Jeff and I love to cook and to entertain together. It’s one hobby that we both share and we especially like trying new things. 

When my mama was here while I was out of town, Jeff wanted to learn how to make her spaghetti sauce.  She made her sauce for our family and Jeff took detailed notes. Her sauce is like liquid gold and I’ve never done a great job replicating it because I swear as soon as I turn to wash a dish, she turns and sprinkles a little bit of this and that and works her magic. 

Christian has been wanting to have his group of friends over for awhile and Juliana was sharing how she likes how my cousin Shellee hosts a pasta night every week for her kids and their friends.  I’ve been loving that idea too and then just read an article about a family that cooks an informal pasta meal and invites over those who want to participate in a super casual way. The key is no stress and no worry about a clutter free, clean house – everyone just shows up and brings something to share if they want and then we enjoy good old fashioned family time with our friends.

So you know where this is going… I asked Jeff if he wanted to cook my mom’s sauce together and host a pasta night and he agreed!  The plans were set and I got excited to try something new and sent out invites via text right away.

I shopped today for the sausages and meat to make meatballs.  After we all came home from our various appointments and had our family dinner, we cleared out the kitchen and had a date at home, cooking together side by side. Did I tell you how much I love this? 

I loved that Jeff wanted to cook my mom’s recipe and I loved seeing his handwritten notes. I loved that we spent time together on a “school” night, chopping and rolling and measuring and mixing and stirring. I loved that Juliana got a kick out of us living it up in the kitchen too.

 
Christian came out of his room to say how good the sauce smelled and that the smell reached his room. 

   
   I wish you could smell my house right now.  It smells so good, just like my mama’s house. 

Do you have a weekly family meal that you share?  When I was growing up we had pasta on Wednesdays and Sundays. I loved this tradition. 

Life is good.

xo Adriana