I’ve finally started to take the Christmas decorations down and in doing so, reflected on what this past Holiday has meant to me.
It was a wonderful Holiday Season, although, at times it seems like a distant memory after getting back into the daily grind. That stretch between Thanksgiving and New Years’ Eve can be pretty hectic, with demands from family, friends, work and last-minute Christmas shopping. But I’m still basking in the glow of this year in particular.
I was truly able to stay present and soak in every moment. My focus, and work, for the last few years has been to stay present everyday. It has been a struggle at times; especially as I’ve faced some of lifes most challenging events over the past 3 years.
This was the year it all came together. Even though life is constantly tossing out curve balls, I’m finally getting it, really getting it; that it’s not about any given situation, but my interpretation of and reaction to that situation.
It has made all the difference in how I feel about life, what I’m doing and most importantly, how I feel about myself. I do have a choice: I can immediately go straight to the negative self-talk and doubt, which only leaves me feeling drained and powerless, or I can turn that negative into a positive.
Needless to say I’m in a pretty good place right now because of my focus on staying present and positive. Sounds easy, it’s not but it is powerful!
From Christmas through New Years (and a little after) I felt the love and warmth of family and friends around me and I reveled in it. Friends that I haven’t seen in a while came from out-of-state, out-of-town and next door. We connected over good food, good drink and lively conversation.
It was … simply wonderful.
I grew up in a large Italian family on my mother’s side, full of love and where everything centered around the Food. It was always about the food.
I have wonderful memories of sitting around my grandmother’s kitchen table, listening to my relatives loudly ‘offer’ their opinions on everything, while Grams effortlessly prepared a simple feast of pasta, meatballs and the most unbelievably moist and delicious chicken.
So this year, I felt like I paid homage to my Italian heritage by keeping my focus on good, simple food while sharing the most precious of commodities: one’s time.
There is nothing more conducive to relaxing to the point where conversation flows and feelings and ideas are expressed openly, than having a simple meal with a glass or two of wine in the comfort of your home (or better yet, around the fire pit).
Christmas day almost hit 70 degrees and clearly we were not going to have a quintessential “White Christmas” but, as the Italians say, when life gives you lemons, make Limoncello!
My mother wondered out loud that morning why I was raking the patio, setting up tables and chairs and gathering wood around the fire pit. I just smiled.
I kept my menu simple leaving me more time to enjoy the party. I made sure most of my Christmas Dinner was prepped the day before, so when my first guests arrived, the Christmas Buffet was already on the table and the rest of the day was mine to share with my family.
As expected, most gathered around the fire. And this is why I love a fire pit; it is simplicity at its best.
There are the primal aspects of fire: heat, food and protection. Throughout history, Fire has kept civilizations thriving forward. But today, gathering around a fire pit in your back yard slows you down in the best way possible. Feeling the warmth on your face as you stare into the dancing flames fosters a connection to those around you.
The flames mesmerize and calm; which is the complete opposite of the effects of staring at an electronic screen, which can raise your blood pressure and lead to more sleepless nights than you may realize.
This year, I experienced a true connection with my family and friends.
What a fabulous start to the New Year!
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It’s About The Food:
To keep things as simple as possible so I could enjoy my company, I concentrated on creating a menu that was simple, delicious and easy to prepare.
Here are a few of my favorite ‘Go-To’ recipes that helped me breeze through a week of entertaining unscathed and will certainly be on the menu when the Patio opens this Spring:
RECIPES:
Baked Ravioli
◆ 42 Oz. Bag of Frozen Cheese Ravioli
◆ 24 Oz. Jar Red Sauce **
◆ 15 Oz. Jar Alfredo Sauce **
◆ 1 Bag Fresh Spinach, stems removed and roughly chopped
◆ 3 Cups shredded Mozzarella
◆ 1/2 Cup grated Parmesan Cheese
◆ 16 Oz. Sweet and/or Hot Italian SausageEVOO, Salt, Fresh Ground Black Pepper
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 13 x 9 in. glass pan.
