Category Archives: food

Be Giving

Posted in belovers, connection, Cooking, food, Friends, Gratitude, simple living, work life balance, working mom by

“Be giving, forgiving, compassionate and loving.”

You gotta love a cup of tea that comes with an inspirational message.

Julie gave me this fun mug for my birthday and when I drink from it I think of her and smile. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. I brought her with me to work and it was like having my friend with me.

Speaking of my giving and loving friend, today she sent in a healthy breakfast for our bright and early team meeting. What a sweet and caring surprise. I love her and the breakfast parfait was quite a treat too. I am so lucky!

I am surrounded by giving and loving friends and family and they sure make life sweet. Last night Pat baked three different types of cookies for our PEO meeting to share with all of us. And today Sam took me out to lunch because he thought I needed to get out of the office. I want to be like them when I grow up! Or maybe I am practicing being like them, while I grow up.

Tonight Juliana and I baked Snickerdoodle cookies to share and give away. As she was packing up some up to take with her to share with her friend, she said that I had rubbed off on her. I smiled. Today was good.

Life. Full circle. Karma. Connection. Thankful.

I am content and can’t wait to share cookies and tea again tomorrow.

Namaste BeLoveRs.

xo

Happy New Year 2018

Posted in belovers, connection, family, food, happily ever after, intention, joy, simple living, work life balance, working mom by

Hello BeLoveRs…how have you been?I’ve been feeling a strong desire to write again and I hope the feeling lasts.It’s been two and a half years since I changed my path and began working from home in a paid position and chose to slow down sharing my written story. This morning there was a quote shared by Gretchen Rubin that connected to my afternoon yesterday that inspired me to write today.“Who will free me from hurry, flurry, the feeling of a crowd pushing behind me, of being hustled and crushed? How can I regain even for a minute the feeling of ample leisure I had during my early, my creative years? Then I seldom felt fussed, or hurried. There was time for work, for play, for love, the confidence that if a task was not done at the appointed time, I easily could fit it into another hour. I used to take leisure for granted, as I did time itself.”

– Bernard Berenson, Sunset and Twilight, from the Diaries of 1947-1958Yesterday I lived. I worked. I helped. I danced. I served. I played. I felt content and uncomfortable and smiled and wanted to capture the moment and to remember to do it again. The feeling of being unrushed. The feeling of creating space to let in the unknown and unplanned was liberating. We followed his agenda to go to the new grocery and he lead the way. There was wine tasting when we walked in and samples of drizzled popcorn and mandarin orange slices. We played with the chilling station to see how it worked. We picked out steaks for dinner that he chose and potatoes for baking that he also thought were a good idea. We bought a crab because we didn’t know what to do with a crab and I want to learn something new related to cooking every week. The butcher cracked it open for us and wrapped it up and found us in the store to give it to us when it was ready. We looked at all the different types of teas and marveled at the salt and pepper grinders. It was a joyful experience. We rarely go shopping together anymore and I loved experiencing the simple shopping outing with him.When we got home, Charlie and I danced in the kitchen as he kept repeating a song verse all afternoon that was driving me a bit crazy. The verse went with a song and dance he learned at school. It all makes sense.So as you go through living your day today, I wish you the freedom to be and to enjoy the moments as they are and to see and feel them whatever they may be.Namaste.

The Little Things

Posted in connection, Cooking, family, food, Gratitude, happily ever after, intention, Love, motherhood, simple living, Uncategorized, work life balance, working mom by

I’ve missed writing and think about it often, wondering what I would write if I chose to write each night I think about writing but don’t actually begin.

I’ve enjoyed the gift of time from not writing and also miss the days of continuity and focusing on what went well each day when I was writing. That yin and yang thing is always present and there are trade offs, aren’t there?

The little thing that caught my attention today was making the kids’ lunches again. I used to make their lunches, then Jeff made their lunches, and then they made their lunches, you know, practicing growing up and being responsible for taking care of themselves.  When we had our Japanese exchange student with us earlier this month, I was making breakfasts, lunches and dinners for everyone, including my BIG kids. After Kohei left, I kinda carried on and continued making lunches, gave up breakfasts and still make dinners. I realized I actually love making their lunches and the connection this creates, providing for them this way. I love that it makes them happy and takes a little bit of the burden away from their busy mornings, even if they could do it for themselves.  I love when Juliana texts me during the day to say how much she enjoyed what was prepared for her, or shares her gratitude and a moment of thought, connection, love.

I love the little things.IMG_8436 2

Happy Hour

Posted in Cooking, family, food, happily ever after, Happiness, intention, joy, Uncategorized by

It’s 5:00ish here – it’s happy hour!  Are you feeling happy?

How was your day?   I have a little break between work and play and wanted to check in as I was thinking of it being 5:00 and it being happy hour, even when I was home cooking and cleaning.  It made me think of our definition of happy hour and how often we celebrate “it.”

We can and should celebrate happy hour every day, and it doesn’t just have to be at 5:00 with a drink in your hand.

Maybe your happy hour is when you first wake up in the morning and the house is still quiet.

I think I’ve had several happy hours today.  Mine started when Jeff brought me a cup of coffee while I was still in bed. This ritual makes me really happy. My cat wanted to sit with me and stay warm and who was I to deny him his happiness? I am a giver like that, and just had to stay a few minutes longer.

Maybe your happy hour is when you’re running or working out.  I didn’t choose to spend a happy hour working out today, although I thought about it.  I got in the groove of work and just kept going. Some days are like that.

I actually really love working, and most of the hours are happily spent doing what I’m doing, feeling creative, solving problems and helping others.  Do you enjoy your daily work? I think if we are going to be spending several hours a day working, that we should be enjoying this part of our journey too.

What about after work? What do you love?

