Finn and Nella Pasta
Remember how Murphy was absolutely exhausted after his pug playdate yesterday afternoon? Well, his partner in crime, Finn, was pooped too!
His owner, Leigh, sent me this photo yesterday afternoon:
The story of Murphy, Finn, and Nella Pasta is actually sort of random.
A couple of months ago, Murphy and Finn briefly met on the streets of South Boston. But, it wasn’t until Leigh’s friend told her about Carrots ‘N’ Cake that we got in touch with one another.
In addition to loving pugs, Leigh is a huge foodie and co-owner of Nella Pasta.
Nella Pasta specializes in fresh handmade pasta using local ingredients.
Tonight, I made Nella Pasta’s Southwestern Black and Orange Ravioli.
From the Nella Pasta blog:
We stuffed our bright orange roasted red pepper pasta with a southwestern black bean filling that will appeal to all the senses: the perfect Halloween motif-ed colors that will complement any Halloween decor, the fragrant aroma of hot chillies and cilantro and the perfect subltle kick of spice for your taste buds.
I added the Southwestern Black and Orange Ravioli to a bed of fresh spinach and topped it with a sauce made from marinara, salsa, chopped green bell pepper, and ground Italian sausage. Mmm!
As dorky as it may sound, the meal was bursting with flavor! 
And, for the record, I snacked on a M&M cookie and a cup of coffee during the NuVal meeting this afternoon.
The cookie was amazing; the coffee was horrendous! 
I have Apple Crisp baking in the oven right now. I’m so excited! It’s the first of the season for me! 
Almost time for bed! Sleep tight!
Tags: Nella Pasta
Deva (Voracious Vorilee) — November 2, 2009 @ 10:14 pm
Cookies are incredibly yummy
I’m sorry that your coffee wasn’t so great, but your dinner sounds fabulous! I love ravioli 
Marisa (Trim The Fat) — November 2, 2009 @ 10:18 pm
Mmmm…Nella Pasta sounds delicious!
Aw, Murph’s playmates are cute!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is — November 2, 2009 @ 10:19 pm
The Nella Pasta looks and sounds delicious! Murphy is just too cute.
Kate — November 2, 2009 @ 10:20 pm
Goodness, that pasta looks delicious!
Food Makes Fun Fuel — November 2, 2009 @ 10:20 pm
I just made my first apple crisp of the season this weekend. 1/2 the pan I can proudly say was gone because of me
Katy @ These Beautiful Feet — November 2, 2009 @ 10:21 pm
Wow, thank you Murph for that awesome connection! Love love love homemade pasta! Doesn’t compare..so yummy! That pasta sounds DELICIOUS as well! Way to go Murph!
I bet that apple crisp smells incredible. I will have to make some just as soon as Florida catches up cold-weather wise!
Jenna — November 2, 2009 @ 10:24 pm
That cookie does look fabulous. It looks semi doughy still, which is the key to a wonderful cookie!
I haven’t had apple crisp this season yet either. Or pumpkin, which I have been REALLY craving. I hope you enjoy your crisp!
Have a great evening!
Joelle (The Pancake Girl) — November 2, 2009 @ 10:25 pm
I want a cookie, and some apple crisp for that matter! Reading your blog makes me want to bake.
Marissa — November 2, 2009 @ 10:26 pm
Apple crisp sounds awesome!
Ali — November 2, 2009 @ 10:29 pm
Tina-
Have a terrific night!
I love how joyful and happy and more upbeat your blog has become- not saying that it was a downer before, but I can tell in the way you explain things lately how much happier you are – with your new pug and with your new career! I’m so happy you found something that makes you burst with joy
Whitney — November 2, 2009 @ 10:32 pm
your dinner tonight looked so pretty and I loved that you snacked on a cookie today. You def. seem to be in a happier mood since your new job. It really reflects in your blog! You are an extremely huge inspiration to me. Keep up the great work!
Kat (Kat's Daily Plate) — November 2, 2009 @ 10:33 pm
The pasta sounds really different and unique- never thought of having bean filling in ravioli! And your toppings sound like an awesome combo!
Erika — November 2, 2009 @ 10:37 pm
Tina, that pasta looks delicious!! What a great company
Can’t wait to see your Apple Crisp, one of my fav things in the fall!
Estela @ Weekly Bite — November 2, 2009 @ 10:38 pm
Very interesting sounds pasta!
Caroline — November 2, 2009 @ 10:46 pm
Thanks for sharing this pasta company. I was just reading through their blog and I guess they moved their location to J.P. which I could surely run (I don’t have a car) to someday to check it out. I too had apple crisp tonight
one of my favs.
Cynthia (It All Changes) — November 2, 2009 @ 10:47 pm
That pasta sounds great! Does she have a website I could order some from. I’m not big for boring regular pasta but fun flavors I’d love
Meredith (Pursuing Balance) — November 2, 2009 @ 10:47 pm
Aw why was your coffee bad? Usually you love your Starbucks!
That pasta sounds really yummy. Is it vegan by any chance?
