Slow Food

Posted in Uncategorized by adrianahartley

In the spirit of slowing down (which is very challenging for me), my family has out voted me and we decided to stay home and relax again.

My husband has taken up a new hobby that is requiring us to stay home, so this is good I think. He loves to BBQ meats and to smoke them too. This week he took up an even slower process of cooking meats, called Sous-Vide which is French for “under vacuum.” Basically you season and vacuum seal your meat of choice and then stick them in a large pot filled with hot water. Then you manage the temperature of the water and cook the meat for longer than normal cooking hours at an accurately regulated temperature that maintains the moisture levels of the meat. This is done by using a sous vide immersion circulator that maintains the flow and temperature of the water.

Jeff had fun researching this new method and coming up with a marinade for the pork shoulder we purchased. Juliana and I helped him by vacuum sealing the bags and before we went to bed last night, we started cooking our dinner for tonight. It took 20 hours for the meat to perfectly cook.

Jeff took the cooked pieces and placed them on the smoker for just minutes to transfer the smoked flavoring as the finishing touches to the meat.

When it was done, no forks were necessary to shred the pork because it was that moist and tender.

I had fun watching him enjoy this new project and seeing his joy as he tasted his creation. I loved that he was so happy. We all enjoyed the benefits from his new hobby and the delicious dinner he prepared for us.

Life is good.

19Sep2014

Domestic Goddess Taxi Driver

Posted in Uncategorized by adrianahartley

Sometimes my life must sound so glamorous. Haha! Just kidding, but it’s really not. I truly try to make the most of every day and to fit so many things in before I crash onto my pillow at night. I rise at 6:15 am and begin working right away – decluttering and starting laundry and the dishwasher and helping with breakfast and lunches before heading out at 7:15 am with drop offs, unless Jeff does the drop offs and I get to continue cleaning!

I wanted to share what the second half of my day looked like, after cleaning toilets and bedrooms and shopping at Costco. Oh, and being present to see my son’s speech as he was running for President of his school today and WON!!

This was definitely the highlight of my day. Congratulations Charlie and to all his friends who were so brave and prepared such great posters and speeches and took the risk to stand in front of their classmates to share their stories, hopes and dreams to become future council members. They were truly amazing and talented fifth graders! I am so proud of them.

So back to the second half of my day… I am basically a taxi driver with 15 minute – 45 minute gaps in between my driving hours from 2:30 pm until 8:30 pm. Here’s what today looked like, however Jeff was working locally today and was able to help me with our shuttle service.

2:30 Pick up Juliana from school

3:00 Pick up Christian from school

4:00 Drop off Christian to practice

5:00 Drop off Charlie to practice

6:00 Drop off Juliana to practice

6:30 Pick up Charlie from practice

7:00 Pick you Christian from practice

8:00 Pick up Juliana from practice.

Isn’t that so glamorous? Just kiddin’ But I did enjoy feeling the sunset on my face as I waited in the car and seeing the huge, red sun setting as we drove home after Christian’s practice.

Life is good!

I hope your domestic life is beautiful. Have a great weekend, my BeLoveRs. xo

18Sep2014

Baby Steps and Letting Go

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I’m listening Wise Ones. I’m enjoying the moments and practicing being present even when I’m so done paying attention to the ever demanding little one, knowing that I don’t have them forever. I’ve enjoyed endless snuggles this week. So thank you for sharing your sage advice.

Facebook and email and laundry can wait.

My baby is now riding his bike to school. I stand outside and watch him go, praying that he’ll be safe without me guiding and protecting him. I hope I’ve taught this proud one well.

I'm not ready but he is and I support him and wave goodbye every morning and give him a big kiss.

Baby steps. Letting the leash out a little more and transferring responsibility. Letting go. Aaawwwwweee!

How have you experienced letting go? I wish you well.

17Sep2014

Shake It Off

Posted in Uncategorized by adrianahartley

I fell today.

It totally shocked me, as one of my biggest fears is falling.

I was busy cooking in the kitchen, and doing 6 things at once, when I noticed the pizza appetizer was ready. I turned quickly to turn the oven off, and one of the overstuffed and heavy, lower drawers had opened on it’s own, as it often does when not closed properly. It hit my ankles, right at the right level as to give me a karate chop and made me lose my balance. I tried to move away, backwards and the drawer hung on to my legs and opened further, making me tumble and fall. I didn’t want to fall on top of the drawer and break it, so I think I jumped up and fell even harder on my wrist, hip and bottom. Ugh.

