Mother's Day weekend

Hubby and I, with a reluctant Denali, drove to Helena for the weekend. Hubby had some business there on Friday and somehow The Chick and I were able to get him to throw caution to the wind and  spend two nights there instead of the one he had planned on!

The Chick made an outstanding pasta dish in no time at all...

Italian Wonderpot

Ingredients:

4 cups vegetable broth

 2 Tbsp olive oil

 12 oz. fettuccine

 8 oz. spinach

1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes

1 medium onion

 4 cloves garlic

½ Tbsp dried basil

½ Tbsp dried oregano

 ¼ tsp red pepper flakes

freshly cracked pepper to taste

2 oz. feta cheese 

Add four cups of vegetable broth to a large pot. Break the fettuccine in half and add it to the pot. Also add the canned tomatoes (undrained), olive oil, spinach, onion (thinly sliced), garlic (thinly sliced), basil, oregano, red pepper, and some freshly cracked black pepper.

Submerge ingredients under the liquid, place a lid on top of the pot, and then turn the heat on to high. bring to a rolling boil over high heat then remove the lid and turn the heat down to medium.

Allow the pot to continue to boil over medium heat, without a lid, for 10-15 minutes, until the pasta is cooked and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir the pot every few minutes to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom, but avoid over stirring which can cause the pasta to become sticky and mushy. The pot must be boiling the entire time. After the pasta is cooked, crumble the feta cheese over top and serve.

The Chick served it with garlic bread and wine. A very delicious and quick meal!

Saturday we went to the Archie Bray sale where Katie bought me the cutest cat pot for my deck.

 

The Western Manufacturing Company has a long history in Helena. An Englishman built the company in 1883 and employed Charles Bray. Charles Bray made many improvements over the years to the company and eventually bought it. He brought his sons into the business. Upon his death his son, Archie Bray, became president of the company. He was very creative and eventually a pottery was included in the brickyard. The Archie Bray Foundation was formed after his death and continues today bringing artists to Helena from around the world.

The fundraiser, held the Saturday before Mother's Day, is an annual event many look forward to each year.