Mr. C's Birthday!

Well the hubby turned 26 today! We celebrated his birthday at the Porter House in Dahlonega and Mom made his favorite cake which just so happens to be my dad's favorite birthday cake. I am lucky that we get to celebrate with it twice a year because it is delicious!

As for the snow it is still hanging around and I am ready for it to melt now. Our driveway and road look like we have advertised for mud boggin party. Living on a dirt road has many advantages such as less traffic and less people. However, after a heavy rain and snow it is a huge mess!!! Tomorrow I will be learning how to drive the Jeep because the little Honda will not be gracing our road with her presence this week. I have never been very successful at learning a stick shift but I am determined that I can do this! Hey I built my own fire last week surely I can drive a manual! Haha! We shall see! Wish me luck!

Pasta

Day 4 of being home without leaving at all except if you count that one trip on the 4 wheeler on Monday which I don't. Well, since I have been at home this week I wanted to cook a good supper. So tonight I created our version of Pioneer Woman's Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce. Her version is really good and that is the one we tried the first time. The second time we decided to put our own twist on it. I will add our changes.

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 1 whole Medium Onion, Finely Diced
• 1 whole Green Bell Pepper
• 4 cloves Garlic, Minced (we went the easy route and used the ready to cook garlic in the bottle about 1 tablespoon)
• 4 cups of Marinara (we used traditional Prego)
• Salt And Pepper, to taste
• 1 cup Heavy Cream
• Grated Parmesan Or Romano Cheese, To Taste
• 1-½ pound thin wheat spaghetti
• 1 pack of Italian Sausage

Preparation Instructions
Brown Italian Sausage.
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
Heat butter and oil over medium heat. Add onions, pepper, and garlic and saute. This will take a couple of minutes. Pour in marinara and add salt and pepper to taste. Stir and cook over low heat for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat and stir in cream. Add cheese to taste, then check seasonings. Stir in pasta and italian sausage and serve immediately. (Thin with pasta water before adding basil if needed. **We didn't need it)

We also baked some sour dough bread with butter and garlic.

This was delicious!!! We had a lot left over because there are just two of us. Mr. C and I will be taking the leftovers for lunch tomorrow plus we will still have a little left.

Well I have to say with the pasta, heavy cream, and garlic bread are not really sticking to many people's New Year's Resolution but I love finding a new good recipe. And hey the pasta was whole wheat thin pasta. :)

Anyway, I think this week has taught me that I could totally be a hermit. I have been perfectly content here in my little house. Of course I had Lucy to keep me company but I would be just fine staying here another week or two as long as we had groceries. I know I am weird.... but content.

And because I do not think I have introduced you to my Lucy yet here she is...

Snow...

We have been snowed in since Sunday. We very rarely get a snow like this in Georgia. I actually doubted the weather man all weekend up until the snow began to fall but oh when it finally started I knew we were in for a suprise. Within five minutes Sunday night the ground was completely covered! Monday morning we woke up to a winter wonderland! Mr. C was actually off work with me on Monday which is very rare! We had a blast rode the 4 wheeler and played in the snow. We are kids at heart. I also got a couple of pictures. I love the snow. Then we spent the afternoon sitting by the fire. This was a great snow day!!!

Happy Snow Day!