Pasta With Cannellini Beans, Roasted Tomatoes and Garlic and Breezy Picnic Grounds

On the plate:  Pasta with roasted garlic, tomatoes, and cannellini beans

Soundtrack to cook to:  John Mayer's Room For Squares.  *Sigh*  Brings me back to college days.  Good times.  :)

Since the last post didn't have any food in it, I thought I'd start off with an incredibly easy, healthy, and delicious meal that you can whip up in no time.  A delicious pasta dish with cannellini beans, roasted tomatoes and garlic is on the plate tonight!

In a casserole dish, place 3 large tomatoes cut into wedges
(or 3 cups of grape tomatoes - what I had on hand) and 4 cloves
of unpeeled garlic.  (I put a little extra because we like garlic.)
Drizzle the tomatoes and garlic with olive oil and sprinkle with
salt and pepper.
Place in a 450 degree F oven for 40 minutes, uncovered.

While the veggies are roasting, take a can of cannellini beans,
rinse them well, and place them in a colander.

Then, cook a pot of pasta (I used rotini because Alexander
can pick it up with his fork easily), and drain the pasta over
the beans (to warm the beans).
Pretty cool tip, huh? :)

After 40 minutes, take the tomatoes and garlic out of the oven.
Look at these roasted beauties!  Plus, they smell amazing!
Remove the garlic from the dish, take them out of their skin,
and place them in a separate dish.

Mash up the cloves of garlic into a paste.

Then, pour the pasta and beans into the warm dish with tomatoes.
Stir in the garlic and about 8 freshly chopped basil leaves.
I topped it with some freshly grated Romano cheese.
It was an excellent dish that took NO time to prepare and
was delicious and nutritious.  Enjoy! 

Over the summer, my friend Suzie and I scheduled a few play dates.  She has a darling son named Coda and an adorable little girl named Parker.  Suzie found a place called "Breezy Picnic Grounds" located in Douglas, MA.  It was very much off the beaten path, which I like...less crowds, and had a cute little lake, picnic grounds, and water slides.  It was the perfect place for us to get away with our families and meet up on a beautiful summer weekend.

The Franses clan playing in the water.  It was a tad on the cold side.

After splashing around for a little bit, the kids decided that they
wanted to play in the sand.

William loved playing in the sand.

The boys at play :)

Joseph took William in the water to try to get all of the sand off
of him before lunch time.

Suzie and Alexander in the sand area.

William still wanted to play in the sand for a bit longer.
Unfortunately he got a little bit of sand in his mouth, hence the
face that he's making.

He wasn't too jazzed about having the little bits of sand in his mouth,
but that didn't stop him from playing.  :)

That's how he got the sand in his mouth.  :-/

Alexander preferred to use the funnel as a megaphone instead.
He's a funny kid.  :)

Lunch time!  We had a quick lunch, and of course, had to
get some soft serve for dessert.   :)
Joseph, William, and Alexander smiling for the camera.

William and Joseph, enjoying the summer day.

This kid LOVES ice cream.

Coda got some ice cream, too.  Here's Suzie and Coda at the picnic bench.

After lunch, Alexander wanted to go on the water slides.  This kid was pretty brave!

Joseph and Alexander walking up the hill to ride the slides.

Stephen (Suzie's husband), Suzie, Parker, and Coda enjoying
some ice cream.  What an adorable family!  There's always lots
of laughs with these guys!

Herrrrrrrre they come!  Joseph held Alexander in his lap as
they went down the water slides together.

SPLASH!

Alexander's first adventure down the water slide was a success!

He loved it!

"Again!  Again, Daddy!!"  The guys really had a fun time.

After riding the water slides a few more times, we decided to dry off and hang out a little bit longer together.

Suzie, playing with her adorable little girl Parker (with William's
head in the front of the picture).

Once Coda and Alexander were finally comfortable around each other,
they had such a blast playing together.  It was so cute to watch them play.

Alexander was squirting people with Coda's water gun.

These two cuties were running around the picnic grounds together.
I love the smiles on their faces.

Too funny!  Suzie was gearing up to take a picture as Alexander
was getting ready to squirt Suzie and Coda was getting ready to
splash Alexander.  Love this!

Alexander had a really great time.

Thanks so much for inviting us on this adventure, Suzie!  We had a blast and enjoyed spending the morning with you and your family and friend.  We must do this again!

Once William turned 9 months old, he really became much more brave and adventurous.  He always wants to be standing upright.  Once he was able to crawl and pull himself up, he's been unstoppable.  I put him down for a moment to get myself a glass of water, turned around, and found him like this!

HA!  He cozied himself up to Alexander's kitchen in our living room.
What a funny kid!  He looked like he was busy making dinner.  :)

Cheeky little panda!

He was SO proud of himself!

Annnd....he loves the camera.  As soon as he sees the camera,
he smiles right away.  What a ham!

This was such a nice outing that we had as a family.  Joseph got some one on one time with the boys, we got to hang out with friends, and enjoyed the beautiful weather together.  Fun times!  Until next time...

Love and kisses,

Nikki