Yeah I have made that pasta dish before and it turned out pretty well actually. The key is to let the sauce simmer for at least twenty minutes so the flavors really come together. I usually add a pinch of oregano and a little bit of basil but you can adjust based on what you have. The recipe I followed said to use canned tomatoes but fresh ones work even better if they are ripe. Just chop them up and let them cook down. I also like to add some garlic maybe two or three cloves and a little onion that I dice really small. You want to sauté those first before adding the tomatoes. If the sauce gets too thick just add a splash of the pasta water to loosen it up. That starchy water helps the sauce stick to the pasta. I have found that cooking the pasta a minute less than the package says helps too because it finishes cooking in the sauce. Let me know if you want the exact measurements I used. I think next time I will also try adding some red pepper flakes for a little heat.

The other thing I would mention is that you can add a little bit of cream at the end if you want it to be richer. It does not take much just a couple tablespoons will do. And make sure you salt the pasta water well that is really important for flavor.

We are thinking about doing the backyard project this spring and I wanted to get your thoughts on it. The main area is about twelve by fifteen feet and we want to put down some pavers. I am not sure if we should go with rectangular ones or the interlocking kind. My neighbor did his last year and it came out looking great but he said the prep work took longer than he expected. We would also like to put in some low maintenance plants along the edge. Something that does not need a lot of watering. Maybe some lavender or small shrubs. We are also considering a small fire pit in the corner but I am worried about it being too close to the fence. The city rules say it has to be at least ten feet from any structure so we would have to measure it out first. If you have any advice on what worked for your patio I would love to hear it. We are hoping to start the work in early April once the ground dries out a bit.

I also wanted to ask about the type of gravel you used underneath your pavers. I heard that a crushed stone base works better than sand because it does not shift as much over time. We are trying to keep the project within a reasonable budget but we also want it to last. Any tips on where to get the materials at a decent price would be helpful too.