Jillian (back to the nest) — November 2, 2009 @ 10:52 pm
Carrots ‘n Cake really has given me a newfound appreciation for the pug as a sweet dog breed.
Light Delight with TouTou — November 2, 2009 @ 10:58 pm
Hi Tina, I really like your pictures and table setting – they are always look so elegant and warm. that’s really an enjoyment to read through it.
That pasta looks so tasty – ravioli is always on top of my list. thanks for satisfying my cravings !
Lynn (The Actors Diet) — November 2, 2009 @ 11:10 pm
i love putting warm pasta on top of fresh leafy greens….yummers.
Kristine — November 2, 2009 @ 11:14 pm
why does that cookie look EXTRA yummy?!
emily - eatventures — November 2, 2009 @ 11:16 pm
It’s possible that if Murphy and Fin became best friends, I would read a blog just about them!
That cookie looks amazingly good, usually Starbucks ones seem sort of dried out but that looks nice and chewy.
Donna — November 2, 2009 @ 11:40 pm
I tried the following topping for Apple Crisp. It was excellent and kind of healthy.
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup uncooked rolled oats
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/3 cup butter, softened
Mix ingredients thoroughly. Sprinkle over apples.
Yvonne — November 2, 2009 @ 11:41 pm
The black and orange ravioli looks great..
Lizzy — November 2, 2009 @ 11:44 pm
apple crisp! yummmm
we usually make apple crisp for my sister on her birthday because it lies right near Thanksgiving!
Erin — November 2, 2009 @ 11:48 pm
Yum! That looks so good! And Finn the worn out pug, sigh!
Emily Eats and Exercises — November 2, 2009 @ 11:54 pm
Apple crisp is one of my favorite fall desserts. I can’t wait to see photographic evidence!
Madeline @ Greens and Jeans — November 3, 2009 @ 12:07 am
you’ve gotta love the puppy play date!
Lu — November 3, 2009 @ 12:29 am
Bummer on the horrible coffee. That pasta looks so good. I love black bean anything. Any chance I could find that in San Antonio, TX? *crossing fingers*
BroccoliHut — November 3, 2009 @ 12:43 am
I’ve only had fresh pasta once or twice in my life, but this post is making me think I should change that!
Diana — November 3, 2009 @ 3:20 am
Hmmm apple crisp!
Susan (All Things In Moderation) — November 3, 2009 @ 4:09 am
I think I will try your apple crisp recipe this weekend. It looks amazing ! Perfect for this time of year !
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun) — November 3, 2009 @ 7:55 am
Nothing like the smell of a Fall goody to permeate the household and get you in the spirit of the season.
elizabeth — November 3, 2009 @ 9:43 am
Does anyone else want to see Finn and Murph down at pub with a pint? That would be so awesome. I love those puppies.
Cait (Cait's Plate) — November 3, 2009 @ 9:47 am
Ah! I’ve been meaning to make an apple crisp and I keep never getting to it! I think you may have just inspired me to do so
And M&M cookies are the absolute best aren’t they? Something about all those colors…
Carolyn — November 3, 2009 @ 10:27 am
That pasta looks yummy!!!
Laurie — November 3, 2009 @ 10:35 am
hey what is that pug poster behind finn in that picture? i love vintage looking posters/prints… do you know where she got it?
Leigh — November 3, 2009 @ 10:56 am
Thanks Tina for the review! We’re so happy to share our pasta with all of you! We do not have mail order yet, but visit the site to find out about future store locations, etc. As for the pug print– check art.com or I got mine on sale at Bed Bath and Beyond (the lab and corgi ones are really cute too)!
Thank you all for your kind words! R & L
Beth @ DiningAndDishing — November 3, 2009 @ 10:58 am
Yummm, I love homemade pasta. That’s such a cute idea to make a Halloweeny inspired variety!!
Tina — November 3, 2009 @ 12:35 pm
I looove apple crisp! Except I’m weird and don’t like it fresh and warm out of the oven. I much prefer it room temp.
Jenna — November 3, 2009 @ 2:37 pm
pasta looks great! hope the apple crisp turns out good
jenna
Megan M. (Bites of the Apple) — November 3, 2009 @ 3:11 pm
MMMM that pasta looks AWESOME. You’ve inspired me to try some differnt combos with pasta other than the standard marinara sauce, even if I don’t have such yummy homemade pasta on hand!
on the rocks — November 3, 2009 @ 4:13 pm
looks delicious! esp with the sausage and spinach addition!
Melissa — November 3, 2009 @ 6:03 pm
I agree. The cookie was yummy and the coffee was horrendous! The pasta looks divine.
Nikka @ HealthfulGirl — November 3, 2009 @ 6:22 pm
That pasta really does look like it was bursting with flavor (and color)! One of those dishes I wish I could reach through the computer screen and grab a bowl for myself, too bad technology can’t keep up w. my daydreams : )
Sarah — November 3, 2009 @ 10:22 pm
How awesome to find locally produced pasta! And another pug mama
Eek, I hate bad coffee…
Cuts and Curves — November 3, 2009 @ 11:58 pm
Your pasta looks amazing! Spinach and pasta go so well together. Good choice