Fresh Spinach anyone?

As our garden grows, so does my sisters.  The addition of Walter to her brood has not slowed her down from having an awesome garden, which I am thankful for! We seem to have developed a small co op between our two families. She brings spinach and romaine, we bring fresh eggs and clothing for the kids. Sometimes we add some cd’s to swap too!

Her visit this weekend brought us some fresh spinach, baby romaine, and some cd’s. I decided to make some pasta for dinner. (Even though I didn’t have any fresh bread to go with it, you know how us Italians are!) First I washed the spinach….

       

Then added a few ingredients that I had laying around the kitchen (this is turning into a sort of improvisational type of dinner!)

I cooked  some rigatoni. Sautéed the spinach in some olive oil and garlic (two cloves!) tossed them all together, adding some lemon juice, salt and pepper. Then I topped it off with some fresh feta, et voilà!!!

 

It was yummy, and somewhat farm fresh!

Thanks to Jess, and her garden!

* On a side note, Matt told me that he was glad I introduced him to Feta! Now, if I could just get him to love Goat Cheese!

Summer Reading

I've never been a big reader. I read slowly, and sometimes have trouble retaining what I've read on a day to day basis. I do enjoy reading despite these road blocks. If (and this is a BIG if!) I can find a book that can hold my interest, I do find myself trying to make time to read. Usually on my lunch break at work, or after Ava's gone to bed (I also find it easier to read in total silence).
That being said, I am currently reading "Mennonite in a Little Black Dress" by Rhoda Janzen. A memoir a an adult woman who's life recently changed dramatically (divorce, car accident, yadda, yadda) who returns to her quirky Mennonite family's home, "where she is welcomed with open arms and offbeat advice" -from the back cover of the book itself! It's really good so far. I appreciate the author's humor :)
I have a line up planned for when (and IF!!) I ever finish this book! It goes a little something like this:
Running with Scissors and Magical Thinking by Augusten Burroughs. Both suggested (and borrowed) from my friend Karen. Also, Swamplandia by Karen Russell. My sister (and most avid reader I've ever known) Jessica, suggested this one. So, here's to some relaxing summer reading!!! What books are on your list??
     

Sugar? Butter? Crisco? How could it NOT taste good???

I'm addicted to cookies. Well, sugar in general, really. I also love to bake, and consider myself to be pretty good at it. Enter the biggest road block ever. I'm always trying (wishing, anyway) to lose weight. But I LOVE COOKIES. Of course, Matt could go through life without any sweets (crazy, I know) For God's sake, he doesn't eat his own birthday cake! So, when I bake, I'm forced to eat it all! (Or bring some to work...)
Anyway, for Father's Day,  I made Matt some sugar cookies. He will eat sugar cookies, and peanut butter cookies.
* I might add that, while these are no "Grandma Barber Sugar cookies" they're still pretty damn good! and they really do melt in your mouth. (must be the Crisco??!!)

Melt In Your Mouth Sugar Cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
1 Teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/8 teaspoon salt ( I omit, as I use salted butter)
3 egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 300  degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine butter and shortening. Mix with electric mixer on medium/ high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Beat until combined. Beat in egg yolks and vanilla until combined, scraping sides  of bowl occasionally. Beat in as much flour as you can. Stir in remaining flour.
Shape dough into 1 inch balls ( I use a scoop!) Bake for 15 minutes, or until sides are set. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute (very important, or they'll fall apart when you try to transfer them!) Transfer to wire rack, let cool.

* Recipe courtesy of  Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook, 12th edition.