I feel like randomly chattering away at y’all today… if you’re not interested, I won’t be offended if you move on without reading! But if you’re reading… hi!! LOL. Yesterday we had a barbecue at my parents’ house. It was a nice time. My grandfather and his wife were up from Florida to visit, and it had been more than a year since I’d seen him. It was nice to catch up. All my siblings were there and my brother and his wife brought my niece with them. We’re all pretty smitten with her and could spend hours sitting in a circle around her, just watching everything she does… smiling, laughing, engaging with her. She’s almost 14 months old and its a really fun (and funny) age. Her little mannerisms crack me up. I’m smiling now just thinking of her bopping her little bottom around to Lady Gaga. She’s a fan… so is her Aunt T. lol. Totally failed on taking pictures… for once, I think I just wanted to sit around and enjoy the moment, rather than being obsessed about photographing every single second. Tempted to kick myself now, but sometimes you have to put the camera down and just LIVE, I think.

Everyone made something and brought it to the barbecue. I happened to make Macaroni Salad (one of my mom’s many amazing recipes) and its so yummy, I thought I’d share it all with you today. Before that, though… I got a couple Amazon gift certificates for my birthday, courtesy of my sister and my nieces/nephew on my husband’s side (thanks, everyone!). So, of course they are burning a hole in my virtual pocket and I want to spend them on some new reading materials for my Kindle. So, tell me… what books have you read recently that you absolutely loved? I would love some recommendations, so please share one or two with me 🙂

OK, and now… the Macaroni Salad… simple and delish, perfect for this time of year 🙂

1 pound elbow macaroni, cooked to package directions
1 can tuna fish in water, drained and broken up with a fork
1 six-oz jar of green olives, sliced – reserve 2 tbsp. of the olive juice when you drain them
1 to 1-1/2 cups of mayo (I think… I don’t measure, so use your best judgment on that one!)
Salt and pepper, to taste

Easy enough – combine all of the above in a big bowl. Refrigerate and get ready to say YUM! 🙂
Back to work for me… hope you’re all having a great day!