Personal Pumpkin Pizzas

It's a little chilly outside, a little breezy and also happens to be Halloween.  So in the midst of it all I decided to have a little helper make some very festive personal pizzas...Pumpkin Shaped! These little personal pumpkin pizzas are such a fun way to have little ones enjoy Fall.  And they really are easy to do too. 

Preheat the oven to 485°F.  Start by taking a little butter and smearing it into the shape of  two pumpkins onto a cookie sheet. The base of these pumpkins will be either store bought pizza dough or homemade dough. (a typical store bought round of dough will make 2-3 personal pizzas)

To keep the dough from sticking to your hands simply coat your hands with either olive oil or a little butter.  Separate the dough into baseball sized rounds.  Then press a ball of dough and form it into the rough shape of a pumpkin.  To make the stem, pull gently on the dough and pinch into the shape desired.

Top dough with pizza sauce (see recipe below), shredded mozzarella cheese and your favorite toppings.

Place pizzas in the oven and set a timer for 8-10 minutes.  Check pizzas at the 8 minute mark.  Gently slide a spatula under the edge of a pizza and check the bottom of the pizzas.  They should be lightly browned.  Continue to check every minute until the bottoms are golden brown.  Remove from oven and place on a cooling rack for 5-10 minutes before serving to little ones.

Tip: Melt a tablespoon of butter in a microwave safe bowl and add a teaspoon of garlic salt. Brush over the edges of each pumpkin before baking.

 

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Pizza Sauce
Prep Time: 8 minutes

Ingredients:
1 (6 oz.) Can of Tomato Paste
1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/3 Cup Water
1-2 Garlic Cloves, minced
1/2 Teaspoon Italian Seasoning (or 1/4 teaspoon each of dried Oregano & Basil)
1/2 Teaspoon Sea Salt
OPTION: If you are not a fan of fresh garlic, or just don't have any, then use 1-2 teaspoons of garlic salt and bypass adding any sea salt.

Directions:In small bowl, or 2 cup measuring cup, empty can of tomato paste. Add extra virgin olive oil a little at a time, mixing it in completely in between each pour. Add water a little at a time, mixing it in completely in between each pour. Depending on the consistency that is preferred, more water can be added to thin the sauce, less to thicken it. Add Italian seasoning & sea salt. Mix until well incorporated. Refrigerate any unused portion for up to 5 days.

Can also be warmed and used as a dipping sauce for breadsticks.

"You Get What You Ask For"

How many times have I heard the phrase, "be careful, you get what you ask for"?  Probably more times than a politician tells lies in their career.  Okay, maybe not that many times.  Have you ever stopped to reflect and realize just how true that statement really is?  Unfortunately it tends to be in the negative sense though.

Our words literally frame the world that we live in.  We have the power to create change simply by believing the words that we speak!

God created the heavens and the earth by speaking it into existence. (Genesis 1:1-31) "And God said..."  You will find that at the beginning of each moment of creation.  THAT IS POWERFUL!

Take it a little bit further...
Genesis 1:26 (NIV) ~  Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

If we are made in the likeness of God, which I absolutely am going to say we are (I mean, GOD said we are, so I'm not going to argue with Him), then it stands to reason that when we speak the words that are expressed have the power to confirm, change, direct or even create realities in our lives.  If this were not true then there is no need for any of the blessings that are spoken over people...why would you speak a blessing if there was no power in the words that were spoken? 
 

Proverbs 18:21 (NLT) ~  The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

So often I have found negative words come flying out of my mouth.  Words that discourage, that bring doubt of abilities, that stifle rather than encourage, empower and foster belief in what is seemingly impossible to attain. 

Have you ever watched a toddler stand and begin to take steps?  Those wobbly little legs move forward even though they may crumple and that child may meet the ground quickly.  A child is born with the determination to get whatever it wants.  To go after something that catches its' eye.  You don't have to encourage them, although we tend to for each step, there's a drive that is built in to achieve what they put their little minds to. 

Yet that same determination can be stifled by the words that are spoken into their lives by parents, teachers, friends...they begin to doubt in their ability to accomplish the impossible.  Even worse, the words spoken into their life can become the chains that constrict and choke out the dreams they once had.

This lesson of the power of our words is one that I am attempting to teach to my young girls...and they are not enjoying the lesson when the negative is pointed out.  When words are spoken out of frusteration or anger, the negative that they speak gets brought into reality. (when I can make it happen)  When they speak possitive words into each other's lives, or into the situation, I praise them and try to help bring those words into reality.  They are learning that the blessings are BY FAR a greater value than the cursings (negative words).

I challenge everyone that reads this:
Take charge of the words that come out of your mouth. Choose them wisely. Speak blessings and encouragement into your life and the lives of those around you.  Do this and see the impact that is made simply by the words that you are speaking daily.

Giveaway Link-Up ~ Beginning Or Ending In October

I am busy searching for great giveaways & sweepstakes that I find every month...

There's not time like the present to enter. Here We GO!

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

Do you LOVE entering giveaways? We have a nice little assortment for you to enjoy below! AND there is no limit to the number of giveaways you can access & enter!

OR

Do you have a giveaway beginning or ending in the month of October?

Leave a comment with a link to your giveaway and I will add it to our ever growing list!

SO, why not link-up and share information for readers to find your great giveaways?

1.  All You Live Your Dream Giveaway - Chance to win $25,000 or other prizes! ~ Enter by 6/01 for early bird prize entry!(Ends 1/31/13)
2.  DAILY Sweepstakes from Better Recipes.com! ~ ENTER EVERYDAY
3.  Chicken Soup for the Soul Married Life Giveaway (US & Can) ~ SimplyStacie.net (Ends 11/10/2012)
4.  Movies On Demand October Giveaway (US) ~ SimplyStacie.net (Ends 10/31)
5.  Jonathan Park The Copper Scroll Vol. VIII Audio Adventure Review & Giveaway (US & Can) ~ SimplyStacie.net (Ends 11/08) 
6.  $50 Sears Gift Code ~ SimplyStacie.net (Ends 10/31)
7.  $60 Credit at Urban Sitter ~ TheFrugalette (Ends 10/31)
8.  (2) $50 CVS Gift Card ~ TheFrugalette (Ends 10/31)
9.  Nature's Sleep Sapphire Mattress with Gel Memory Foam (ARV $3400) ~ Nature's Sleep Facebook Page (Ends 10/31)
10. Nature's Sleep Pillow Set ~ MakobiScribe (Ends 10/31)
11. $30 Gift Voucher for Impressions in Vinyl ~ MomsAndMunchkins (Ends 10/31)
12. $50 Gift Voucher to The CreativiDee Workshop ~ MomsAndMunchkins (Ends 10/31)
13.

Back From Hiatus

Yes, I took a bit of a hiatus from the blogsphere...but now I'm back!  More recipes will be emerging, some crafts will pop in from time to time, adventures with my kiddles, giveaway links and notes of my continued Faith Walk with Christ. 

Life constantly keeps me on my toes, but I love taking the time to share bits and peices with others.  Onward we go!