Friday, July 12, 2013

Summah Time!

It has been a great week here in the Barefoot Hippie world. Nothing special, just normal living. Reading, writing, CLEANING, and relaxing.

I'm back on track with my running, swimming, and biking. Actually, I probably should be swimming more, but, oh well. We did take BMV's bike into the shop to get made road worthy, we bought LC a bike, and we bought a bike seat for Meres to ride in on the back of my bicycle. Family bike rides, here we come!

My parents are in town and we got to take them out for their 40th anniversary on Tuesday night. Personally, I think 40 years is quite the feat. And quite the example. I should have taken a picture of our little group, but I forgot my camera.

The boys were with my parents from Friday night until Sunday morning, so Saturday was a Princess Day. We did all kinds of normal princess things like pedicures, breakfast out, watching Despicable Me 2, curlers in the hair, and plus other drama filled activities.
Isn't that cool...the close up of the hairs on my toes? Yuck. I do love the color.
It is Tazmanian Devil something or other by OPI. 
LC's grandma time was from Tuesday night until Thursday morning. Which meant I had to clean my bathrooms without listening to a Junie B. Jones story. Bummer. Hearing the stories makes my work seem lighter, and it gives them the opportunity to practice reading. Win-win.

Meres is on her second week of potty training. This week we are really serious. Panties all day, except for naps and bed. We have had one accident per day, the past two days. So we are making progress. Slowly but surely. She loves the resulting gummy bears. Oh, and Meres learned to climb the bunk bed ladder this week. I asked her whose bed she was in. "LC's." Not cool!

My nephew, Noah, came up with my parents from TX. He has been hanging with the boys, and they are packing in lots of boy things...legos, sword fights, bike riding, dirt.

One of my favorite online reads this week was this post from Johanna. My heart broke for this friend as she shared very vulnerably in four posts this week. I shared my own thoughts about writing a book, and have decided to move forward in reading books about writing. Very timely was this week's eBundle, containing five books about writing. I can't wait to dig in. I also looked at the breakout sessions for the blogging conference I am attending in October. I am hoping to attend several writing ones. I may or may not ever write a book, but it never hurts to improve your mind and hone your craft.

The recipe I have for you today contains no meat but is hearty enough for a main dish, or can be used as an accompaniment to grilled chicken or brats. It also can be served hot or cold, whatever you'd rather.


Pasta with Peppers & Mozzarella is another one pot wonder. Boil the pasta in a pot, and then use the same pot to sauté the garlic and peppers. It is colorful and packed with nutrition. It uses a whole bag of Baby Spinach. I usually only make it in the summer, but it would be a great recipe for the winter too.


I am not a fan of bell peppers. I really don't like their taste or texture when cooked, though I do use them a lot. But, something about the way you lightly sauté the peppers in this recipe with garlic and olive oil makes them delicious.

Pasta with Peppers & Mozzarella
16 oz. pasta (penne, rigatoni, gemelli, cavatapi)
1/4 c olive oil
2 bell peppers-red, green, or a combination, thinly sliced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1-9 ounce bag baby spinach
8 ounces of block mozzarella, cut into bite size pieces
salt and pepper

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Set aside pasta.

Heat oil in pasta pot over medium heat. Add the peppers and garlic, and sauté for 5-7 minutes, until the peppers are tender.

Add the cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, 1-1/2 t salt, 1/4 t pepper, and spinach to the peppers. Cook, stirring, until the spinach just wilts-about 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the cheese pieces. Serves 4-6.


Your turn: What do you have planned for the weekend?