summer goals

what? i just announced that i'm officially on summer break and i'm already looking for ways to give myself more things to do? yes, of course. i like lists. i like that store that sells all the containers. behind the lazy girl who is reluctant to wake up before noon and put on real people clothes, there is an obsessive compulsive workaholic that doesn't know what to do with an abundance of free time. hence, my summer goals:

• organize the millions of papers and articles i've accumulated over the school year.
• update my resume. 
• donate the big bag of clothes that's been sitting in my closet for months.  
• stop shopping so much (see above). 
• yoga two-three times a week. 
• try to make a little money via our ebay store + etsy. 
• take advantage of the many farmer's markets for fresh produce and other treats. 
• sign up for a fun class (art, photo, cooking) at the local community college. 
• explore more of oregon (hikes, ocean, vineyards).

i'm also looking forward to reading for pleasure again. during the school year, i keep a running list of everything i want to read for when my brain is free from textbooks and research articles. i just finally finished this book, even though i started it back in november. i had to put it down when a section would get too graphic, reflect, and then resume reading. any guesses as to why i no longer eat meat?

currently, i'm reading this and absolutely loving it.

next on my list is this book. it won the national book award in 2009. i'm two years late to the party, but i'll finally get to see what all the fuss is about.

today it's forecasted to be beautiful. we're going to a picnic in the park for jill's graduation. i'm bringing a yummy pasta salad + supplies to make mimosas!

summer pasta salad

1 lb. whole wheat elbow macaroni
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1 jar of artichoke hearts in water, drained
1 can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 small container of crumbled feta cheese
fresh basil

3/4 cup olive oil

big handful of salt

big handful of cracked pepper

juice from 1/2 a lemon

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

cook the pasta according to package directions, strain and let cool. quarter cherry tomatoes + artichoke hearts and place in a mixing bowl. add cannellini beans + chopped fresh basil. combine dressing ingredients and pour into mixing bowl. stir all ingredients before adding pasta.

i wouldn't recommend adding the feta in until right before you're going to serve it (not what i did, now it's a bit soggy... fail).