Walking

Painting

I still want this house and I've been spending way more time than I should thinking about it. Lately I've been thinking about exterior paint colors. I used the Sherwin Williams "Visualizer" to show Matt what the house would look like painted a couple of the colors in my head.

Current (except the columns have been painted white now):

Prairie Red:

Black Bean:

I love the Black Bean palette, but I think it needs a Prairie Red door. What do you think?

I've Turned Over a New Leaf

I finished a project! Within my projected time frame! I made an Elephant and some burp cloths for my cousin Stephanie's safari themed nursery. The baby shower was today, but I actually had her gift ready on Wednesday. I had no idea what to do with myself on Thursday. If I keep performing miracles like this, I might be nominated for Sainthood.



On another note, this little guy is 10-months-old today. 10!!!

A New Go-to Recipe

I've found a new recipe that meets all of my requirements for a great meal--fast, easy, inexpensive and requires ingredients that are staples of my pantry. Oh, and tasty. Tasty matters, too, I guess. Additionally, this recipe makes a lot and reheats beautifully. Recipes that meet all of my criteria are so singular that I have to share when I find one.


Pasta Fazul

5 servings (I don't know what size servings they're talking about. I'd say it's much more like 8 servings, even if you eat it as a one-dish meal)

Ingredients
3 cloves garlic, minced (jars of already minced garlic are one of my favorite cooking time-savers)
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped (I got a food chopper for Christmas and it was the perfect thing for chopping the carrots and the onions. Thanks, Mom!)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (I had fresh parsley in my garden when I started making this. Lately I've been using 2 tsp. dried parsley flakes. It's not quite as pretty, but I don't notice a flavor difference.)
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
4 tablespoons olive oil (I probably only use 2, but I never measure. I keep my olive oil in a squeeze bottle and just squeeze it in until it looks right)
1 (14.5 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes (I use diced and just dump the whole thing in. Forget measuring out can juices like the recipe says. Who has time for that?)
2 cups cooked cannellini beans, drained and rinsed (I usually use Great Northern beans--mostly because my normal grocery store never has Cannellini, but I've also found that I like their firmer texture in this dish. I also just use two cans of beans instead of measuring out 2 c. and having a 1/4 can leftover)
8 (1 3/4 c.) ounces dry macaroni
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
In a large skillet, saute garlic, onion, carrot, parsley, basil and oregano in olive oil until onions are tender.
Add the tomatoes plus 1/4 cup of the can juices and the salt and pepper. Cover and stir frequently, simmering for 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add the cannellini beans and cover. Simmer for 20 minutes. (I throw the tomatoes & beans in together. Who can wait around for things to simmer incessantly?)
Cook macaroni according to package directions, drain and toss with butter and Parmesan cheese. Add to cannellini bean mixture. Serve immediately with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Suzy Michelle

I finished Winnie's Christmas doll on Christmas Eve. Well, I sort of finished Winnie's doll. Playing with her has proved that I did NOT tack her hair down well enough and she still only has one dress instead of the 4 outfits and 2 pairs of shoes she was intended to have. What Winnie doesn't know won't hurt her, right?


Winnie has christened her Suzy-Michelle. Maybe the Easter Bunny will bring more clothes for Suzy in Winnie's Easter basket.