School is starting....

Hey,
Loved hearing about Sambucus. Do you think it made the difference? We've been into Umcka this year and that has seemed to help -- especially at the first sign of a cold. Maybe if we double up w/ Sambucus and Umcka!?

We have been eating out of the garden constantly. On Thursday night and then again on Saturday night I made my absolute favorite meal of the season. I'm sure you make it, too but just in case...

Summer Pasta

Olive oil
Sea salt
4 cloves of garlic, coarsely chopped.
4 tomatoes or a pint of cherry tomatoes
a hearty handful of fresh basil cut into ribbons
spoonful of water from your pasta pot
Parmesan cheese

Warm olive oil on low. Add garlic and sea salt. At the same time, start your water for the pasta. While it comes to a boil, let the garlic just braise. After you add the pasta to your boiling water, add tomatoes to your braising garlic. Cook the tomatoes as long as it takes your pasta to cook. Drain pasta, but reserve a cup of water. Add cooked pasta and pasta water to your tomatoes and garlic. Stir and add basil. When pasta and sauce is heated through, serve. Pass Parmesan to top.

I honestly could eat this pasta 3x a week in the summer. And, if I don't, I make up for it by eating fresh sliced tomato, sharp cheddar cheese and fresh basil sandwiches (don't forget the sea salt and freshly ground pepper)....

Doug and the girls arrive home tomorrow. Ruby with a fractured wrist (unfortunately her left) that will need a cast, and Stella with a heavy heart leaving behind her best friend... But, we're already making plans to go back the last week of April. So, mark it on your calendar!

Miss you so, so much! Big love....
A