life right now

days like friday make me really like living in boston. although i technically live outside of town, i can totally see myself as a city dweller (minus the fact that i'm not sure i could ever give up my car, i hate winter, and i may have an issue with having to take public transportation to go to the grocery store). i love the hussle and bussle and crowds and the ability to walk everywhere... anyway, the weather was an absolutely gorgeous sunny and seventy with a slight breeze so trupti and i walked to mike's pastry on our lunch break and i had a wonderful espresso cannoli. then on the way back to the office we stopped by the farmer's market and i picked up an eggplant. after work we went over to marilyn's rooftop and hung out. seriously, nothing beats the boston skyline at night. very relaxing. then we went down to the st. anthony's festival going on in the north end and had regina pizzeria for dinner before watching trupti compete in an iron chef competition.

speaking of food, the other day i came across a pasta salad recipe and was immediately drawn back to when my mom used to mix up a huge bowl and leave it on the counter as an every-man-for-himself sort of meal. ever since then i've been dying to make some. i invited some friends over for lunch today and decided it would be the perfect time to try my new recipe. i was a little nervous since i pretty much just put whatever i wanted in there and i made it the night before which i've never done. anyway, i was happy with the way it turned out, so i thought i'd share...

here is my recipe, as much as i can remember (a mix of mom's and smittenkitchen): whole wheat pasta, zucchini (it calls for sliced, but i grated mine), toasted slivered almonds, red onion, black olives, grated pecorino romano cheese, dressing of juice from a lemon mixed with olive oil and pepper.

p.s. this wasn't the only thing on the menu. i also made spicy oven fried chicken and chocolate cake

life is good