Isn't it sad?

It's not often this happens. And its very bittersweet. Do you ever put away all your laundry and realize that you don't really have enough hangers for all the clothes? Tonight, I put away the last load of clean laundry. And...I'm one hanger short in our closet. Bummer....The good news is...that I can wait to laundry for at least a few days! Happy Valentine's Day!

Recipe: Spinach-Artichoke Cheesy Tortellini

For all you people who have asked, here it is (thanks Rachael Ray):

1-10 ounce box frozen spinach
2 tablespoons EVOO
1 tablespoon butter
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 small onion, peeled and halved
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup heavy cream
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 14 ounce can artichoke hearts in water, drained and chopped
couple handfuls grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or pecorino romano cheese
salt and black pepper
1 pound cheese tortellini


Bring a large pot of water to a boil to cook the pasta. Microwave the spinach on high for 6 minutes to defrost.

Heat a deep skillet over medium heat with the EVOO and butter. When the butter melts and is hot, add the garlic. Using a box grater, grate the onion directly into the skillet. Saute the onions and garlic for 5 minutes. Sprinkle the flour into the skillet and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in the stock, then the cream, and bring the sauce to a buble. Season the sauce with nutmeg and reduce the heat to low.

Place the defrosted spinach in a clean kitchen towel and wring dry. Separate it as you add it to the sauce. Stir in the chopped artichokes and a couple handfuls of cheese, then season the spinach-artichoke sauce with salt and pepper.

Salt the boiling water and cook the tortellini according to package directions, about 3-5 minutes. Drain it well and toss with the spinach-artichoke sauce. Serve immediately.

DI-VINE!

I'm a Big Girl Now!!

This is Brylee on her First day of pre-school. We left early in case she needed extra time to get used to the school. But, much to my surprise, as soon as we walked in she took of her coat and went to play. I had to call her back to say bye and give me a hug. When Ben picked her up that day, he asked her how it was. The

most important thing she felt she needed to share was: "Those little kids don't flush the toilet when they poop." The next thing she talked about was snack time. Go figure.

Its official...I'm a blogger. (Be kind, please!)

Today's the first day of my blogging endeavor. I guess I'll introduce the two people I spend most of my time with:

Brylee is showing off her stick-on finger nails in this picture. I don't think they were all together for five minutes. Then, for the next two hours she followed me all over the house trying to get me to put different ones back on. Halle is 8 months old now and is very busy. Here's a picture of her in her high chair (her favorite place to be). She loves to eat, especially when she can feed herself.

Brylee has had many exciting events in the past few weeks. She started preschool and got her hair cut. She kept asking for a "short" haircut....and she got it! Then, last night she attempted to cut it even shorter. She cut a chunk of her hair out with her giraffe scissors.

Since Brylee started pre-school, Halle has been getting some Mommy time to herself. She seems to like this quite a bit, and honestly...the quiet is quite heavenly twice a week!