Today I enjoyed being prepared to make a recipe that I had chosen this weekend and got to use the grill. I don’t know why this made me happy, but I think it’s because it intimidates me a little and makes me uncomfortable.  After using the grill and making sure the patties were each at 160 degrees, without a flame or burn, I felt strangely proud and like I conquered the all powerful grill. I am happy that I have a meal ready for everyone when they come home from their long days. Feeding my family makes me incredibly happy.  Such a basic need, and one that I truly love.


And now, this happy (partial ) hour of connecting and writing is done… I have more to do, to create more happily ever moments before the day is done.

Join me by enjoying whatever you choose to do next and we’ll celebrate happy hour together!

Cheers!

Adriana

 

 

 

 

 

 

Call Your Friends

Posted in best friends, connection, Cooking, food, Friends, Gratitude, happily ever after, Happiness, intention, joy, parenting, positive living, simple living, Uncategorized, work life balance, working mom by

I picked up the phone today and called a friend. She didn’t answer and usually I would hang up, but today I left a message and I Am happy that I did.

I told her that I would be near her house this afternoon and would love to drop by and see her, if her schedule was open at all. Lucky for me, she noticed that I called, checked her message and called me back, right as I was getting ready to go out again and we were able to connect.

She invited Jeff and I to her house and we enjoyed an hour or so together, chit chatting and catching up right at dinner time and before her PTA meeting and between our kids’ soccer practice and polo matches. While we were talking, she whipped up fish tacos for her family and insisted that we eat with her and that she had plenty.

I can’t tell you (well, actually I guess I am sharing right now) how cool this moment was. This was living happily ever after right now, and saying yes, and not being too busy, or too tired or too anything (even though we are). We showed up, sat around the table and enjoyed each other’s company in the middle of the day on a Tuesday. I loved this, can you tell?

Thank you Susanne! You made my day. 

If you’re thinking of a friend, try calling them. They just might make your day and dinner. xoxo

P.S. Thank you Charlie for inspiring me to write tonight and asking me what made me happy today.

Day 64: Summer

Posted in best friends, food, Friends, Gratitude, happily ever after, simple living, Staycation, work life balance by

I think I’m ready to slow down my writing again as I wrap up summer this week. Maybe tomorrow will be a good day to stop, on day 65. Maybe after day 65 of summer and before we start school again would be a good time to transition. That’s what I’m thinking today. The last time I attempted to stop writing, I kept on going. We’ll see…


Today I enjoyed my BFFs at Testarossa winery for a picnic. It was so much fun to have some downtime and some girl time together today.

Life is good.

Day 61: Summer

Posted in family, food, Gratitude, happily ever after, Happiness, intention, joy, Mindfulness, motherhood, parenting, positive living, simple living, spark joy, work life balance, working mom by

A week from today, the kids will be back in school. Summer is winding down. While I’ve mostly enjoyed the unstructured afternoons, I’m looking forward to a more normal and expected schedule that the school year provides for our family. As I practice living in the moment and being thankful for what is, here are three events that filled me with joy today. 

I enjoyed a lunch break with Jeff and Juliana between our work schedules. We chose to get falafels and schwarma wraps for lunch and it was all delicious. We wondered if my parents might like this food and wanted to share it with them when they come to visit soon. 

After work, Jeff and I enjoyed going for a walk and doing a kettle bell workout together. 

As we waited for the rice to finish cooking as part of our dinner, Jeff and I sat on our comfy outdoor couch with a drink and listened to the water fountain, while we relaxed and chatted about parenting teens. We are growing up!

What three things brought you joy today? 

Day 56: Summer

Posted in family, food, Friends, Happiness, Uncategorized, work life balance by

How often do you try something new? 

Tonight I tried grilled teriyaki squid and even though it looked intimidating and weird, it was chewy and delicious!


We enjoyed a potluck at our pool club with friends and noticed that the weather is beginning to cool down. Fall feels like it might be coming early.

Have a great weekend!

Day 50: Summer

Posted in connection, Cooking, exercise, family, food, Friends, Gratitude, happily ever after, Happiness, one love, positive living, simple living, work life balance by

Today was much better than yesterday. And it’s day 50 of my summer staycation. I still woke up very early, and Charlie was up early too, so I just snuggled with him on the couch while the morning was still and everyone else was still asleep. It was nice to do “nothing” together.

After having coffee and reading the paper, I prepped the ingredients to make fresh spring rolls for this evening, which took more than 2 hours. After straightening up the house and decluttering, including washing all the dishes, I squeezed in a quick workout before showering and preparing for my lunch date.

Juliana invited her friend and her mom over for a double date with us. We served fresh fruit and baby carrots, and made grilled paninis, while they brought cookies and chips to share. Afterwards, we went to get luxurious pedicures together that felt so good!  I loved the girl time together.

We got home in time to relax for a bit. Actually, Charlie asked Juliana to bake him a strawberry cake and she was busy making the frosting while I relaxed. There is a perk to having big kids!  I loved that she did this for him.

Soon after we progressed on to the first stop of our progressive dinner. We enjoyed potstickers and sushi, shrimp chips, fruit and rice balls. 

It felt really strange to show up empty handed. Everything was amazing!

After an hour we progressed to the next house, where we enjoyed an Hawaiian theme, with pulled pork sandwiches, mango coleslaw, and pineapple.  Everything was so good and I was having such a great time, that I forgot to take a picture before we progressed to our house for the 3rd stop.


We made fresh spring rolls with dipping sauces. By the time we got to our house, we were all so full and we still had to save room for homemade strawberry birthday cake.  

I was happy being organized and prepared early this morning, getting all my work done, to be able to enjoy the entire rest of the day and night. I guess that’s a bonus to waking up early. It was another fun day to be on a staycation.

I hope you’re enjoying your end of the week.

hugs