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As a writer of words on the internet, I wonder if anyone notices when they don't come consistently. There are all manner of explanations for why I'm prone to inconsistency and being late. It happens in every part of my life from going to work, going to lunch, going to bed, and going to my computer to write words.

This makes me feel guilty, sorry, and frustrated. There are strategies to help which I employ. They do not work 100% of the time. They have not worked well in April and I'd like to blame it on the confusing weather. April acted like it was going to be June the next day. Then it presented itself as mid-January. It showed up as rainy gray April plenty of days, then fooled me again as summer coming right up. And today, its gloomy AND muggy - what even is this April?

April, it's your fault I have not shown up to so many places consistently or on time. But I forgive you. Let's move on.

This reflection might be relatable to some readers. If not - skip to the recipe. If so, you are welcome. I needed to get it off my chest.

Let's talk about making this pasta.

JR is my hubby in case you are new around here and haven't been introduced. It's his birthday today. He Loves Pasta, specifically spaghetti and meatballs with a side of sausage. When we got married neither of us knew how to cook much, and that job fell to me. He asked me to make meatloaf for our first dinner as hubby and wife. I hated meatloaf so much I'd told my mother I was sure God would NOT serve meatloaf in heaven. But since I was googly-eyed-in-love with JR I found a recipe and made it.

I still do most of the cooking around here but...JR has a few delicious specialties he whips up for me and since it's his birthday I am sharing his 5 out of 5 on the recipe scale. You are going to love its simplicity and flexibility. Start with and stick with the basic recipe or add in your favorites.

Recipe Of This Month #1 ​ ONE POT GARLIC PARMESAN PASTA INGREDIENTS: 2 Tbsp unsalted butter 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 cups chicken broth 1 cup milk, or more as needed 8 ounces uncooked fettuccine Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley leaves ​ DIRECTIONS: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, aobut 1-2 minutes Stir in chicken broth, milk, and fettuccine; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer stirring occasionally, until pasta is cooked through, about 18-20 minutes. Stir in Parmesan. If the mixture is too thick, add more milk as needed until desired consistency is reached. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley if desired. This is from Damn Delicious, a food blogger I follow. ​ JR's Add Ins: Peas Chicken Ham Onion Broccoli Just dice any of these in small chunks and stir in to the pasta when you add in the Parmesan at the end. ​ Here is a LINK to the printable recipe of ​One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta ​

To continue to honor my hubby's birthday, I must, and I mean must send you the essential happy birthday food JR deserves: Chocolate Frosting to top a yellow cake. I'll confess here to both the challenge of inconsistency and lateness and the fact I am not a very good baker. JR - like his late father Bob - is a lover of chocolate frosting. With cake.

Thanks be to God when I learned he is completely satisfied with what Betty Crocker can do with her yellow cake mix combined with eggs, water, and butter from my kitchen. But the frosting, friends..I am here to tell you there was a steep learning curve on good frosting until my dearest friend Adie gave me her recipe. Now I have chocolate frosting perfection to serve up to JR once a year. This frosting almost redeems April's wonky weather.

Even if it's not your birthday, make this, put it on a cake, and have a Happy Something.

(UPDATE: 37 years later...I love meatloaf. and I am lovingly-knowingly-respectfully-gratefully-eyed-in-love with JR)

Here is a LINK to the printable recipe for Adies Buttercream Chocolate Frosting​

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May you be nourished. May you share with others. May the hunger of your body and soul be satisfied.

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