Sunday Dinner...Italian Style

Growing up Sunday Dinners were often the highlight of the week for our family. Big dinners with immediate family and lots of times extended family were the norm. We ate early (between 2 and 3) and then if you were hungry later you had a "snack." 99.9% of our Sunday dinners were Italian Food. I guess you would say it was a tradition to eat pasta on Sunday's (Thurday's too) at our house...and most of our family did the same. The smells were delicious, the conversation crossing over as many as 4 generations and you always hated to see the day come to an end. I learned to cook just watching my mom, grandparents and my Great Aunt's prepare the meals. Joe's family had the same tradition and when we married we stuck with it. I can't say we do it 99.9% of the time anymore, mostly because life is busier and here in the South the summers are hotter and we do grill a lot in the summer. However for sure 99.9% of the time when we are home and it is not excessively hot we do Sunday Dinner, Italian Style.

Here are a few shots from yesterday's dinner.




Penne Pasta, Chicken Parm, Baked Ziti, Meatballs (with or without sauce) and garlic bread

Small version of our extended family. Nana, Amber, Joe, Alex, Danielle, Joseph & Colleen

Bella was so very hungry that she had to have a small snack waiting for dinner - that's why she is not in the group shot.

MANGIA (Monja) - Let's Eat!!!

Extremely thoughtful gifts

I love, love, love to give meaningful and thoughtful gifts...I always have...I often wish I had more opportunities to bless people in my life. With that said, I would also rather give than receive. Silly right? But I really do get as much of a gift by giving as my recipient does in receiving.

With all of that said...this past December I received some of the most thoughtful gifts I have ever received for my birthday.

I received a "collaborative" scrap book. This scrap book stays right next to my bed...the pages are filled with letters from my family and friends...many of them contain writings from the children in my life. Mine, nieces, nephews, friends kids, etc. My amazing sister-in-law had this brilliant idea and she then contacted all the very special people in my life and asked them to write. The book was compiled and given to me right on my birthday. I have never, ever, ever received a gift that meant more to me, EVER! When I look at the book I tear up, I cannot believe the words on the pages...what I mean to the writer, what they see as my positive attributes, how I have affected their life. Could there possibly be a better gift? I think not. The youngest person who wrote is 8 and the oldest is my mom, 68. I met the authors at all different points in my life and we are now all intertwined. I will treasure this book for the rest of my life...along with the people who brought it to life.






December was a particularly rough month in my life and on my birthday my friend Nicole gave my 2 crystal+ogy bracelets...they are onyx and the card they were attached to says:

"Channel strength and determination with this alluring stone that also increases resilience and tenacity." Would you think I was crazy if I told you I feel better when I am wearing them? A big part of feeling better is me knowing I have friends that care that much about me.


I love to entertain...love my house to be full of people, families, children. My friend Charyl knows this about me and got me these adorable "food identifier cards." You set them up like little easels and write on them...the best part - they are like dry erase boards and I will be able to use them continuously! I will think of her and her thoughtfulness every time I take them out.



Gram (Charyl's mom) gave me a gift that was strictly for me...brand new comfy pajamas and a book, "The Help" - I love to read and I have not read or seen the movie The Help. And call my old fashioned but I love to have an actual book in my hand - I have no interest in an e-reader just yet.


To go along with the fact that I love to entertain...my friend Lisa gave me two gourmet dips and napkins that actually match the theme of my kitchen!!!

My friend Tina is an amazing "accessorizer" when she gets dressed...she always picks out really pretty or cute & fun pieces...she took the time to pick me out a "hot pink" watch - hopefully Danielle will actually give me the opportunity to wear it sometimes!!!


On top of all of these amazingly thoughtful gifts every card I received just about moved me to tears...none were jokey or funny - they were all filled with beautiful and thoughtful expressions.

As I mentioned earlier I am really dealing with a lot right now in my personal life and the lives of the people I love the most in this world...these gifts put the love and concern my friends have for me right in my face at the perfect time.

Blessed Girl!!!

