Day 27: Summer

Posted in family, food, Friends, Gratitude, happily ever after, intention, joy, motherhood, moving, parenting, simple living, spark joy, work life balance, working mom by adrianahartley

I write daily to share the little joys of living this one life we’re each given, sharing highlights from my little world, hopefully resulting in a smile, inspiration, and connection for you and me. This is my way to make the world a better place, at least in this cyberspace.

I am sad to hear about the protest in Dallas and the police officers who were killed. I am sad for the black families who lost a loved one and have lost hope of equal treatment. What can I do to make a difference? What can you do to make a difference?

I say hello when I see people and make eye contact, especially with people who don’t look like me. I want to connect to our One Love spirit, even though we might look different to each ther. I want to say, “I see you. I love you.” But that might be weird. I’m not sure what to do, except to be loving, kind, inclusive and friendly.

Today I enjoyed cooking with Jeff and preparing a spaghetti dinner for our friends. The house smelled so good and brought back memories! We enjoyed our friends and were thankful they could join us and for the delicious dessert they brought to share.

Life is good. Be kind. Stay loving. Share.

17May2016

Salud!

Posted in family, food, happily ever after, Happiness, joy, Love, simple living, spark joy by adrianahartley

As I’m practicing what I like to call “adulting,” I am missing my grandparents. I want to know them and to love them and share stories and my kids with them now that I’m an official adult. I keep missing them and our traditions.

I am thankful for my mama who learned how to cook the family recipe and to my husband who meticulously watched and took notes to capture how she made the liquid gold, because she doesn’t follow a recipe. He watched as she cooked and created a Google doc that we could share, find and reuse.

Following the recipe this morning made me think of my mama and our family and the love we’ve shared over spaghetti dinners. I loved the process and the smell in the house and was excited for my family to come home to enjoy it with me. I loved having it cooking on the stove all day, as I worked from home, getting up every so often to give it a stir, sniff and taste.

Everyone came home at different times tonight, and even though we didn’t get to sit together and share a meal at the same time, I got to see their faces and empty bowls and seeing them go back for late night snacks.

Do you have a favorite family meal that brings back good memories?

Salud! To your health!!

Mangia!! Mangia!

nAMaste.

26Jun2012

Day 29: How did you Enjoy Your Family Today?

Posted in Uncategorized by adrianahartley

I’m not busy.

Ya, right. I’m so busy that my head is spinning. I just ate dinner at 10:30 pm – does that say anything? I haven’t checked voicemail and haven’t really read email and just returned a text or two. But that’s not really important.

I could go through the checklist again, but that’s kinda boring and not the point either. Plus – we are all busy – even the 2 year old and the 84 year old. We’re all busy with whatever we’re doing today otherwise we wouldn’t be doing it. So what?

But what I really want to share and think about is how did you enjoy your family today? Did you slow down and if so, how? What did it look like? What did you do together?

You see – my friend suddenly lost her husband at the age of 48 this week and she has asked us to stop and enjoy our family, in honor of her husband. She doesn’t want us to send flowers, but rather an email telling her what we did together. She wants all of us amazing families to spend some time appreciating one another and slowing down to enjoy the ride. I love that! And she is my new mentor because I always have mentors in my life. And sure she is struggling with the biggest challenge of her life, but she’s reaching out to us and asking us to slow down and share our journey with her. Can you believe that?

So I did.

I am.

Here I am.

I called my sister on the way to pick up the boys from camp. I am going to miss our daily chats. The little one made my day with her cheerful voice.

I stopped for ice cream with the boys on the way home from camp at Dairy Belle – CJ’s favorite place since he was little. I had one too because ice cream is good for you.

And at 5 pm tonight, while I was finally washing the dishes from dinner last night, J called from April’s to see if S & J could come over to play. Since I didn’t have to leave for 45 minutes, I said sure, of course, come on over. Once they got here and the kitchen was almost done, they asked if they could make snow cones. (REALLY??) And I said sure, of course. We can make snow cones and clean up in 30 minutes, right? So I was a few minutes late – so what? Check out their faces and smiles!

On my way home from my meeting, I made a call to a friend who shared AMAZING and heartfelt news. I’m so glad I called even though I’m “busy”.

I also called my mama to thank her for the spaghetti sauce that we shared last night and that I was glad she was with me in spirit. And when I finished putting the kids to bed and sorting more baskets, I finally ate dinner: Left overs from my mama – the best comfort food on the planet!! Thanks, Mama.

And thank you for the challenge to enjoy what we have and what we’re doing right now. I’m thinking of you (my mentor) and wishing you peace and grace.

11Jun2012

Day 44: My Mama’s Secret Sauce

Posted in Uncategorized by adrianahartley

Today I am thankful for my mama’s special, homemade, Italian spaghetti sauce with meatballs. When she was visiting last month, she made a big pot for us and froze some to enjoy another day. Today sure was another day and boy was I thankful not only to not have to cook, but also for the comfort food and joy from eating a bowl of her homemade cookin’. It’s so good, that I don’t want the food to end and I practically lick the bowl clean and am sad when it’s all gone. It’s THAT good. And only she can make it taste that way. I’ve tried to copy her recipe but I think she sprinkles something magical in it when I’m not looking and I cannot replicate it.

And to top off the dinner outside on the patio, Jeff opened up a bottle of wine that Tricia gave us when she visited Italy several years ago. It was so delicious and made us think of her. We miss you, Yaya!! The wine was delicious and was a nice end to a hectic day!