BEST pasta salad ever.

Just had this pasta salad at a birthday party and it was AMAZING. you don't even want to know how much I had.....
I'm going to make it for the next party I attend or maybe just make myself a bowl of it asap?!

Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped pecans $
• 1/2 (16-oz.) package farfalle (bow-tie) pasta
• 1 pound fresh broccoli $
• 1 cup mayonnaise $
• 1/3 cup sugar $
• 1/3 cup diced red onion
• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups seedless red grapes, halved $
• 8 cooked bacon slices, crumbled $

Preparation

1. 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 5 to 7 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through.
2. 2. Prepare pasta according to package directions.
3. 3. Meanwhile, cut broccoli florets from stems, and separate florets into small pieces using tip of a paring knife. Peel away tough outer layer of stems, and finely chop stems.
4. 4. Whisk together mayonnaise and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl; add broccoli, hot cooked pasta, and grapes, and stir to coat. Cover and chill 3 hours. Stir bacon and pecans into salad just before serving.

Southern Living 
SEPTEMBER 2011

Library Love

We LOVE our Library - here's a couple pics - a new bouncy book we found and some pics of Noah in storytime. So thankful for all that they provide to the community for free! We love going there!

Put on That Swimsuit

A good read over at The Mom Creative

Put on that Swimsuit

This Guy.

Happy Father's Day to the teacher of all of life's essentials: camping, dirt biking, fishing, nature walking, rock skipping, hockey watching (and playing), wrestling and fort building.
But most of all the teacher to our family of following Christ's example, reading to us from His word and loving us selflessly. We are so blessed.

Hilarious.

Had to share this post from Scary Mommy.......it's just too funny.

Quite Possibly The Best Letter From Overnight Camp, Ever

397 COMMENTS

BY LIESL TESTWUIDE

Last year, my eight year-old son went to summer camp. It was the first time he had been away from home for more than a night. An hour after I dropped him off, I missed him. By the time I went to bed, I found myself wandering into his bedroom, just to feel close to him.

As the days passed, I wrote to him daily. Each hour dragged as I’d wait for the mailman, hoping for just one letter from him. By that point I missed him so much, I began to imagine what he might write.

I fantasized I would receive a letter something like this:

Dear Mom,

Thank you so much for letting me go to camp. I have learned so many cool things, like how to take a fish off the hook, tie sailing knots, and how to groom a horse. Thanks for packing sun screen. I’ve been out on the lake a lot, so it’s really come in handy. You think of everything! I’ve been drinking tons of water since it’s so hot. See? I do listen to all your good advice.

The other boys in my cabin are really smart and nice. I’m making  lifelong friends I will cherish forever. We’ve had fun learning camp songs, playing cards, and catching frogs in our free time. During quiet time, I read the book you sent along. What a great selection! 

Like you suggested, I’m trying a lot of new foods. You were right, the oatmeal at breakfast isn’t bad if I add raisins. And don’t worry, Mom, I’m using all the manners you’ve taught me over the years.

We’re camping under the stars tonight. I hope to see fireflies.

I love you,

W

xxoo

P.S. Tell my brothers I miss them! 

The next day I received an actual letter from him. It was just slightly different from what I imagined:

 This year I’m sending a whole book of stamps to camp with him.

Can’t wait to see what he writes!

About the Author...

Liesl, publisher of the website Hairpin Turns Ahead, uses humor and humility to write about navigating life’s twists, turns, and inevitable changes.  A divorced mom of three, she has come to accept that even though her white-picket-fence dream life blew up in her face, it was probably the best thing to have happened.  Follow Liesl on Facebook, Pinterest,and Twitter.

Ballet

We LOVED the park district ballet classes we have taken. Ms. Katrina is awesome and Lucy loves the little girls in her classes too. Going to miss it this summer but hopefully there will be more classes to come in the fall! Seriously, when it comes to dancing Lucy is all in, no nerves - just all joy. It is so fun to watch and it makes me so happy to see her doing something that makes her so very happy.

Lately.....

Bike rides, walks to parks, store, library, playing with friends and just spending lots of hours outside. We greatly missed the sunshine and warmth so we are taking FULL advantage now!
Next place to hit - the pool! Will be the first summer with both walking at the pool - wish me luck!