Did I mention I hate falling? Luckily I didn’t hit my head on the hard tile, but I think I knocked the door on the oven. I have a small kitchen and there isn’t that much space to fall gracefully. Ugh.

I am ok. I am sore, and embarrassed and mad at myself and sad too. I wanted to cry, but I think I was in shock and just laid on the floor for a minute to make sure nothing was broken. And then I got up and said I was ok. I wanted to believe I was ok, so I just said I was and I thought I was so that hopefully I really was ok, but I am definitely sore and bruised, including my ego.

I had several errands to run, and my daughter told me to shake it off, and to not be mad, that accidents happen. In that moment, she was me. My words were coming out of her mouth. As we were driving her to her event, and I complained of the aches and pains, she was busy fumbling through the middle console, looking for my medicine bag at the same time I was getting ready to say that I needed something for the pain. She was thinking for me. I loved that. I have another life partner and I thanked her for her thoughtfulness and for being so caring and understanding. I love her. I love that she’s growing up and is so kind and took care of me and my pain without me even asking. I am lucky.

I took her advice and shook it off. Hopefully tomorrow the pain will be gone. There’s always something good in every situation and you just have to shake off the bad stuff and celebrate the good.

Slow down BeLovers. Be safe and take good care of yourselves. And if for some reason you fall, or something else falls, just shake it off.

16Sep2014

Happy Wife, Happy Life

Posted in Uncategorized by adrianahartley

Do you agree with this statement?

I definitely believe this to be true.

Tonight I sat down to fold the laundry during the evening news and caught the tale end, just in time for the special report sharing the scientific secret to a happy marriage.

Guess what the answer was?

Yep – scientific research proves that a happy wife, leads to a happy life.

Here’s the link to the research from Rutgers University in Michigan, so you can see it for yourself. Happy Wife, Happy Life Research

I was so excited for my husband to come home to share with him the good news! He laughed with me, and then asked what’s the secret to making a wife happy. He’s always full of good questions.

Happy Wife, Happy Life!

Here are some of my ideas of what helps a woman to feel happy in her marriage:

1. A sense of self.

2. A partner who appreciates her role in the family and marriage and the tasks she does, whether she works in the home or outside the home.

3. Time spent doing what she loves, whatever that may be, without feeling guilty for choosing to take care of herself.

4. Exercise. Staying fit and healthy and having stress relief through fitness.

5. Quiet time. Time to read or meditate and focus.

6. Time to be just herself and not wife, or mother, but just herself.

7. Time with her partner, such as date night, or time to drink coffee together, walk together, or eat together.

8. Being loved and being touched, hugged, or kissed, without any expectations.

9. A sense of humor.

10. Understanding each other’s roles and appreciating each other’s contributions to the family.

11. A loving partner to her/their children.

12. A partner who cares about himself and takes care of himself too.

13. Immediate forgiveness and no holding grudges over grievances. Let go as quickly as possible to preserve the love.

14. Reciprocity. Taking care of each other and both giving 100%.

I’m sure there are a gazillion other best practices, but these are a few of my favorites. What are yours? What makes for a happy marriage or relationship? Whatever you think defines it, do the work!! It’s worth it.

I wish you a happy life!!

xo Adriana

15Sep2014

What Do You Wish For?

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I was wishing for a beach house but I think I changed my mind, as of yesterday, believe it or not, for several reasons.

I used to wish to move back to Thousand Oaks, but I don’t wish for that anymore either.

I used to wish to go on The Price is Right, but that no longer is high on my wish list. It would be fun, but I’m not longing or aching to be on the show.

I always wanted to be in the same room with Oprah, and that wish will come true in a couple months! I’m very excited. I love her and her energy and wisdom.

I always wished to be a stay at home mom and I’m currently happily living that dream.

I wonder what you wish for and what you’ve wished for and if you’ve been lucky and /or done the work to achieve your dreams.

I dream that my entire extended family and BFFs and their families all lived in the same village somewhere so that we could all look out for one another, share meals and celebrations and laughs, and take care of each other every day. I think this would make me very happy.

I believe that the grass is greener where you water it, and that it’s not necessarily greener on the other side.

I will continue to enjoy my little family and friends and neighbors and community right where I am.

So what wishes will you water?

Namaste, BeLovers.
xo

14Sep2014

Sunday with Friends

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I’ve declared Sunday family days, where we try to not schedule anything and to celebrate a day of rest. That is, until friends decide to celebrate life and I have to go with the flow.

