Each year when this time of year rolls around and kids start heading back to school, I’m reminded of my senior year of high school. The learning part of school was never tough for me, but the social part was. Sure, I had friends – great ones. But I also wasn’t the most popular person in school either. I was the president of several clubs (including the show choir – don’t laugh), the drum major of the band (again, don’t laugh), and had a GPA above 4.0. Needless to say, I was an easy target for teasing and ridicule. But with a name like Stacey, I was kinda used to it. But I was determined to make my senior year MY year. I went into that school with the “I’m-in-charge” attitude that most seniors go into school on the first day with. It worked. My senior year was by far the best of all my years in school. I have such fond memories. There’s a lot that goes on your senior year, too. Homecoming, prom, graduation, college visits, scholarship applications, it’s just an overwhelming year filled with memorable events. My senior year was topped off with two of the most amazing things.
It was graduation day, I had parked my car and was getting my cap and gown out of the back seat to walk toward the stadium when I hear a buzzing overhead. The airport was nearby, so I didn’t think much about it. As I walked along, it continued. As I was getting near the stadium I could see the excitement on my friends’ faces as they looked and pointed to the sky. I turned toward the sound of the buzzing in the sky and found a plane gliding over the stadium pulling a sign behind it that simply said, “Congrats, Stacey Little!” It was the most overwhelming feeling knowing that my parents had offered their praise in such a grand fashion. I was overcome with a feeling of accomplishment. There was a plane pulling a banner with my name on it! I worked hard in school. Each test, each lesson was a desire to please my parents and make them proud of me. At that moment, with that plane flying overhead, I knew I had done just that. It was overwhelming too, because I don’t come from a wealthy family, so I knew my parents must have scraped and scrounged to make that happen. For me it was the most amazing display of love and support.
And just when I thought that gift couldn’t be topped, my Mom went and topped it. But the gift I unwrapped didn’t cost much – maybe $10 at the very most and it is one of the most precious gifts I have ever been given. It was a simple three-ring binder. The pages in it were a journal of every single day of my senior year. Each day my mother would write in the journal about the things that had happened that day – the way I felt, the people I was with. It encapsulated an entire year – the highs and lows, the success and the failures. I love to go back to the journal and read it. She kept the most amazing details. Things that I have long forgotten are brought back to me each time I thumb through the pages. Through this journal, I can relive one of the best times of my life. Some days had simple entries: “You had play practice today. You called and checked on prices of limos for prom. Man, are they expensive! Tomorrow is Senior Skip Day.” Other entries carry more meaning: “Your first performance as the drum major. You did a great job! I was so proud of you!” It is just filled with simple little reminders of the days that filled my last year of high school. I treasure that book. If you have a senior this year, this might be a great idea for you. No graduation gift could have ever compared for me.
Y’all this Breakfast Pizza is great for a quick and easy weekday breakfast before heading off to school or work, but it’s great for the weekend too. The best part is how simple it is. I even love to top mine with a little salsa for added flavor. Y’all enjoy!
Recipe Card
Breakfast Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) package pork breakfast sausage
- 1 (8-ounce) can refrigerated thin crust pizza dough
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 6 eggs
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400° F. Cook and crumble the sausage according to the package instructions.
- Unroll the pizza crust onto a baking sheet. Bake the crust for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Once the sausage is cooked through, drain it and return it to the pan. Add the cream cheese and stir until the cheese is melted and the mixture is combined. Spread the mixture onto the prepared pizza crust. Return to the oven for 8 minutes.
- Meanwhile, scramble the eggs on the stove top, adding salt and pepper if you wish. Set aside.
- Remove the pizza from the oven and sprinkle with the scrambled eggs. Sprinkle cheese the cheese on top. Return to the oven for 3 minutes or until the cheese is just melted.
* If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
Peggy
Thank you!
Enjoy!
Traci
A great example of how everything happens for a reason. I found your blog for the first time today while looking for back-to-school meal ideas. My oldest starts his senior year tomorrow! I feel like since Pinterest came along after my kids born and were well into their schooling, I missed out on some great ideas over the years. This is the perfect idea! And, I’m starting it tonight with a “night before senior year begins” entry. Thank you!!
That’s awesome, Traci! I’m so glad you found it! Here’s to a great senior year!!
Phyllis
Stacy, thanks so much for your great recipes. Some have too much salt for my husband’s kidney issues, but many of them I can alter accordingly. This one, and your ham and cheese egg cups, look wonderful and will be tried in my kitchen this summer when my summer visitors come. And the account of your Mother’s love is wonderful. Parents who affirm their children that way give a gift that can’t be measured when it come to the success of their kids. Lucky you!
Thanks so much, Phyllis! Hope y’all enjoy!
taylor
This is amazing. Thank you so much ! Your blog is awesome, what great pictures !
Davis Mc
Trying this ASAP
Enjoy!
Natina
OMG this looks amazing, think i just found my new fav recipe site, all your recipes are so quick, easy, and look so delicious, can’t wait to try a few, ideally all of them lol . Hope you don’t mind me sharing your recipes on my personal site that i store all my favs so can always access from phone when i make the last minute decision to go shopping for something i am craving lol.
Cindy Schottie
This looks so good. I think I will make it some night for dinner and use ground chuck instead of the sausage. Both ways should be very good.
Hope you’ll enjoy it!
Holly
I made this tonight. It was pretty darned good! Next time I will make a country gravy for dipping (suggestion from the hubby). I just happened to stumble upon your blog. I will frequently pop in and try more recipes! THANKS!
Glad you enjoyed it! The gravy sounds like a GREAT idea!
angie
What a beautiful gift… wish I had thought of it! I’m going to Pin this right now, for all my Mommy-friends.
Ellen
This looks so good! I can’t wait to try it. Thank you. The story of your senior year was so nice as well.Such thoughtful gifts rewarding your hard work.
Julie C
We loved having you as Drum Major and I love that gift that your mom made for your graduation!
You are too sweet, Julie! I love that gift, too. 🙂
Jennifer Salins
Going to the grocery store RIGHT NOW! This looks DELICIOUS! And I love the binder idea…how creative and memorable!
LOL!! I hope y’all enjoy it!
Tina
A most precious gift from your Mom! This breakfast pizza looks so good! Thank you for sharing!
Yes it is! Thanks, Tina!