There is no I in Team....

The definition of "Team" is - a number of persons forming one of the sides in a game or a contest.

We are trying to teach our children that when you are on a team it is not only about you...but rather it is about every member on your team, equally.

With that said we are instilling in our children the commitment that comes along with being on a team. You practice, you cheer your teammates on, you respect your "coach" and any assistants they have and win, lose or draw you are a good sport and always speak positively to your coach, teammates and your competitors.

We also expect this from the members of our children's teams. There is nothing more frustrating than arranging your schedule around practices and events and then having your teammates not show up. I do not mean for illness or death...I am talking about just not coming - think along the lines of an unexcused absence. The parents and kids that are there are being cheated and so are the kids who aren't coming because they are missing out on not only learning the team skills but life skills about commitment. When you commit to a team you have to take that seriously.

It is fine to not want to live by a schedule or to want a variety in life...I am just suggesting you find a "solo" activity to enjoy instead of a "team" activity.

Baby Jesus

No disrespect or mocking intended with my title. My post is about Tim Tebow and my friend Josh always says "that's baby jesus right there."

Before the Denver/Pittsburgh game starts today I wanted to go record saying that win or lose and regardless of what anyone thinks of his football skills, in my opinion, Tim Tebow has used his platform in an amazing way. I believe there are better quarterbacks in the NFL, but I believe more strongly that God is using Tebow to spread His word to people who may not other wise hear it.

I cannot be the only person who while watching him play for the Gators would look up the Bible verse that was on his face that day if I didn't know it already.

Stats aside, Tebow has people talking about God at the watercoolers on their jobs. And while some of these conversations are argumentative, someone, somewhere is hearing something from a believer that may change their entire way of thinking.

Tebow never claims to be the best, he is not boastful, conceited or a showboater. He is humble, he gives thanks and most importantly for me (a mother of two and Aunt of 14) he sets a great example of following God, listening to Him and giving him the glory.

Regardless of the outcome today - Tim Tebow you are a WINNER in my book.

Birthday Gift To Myself

December 30th was my 43rd Birthday. One thing I have always wanted to do was to go to a shelter and serve a meal. Don't ask me how by the age of 43 I hadn't done this...but I hadn't.


Our friends from the East Coast were coming to town for New Year's with their daughter and niece. After all of our plans were in place for their visit Danielle's dance studio (The Dance Company) sent out an e-mail for our December community service looking for volunteers to serve either breakfast or dinner on 12/29 or 12/30. Joe and I are morning people as are our friends...I called them to see if they would be interested in serving with us and they said yes right away. We signed up, 4 adults and 4 kids. One of our favorite families from the studio filled the other slots and we all went to serve together, breakfast on the 30th.


Amazing experience...one that I would love to relive monthly if possible. We served at The Center for Hope (women & childrens shelter) and the ladies and children we served were so, so appreciative, thankful and humble. Standing there and seeing all of them it was clear that everyones story was different...they were at the center due to different circumstances yet they were all in the same place right now.


It reminded me of how blessed our family is and how at any moment anyone of us could find ourselves in circumstances where we would need this type of help. All of our kids were incredible while they were there...carrying trays for older people, helping little kids to their seats or carrying their juice/hot cocoa for them...setting up and cleaning up with full cooperation.


Highlight of the entire morning...leaving the center Little Joe takes my hand, looks up at me and says "Mom, can we please do this on my birthday?" Absolutely son, absolutely.

2012....Slowing my roll

So a lot has happened between my last post and now - probably too much to detail here. I am very focused on "slowing my roll" in 2012 and getting back to a few things that I personally enjoy but have taken a back seat to life's craziness. Writing, Reading, Sharing things I am passionate about, helping young people find their place in the world and spending real quality time with the people I love the most.

Sounds like a lot to add considering I haven't posted anything since May, right? I hope not - I hope it is just a matter of prioritizing and using my time wisely.

My sister who has 4 kids and 2 jobs is back to blogging...she has inspired me...surely I can make this work.