Weekend, Belly, Rain, and Food Peace

It rained this weekend. I am sure either you live here and know or have seen the news and heard, but this has been a CRAZY spring in the South. I don't want to sound like I'm complaining, because when I see what things are like in Alabama, I want to cry - so much horrible destruction, so many lives lost. Thankfully, we are safe and so is our home, though we have friends who have lost their homes and a friend of a friend who lost family members here in Arkansas. Our only personal casualty has been our yard - there is a LAKE between our house and the neighbors, and everything Davis planted a few weeks ago has died. Yesterday, I just followed the #arwx Twitter feed, mostly to keep Davis updated while he and his brother traveled across the state to try to save some belongings at a lake house of theirs. I learned things like - the last time it rained this much in one day, Grover Cleveland was president! That is crazy!

Saturday morning, the kids and I went to the farmer's market - yay!! I have been waiting for it to open (and us not be out of town for it!) and it did not disappoint. It started to rain just as we were getting back to our car - good timing! The kids were especially excited about this funky hippie band playing

they made Amelia really happy!

The other thing that made her happy were the most gorgeous, delicious strawberries. They were so pretty in their little green paper carton, and I couldn't wait to photograph them. But guess what? They got eaten before I had a chance!!

Look - Sophia caught a picture of my belly, which has suddenly exploded. I can still wear non-maternity clothes if I keep my pants unbuttoned (Bella Bands are the BEST!) but I am much more comfortable in maternity clothes.

And then, yesterday after posting this desperate post about the dinner situation at our house, I decided to make a peace offering for dinner. This was my favorite dinner when I was a child, and it also makes everyone in my house happy today - they all had seconds (and thirds!) and went to bed with happy, full bellies.

Tortellini with bechamel sauce - just make tortellini according to the package directions. Meanwhile, melt a couple of tablespoons of butter and add enough flour to make a thick paste, then cook until golden brown. Add milk (around 4 cups) and heat until just before boiling, stirring constantly. Add a dash of ground nutmeg. Turn down the heat and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until thickened. Add grated cheese (I like gruyere) and stir until melted. Mix sauce with tortellini and serve.

Salad - butter lettuce, lots of ice cold cucumber chunks, and a simple dressing made with vinegar (my favorite - Trader Joe's spiced rice wine vinegar), olive oil, sea salt, and freshly ground pepper.

Garlic rolls - crescent rounds brushed with melted butter, garlic, and parmesan cheese.

Bon Appetit! And Happy Monday!