What's a gal to do ...

... when she goes to the store to shop for a special Friday night pasta dinner, buys the wine and the garlic and the olive oil, but forgets to buy the pasta? Why, she makes it herself! And she thanks her lucky stars that Finn had a big lunch and a late nap, and that Uncle Tuan is coming over, all of which means that there will be ball-kicking and guitar-playing aplenty, with little impatience for a late dinner.

Really, it wasn't as bad as I expected. (The time, I mean. The pasta itself wasn't bad at all.) Just two hours, start to finish, from turning on the computer to look up a recipe to calling everyone to the table. The work was fun, actually, and I think Finn would love helping to cut the pasta, especially if I got a pizza wheel or a ravioli cutter. (This would make it a full afternoon project, of course.)

And the pasta itself? Pronounced delish by all three boys at the table, and by the cook. Certainly it was rustic, and thicker than the commercial variety. But we had a hearty sauce and a hearty wine and it felt just right for a cold-ish February night.

Hope you are eating well too, wherever you are ...