Sassy Pasta Salad

Last year on a trip up north I ate a pasta salad with a kick.  I tried to recreate it for our 4th of July family reunion.

disclaimer:
Usually I want to chop one ingredient or less.  This recipe had 4 chopped items.  The hubs chopped 2 (he is awesome).

Ingredients:

Cooked noodles (I made 16 oz and didn't use them all)

4 oz can of chopped black olives

1/2 bottle Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing

also

Make sure the chicken is COOKED before adding it to the salad. 
*You better believe ours is rotisserie!*

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and toss together to coat well.

Two years ago I was making pasta salads with fried chicken.  I think that would be yummy in this salad.

I think this salad is hearty enough to eat as a stand-alone lunch.

Or for me, as one of my hearty "snacks" before bed.  I eat all the time.



A pic of dressing, I know, but I was trying to get all fancy with my picture-taking skills.  Are you impressed??? 

No pics from the actual cookout, but we had a great time and the weather was perfect!  We spread out a sleeping bag to sit on and at one point there were 12 kids gathered around our LL (little lady) to admire her cuteness. 

And here we are, our first 4th as a family!  The camera is propped on our trash can!  We live such glamorous lives!

I know, I know, no red/white/blue combo, right?  Well LL and I wore dresses to stay cool, which was my only concern for the day.

Also, I love how you can't see that my hair is a huge frizz ball in this pic.  YAY for that!

And, for good measure, one more of the LL.

BTW, I do not have to try creative composition for pics of Ali.  I'm just happy if some of her squirming body ends up in the frame!

Hoping you all had a safe and happy fourth!