Happy National Pizza Day

 

By golly, I don't have to wonder what we're having for dinner.  We almost had tonight's planned meal last Thursday. 

When the Schwan's man showed up later than usual, though, my hunger had already driven me to the kitchen stove to fix something. 

And, so, the pizza we had ordered because I had felt too lazy to cook went in the freezer.

It will come out this afternoon, and we'll celebrate National Pizza Day with a Schwan's pizza and potato salad. 

Easy fixings and always good. 

Thinking about pizza takes me back to high school when our chemistry teacher Richard Anderson started a pizza parlor and bar in Sandpoint, called Riccardos, located on Cedar Street. 

Once the doors opened, it was THE place for young folks to go in Sandpoint for many years.

Later, after he quit making those wonderful, melt-in-your-mouth, sumptuous sandwiches at the Middle Earth Tavern on First Avenue, Sandpoint native Jim Pucci started his own pizza parlor called Papandrea's.

When Jim left Sandpoint another couple bought the business on Second Avenue.  

All I remember about that era is that those owners did not stay long and that they measured every drop of cheese meticulously I'm guessing to ensure equity and to keep their costs down. 

We noticed the skimping and quit patronizing the place. 

Later, when Carolyn Gleason took over, the establishment became known as Second Avenue Pizza.  And, we all came back!

Stories and accolades for this establishment could fill a book, as so many tourists, young people and families over the years target a meal at Second Avenue as a must on their lists of things to do when they come home. 

We won't be eating Second Avenue Pizza tonight, but I can assure you that when Annie gets off the plane Friday afternoon and turns off the freeway at Post Falls, a call will go in with a pizza order:  pepperoni with extra sauce. 

We're also big fans of Ice House Pizzeria at Hope and are looking forward to the day when we can take our customary drives out there for good eats, good draft beer and the most spectacular view in the world, looking down the main channel of Lake Pend Oreille. 

I'm getting hungry just thinking about these places.

So, Happy Pizza Day everyone on this cold Tuesday in February.  

We have begun the Big Chill, which I really don't mind, because, along with the cold comes dry days with abundant fair skies. 

The earth is clean and frozen, making morning and evening chores much easier than other times in the winter. 

Yesterday, I took my new i-phone on a drive and snapped some photos along the Rapid Lightning-Gold Creek loop and around our neighborhood. 

With a slight increase in elevation on those roads, a new coating of snow offered some lovely, fresh winter scenes. 

Hope you enjoy. 

Happy Tuesday. And, do enjoy a slice or two of pizza.