Today was such a day. Kelly turned 50 and her friends chose to celebrate today and who was I to say no?

We spent the day up in San Francisco on a gorgeous day. We drove up in two cars and parked along the Embarcadero and the water. We had a delicious and healthy lunch at the Plant on Pier 3. We all enjoyed our time together, sharing conversation and mimosas and wonderful food. Afterwards, we walked along the Embarcadero and through the Ferry Building and along the water. The sun was shining and there wasn’t any wind, so we were all warm and comfortable.

I tried a Blue Bottle Coffee for the first time and enjoyed every sip of the rich, creamy cafe latte.

I loved that we all took the time to enjoy each other’s company and to celebrate our dear friend. Becky was awesome and decorated the cars and brought party favors and bubbles for all the guests.

I have the best of friends and am so thankful for the women in my life. I learned so much and admired all the women and their life choices and hearing about what they are doing and where they are going. Some moms are working, some are looking for work and some are stay at home moms. Some have advanced degrees, some are teachers and one is doctor. And everyone took the time to celebrate our friend and each other. The laundry can wait.

I am thankful and happy to have such cool women in my life and a supportive family that says, “Yes, go and play with your friends and have a good time.” I got home in time to spend time together with my family too, with a delicious BBQ on our outdoor patio. Life is balanced.

Life is good.

Circle of friends

13Sep2014

United We Stand

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The score was 35-0. Stanford beat Army on a gorgeous, summer day with a slight breeze flowing through the stadium. The students aren’t back in school yet so the crowd was sparse.

We enjoyed a mini-tailgate with friends and our family, after a morning of soccer games, and got to enjoy more friends once we got inside the stadium.

My favorite parts of the game were the beginning and the end. At the beginning of the game, Stanford cheerleaders and armed service personnel held and waved a giant flag while the Stanford band performed on the field.

Nearby the Boy Scouts of America stood at attention in their uniforms as the National Anthem played.

At the end of the game, Stanford ran off the field, following Army to their fan and band area to sing Army’s Alma Mater together.

When the song was over, Army followed Stanford to their fan and band area and stood together, singing Stanford’s Alma Mater. This was very touching.

United we stand.

Life is good.

12Sep2014

TGIF – Carmel

Posted in Uncategorized by adrianahartley

Today I got to have a mini-vacation.

Suzi and I drove to Carmel to visit our BFF, Michele. She moved away this summer and we miss her so much. Luckily she still lives within driving distance so we can still see each other, even though we can’t go on our weekly hikes and BMWs.

Carmel is about an 1 1/2 hour drive from Silicon Valley and is a dream destination. After we dropped the kids off at school, we began the reverse commute to see our friend.

Suzi and I enjoyed the beautiful drive and chat along the way, while anticipating our arrival. We were so happy to see our friend again.

We made the best of our time by going on a 6 mile hike in a new place, just like we used to do.

I loved every minute of it.

I was so bummed when we had to leave.

We enjoyed walking through the hills, taking in the sites and nature and animals, and enjoyed a small lunch together out in M’s backyard before heading back over the hill again. We didn’t want to leave!!

We miss her so much!

Life is good. So glad that we took the time to play and to enjoy the moment. Laundry can wait. Go outside and play, my BeLovers!! xoxo

11Sep2014

Hello BeLovers!

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Be.

Love.

Be Love.

Be Loved.

Today one of my 305 blog followers and favorite commenters (Kris) commented on my blog and described herself as one of my “bloggies.” I was just thinking about how thankful I am that you read my blog and that some of you read it every day. You follow along with me, sometimes sharing comments, sometimes liking what I write either publicly or privately, and sometimes just silently reading, but you visit and come back again and again and I love it.

One blogger I follow has hundreds of thousands of followers and she calls us followers, her Monkees. We are part of her Monkee community and it’s just an endearing word to group us together.

I thought more about rock stars and their followers and several of their fan clubs have names. For example,

Justin Bieber has Beliebers.

Lady Gaga has Little Monsters.

Katy Perry has KatyCats.

Taylor Swift has Swifties.

I wanted to come up with a name for my followers too, not that I’m a rock star and have a big following, but 300+ is big for me. I want to call you BeLovers – which connects to Here I am by just BEing You. Just Be. Be Love. Be Loved. Be Loving. Be a Lover of all that is good. BeLovers.

What do you think? Is that corny? Cute? Stick with it or find another bloggies name? Help me out BeLovers!! xoxo