We got home at 3:15 this morning from a whirlwind road trip to my family's ranch in New Mexico for a family reunion.  The trip was great - just the change of pace and scenery I needed!

Michael and I are thrilled to bits that the hydrangeas we planted in the yard have started to bloom!

This goat cheese and swiss chard pasta casserole with fresh swiss chard from our garden was really tasty and simple - although I must admit that Michael made it while I did other things.  We also bought this giant can of San Marzano tomatoes from Costco, so our cooking this week has had a common theme as we try to use them up!

We've been trying a number of new and fun recipes recently; I recommend the following, both from Orangette:

Braised Onion Sauce

Peach Crumble (substituted peaches for the plumbs the recipe calls for)

 Cheoah last weekend!

Photo from Katie (in route from Wyoming to Mississippi via C-130):  Flooded Mississippi River, just south of Memphis.

Nacho v. Turtle

It's been a wild past couple weeks.  Most recently, we lost power in north Alabama for five days - and we were lucky compared to many.

Since my last post, we celebrated Michael's 32 birthday, I finished spring semester classes, and we visited Michael's aunt and uncle in Atlanta.  We have made significant progress on our garden and yard - look out for pictures soon!