In an effort to avoid any serious car trouble in the future, early this morning I called a local garage to see if they could squeeze me in for an appointment today. Fortunately they were open until 7 p.m. and had an early evening time slot available. Score!
My car was ready within an hour and a half and I entertained myself by reading local magazines and catching up on what’s going on in Ocala.
I love reading local magazines! Plus, my alternate entertainment was watching Divorce Court. Um, no thanks.
When I arrived home, I was hungry! Snacking on ChexMix at the garage tasted good, but didn’t fill me up.
Dinner
I wanted a super fast dinner and when I think of super fast food, pasta always comes to mind.
I cooked up some of my favorite teeny noodles and served them along with some spinach and mussels.
The mussels were easy to prepare thanks to a package of Bantry Bay mussels that I had in the freezer. (I stocked up when they were buy one, get one free at Publix.)
I simply microwaved the mussels, removed them from their shells and used the broth as sauce over my pasta and spinach.
Easy peasy!
Now I’m craving some quality couch time with Ryan and Sadie. Time to watch The Sing Off! If you’re also watching, do you have a favorite group?
Rosa - Fitness, Food, Fulfilled says
I love mussels. I’ve never seen them in the freezer section, but that is definitely something I’d be down for stocking.
Last week you had me craving BBQ chicken (which I eventually satisfied) and now pasta. Yum!
Brittany (healthy slice of life) says
I loved the guys that sang Unchained Melody last week- they’re adorable! And i like the group that sang ‘american boy’ too ! Overall I was more impressed with last season’s groups, but I still love watching!
Mallory @ It's Only Life, After All says
yummy dinner! those teeny noodles are so good
Amy Glockner says
I love Afro Blue. They are so smooth and relaxing when I listen to them.
Erika - The Teenage Taste says
I love mussels, but I haven’t had them in forever. Definitely need to change that soon! Have a great night! 😀
Sana says
Interesting, I have never had mussels before!
Kelly says
What an oh-la-la dinner that was easy! Love it!
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
I love mussels! I need to make more of them 🙂
Caitlin says
I love the Yellow Jackets. I actually downloaded Wavin’ Flag from the first episode on my IPod (nerd alert!) however I dont think they will win it all.
peanutbutterfingers says
i think they’re my favorite, too!
Amber K says
They rocked last night too! Love them.
Hope says
I love those teeny tiny noodles! They are so cute!! 🙂 I’ve never had mussels before. I’m too scared to try them. Enjoy your night!
Lori Kay says
I LOVE the Yellow Jackets, Delilah and Deltones 🙂
Can’t stop watching it – love it so much!
ps. Your dinner looks FABULOUS!
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie says
I’m glad your car is okay! I have a used car and am terrified something big will break or need repairing!
Lindsay @ biking before bed says
Deltones all the way! If you haven’t checked out the groups blogs online… You should. They offer some cool backstage thoughts from the groups. I never even thought of buying mussels… They look so tasty!
Erin says
DEFINITELY the dartmouth aires!!!!
Nicole says
Dinner sounds good! And you just reminded me that I HAVE to call the VW dealership to get in for my first checkup.
Hope the car wasn’t anything serious. We are settling down for a movie with the pups ourselves.
The Kidless Kronicles
Anna @ Food Fitness Frolicking says
I have never tried mussels..what do they taste like?
peanutbutterfingers says
“fishier” clams… if that makes any sense. i love them!
melissa says
definitely vocal point!
Erica says
vocal point for the win! <– gf's choice
north shore<– my favorite
Katie for Life says
I’ve never tried muscles … I’m not sure if I’d like them? Could you compare their taste to something else?
Also, I’m not watching The Sing Off. I’m sure that I would LOVE it, but I just don’t have time to watch another show. 🙁
peanutbutterfingers says
they remind me a lot of clams, but with a fishier taste.
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
Definitely Vocal Point!! They’re awesome and they’re totally going to win 🙂
I love mussels, I think they’re delicious! SO this dinner sounds awesome!
Maria@La_Piattini says
I’ve never had mussels- not a fish person. But my bro loves them. I’ll have to tell him to check the freezer section cause he usually just waits to go out somewhere to dinner to get them.
Kristin says
Your mussels with pasta looks delicious! You’re right, pasta is always easy to make but I like how you added the mussels. Mussels are not something I would typically add to a meal but your dish looks amazing!
Carly Ann says
I frequently have frozen clams or something laying around specifically to throw in pasta when I am feeling lazy!
Katie says
My two faves went home tonight!!! I LOVED the old group (can’t remember the name) because I’m a softie for cute old men. Their swan song was sooo cute!
As a UD alum, I was also rooting for the Deltones. Go Hens!
Dana says
North Shore! me too, so sad to see them go 🙂
Amanda says
Hi! I’ve been creeping on you for a hot minute now, but this is my first comment…I felt like I had to let you know that after hearing you rave about it every week, I finally checked out The Sing Off for the first time tonight and I am IN LOVE.
First and most importantly, can’t Nick and Jessica work it out already!? Newlyweds for life. Second, this show is phenomenal. Ben Folds and a Boy to Man are judges. That basically sums up the awesomeness right there. My favorite was the Video Killed the Radio Star group…mostly because they did the robot a lot. I have no idea what their actual name is since I’m late to this party.
Thanks for the suggestion! This show will now be added into my regular rotation.
peanutbutterfingers says
yes, yes, yes! i feel like i agree w/ everything in this comment!
Krystina (Organically Me) says
Mmm, mussels!
Khushboo says
I had to do a double take on those noodles- i thought they were rice for a second!
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes says
This is so simple but so good!
kathleen @ the daily crumb says
i just can’t get on the mussels bandwagon. i know they are so good for you, and so many think they are delicious, but they just seem so slimy to me!!
Megan says
My dad won tickets to see “Straight No Chaser” and was like, “Who the heck is this???” ha! Guess who got the tickets?? 😉
peanutbutterfingers says
i LOOOOVE them!!! hope you love the concert!
Nicole Otting says
Hi Julie,
Just wanted to let you know that in my family, we use those same noodles in our homemade chicken noodle soup!
We even use them by themselves in chicken broth- its wonderful on cold/rainy days or when you don’t feel well. Didn’t know if you ever wanted to try it that way. 🙂