Heat 1 tsp. Olive oil in large sauce pan over medium heat. Remove casings from sausage, add to hot oil and cook, breaking up the sausage until browned.
Mix the jars of Red Sauce and White Sauce together in a bowl then add to the sausage, simmer 7 -10 minutes.
While the sauce is simmering, heat a large pot of salted water to the boiling point. Add the Ravioli and cook until the Ravioli rises to the top. Remove immediately and drain well.
Return the Ravioli to the pot and add the sauce, blend gently being careful not to breakup the Ravioli.
Spread 1/2 the Ravioli mixture in the glass pan, sprinkle with 1/2 of the Parmesan Cheese, 1/2 of the Mozzarella Cheese and the chopped Spinach.
Top with remaining Ravioli, layer remaining Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese and place covered in oven. Bake for 20 – 30 minutes, remove cover and place under broiler until cheese is browned and bubbly.
Let rest for at least 10 minutes before serving.
** Using store-bought sauces saves time but you can certainly substitute your homemade tomato sauce and Alfredo sauce.
Lasagna Bites
◆ 1 Onion, Finely chopped
◆ 4 Cloves Garlic, minced
◆ 4 cups chopped Fresh Spinach
◆ 1/2 cup tomato paste
◆ 1 28 Oz. Can diced tomatoes
◆ 1/4 cup chopped Fresh Basil, plus whole leaves for garnish
◆ 1 cup whole milk Ricotta
◆ 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
◆ 2 cups shredded Mozzarella
◆ 2 Cups Chopped Fresh Spinach
◆ 1 Pkg. Won Ton Wrappers (48)
◆ EVOO, Salt, Fresh Ground Pepper
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Heat 1 tbsp Olive Oil in skillet over medium heat.Sauté onion in skillet until soft, add garlic and salt and pepper to taste, cook until soft and fragrant.
Add diced tomatoes, Tomato paste, 1/4 cup chopped Basil, salt and pepper to taste, stir and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat.
Make the Cheese Filling:
Mix Ricotta, Parmesan cheese, 1 cup Mozzarella, chopped spinach and salt & pepper to tasteSpray a Mini-Muffin pan (24 muffins) with a butter non-stick spray. Line each cup of a mini muffin pan with one Won Ton Wrapper.
Scoop into each cup one tsp of tomato sauce, a heaping teaspoon of cheese filling and another tsp of tomato sauce, top with a pinch of the left over Mozzarella.
Pop the tray into the oven and bake for 10 – 20 minutes, check the progress at 10 minutes to see where you’re at and when browned on top remove from oven.
Top each cup with a fresh basil leaf.
Fresh Tomato & Herbed Ricotta Bruschetta
◆ Cheese Spread:
– 3/4 cup Ricotta Cheese
– 2 tbsp finely chopped chives
– 1 tsp freshly grated lemon zest
– 1 tbsp freshly chopped Italian Parsley
– 1 tsp freshly chopped Basil
– 1/4 Cup finely chopped Spinach
Salt, Fresh ground Pepper to tasteMix together thoroughly in a small bowl.
◆ 1 Tbsp finely chopped Chives
◆ 1 pint Cherry Tomatoes
◆ 1-2 Cloves Garlic
◆ 1 Baguette French Bread, cut into 1/2 inch slices
◆ Olive Oil, Salt & Pepper to Taste
◆ Fresh Basil leavesSmall dice cherry tomatoes and drain on paper towels. Mix tomatoes with chives, salt and pepper to taste.
Spread bread slices on baking sheet and toast in oven at 400 degrees until browned, remove from oven. Once cooled enough to handle, rub a garlic clove across each bread slice. Spread a teaspoon of cheese mixture on each Baguette slice and top with a dollop of tomato mixture.
Top each slice with a Basil Leaf