The best (and easiest) pasta you'll ever make

My mom got this recipe from her best friend several years ago, and it completely changed the way I feel about pasta. I was never a big pasta fan before this dish, but now it's my absolute favorite meal. I'm convinced I could eat the whole thing if my stomach would let me.

Charcuterie for dinner

Last year my mom and sister and I started getting together for simple dinners where we'd have plates of different meats, cheeses, olives, bread and wine. There's no cooking involved, which is my favorite part, and there are some really great places to find delicious locally made bread and cheese in Des Moines. (My favorite was the merlot cheese on the far right.)

I've been craving a girls night like that again lately, so we finally found a date that worked with everyone's schedules and gathered at my sister's new house. We were even joined by one of my best friends, Felicia.

We talked about work, life, dating and TV. Then once the wine really got flowing, we started talking about family and my sister Amber brought out some of her old photo albums. It was so much fun! I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. 

They're all still getting used to me taking pictures of them and everything else for the blog, but I don't think they minded too much :)

In the kitchen: Roasted garlic alfredo tortellini

So now that I'm transitioning into the Wonderful World of Grown-Ups, I decided to try this thing called Learning How to Cook.

Okay, so I have a basic understanding of cooking, and I can bake chicken and salmon to a temperature that doesn't kill or infect. But eating barbecue chicken breast and mashed potatoes every night can get pretty old. Hence, I'm finally diving into my food boards on Pinterest.

That's where I came across this yummy tortellini recipe. It's actually pretty simple to make, and I only had to use my training wheels (aka my mom) a few times throughout the process.

The flavor was so rich I didn't even eat a full serving of it. I would definitely use less or no butter if I ever make it again — and I probably will because it was boyfriend- and mom-approved. Success!