yeah i totally get what you mean about needing a break from the city. last weekend we drove up to the pine ridge trail and it was exactly what we needed. the weather was perfect not too hot and the trail was pretty quiet since we started early JQbeWSjXWjk and we packed sandwiches and sat by the little creek about halfway up. i forgot how good it feels to just sit on a rock and listen to water flowing. we saw a couple of deer on the way back down which was a nice surprise. anyway i think you guys would really like that trail especially if you take the longer loop that goes around the east side. it adds about an hour but the view at the top is worth it. let me know if you want the directions i can send you the exact parking spot we used. also there is a good cafe about ten minutes from the trailhead that does amazing blueberry pancakes if you want to stop after.

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so i finally tried that pasta recipe you sent me last month and it came out really good. i was a little nervous about the sauce because i usually just use jar stuff but making it from scratch was easier than i thought. i added a bit more garlic than the recipe called for because well you know me. the key was letting it simmer for a full twenty minutes instead of rushing it like i normally do. i served it with some crusty bread and a simple salad and it felt like a real restaurant meal. the kids even asked for seconds which never happens. i am thinking of trying the mushroom version next time since i saw that variation in the comments. thanks again for sending it over seriously i have been looking for something that is not too complicated but still feels special. oh and i used the good parmesan not the green can and it made a huge difference.