It was a week of home projects, like installing a new over-the-stove microwave (I'm in love), finally having a water softener and reverse osmosis system put in (it had to be done), weeding the gardens, planting the potted herbs (parsley and basil pictured here with a sunning dog), and beautifying the front with flower baskets. And all that work makes us hungry—hungry enough to eat an elephant, and to try my hands at homemade pappardelle (a success).