The official McIntyre springtime dinner

Living in the midwest, I feel like there's always a few days in April when the temps hit near (or above!) 80 outside, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and buds are on the trees, that I trick myself into believing that we've just casually slid into an easy and warm spring. I put away boots and hats, I get my outdoor veggie planter boxes ready, and I stock up on sunscreen (if you saw my pale children, you'd understand). And then, as karma always wins, there's one final snowstorm of the season, as if Mother Nature is laughing at me for believing her shit once again.

That being said, when the early spring forecast calls for that very first WARM day, the McIntyre family follows strict tradition - white wine instead of red, dinner on the back deck instead of inside at the kitchen table, and lemon basil pasta with grilled chicken. It's too easy to make (I know the recipe by heart), hubby grills the chicken while I make the pasta, and our kids all devour it. The sauce is a light creamy/cheesy sauce with just a bit of tang from the fresh lemons, and the basil (ahh, the basil) adds that burst of freshness that I'd been craving all winter long.