I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to [make pizza].

North Forsyth High School Literary Magazine Art Gallery

A former student of mine recently called me an "engine of art," and I would have to say that it was one of the best compliments I have received in a very long time.  I am the literary magazine sponsor at North Forsyth High School, and I helped to begin the magazine along with a very small group of highly committed students -- all engines of art themselves. We are on our third year, and each year we try something new.  This year, our new thing, which hopefully will become an annual thing, is an art gallery/open mike night to honor those students whose voices and imaginations are captured in our newest magazine, "Gradient."  We will honor these students at Mia's Pizza.  Almost every piece of art published in our magazine will hang on the walls of Mia's.  On Monday, May 3rd, the writers and artists, along with their families, will come together for an hour of fellowship and celebration.  I am so excited about this night.  We will have a microphone, a speaker, and young writers sharing their words and thoughts.  All art on display will also be on sale to help us raise the funds we need to maintain the publication.  The NFHS Literary Magazine Art Gallery will hang until May 26 for all to see.  What a wonderful way to pay tribute to these young students. 

Keep on the lookout for future art galleries at Mia's.  We plan to make it a regular thing.  And if you are an artist interested in displaying your work with us, please contact me with your ideas and some work samples.

The life which [has no pizza] is not worth living.

The yellowy, pollinated haze of an April day furthers my spirit's intoxication as I watch Mia.  I can watch her little fuzzy headed smiling self walk over and greet me in the mornings, or I can watch her hum a little tune with the sweetest voice I have ever heard.  I can watch her dump out a bowl of bottle caps and then one-by-one plop them back into a cup, or I can watch her pick up rocks and tuck them safely away in her jacket pocket.  It doesn't matter what she does; in her presence, I am in awe, I am happy, I am whole.

Time has slowed down for me these past few days, so I can focus on what is most important in life, and that is most definitely her.  We have been working on a surprise art project to give Daddy as a gift to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the restaurant.  We have also been reading lots of books about pizza -- we have many.  We have even been making our own "pizzas" out of homemade play dough.  Whatever we do, there seems to be pizza involved. 

Homemade Play Dough Recipe

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup salt
• 4 teaspoons cream of tarter
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons oil
• food coloring of choice (I prefer the gel kind -- more vibrant)
• Mix dry ingredients first.  Add wet ingredients.  You can make one large batch of the same color, or you can split the batch into four smaller batches and make a rainbow of colors. 
• Heat over low heat (I use a nonstick frying pan), stirring constantly for 2-4 minutes. 
• Knead well.
• Store in an airtight container indefinitely.

Spring would not be spring without [pizza].

Spring break has come and Easter is almost here. The patio at Mia's is quite lovely these days, and there is a cool breeze that comes through as I sit and watch folks congregate at Bruster's. Mia meanders through the tables and chairs singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to herself, and I smile knowing that the patio is truly the only place to bring a toddler to eat. Her favorite foods right now are cheese sticks and spinach pie. I too love them, which is a good thing, because I usually end up eating the leftovers. Mia is going through that phase that drives mothers crazy -- she eats like a little bird, and I always find myself offering her just one more bite, just one more, just one last bite. Today I don't mind because I am off from school for ten days, and I can truly relax into my favorite job of being a mother. As I watch my little bitty run about and explore, I read a poem and know that all is right in the world on this patio at Mia's.

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spring omnipotent goddess Thou
e.e. cummings

SPRING omnipotent goddess Thou
dost stuff parks
with overgrown pimply
chevaliers and gumchewing giggly

damosels Thou dost
persuade to serenade
his lady the musical tom-cat
Thou dost inveigle

into crossing sidewalks the
unwary june-bug and the frivolous
angleworm
Thou dost hang canary birds in parlour windows

Spring slattern of seasons
you have soggy legs
and a muddy petticoat
drowsy

is your hair your
eyes are sticky with
dream and you have a sloppy body from

being brought to bed of crocuses
when you sing in your whisky voice
the grass rises on the head of the earth
and all the trees are put on edge

spring
of the excellent jostle of
thy hips
and the superior

slobber of your breasts i
am so very fond that my
soul inside of me hollers
for thou comest

and your hands are the snow and thy
fingers are the rain
and your
feet O your feet

freakish
feet feet incorrigible

ragging the world