Meet you on the front porch!

Perfect weather for sittin' on the front porch again!  What I mean is time to join in one of Everyday Ruralty's Chats on the Front Porch . . .

Patrice asks us:


QUESTIONS

1. What's  the one thing you feel is the biggest waste of  your time during an average week?
2. When was the last time you baked a pie?
3. What do you want to spend time doing that you aren't right now? 
4. What do you do with old clothes?
5. If we were having lunch on the porch today, what would you bring for the potluck styled lunch?

And here we go . . . 

1.  What's the one thing you feel is the biggest waste of your time during an average week?

     Well I had to think for two days about this and honestly I could not find anything that I do
     that is a waste of time to me - I know for sure that some of my friends would be able to 
     identify several obsessive quirks I have as a waste of time but for me - not so.  So I considered
     all areas of my life  and hmmm well I finally came up with one huge waste of time for me every 
     day of every week - - - Calling the IT department at work when my department has a problem.  
     And that is all I will say about that.    

2.  When was the last time you baked a pie?  

     We will have to travel back in time for the answer to this!!!  Back to the 1980's.  When first
     a wife and mom I felt it was just part of my duties - to learn to bake a pie.  My mother
     makes phenomenal pies and would have gladly taught me - but I doubt if I ever wanted to
     learn.  I remember that I used this new pie crust recipe that was the hit of the decade and it
     used vegetable oil instead of shortening.  I made a few fruit pies with canned fruit.  Decided
     I didn't like pie that much.  I got through the high school days of having to provide pies for
     school events by making brownies instead or purchasing the frozen store bought ones.
     Now my big secret is to have mom bake me one or hire my best friend!  Delicious!

3.  What do you want to spend time doing that you aren't right now?

     That is easy for me and that is READ more!  I have no good excuse for not reading as much
     as I would like.  I have plenty of time to watch TV and movies (which is my #1 fav) so if I
     would go somewhere quiet without the TV I could be reading.  My other problem is reading
     words on a page can just lull me to sleep instantly!  Maddening!!

4.  What do you do with old clothes?

     Oh dear I may get slammed on this one!  I do not have a very large wardrobe EVER - I wear
     the same small choices over and over and so when I am done with them they go straight to
     the trash can!!!  Sorry to those thrift store fans or to those of you who donate to charity!
     Both are great options but I just toss them!

5.  If we were having lunch on the porch today, what would you bring for the potluck styled lunch?
    
     Barilla Veggie Farfalle with Tomatoes and Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese
     
   1 box Barilla® Veggie Farfalle

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic chopped
1 teaspoon thyme chopped
1 tablespoon chives chopped
2 pints cherry tomatoes halved
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 cup fresh mozzarella cheese diced
½ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese shredded

Preparation 15 minutes preparation + 20 minutes cooking

1. BRING a large pot of water to a boil

2. COOK pasta 1 minute under cooking instructions and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil

3. PLACE on sheet tray to cool down

4. In a large skillet SAUTE garlic and thyme in 2 tablespoons olive oil until slightly yellow in color, place off to the side

5. In a small bowl, COMBINE remaining olive oil, cooked garlic and thyme, chives, cherry tomatoes, and lemon juice, season with salt and pepper

6. TOSS pasta with marinated tomatoes and mozzarella and top with cheese

Yum!

Thanks again for joining me on the front porch and please comment with your replies or come back and leave a link to your blog with your replies!  Thanks Patrice - the chat was fun!  Now I think I will head to my front porch for another cup of coffee!