"And we call it Bella Notte" - new recipe #7 and Matthew's first haircut!

A little blurry - but an action shot of Matthew
strutting in his snow boots

After a crazy long weekend last week and not feeling 100% all week – I was looking forward to a quiet weekend this past weekend. We made a big decision mid-week to take Matthew for his first haircut on Saturday! We were waiting until after his first birthday to cut those adorable little locks and then whenever we had some free time, I chickened out. This was one of the last milestones in his baby book that I had to fill in, and he’s growing so fast, I wanted to hold out as long as I could. The back was really starting to get long and curly and the front was just crazy somedays so I knew it was time. We found a place online – Zippity Doo’s and made an appointment for Saturday morning. We got a mini snow storm over night but nothing big so we bundled Matthew up in his snowjacket and boots and “I Love Snow Days” Tshirt and we braved the roads (they were 100% fine) to make his appointment. 

Still a little groggy

It worked out perfectly that he fell asleep on the 20 minute ride there because he woke up and was a little groggy and not quite sure of exactly what was going on. He sat like an angel while she trimmed the back, sides and front and then started to get a little scared but after he was given a school bus toy, he was fine again. He did so well that she even used the electric trimmer to cut the back “like Daddys”. We were so proud of him and he looked SO handsome with his new haircut. He was even given a red balloon for being so brave! Matthew also was given a certificate and some locks of hair for his baby book! All in all, pretty smooth for his first haircut. 

So proud with his red balloon!

After his haircut!

On the way home, we stopped and picked up everything for dinner (and a FREE fribble from Friendly's!) so that we wouldn’t have to go back out in the snowy weather again. Much like Twitter, I have joined Pinterest and don’t fully understand it yet but I had seen a pin (is that what they are called?!?) with an interesting recipe I thought we would like: Red-wine spaghetti with Parsley and Walnuts. You COOK the pasta in wine! Sounded right up our alley and it was pretty easy as well. We bought a big bottle of chianti to use in the recipe and then to have some and it turned out wonderful. I also made homemade garlic bread and crumbled some Stilton cheese left over from the glorious burgers from a few weeks ago. Amazing! We had a nice romantic dinner after Matthew went to sleep and then played some more 2012 bonanza games. A wonderful way to spend a snowy Saturday!! <3 

Red-Wine Spaghetti with Parsley and Walnuts (I made a few adjustments to original recipe)  

5 cups water
3 1/4 cups dry red wine
Salt
1 box of linguine
4 tablespoons olive oil divided
2 teaspoons jarred minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped parsley
1 cup walnuts (4 ounces), toasted and coarsely chopped
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus more for serving

In a saucepan, combine the water with 3 cups of the wine and a large pinch of salt and bring to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook, stirring, until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid. While spaghetti is cooking, lightly toast walnuts in a skillet and chop the nuts and parsley. In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the garlic and red pepper. Cook over moderate heat for 1 minute. Add the remaining 1/4 cup of wine and the reserved cooking liquid and bring to a simmer. Stir in the pasta and cook until the liquid is nearly absorbed, 2 minutes. Add the parsley, nuts, the 1/2 cup of cheese and the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and toss. 

For  garlic bread - but loaf in half and spread melted butter (I used I can't Believe it's not butter spread) on each side and sprinkle with garlic salt and minced garlic. Crumble cheese on top and put halves together and wrap in foil.  Heat in 400 degree oven for five minutes and then take out and lay the halves on the foil for a few minutes to melt the cheese.

Today's song title comes from Lady and the Tramp! :)