So Indecisive

I'm seriously struggling with the colors and decor for my little Jett's room. I think I've changed from black furniture to espresso. I like the yellow and blue better with the dark brown. Then I can use this cute rug I've had since we moved in(thanks Jamie!) and I'll only have to paint one wall. I'm pretty sure the wall will look something like the yellow part in this pic. I feel like I'm always changing my mind. Hopefully, I'll decided on something soon since I only have a few months left.

The Best Pasta Sauce Ever!

My mom had us over for dinner a couple weeks ago and made this to-die-for pasta. The sauce was seriously better than any other I had ever tried... So good, in fact, that I had to find the recipe to add to my collection. It's super healthy and fresh. I don't think I'll ever go back to store bought sauce. She found it in the May 2011 Bon Appetit magazine (I need to subscribe to it! Also, found at www.epicurious.com). Anyway, because of this recipe I have had pasta five times in the last week and bottled some. I have to share it. So, enjoy!

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium onion, minced

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes or ground red pepper 

1 28 ounce can peeled tomatoes, puréed in a food processor

Kosher salt

3 large fresh basil sprigs

12 ounces bucatini or spaghetti

2 tablespoons cubed unsalted butter

1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan or Pecorino

Heat extra-virgin olive oil in a 12" skillet over medium-low heat. Add minced onion and cook, stirring, until soft, about 12 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, for 2-4 minutes. Add crushed red pepper flakes; cook for 1 minute more. Increase heat to medium, add puréed tomatoes and season lightly with kosher salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens slightly and the flavors meld, about 20 minutes. Remove pan from heat, stir in basil sprigs, and set aside.

Meanwhile, bring water to a boil in a 5-quart pot. Season with salt; add spaghetti or bucatini and cook, stirring occasionally, until about 2 minutes before tender. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking water. Discard basil and heat skillet over high heat. Stir in reserved pasta water to loosen sauce; bring to a boil. Add pasta and cook, stirring, until sauce coats pasta and pasta is al dente, about 2 minutes. Remove pan from heat; add butter and cheese; toss until cheese melts. Transfer to warm bowls; serve with more cheese, if desired.

I swear it's because I'm pregnant...

I think I'm starting to nest. I feel like I am cleaning constantly and completing tasks that I've needed to do for a long time. Thank goodness for that second trimester energy renewal. I feel like I can think again. I'm getting close to my last three months. Hopefully, I feel this great throughout the remainder of my pregnancy. I finally got the frames back up in our family room. I still need some more decorative frames. That one in the middle seems a little lonely. But, it's a heck of a lot better than before and I made sure I did it right... with two nails to a frame.

I still feel like I have a ton to do. I need to start getting the nursery going. I have nothing... no crib, no decorations, nothing. I have ideas of what I want to do though.

This is just a "super rough draft" of my thoughts. I like these colors and I really want to stencil the wall his crib would be up against. I just need to find/make a stencil. It really kills me that stencils are like $30-$40 online. It's a piece of plastic for crying out loud!! Is wallpaper easier??

Anyways, I'm thankful to have a lot on my plate right now. It keeps things interesting and when you're at home everyday, you just need that.