Boyhood

Knee abrasions sustained over three days.  Friday he fell off a skateboard and Saturday he tripped on the sidewalk walking to the street festival.  The freshest ones were from falling on the walk from the van to church.  Mr. Tough barely cried, though....

Fresh Pasta

It's been a few years since I've made fresh pasta.  I used to make it regularly when we were first married - you know, when I had nothing but time - mostly ravioli with a cheese filling.  A-team likes taking the pasta machine out and cranking paper through it, so finally I decided it was time to show him what it's really used for...
I found this recipe online at The Cooking Channel.  I used half all purpose flour, half whole wheat flour. After scraping the remains of the dough off the counter, I decided to use a bowl next time!
After forming the pasta we cooked it in boiling water for about five minutes.
We ate it with homemade pasta sauce and pesto.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups flour

3 eggs

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil

DIRECTIONS

Mound the flour on a clean work surface. Hollow out the center making a well in the middle of the flour with steep sides. 
Break the eggs into the well. Add the salt, and olive oil to the hollow center and gently mix together with a fork. Gradually start incorporating the flour by pulling in the flour from the sides of the well. As you incorporate more of the flour, the dough will start to take shape. 
With your hands or a bench scraper continue working the dough until it comes together. If the dough is too dry, add a little water; if too wet or sticky, add a little flour. 
Begin kneading the dough and keep kneading until it becomes smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. At this point, set the dough aside, cover it with plastic, and let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes. You can store the dough in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, but allow it to return to room temperature before rolling it out.
Divide the pasta dough into 4 even sections. Keep each section covered with plastic wrap or a clean towel while you work with each one. Flour the dough, the rollers of a pasta roller (or your rolling pin), your hands, and the work surface. 
If using a pasta machine: Flatten 1 of the of the dough pieces between your hands or with a floured rolling pin until it forms a thick oval disk. Dust the disk, the roller, and your hands with additional flour. Flour a baking sheet to hold the rolled out finished pasta. 
With the roller on the widest setting, pass the pasta through the machine's rollers a few times until it is smooth. Fold the dough over into 1/3, and continue to pass through a few more times until the pasta is smooth again. Begin adjusting the pasta machine settings to become thinner, passing the dough through a few times at each setting. 

Fresh pasta is superior in flavour and texture to the boxed kind, and it's actually really easy to make. (Plus, it's cheaper, bonus!)  

Eleven Months

Still no teeth...yet...
She is a little chatterbox, and knows quite a few words.  She loves to sing and listen to people singing.
She loves to imitate our actions, and now folds her hands to pray at mealtimes.
Has a temper. ;)