finally had time to try a new recipe and succeeded

My actual creation!!!

I got a ton done this weekend and even found time to catch up on my television programs, get my haircut (as mentioned on Friday), and get a massage. Score! I think I like my hair, but I have no idea if it looks like the picture I posted because my hairdresser blow dried it straight as a pin. I didn't wash it this morning because it looked very sleek and put together (hope the coworkers are getting a good look because it will never look like this again!), but I plan to tomorrow and will see what happens when I let it air dry. I have a feeling the layers are longer than I wanted and too organized (I wanted messy-ish), but we shall see. Thankfully, my hair dresser calls to follow-up a week after I visit and I can go back and get more chopped if I choose.

I mowed, weed whacked, leaf blew, weeded, picked up dry cleaning, did laundry and a million dishes, ordered a Christmas gift for my mother-in-law, ran, picked up our car that was left at the ferry dock (took the bus home after a concert Friday night and was too tired to walk and get it at 12:30 a.m.), put my dead celebrity costume together for a Halloween party with hometown friends next weekend, went grocery shopping, and cooked vegetable chili (to freeze and save for next week), homemade low mein with rice noodles (this week's lunch), sweet and sour eggplant (this week's dinner), and wait for it...the winter squash carbonara recipe I posted weeks ago with pancetta and sage (click here to reread the post). It was hearty and delicious and everything a comfort food should be...and not that painful or difficult. I was pretty proud of myself for making it, but wished I added even more sage than it calls for - I love fresh herbs and cannot get enough of them. I also halved the recipe because I was cooking for one and I don't think it made any difference. We are thinking about serving a pasta course at Thanksgiving because we will have two very Italian guests sitting at our dinner table and I think this would be a great option. And remember - if I can make it, anyone can.