Tag: cooking
What Are You Doing For Mother’s Day?
This picture is from my front yard of a clematis flower growing under a huge gum tree. I am extremely proud of since it took forever to grow. Our front yard is dominated by the big tree and for a very long time nothing thrived including the tree. After finding out the tree was healthy, I decided to take a risk and start planting lots of hardy plants around it. Always admiring my neighbor’s beautiful clematis plant, I decided to plant a few bulbs. Last year I saw some green shoots coming out but that was it- nothing else. I was a bit disappointed…
Finally, a few weeks ago I started to notice the clematis plant full of leaves and buds- and then a few days ago I noticed this beautiful flower. It was extremely satisfying knowing all the hard work payed off- finally, after such a long time.
Why am I telling you all of this- well my experience reminded me of Mother’s day. Since I got into gardening and actually started enjoying it- I like to be outside on Mother’s Day (weather permitting) and get some gardening done. Last year I did my window boxes- my husband installed them for me and we all planted beautiful, colorful flowers as well as some vines. It was very nice to do something I enjoy.
I guess that is my point in all of this. For all the Moms out there- try taking some time out on Sunday and do something you enjoy- whether it is by yourself or with the family.
When I first moved to the US, I remember thinking – wow, what is Mother’s Day? I saw all the stores filled with gifts, etc and wondered what it was all about- since then, the holiday is celebrated almost all over the world. I still feel it is a holiday made up by retailers, forcing all of us to buy things we really don’t need.
Once I became a Mother, I saw the day a bit more different but I still think it is all about stuff. Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy getting something fabulous. Most of all I enjoy getting the handmade gifts my daughter brings home from school including the elaborate cards. I cherish and save them. I think the day should be spent thinking about what makes you happy and how you can carve out time from your busy day, or week to do a bit of it. In my case, I get to do it everyday- I cook, eat and write about food. As far as I am concerned, it doesn’t get any better than that. So, I will cook and do some gardening on Sunday. The way I look at it- no one is going to take care of you the way you do- so, go ahead and do it. It is important for you to be happy and fulfilled. Take advantage of whatever time you have now and enjoy!!!
Happy Mother’s Day to all of you. I hope everyone has a delicious day- I plan to!
So, what are YOU doing for Mother’s Day???
Wrapping Up The Last Decade… and A Big Thank You!
As I write this, it’s very surprising a decade has passed- so quickly. Somehow time seems to pass much faster as I get older. I was thinking of writing a final post for 2009 and I realized that it would be the last one for the decade.
Lots of things to be thankful of- I have been quite busy bringing up our beautiful daughter. I can’t think of a lot of other things that happened in this past decade. I am sure lots did, but somehow it all seems like a blur. Everyone is healthy and happy- thank God.
Oh, one thing that stands out in my mind is our big kitchen renovation two years ago. It started May of 2007 and continued for about 6 months. We were without a kitchen for about 3 months. I managed with a hot plate and a fridge in my living room. The food was obviously not the focus at that time but thanks to a few good friends, we got some yummy food delivered to us. By the time everything was done, we were thoroughly sick of eating out (never thought I would say that)- and then the big reveal- I saw my beautiful kitchen with the extended area including a dining room, sitting room, mud room, guest room and a bathroom. I was beyond thrilled- even now when I come down in the morning, I look around and marvel at the space and all the colors. It makes me extremely happy. My stove, fridge and sink thrill me. I love looking at them and of course using them.
Once the kitchen finished end of 2007, I began thinking of using my kitchen to teach cooking classes. I started in Fall 2008. End of that year, I changed my static website to a blog and decided to post a recipe everyday through the week- I guess the point was to give people ideas what to cook.
Well, what started as an experiment has become a part of my life. As I cook anything, I am thinking how to post it on this blog. The blog has lead to many interesting things, including writing for the New York Times, The Local and AOL’s, The Patch. I never thought I would enjoy writing so much.. and I never thought people would enjoy my recipes so much.
This is my way of thanking all of you for reading, commenting on and most of all cooking my recipes. It is the best feeling in the world when someone emails me or stops me in Maplewood village to tell me how they cooked at home instead of going out and how easy it was to follow a recipe on my blog.
So, here is to a new year filled with delicious, healthy recipes from my side and lots of comments and cooking from yours!!
Off To Umbria Next Week
I have been planning our trip to Umbria for 6 months now- it’s coming up- we leave on Friday, August 28th. It took me a while to convince my husband to go back to Italy. He wanted to go somewhere new- but I feel a special connection to Italy. Not sure if it’s the food, wine or the good looking, well dressed people. Oh- yes the gelato helps as well- and the cappuccino- the best I have ever had! We were there almost ten years ago- and I have been wanting to go back for ever. Now that it is almost here, I am excited and sad at the same time. I love booking a vacation months in advance so I can think and anticipate the trip-that is my favorite part. The trip itself goes so fast and the anticipation is much sweeter.
I am very excited about learning how to cook a few local umbrian dishes from an Italian woman who does not speak any English- and I don’t speak any Italian- this should be very interesting. We will go to the market to buy the ingredients and then come back to the apartment and cook a complete dinner. Did I mention we will be staying in an apartment in a small medieval town, Spello. Spello has tiny cobblestone streets and is known for it’s olive oil, truffles and pottery- I am in heaven!
My plan is to blog from Spello documenting my eating and drinking adventures- I will not be emailing my usual recipes next week. I am looking forward to learning lots of new techniques and recipes to share with all of you while I am there and once I get back.
Enjoy the rest of the summer!