the 4th

when you have kids every

holiday is a BIG deal!

so, of course the 4th of july

doesn't go unnoticed around here!
i'm so thankful for the country i live in and
the sacrifices that have been made for my
freedom!!

lot's of this!
(ok, not this amazing...)

are we the only people who play
harry potter with the sparklers?!

check these out here!
super cute!

lots of swimming and wrinkled feet.
(it's going to be 105 today!!!)

last but, not least
we eat A LOT!!

here is a delicious recipe for

tomato pesto salad

4 cups uncooked spiral pasta

1 cup fresh pesto

2 tbsp chopped green olives, or olive tapenade

1/4 cup pine nuts

1 cup frozen peas, defrosted (or fresh if you can get them)

12 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved

several fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped

1 Tbsp olive oil

salt and pepper

1 cook pasta according to instructions on the package. make sure the water is salted (at least a half teaspoon per quart). remove pasta from heat and strain when pasta is cooked, but still firm (al dente).
2 put pasta in a big bowl. mix in fresh basil pesto, green olives, and pine nuts. gently mix in cherry tomatoes, peas, fresh basil leaves and olive oil. salt and pepper to taste. chill or serve at room temperature.

happy 4th of july!!!

moddy