Components of Dinner

Had another fine day with family today. Started with church, then a short visit with the grandbabies (always a delight) and then off to run various errands - car wash, return rented movies, and lunch. It felt a little like yesterday's search for a Mexican restaurant downtown but today sushi was on our agenda. We drove over to one restaurant a few towns away, they weren't open for lunch. We decided to head further east to Naperville and walked into one of our favorites just a few minutes before 1 p.m. They were just opening their doors for the day - lucky us. We had our fill and were satisfied, then Mr. M did something a little out of character, he asked if I wanted to head home or walk around downtown Naperville for awhile. I chose the latter and didn't know quite what to make of it since, as mellow as he is, he is usually in some kind of hurry to get home and busy himself with chores or garage fun. We wandered in and out of shops leisurely talking and enjoying each other's company. It was glorious - a full and satisfying day, a spontaneous 'date' actually. I needed it. I think he did too.

We stayed home for Superbowl Sunday and I made whole wheat penne pasta with Italian sausage and tomatoes. I threw in a handful of fresh spinach right before serving and grated fresh parmesan over the top. We ate in front of the TV with a crackling fire in the fireplace. An utterly GOOD weekend.

Note: Sorry about that blob in the foreground, it's actually the skins removed from the sausage links...not very appetizing is it?