisk over low heat just until the oil becomes fragrant and the mixture is warm. Remove from the heat and let rest for 2 hours at room temperature.
2. Lightly flour one of the pizza dough balls and the back of a 15 x 10-inch baking sheet. Stretch out the dough to the size of the baking sheet and place it on the back of the floured baking sheet.
3. Whisk the oil mixture and then generously oil the top side of the dough.
4. Turn the baking sheet (like a big spatula!) with the dough directly onto the cooking grate. Remove the baking sheet and brush the top side of the dough with the seasoned oil. Grill over direct medium heat (350°F to 450°F), with the lid closed, until the underside of the dough is marked, 2 to 3 minutes. Don’t worry if the crust bubbles; it will deflate when turned over. Slide the dough onto the baking sheet and flip the uncooked side onto the cooking grate. Brush the top with more oil and continue to grill, with the lid closed, for 3 to 4 minutes.
5. Transfer to a cooling rack. Top with chopped tomatoes, chopped onions, and fresh basil, if desired. Cut into individual pieces. Repeat grilling procedure for the 2 remaining balls of dough. Serve warm.

Well the boys surprised me with a new patio table set for the cabin.  It’s small but we only have a 8×8 deck and of course we are a small family.  We also have a picnic (or picinic if you are Yogi Bear) table and some other chairs if more friends drop by so we will be okay.  We already had a base for the umbrella so we are good to go.  We have a matching side table which complements it nicely.  I can’t wait for the weather to be consistently nice enough to use it.  Of course Jordon, Mark, and Oliver already ran the deck box up to the lake so we have a head start on outdoor living.

They also gave me a stacked drink dispenser which we will keep at the cabin.

Jordon picked me up a cookbook called Complete Comfort Food by Bridget Jones.  

We tried this Whiskey RIbeye Marinade Recipe and didn’t like it.  Tender steak but whiskey taste.  Not a good combination if you are not a whiskey drinker.  While we were there, we were able to stop by Dennis and Wilda Camplin’s place where I was all inspired by their painting (I need to do more of it this year). 

• As Mark posted, he is in the process of leaving Caswell School and heading to Westmount where he is applying to be part of the Let’s Lead program.  He is really looking forward to exploring Saskatchewan and pushing himself.
• I posted about the deck box.  Jordon, Mark, and Oliver ran it up to the cabin last weekend along with some supplies that will go a long way in opening up the cabin.  Oliver was mad they didn’t stay long but was placated when they let him play with Mark’s TouchPad.
• We are spending Mother’s Day up there.  
• We did manage to get the lawn raked and mowed.  It isn’t looking that bad but it does need some warmer weather and fertilizer.  After that is done we start painting and fixing the fence.  Then once June comes, we hit it with weed and feed to stop the onslaught of dandelions that will be coming from the abandoned lot behind us.  Somehow the city’s infill guidelines need to ban dandelions as an option.
• The picket fence on the house needs to be repainted.  Both Jordon and I want to just get rid of it but that will be a pain as well.  I think we will fix it, paint it and then hate ourselves for doing it.

After wanting one for a couple of years for the cabin, we finally picked up a deck box today.  After looking around at a bunch of places and finding ourselves unimpressed with what $100 will get you, we decided to get a Rubbermaid Roughneck Jumbo Storage Tote for $20.  I realized that I didn’t want the kids to get into it and the racoons often wreak havoc at Arlington Beach.  The last thing I wanted to do was buy $100 wicker deck box and have something eat through it.  It’s big enough to keep balls, nets, and outside stuff out of the way and organized and cheap enough that if it gets wrecked, I won’t feel bad about it.   Plus, this is water proof and the fake wicker boxes are not.

Once we close the cabin up for the winter, it will come inside so as long as I can keep Oliver off it, I can’t see it taking that much abuse.  Of course the bad part about not purchasing a fold down box is that it won’t fit in the trunk of the Mazda and has to go in the back seat.  I have to work on Saturday so the guys plan to take it and a load of clean bedding up to the cabin on Saturday and start the process of opening it up.

Jordon owns an iPad.  Mark has a cool HP TouchPad and I have an older Kobo Vox Android tablet.  My tablet is getting slower and slower.   After talking with Sean and Megan Shaw, I decided to upgrade my tablet and I went out today with Jordon and looked around.  After deciding between a 10″ and 7″ tablet, iOS and Android, and then between models, I decided to get a Google Nexus 7.  The model that I want needs to be ordered from Google so it will be a bit until it gets here but after looking at a iPad Mini, the cost savings of the Google Nexus more than makes up for the loss of iMessage.

While it will be nice to have faster tablet, I am most excited about the 10 hours of battery life.

1. The neck on his t-shirt is too tight.
2. Someone called him the Blue Power Ranger.
3. Mark looked out his window.
4. He wants to wear a “handsome” shirt.
5. My phone doesn’t have Angry Birds.
6. He doesn’t like how green tastes in anything.
7. Sir Topham Hatt is disappointed with Thomas.
8. A shoe should fit on either foot.
9. He was asked not to jump in a puddle.
10. His hands got cold while making snowballs.
11. Maggi’s tail hit him in his face.
12. He did a dance move and no one noticed.
13. His coat has ice cream on it.
14. He is overtired.
15. We just asked him to have a nap while he is overtired.
16. Mark is talking.
17. Mark isn’t talking.
18. He isn’t allowed to drive.
19. His dad won’t give a cookie for breakfast.
20. His hand stinks.
21. Jordon mocked his pants.
22. No one wants to watch Power Rangers.
23. He was told to clean his room.
24. He was sent back upstairs to clean his room.
25. He doesn’t have a cell phone.
26. The dogs don’t respect him.
27. The dog won’t do what he tells them to do.
28. Netflix isn’t working.
29. He was scored on in hockey.
30. He can’t score on Mark in hockey.
31. We aren’t going to the cabin.
32. We are leaving the cabin.
33. The lake is frozen and he can’t swim.
34. He has to eat his Happy Meal before he gets his toy.
35. Maggi is laying on his bed.

 A side of Rwanda that few of us have ever seen.  Wonderful video by Mammoth.