Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all my friends and family.  My family convinced me that I needed to look at the bright side of things and to look forward to 2011.  I made myself get out of bed yesterday and be productive. My brother and his family came over to spend New Years Eve with us.  We wanted to spend a quiet evening at home and I prepared an Italian feast for dinner. My mother would be so proud. She is the best cook of Italian food. I grew up eating all delicious pastas and Mediterranean meat dishes.

I covered the entire District of Columbia looking for the key ingredients for my NYE meal: Panchetta, Prosciutto, Branzino Fish, the perfect baguette.  You can see the finish product from the picture below:

This was the Antipasto. Prosciutto, Roma tomatoes, mozzarella, baguette, panchetta, and fresh basil. Delish!.

This is Branzino Fish with Fennel, Panchetta, Lemon, Thyme, and other spices. It was actually pretty good and light. Mom would be so proud.

Side was Smashed Potatoes with a vinaigrette and spices.  So yummie

Dessert was Lemon Meringue Pie (two of them because Danja also made one), brownies, and chocolate chip cookies. Sugar Coma.

I also made this yummie Shrimp Bisque..  All was made from scratch. I wasnt kidding about the cooking thing. It really kept me busy and it felt good to create something and make it look so pretty. I should really have dinner parties, but not many people visit me these days. On that topic, a dear friend suffering from cancer sent a very nice email today. Some of the content I will post below:

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.  

When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.

When someone in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.  They come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.  They may seem like a godsend and they are.

They are there for the reason you need them to be.  Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.  Sometimes they die.  Sometimes they walk away.  Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.  What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done.

The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.  They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.  They may teach you something you have never done.  They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.  Believe it, it is real.  But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.  Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

The above message rings true to my sister from another mother- you know who you are. We have known each other for a very long time, have gone through hell and back together, have not spoken for years and yet reconnected like we have never been apart.. and during these challenging times, you have been a friend..